Letter to the editor: More info needed on fairgrounds

Re: The Star’s Dec. 4 editorial, “A big idea in Ventura. Why not hear it?”:

We need more details about the Ventura County Fairgrounds proposal. I don’t disagree with the idea, but I am concerned that somehow a developer may have been able to secure what appears to be an exclusive option to propose a development project for the site — for a relatively small option fee of $25,000.

Does that option prevent other developers from presenting better ideas? Has the county, by accident or by design, taken on a big financial liability should it attempt to work with another, better development plan without having to provide a big payoff to the option holder?

It may be that the biggest question is, did this initial developer have prior knowledge of bigger plans in the works? An inside bit of knowledge that could easily result in a big payday for his/her $25,000 gamble.

The Star’s editorial has given this development plan its soft approval. Now it’s The Star’s responsibility to explain the details to its readers.

Gary Selvaggio, Simi Valley

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letter to the editor: More info needed on fairgrounds