Meet the Candidates Q&A: Illece Buckley Weber

Illece Buckley Weber said that moving to Agoura Hills in 1992 "was the best decision we ever made." She and husband, Joe, raised their two children, Sara and David, in Agoura and both kids attended LVUSD schools.

Buckley Weber, a civil litigation attorney, is currently the vice chair for Agoura Hills' Planning Commission, to which she was appointed in 2006.

Agoura Hills Patch recently had an exchange with Buckley Weber and discussed her stance on local issues. 

Agoura Hills Patch: Why are you running for City Council?

Illece Buckley Weber: I want to preserve the quality of life in Agoura Hills. My experience on the planning commission has taught me about what needs to be done. We need to protect our open spaces and need to be diligent about our oak tree ordinance (protection of the older oaks).

All environmental issues are important to me. Each new development is entitled to a fair hearing, but we need to be strong in our convictions about what's best for our residents.

Patch: What do you think are some of the biggest issues Agoura will face during your first term if you are elected?

Buckley Weber: One of the biggest issues in the coming years will be the need to ensure compliance with strict development standards in front of Ladyface Mountain and Agoura Village. Both of these areas are subject to specific plans but that can be weakened or gutted depending upon the current city council.

Also, we've recently purchased a parcel of land off of Chesebro, [better known as] the Heschel School site. I would like to see that area permanently protected as open space.

We need to do a serious review of our city's grading ordinaces to avoid something like the Rhiopharm project (on Agoura Rd., on the south side of the 101 freeway). It sits too close to our wildlife corridor and it's not something that I would have supported.

Patch: How would you get people more involved in local government?

Buckley Weber: I have to say that our citizens are pretty active in our government. My experience on the planning commission [has seen] homeowners associations come in front of us; citizens come and speak to us. Our new cultural arts committee is made up of Agoura Hills residents.

Would I like to see more involvement? I think so. It would be a benefit for all of us. For example, I would like to see the public more involved in the newly approved community center, i.e. what should be in it. Or maybe we should put together a committee to decide how we should clean up Medea Creek.

Everyone here seems to be passionate about something; fighting for our schools, fighting for the environment.

Patch: Do you have any environmentally friendly endeavors you would like to pursue if elected?

Buckley Weber: I'd like to see Agoura Hills on the path to being one of the greenest cities in America. There's a lot we can do with recycling water and waste...We can promote a more sustainable lifestyle on our web site and in our newsletters. We can add electric car docking stations. These are ideas that would benefit the future.

I would also look into a plastic bag ordinance, which would [most likely] only affect larger stores like Vons or Ralphs and not the smaller businesses...I see lots of plastic bags on our beaches, in our creeks and hiking trails. It's not good for our environment. Perhaps we could join with Calabasas and, possibly, Westlake, to grow this idea.

Patch: What's the first thing you would like to do if elected to the council?

Buckley Weber: I would like to sit down with the education leaders and invite them to contact me any time. I am already involved with ..I would like to bring the school board and all of the groups together with the community to help make decisions...so we are all working together. Creating 'a process' would be a great thing.

Patch: What is your stance on development in the city? Do you think Agoura needs more of them or do you think the city is at its status quo when it comes to commercial or non-residential developments?

Buckley Weber: There's and "X" amount of privately owned parcels left in Agoura Hills, and those private citizens have a right to develop them, and I'm sure they're going to. I don't have a problem with that. What I want to make sure is that they comply with our stringent development standards. [For example], if there's an oak tree on the property, the developers will come up with a creative design to work around it...I'd love to see them comply with our signage standards...to receive LEEDS certification...We also can't be afraid to say no [if it's not working for the city]. Our residents always come first.

Patch: Do you have any thoughts on how the city can assist the school district, particularly in light of the cutting of the RDA?

Buckley Weber: I thing there are two ways in which we can help. The first being financial, of course. We maintain the public use of our school grounds for programs like Ayso, etc...The second would be non-financial. We need to give our schools support as a community. I recently went to the City Council meeting and asked the council to join me in supporting the .

We could also come up with new methods. For example, Reyes Adobe Days always has Friday Night at the Adobe. Why not hold a T.H.E. fundraiser on Saturday night?

I would also like to promote our community events through our web site, to tell people to get out and support our [local sporting, arts and music events].

I'm hoping that my addition to the council will bring in fresh blood with fresh ideas.

Patch: What do you think of the job the current council has done? Would you have done anything differently?

Buckley Weber: I think, over all, our city council has done pretty well. They all love Agoura Hills. I know that.

I don't have all of the information in front of me, but what stands out the most is the...Rhiopharm project on Agoura Rd. I know everyone put a lot of energy into it...I would not have supported it if it were put in front of me.

Patch: Do you have any ideas or programs in mind that could help generate some additional revenue for the city?

Buckley Weber: On of the most important things, I would encourage people to do, and the City is already doing it, is to shop local. That makes a huge difference. We have our furniture row. You need to buy a table or a rug, you need to go and take a look at those stores. The prices are competitive. They're bringing in a lot of tax dollars yet they're not high traffic areas, which is what we like in Agoura Hills...If you can just take a minute and ask yourself, "Can I buy it in Agoura?" The answer is, you probably can. We have great restaurants, and so many are run by locals. If you've got guests coming into town, try and stay at one of the Agoura hotels.