Don't let Westfield blind you with smokescreens like bogus election ballot initiatives.
Remember, the primary goal of Westfield is not to put Arcadia First or to Save Arcadia, despite what they deceptively name their shadow support groups.
The primary goal of the Australian-based owner of the Westfield Santa Anita mall is to delay and eventually shoot down the proposed Shops at Santa Anita development at whatever cost to themselves, the city and taxpayers.
Why?
To avoid having to charge competitive lease rates to retailers in their Santa Anita mall and to avoid setting a precedent and sparking a ripple effect for this nation's biggest owner of shopping malls.
How are they doing that?
Westfield is counting on being able to trick, deceive and scare Arcadians who they hope will not take the time to consider anything other than the misleading ballot initiative petitions and ads that they spend millions of dollars creating.
For instance, regardless of the outcome of the ballot initiatives called "N" and "P" in November (Arcadia Wins! is not taking an official position on either ballot issue), Westfield knows that there will be free parking for all Arcadia residents at Shops at Santa Anita and hours of validated free parking for non-Arcadians. And Westfield knows that there will be no giant billboards they profess to be worried about because the city already has ordinances preventing such billboards.
So why do they bother with the ballot initiatives and all the ads? 
By doing so, Westfield successfully created an unnecessary delay of about half-a-year for the progress of the development until the election is concluded. Nevermind that the city and we taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for this superfuous election that is nothing more than a strategic manipulation by Westfield.
Each month that the Shops at Santa Anita is delayed means the further delay of:

* Millions of dollars in additional revenue to the city each year

* New school district offices on the SASA property, which will create much-needed space on the Arcadia High School campus.

* A long-awaited community theater at the Shops at Santa Anita.

Westfield is trying to scare Arcadians into helping them get what is best for Westfield, and trying to delay the process so long and spend so many millions of dollars doing so that they will outlast SASA developer Rick Caruso.

Don't be misled by the self-interests of Westfield. Don't let them scare, trick or mislead you. 
Make up your own mind, but not until you have looked beyond their mailers, ads and lawn signs to be sure you see the total picture.

In the meantime, respond to these blogs here at www.Arcadiawins.org and send us e-mails to let us know your concerns and opinions. Tell your friends and other Arcadians to do the same so we can help all Arcadians make an informed decision about the proposed Shops at Santa Anita.

Scott Hettrick
founder Arcadia Wins!