Ventura College horticulture student Janet Wall has donated more than $2,000 to the Ventura County Community College District to defer the cost of running the horticulture program.

Jerry Mortinson, dean of the technology division in charge of the horticulture program, has recieved more than $8,000 in support of this program.

The college intends to return these funds and still stubbornly insists on closing the horticulture program. Why?
Also, why won’t the district respectfully acknowledge those who have generously forwarded their own money to fund this important program? There has been not one word from them in response to any of the letters or checks sent. This is rude behavior beyond belief.
I and many in the community expect more from public employees — at the very least, an explanation for why the program was cut since we have now provided more than three times the amount the district claims to have saved by cutting the program.
This is now not only an outrage, but a rude insult!
— Dr. James Downer,
Farm Advisor and Plant Pathologist,
University of California,
Ventura County