Thank you to all of my supporters.
I have all of the donations I need at this time and I don't expect to need any significant amount of money beyond this point as the last few weeks of the election draws to a close.

I know, what kind of candidate isn't asking for money? Well, me.
The people who know me, know this is in keeping with my nature.

I can't help it. My experience in business and my natural reluctance to spend is what makes me different from other candidates and other people in general.  As I have sat on governing boards and financial committees, money and the well orchestrated use of it has always been my strength. I never spend more than what is absolutely necessary. And I always want value and results for the money I spend.

When I started this campaign, I ran on the issues of: financial prudence, maintaining the social programs we have in place, and helping protect our city's future by supporting small and local businesses.

While everyone else wanted to talk about "slow growth" and "protecting open spaces,"  I wanted to talk about how we need to safeguard our finances.

And Boom!, the economic issues of today, the budget of Sacramento, the issues of Wall Street, and the legislation of Washington have everyone talking about our finances. Suddenly candidates who were talking about how they want to spend the city's money are now talking about small businesses and sales tax revenue.

I am happy about this for two reasons:
First,  it is what I said was most important for the city council candidates to be concentrating on at this time.
and Second, I take imitation as the sincerest form of flattery.

From the day I started campaigning I have been studying the city's budget, its expenses, its revenue and its investments. As our general fund takes a substantial hit this year and in the next two years, what will we do to shore up its revenues? And what kind of cuts should we be prepared to make?

On the campaign trail, I have spoken about Dial A Ride, and the need to improve our bus system, the need to carefully work on the issues of housing, and options of generating retainable income within the city. 

I don't want to see a trolley on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
I don't want to buy up foreclosed homes and resell them.
And I don't want to loan money from our already stressed general fund to banks for the purpose of propping up the economy.  These suggestions are just plain poor investment concepts for Thousand Oaks.

My campaign is an example of how I will steward the city's money. Prudently.
My campaign has been about honest answers to the real issues in our city.
And my campaign has been about staying away from personal smear tactics and staying focused on the financial issues of the city. 

If you want to know more about the finances of this years campaign for city council read the following article:

Ventura County Star - T.O. City Council Candidates Finances revealed

Thanks again to everyone for your support.

Sincerely,
Ernest LeGault