I did not and will not endorse or oppose Measure U.

If I had, I would have talked to OUHSD Board members, educators, and friends on both sides of this issue before signing on to any campaign.

I feel ambushed. This action was disrespectful.

There are many very fine people supporting and opposing Measure U; however, instead on the "who" of the campaign, I ask that voters focus on the issues, facts, values, and perspectives.

For me, unification needs to be decided after careful public discussions and discussions between informed and engaged individuals rather than a bandwagon mentality or a divisive my team vs. your team approach.

I ask that Unified Camarillo remove my name from their list.

Thank you.

Thank you ML.
How do you feel about elected officials tagging their position as a attempt to influence?
Do you think volunteers from non-profits should use their title?
Sometimes these titles are honorary or paid for by the individual. while I appreciate volunteers in the community and at our schools I'm not convinced they are more knowledgeable than the parents or tax payers who are affected . Of the 28 listed:
22have no kids affected
7 don't have a vote
I'll take the concerns of a first grade parent over a list of politicians, no offense ML, any day.
Please visit 4AlltheKids.org

ML: My apologies for listing your name as a supporter. You are listed because we have letters of support that you wrote to Superintendent Jack O'Connell, but more importantly, you were part of the pro-unification delegation--which included myself and Supervisor Kathy Long--that visited with the editorial board of the Star to discuss the merits of this unification. No disrespect was intended. In any event, please accept my apologies. We'll remove your name from our list of supporters.

Brian, to answer your question about Oxnard. This is seen by most as an issue affecting Camarillo, so there is not the passion in Oxnard that you see in Camarillo. Measure U will in fact benefit students in Oxnard and Port Hueneme: OUHSD needs to build a new high school in Oxnard, where schools are seriously over crowded. If Measure U passes, they will have the entire $135 million dollar bond, Measure H, that was passed in 2004, to spend on the students in Oxnard. They can build a new high school and make sure that all of their campuses have equitable facilities--which they currently do not. So it's really a win-win for all communities.

There are going to be several community forums and I believe there will be one in Port Hueneme. When I have the confirmed dates I will post them.

Dear Debbie,

I have written and was part of the pro-unification delegation because I thought it was time to have the question presented to the voters. At the meeting with the Star editorial board, we argued that it was time to "Call the Question," as Kathy Long stated. I went with the delegation as an act of good faith, so that the distortions that were being bantered about re: the motivation and the intention of the pro-unification delegation would be corrected.

I went with the pro-unification to help clear the muck and get at the issues.

The take you present in this comment is a distortion of the positions I have taken. I will send Brian a copy of the letter I wrote Jack O'Connell.

I have worked to stay on issues and avoid rifts based on personalities.

The nature of this discussion -- one in which pro-unification members have called those who oppose unification "traitors" to Camarillo and in which anti-unification members have called those
who support unification "racists" -- is the reason I refuse to endorse either side on this.

This decision needs to be made my voters closely examining the issues and asking the following questions:

1. Does unification make sense in improving/ increasing educational services/programs to students? How so or why not?

2. Do the benefits of unification outweigh the costs? How so or why not?

3. How should school districts be organized? Why?

4. How would a unified school district be an improvement or deterioration from the current school district configurations?

5. Who will benefit? How so?

6. Who will be harmed? How so?

7. Can the harms be mitigated? How or why not?

8. What does Camarillo, El Rio, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme children have to gain or lose through unification? Short term and long term?

9. What is the probable/possible worst/best case scenario if Measure U passes? What are the necessary preparations?

10. What is the probable/possible worst/best case scenario if Measure U losses? What are the necessary preparations?

Sincerely,
M L Peterson

ML Peterson- These questions you have posted have been discussed many times over the last 10 years. The County Board's report which was presented as thorough and extensive, the CDE analysis, the Environmental Impact Report and much more information is posted on the VCOE web site, at the State Board of Education's site, the PVSD website, on Camarillo Unified's site, and even on 4allthekids' site. Currently, there is a Transition Task Force in place that is working on more.

JohnAlamillo- Who's positions have been paid for by the individual?

While the parent of a student is most assuredly important, to indicate that because someone doesn't have a child in the school system they are not impacted by school issues is absurd.

Of course titles should be used. I would respect the opinion of a volunteer with the Boys and Girls club over the guy down the street that has never been involved with anything. I would respect the opinion of an elected official that has worked time in and time out on issues that are important to me.

Parent,
Thank you. Understood.

And I ask voters to continue to discuss these questions. I'm also confident that voters are interested in what the Transition Task Force is working on.

Sincerely,
ML Peterson

ML Peterson,

After reading about the way in which you treated Leslie Frank during the interview process for the Ventura County Superintendent position, I think you have some serious questions to answer to the public. It seemed political partisanship was very much part of this process, based on some of the questions you asked Ms. Frank regarding her husband's politics and how they played into her own beliefs and philosophies.

This obviously has nothing whatsoever to do with the selection of a Schools Superintendent, but it seemed that you couldn't separate an intelligent, well-qualified woman's independence and ability to form her own thoughts and opinions from that of her husband. How very 1950's of you...

Lf was railroaded-
Find Ms. Franks letter where she admits it was not ML but two other board members that question he politics.

Parent- You can be an honorary member to the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors for $1,000. If you are that impressed with titles we can start with mine:

Graduate of Camarillo High*

Parent of children in both districts*

Member Camarillo Educational Design Committee*

La Mariposa Design Committee*

Pleasant Valley School District Trustee, Former*

Active participant in Education Foundation Fundraisers*

Attendee Task Farce Transition Committee*

Past President Camarillo Cougar Football and Cheer*

Director Community Liaisons Camarillo Cougar Football and Cheer*

Youth sport coach boys baseball, AYSO, basketball

Member Rio Mesa Booster Club*

Member Rio Mesa Turf Committee*

Member Rio Mesa PFO*

Member Las Posas PTC*

Chair 4AlltheKids.org*

*For identification purposes only

Dear LFWRR'd,

Apparently you did not read Ms Frank's apology for identifying ML Peterson as the culprit. Ms Frank corrected this misinformation and identified Dean Kunicki and Chris Velenzano as the ones who challenged her ability, based on her husband's political views.

I also was misinformed and ended up apologizing to Ms Peterson. Perhaps you might do the same so that your post doesn't confuse other readers.

You are absolutely correct, however, that Kunicki & Valenzano were way out of line and should issue a public apology for tainting Ms Frank's interview with their craven political agenda.

ML Peterson,

I wish I was as optimistic as you. However,
I have attended some of the Task Force meetings and received the literature from the meetings I did not attend, and I have realized this is a group that refuses to give complete factual information to the public.

Just one example: they claim the district will now be a 50/50 diversifed district. How is that going to happen? Are they including the prison popluation that may come in with the new prison hospital or are we importing some minorities from somewhere else. I would be happy to forward all of the literature I have received from the "TASK FORCE".

PVSD and OUHSD employees are not supposed to be involved in campaigning for this measure or any of the candidates. But PVSD employees continue to violate Ed code: 7050-7058 on a daily basis.

PVSD is also putting on a town hall meeting for the teachers. Of course only CU's side gets to speak. They have someone who is speaking from a district that unified. The district they are referring to is nothing like the situation here in Camarillo. Hopefully by now the teachers have seen through the games and won't buy their misinformation.

I think everyone should here the truth and listen to both sides. The only side at this point that seems be offering the truth is not Cam Unified or PVSD.

I didn't say that I was impressed with titles. But it does help to identify the type of person you are. In your case, it does not.

PTelford,

I really think voters will be able to discern through the information provided.

I think it would help readers to understand how you arrived at your conclusions if you posted specifics and share how you are analyzing them.

I hope other readers will do that on this site so that a useful dialogue develops rather than just back-and-forth conclusions absent context.

I will be reading with interest.

Sincerely,
ML Peterson

ML,

I will be happy to share the information with you. Most of the information I have is through handouts. I will scan and try to post later.

Parent-
Your answer doesn't suprise me. You must be more impressed with an athletic supporter.

ML: If you follow the blogs, the name calling is coming predominantly from one side. I was the one who was called a "traitor" by Val Rains when I decided that I could no longer co-chair the group opposed to unification and began to work in favor of making it happen. Actually, to be accurate, she called me a "Benedict Arnold."

For those who wish to hear how the opponents of unification characterize this as a racist movement, watch their SBE testimony on Camarillo Unified's webpage.

John: If you want us to trust the information on 4allthekids.org, perhaps actually stating who the members of this political committee are would be helpful. Say what you will about the Steering Committee of Camarillo Unified--at least they have the integrity to identify who they are and publicly stand for what they believe in. So who is behind 4allthekids.org?

GS,

You're right, I did not read the apology, but doesn't it sound a bit fishy to you that Valenzano & Kunicki would pose that question to Leslie Frank, given the fact that they're both allied with Steve Frank?

It seems a little pressure may have been applied to her to retract her previous statement. Maybe someone in the Superintendent's Office twisted her arm back a little, huh?

I have no faith at all in ML Peterson's word either, a political hack from the word go.

There's a reason why you're called No Cred Deb. You've lost the respect and trust of many in the community and political circles. I hope your slithering ways don't taint the credibility of your former, or is it current, partner Cheryl.

There are irrefutable transcripts of the meeting, that's why Frank backed off. Do some research before you spout off.

ML is an honest, hard-working, intelligent asset to the VCBOE. She is highly educated, has been a teacher, and goes to numerous conventions and seminars to keep current on the issues affecting our education community. This is in contrast to some of the other board members who have the very slimmest of resumes.

She's also a long-time friend of mine. For over a year now I have been defending various friends from vicious, cowardly and utterly untrue attacks on this blog from the same anonymous blogger. It's getting mighty old.

But it hasn't been all bad here. I've also had the chance to meet some of the other bloggers who post here often and I've made some great new friends. You know who you are and you are good people.

To our bad apple: you need counseling. Go get it.

Maybe the reason was that Steve Frank isn't drinking Strickland's kool-aid anymore and his former colleagues are out to get him by going after his wife. They turned on Mikels in 2006. You may want to ask about.

Or maybe Kunicki & Valenzano were trying to create a controversy where none existed.

In any event, Kunicki & Valenzano still owe Ms Frank and all interested parties a public apology. Their questions were out of line, as you stated.

Debra says "John: If you want us to trust the information on 4allthekids.org, perhaps actually stating who the members of this political committee are would be helpful. Say what you will about the Steering Committee of Camarillo Unified--at least they have the integrity to identify who they are and publicly stand for what they believe in. So who is behind 4allthekids.org?"

Obviously she did not read the following...on the 4allthekids.org web site

"We have not asked for supporters at this time. It is our belief that the opinions and beliefs of those families and educators affected by the secession scheme are more relevant than various elected officials or random community volunteers.. "

I thinks it's pretty clear, Debra, that 4allthekids.org respects the abilities of the voters to discern the truth and not need to post a bunch of names...afterall, it would be really hard to post all of forallthekids.org's supporters...which are the majority of the parents with children actually in this school district.

Don’t be influenced by titles but be heard by the voices of those who realize their children will become victims of a half-baked scheme. And a plan without enough money to pay for all those politicians’ empty promises

The transcript of the meeting appeared to be very clear. That's why she apologized. Continuing attacking ML for something that two Republican activists said shows you as the true partisan.

JE: I read it, and I don't believe it. It's the same thing groups or candidates always say when they can't get endorsements from elected leaders or people who are active in the community. Also, turns out it's a contradictory statement: If 4allthekids.org doesn't want any endorsements, why do they ask people for permission to use their names as endorsements on the contribution form? They either want endorsements or they don't. The entire OUHSD board is against Measure U, why not list them? I'll tell you why: Because it doesn't play well in Camarillo. If they had endorsements they would publicize them.

Camarillo Unified hasn't started to list all of our other supporters. That will be coming very soon. And don't forget, there were over 12,000 voters who signed the petition for unification.

John, looks like you are the chair and Stacy Roth is the Treasurer. Who else is leading your group?
Don't you think this is something voters deserve to know?

Debra-
We are not hiding anything. Maybe it's just Stacy and I. I'm sure you will find out soon enough. With the challenge that you have made I'm sure you will find our list interesting. Our endorsements will not be the typical Camarillo Unified half truths and spin as noted by listing ML. Too bad you have to make the argument about endorsements, clearly you can't win on content. Sounds like a lipstick thing to me.

Remember there were a lot of people who signed the petition, including myself, that may have voted for secession at one time but will not now. All those PVSD parents that you had convinced would be sending their children to a slum found out the campus is nice and the education excellent. That was then this is now.

April 10, 1912- Everyone one wanted to be on the Titanic. November 4, 2008, lets hope history doesn't repeat itself.

NO ON MEASURE U

JE: I read it, and I don't believe it. Back at cha...especially when one has to wonder, since you used ML on your endorsement list...makes one wonder..if ya lie about one thing, you'll lie about 'em all.

JE: I read it, and I don't believe it. Back at cha...especially when one has to wonder, since you used ML on your endorsement list...makes one wonder..if ya lie about one thing, you'll lie about 'em all.

Dear JE, John, and blog readers/writers,

I respectfully ask that my name not be thrown around in a name-calling exchange. None of the names on either side should be reduced to this.

The primary reason I participated in working to get this on the ballot was that, as time went on, I witnessed the acrimony on both sides increase and political strategy -- on both sides -- crowding out discussion.

Even as an elected and Ventura County resident less directly affected by this important decision, I, too, found myself getting caught up in becoming irritated.

I can only imagine how frustrating it is for those who have been directly involved in this process.

We are ALL going to be affected by the decision OUHSD, PVSD, and Somis school district residents make.

The short- and long-term consequences to this decision will ripple throughout Ventura County, affecting most significantly West Ventura County.

If our passions about this issue could be redirected to making the case on facts, issues, values, perspectives, and consequences, then, whatever the outcome, I believe we will be able to move on after the election more quickly and productively.

Sincerely,
ML Peterson

JohnAlamillo - you should add Anna Bevens to your endorsement/committee list. Your domain is registered to her. Anna is the daughter of Socorro Lopez-Hanson, current trustee at OUHSD.

I, for one, am interested to see who is opposing unification. That way, we all know who not to vote for in the next elections. That's kind of what lost you a seat at PVSD, isn't it?

parent-everyone that I talk to around town:school, church are opposed to measure u. I have seen at least 12 vote NO lawn signs just in my neighborhood and none in the affirmative.

The citizens of Camarillo are not asleep at the wheel. Most of us have not forgotten the botched school closures. The Board has a lot of ground to cover if they think we will trust them with our high schoolers. I for one do not want my students at a make shift high school.

My kids have received a really good education due to both the PVSD & all the wonderful teachers we have in the PVSD. We have many young families and lots of diversity too because these families are looking for good schools for the children. Obviously PVSD meets their needs. I want the teachers of PVSD to get a raise in salary. They have cared for my children and I want to care for them. Yes unification will increase teachers pay in PVSD. No doubt about it UNIFICATION is GOOD for both TEACHERS and KIDS in the PVSD. AND IT FREE'S OUHSD TO CARE FOR THE OXNARD AREA KIDS!!
Believe me I have heard a lot more complaints from parents who are facing sending their kids to high school in Camarillo. They ask me, What are you going to do"? Most all have decided to send there kids out of Camarillo when they reach high school age. The other parents who actually send their kids to Camarillo high (OUHSD) tell me how hard it is for the kids as the curriculum is not matched, the school or OUHSD won't work with them as parents. Camarillo parents know if they are involved with their kids education the kids will do better. Please help us to make a brighter future for Camarillo kids VOTE YES MEASURE U. Just stating my experience and keeping it positive.

Vote NO on unification. It will increase our property tax and some of our high schoolers will end up at Los Altos....a campus once considered obsolete by PVSD.
As stated by NO on Measure U-85% of teachers polled said they will leave Camarillo High Schools.
That doesn't sound good for anyone!