I want to praise Mayor Paul Miller, Mayor Pro Tem Barbra Williamson and council members Michelle Foster, Glen Becerra and Steve Sojka for their professionalism, courtesy and patience at the City Council meeting on Feb. 23.

Opposing sides presented their positions on an issue which has deeply divided a neighborhood. The City Council did an excellent job in informing the large audience and speakers of the high standards that all will be held to.

The City Council patiently listened to hours of statements and filtered out fact from fiction to make the right decision for our neighborhood. Now the task of healing begins.

My only sad comment is: Why do parents bring children into this arena and use them as pawns to present their position?

The children have unnecessarily been drawn into issues that need to be resolved by adults. We, the adults, created this dilemma; we should solve it. Children grow up so fast, they need to enjoy their youth; too soon they will be adults and have to face the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

Once again, my hat is off to our wonderful City Council for all their professionalism, courtesy and patience. I have a profound admiration and respect for all of them. Bill Apodaca Simi Valley