Re: Thomas D. Elias’ June 29 commentary, “Governor’s race offers voters real alternatives�:

How much would a quarter-page ad cost to run in your paper? I figure that is how much you have contributed to the Phil Angelides campaign for governor. I hope he thanks you for your support.

— Forrest V. Friou, Oxnard

Re: Greg Stratton’s June 22 commentary, “School district fails its students�:

It’s beneath Mr. Stratton to use scare tactics like, “Your children are going to fail!�
Well-intentioned people mandated universal study of algebra for eighth graders; that backfired. Developmentally, many eighth graders aren’t ready. They’re forced to take algebra and fail. They learn that they’re failures. They cannot learn algebra. And many learn to hate and fear algebra all because of a scare tactic.

Do we wish to repeat the mistake with science?

Re: Clifford D. May’s June 29 commentary, “Rights groups turn a blind eye to terrorists' wrongs":

May claims that "the wealthiest and most powerful human rights organizations" do not regard the torture of two U.S. soldiers as "serious violations of the laws of war and fundamental human rights." To prove his point, May claims he actually looked at the organizations' Web sites. Apparently, May didn't look too hard.

Re: Suzanne Duckett’s June 23 letter, “District needs trustees like Dunn�:

I wonder where Ms. Duckett gets her "facts." Her letter is full of misinformation, much like Conejo Valley Unified School District trustee Mike Dunn. Both show complete ignorance about bargaining rules and regulations and appear to get their "facts" from the same inaccurate source. If laws are broken, doesn't Ms. Duckett think consequences should occur?

Re: your June 30 article, “Holiday crackdown�:

Well, The Star did it again. Its annual front page "advertisement" for the fireworks sellers in Fillmore is irresponsible. Instead of informing people where they can buy fireworks — the bulk of which will be used where they are illegal — why not do a meaningful article about the dangers of using them: fires, burns, dismemberment, etc.?

— Tom Robbins, Thousand Oaks

Congratulations to the We CARE group of Santa Paula. Once again, against all odds, this group successfully defeated a residential project. Once again, it snatched defeat from the arms of victory, denying Santa Paula the substantial annual increase in revenue these projects would have generated.

Three times, this group put on its armor and fought the “evil developers.� And three times, it won. Bravo! How dare the developers offer to build a place for Santa Paula’s offspring to live? “Stop them!� We CARE cried. “Stop them� from building a variety of modern homes, schools and parks. “Stop them� from building on hills and in canyons that have little to no economic value for any other use.

At this time when we celebrate our freedom, I would like to highly recommend a book that was researched in the Yale University rare book section. The authors used original documents, letters and journals written by Americans who lived the history delineated in this book. The time frame is from the Christopher Columbus through the Revolutionary War. This book gave me a greater and more profound appreciation of our country and the godly, brave and dedicated people whom we call our founding fathers.

The title is “The Light and the Glory,� and the authors are Peter Marshall and David Manuel. The publisher is Fleming H. Revell Co.

As a resident of Westlake Village for 16 years, I carefully studied the Town Center plans and concluded that they are outstanding, bringing wonderful features together while also addressing environmental concerns. Our lovely community has yearned for additional dining and shopping, and this is our opportunity to welcome both.

I’m pleased by the prospect of voting this project into reality in November, and I urge my neighbors to do the same. After they do that, they should brace themselves. When they hear the opposition’s false claims, they should consider the source. Let’s face it, opponents are funded by people with something to gain if the Town Center, anchored by a beautiful Lowe’s store, comes to town.

Re: your June 28 editorial, “Disclosure acts as an oversight�:

The Star’s editorial hit it on the head when it said, “It’s nothing the terrorists couldn’t have guessed.� I’ve been puzzling over President Bush’s outrage at the media reports on the financial tracking of bank accounts since the administration explained to us how complex and organized the planning for Sept. 11 was, including the funding necessary for the terrorists. Thanks for your details about the Society for Worldwide Interbank Telecommunications system.

— Marcia Morocco, Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 24 editorial, “Misery defines soccer showing�:

The American soccer players played hard. But for a few plays and questionable calls, they would have gone through group play.

In 2002, the Koreans co-hosted the World Cup. Every time a Korean player touched the ball there was a cheer from the stands. Soccer is an emotional game, and the Koreans won several games they shouldn't have.

Re: your June 28 article, “Viagra in luggage may mean trouble for Limbaugh�:

Thank God I am not a celebrity like Rush Limbaugh. I would probably still be in jail if the screeners had looked in my carry-on luggage recently and found a bottle with four different prescription medications and two inhalers — not only without my name on the bottle, but no doctor's name or prescription label!

Re: Yahya Merchant’s June 28 letter, “No, they aren’t like us�:

Here we go again. Yahya Merchant feels safer in Libya and more welcomed in Oman! Why, pray tell, is Merchant still here? The people in Brazil are as different than we are as are as the people in Spain, Germany and the list goes on. The big difference is that we can live with our differences.

Re: your June 28 article, “A city at sea�:

That was a great article on the mighty USS John C. Stennis. Thank you! That’s our little boy's ship!

This is from a very proud Navy mom. Our son, Randy, enlisted at age 20 and is now master chief in the Reactor Department on the Stennis, which means he has charge of the nuclear reactors that keep that amazing ship going.

Let's make our Ventura promenade a safe place to enjoy the beautiful view. It was one of the attractions that led my husband and me to move to Ventura 27 years ago. Then, 12 years ago, we moved to a condo beside it where we could walk out our door and be right there.

The last time I walked on the promenade was the first Sunday in April, a beautiful day. I walked a ways past the pier, using my cane and trying to gain strength through exercising. On my way back, after passing the pier, I began to tire and decided to sit on one of the benches and rest a bit.

On my drives throughout Ventura, I have noticed an increasing number of trees being butchered by people who haven’t a clue as to proper pruning techniques.

I am referring to topping off the branches — or giving them the appearance of a “poodle cut.� When trees are cut this way, their appearance is forever ruined and the overall health of the tree is undermined.

What does it say about our country when a film such as “An Inconvenient Truth� is barely mentioned in the mainstream media, yet stories about the myth-busting fairy tale, “The Da Vinci Code,’ were plastered across television screens and newspaper pages for months prior to its release — and continue to be despite its hollow and contrived plot and incredibly predictable conclusion.

Re: Chuck Thomas’s June 10 commentary, “Did they say what they say they said?�

Chuck Thomas’s column on quotes and misquotes was fun reading. I hope all of your readers got the message in the Ogden Nash quote, “Progress was a good thing once, but it went on too long.� One could paraphrase that quote into, “I’ve found my little piece of paradise in Ventura County, now let’s keep anyone else from coming in.�

Re: Howard Smith’s June 25 commentary, “Salts dumped in river threaten V.C. economy":

I agree with Smith's concerns about dumping chloride salts into the Santa Clara River. But it is ironic that Smith and the board of Ventura County Economic Development Association support liquefied natural gas facilities off our coast that will pollute our air and ocean water and negatively effect our economy.

I'd like to compliment the city of Ventura and organizers for putting the Breath of Life event on. As a former U.S. Cycling Federation competitive bike racer and one who has participated in many similar events, I know the hurdles that must be overcome to put on an event like this.

However, I hope there were some lessons learned from this event. Local businesses and traffic were horribly impacted and, put simply, blindsided by this event. This could have been easily overcome with better planning and communication.

Re: Steve Greenberg’s June 21 editorial page cartoon, “Indefinite Detainees at Guantanamo�:

I viewed this cartoon with puzzlement and dismay. Steve Greenberg depicts American sovereign rights and liberties as “prison detainees� at Guantanamo prison.

With our troops in Iraq in the middle of an undeclared civil war and our troops in Afghanistan under attack by Taliban forces, the news media is strangely quiet. These wars are being back-paged or not given any mention. Instead, the media is going along with the administration's “saber rattling� about the threat of nuclear proliferation from Iran.

Is it reasonable to believe that a nation with a stockpile of more than 6,000 nuclear weapons, with the ability to pinpoint delivery to any place on earth and a satellite system that can reveal the source of any incoming missile, has anything to fear from Iran?

Re: Carol Horton’s June 8 letter, “End mental health funding�:

I suffer from bipolar disorder and extreme clinical depression with psychotic episodes. I am told that it is biochemical and that I will be on medication for the rest of my life. That’s OK. Please believe me when I say that the alternative is definitely not OK.

I was diagnosed in 1988. Since then, I have been on medication on and off. When I am on medication, I function fine.

Re: Marjorie Olson’s June 19 letter, “Hard to feel sorry�:

What a great letter!

As a parent, I know there are certain things one has to get used to. Children relentlessly beg for things you know aren’t good for them. I listen to children complain that so-and-so has the latest, greatest name-brand whatever. Birthday parties are equivalent to a coronation.

We took our dogs down to the beach recently but found signs telling us we could not do that anymore. We are very unhappy about that. We, as well as our dogs, looked forward to walking in the sand and getting our feet wet. I suppose it is because some lazy fools did not pick up after their pooches and thus created this situation for the rest of us who carry bags for that purpose.

Re: your June 25 Pulse page, “Iraq war�:

This page of Iraq war letters was an absolute verification of the adage, "Those who don't study history are condemned to repeat it."

With very few changes, that page could easily have been published in 1969. That year, the country was deeply divided regarding the Vietnam War. As succinctly indicated on that letters page, the same remains true regarding the Iraq war.

Wow! Recent articles from a movie critic, a Star columnist and Parade magazine all present former Vice President Al Gore’s global warming scenario as fact. So it must be true!

Or perhaps this is mainly a means to an end. Another crisis is good for both headlines and folks looking for more federal grants. Climate research funding is already up almost ten times in 20 years.

Kudos to the teenagers who skateboarded with police escort through downtown Ventura recently. While their enthusiasm and respect for the law in obtaining escort for their "roller march" are both admirable, may they use their skills to liberate people from the clutches of misfortune.

May skateboarders in Ventura, and throughout the county, hold officially-sanctioned skateboarding events to benefit charitable causes. By rolling forth for the charitable gold, as it were, youth could forge inspiring hope and lend new momentum to the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people locally, statewide, nationally or even internationally.

Re: Lawrence R. Carter’s June 27 commentary, “LNG terminal right pick for county�:

First, I wonder if Mr. Carter is aware of the difference between a 30-inch natural gas pipeline at 450 pounds per square inch and a 36-inch pipeline at 1,100 pounds per square inch. Or that most of the pipes running under our city are small and probably run somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 to 80 pounds per square inch. This is an enormous difference in pressure.

Re: Sally Kosoff’s June 18 letter, "Mental illness is very real":

It appears that Kosoff is misinformed. She is correct in that if mental illness is effectively treated, a person will lead a productive life.

To my knowledge, and to the knowledge of all drug companies, the drugs they make do absolutely nothing to cure mental illness. The drug companies tell us mental illness may (means “possibly�) be caused by a biochemical imbalance. This doesn't sound like well-known scientific fact to me.

I was thumbing through a recent edition of The New Yorker and was disgusted with the arrogance of the advertising sponsored by Chevron. Imagine four postcards with illustrations that initially appear to be harmless jokes. Upon careful examination, I recognized that the propaganda being presented on the surface was to encourage people to save energy.

On one hand, oil companies want us to buy more oil. On the other hand, they are blaming us for this dilemma.

I’m writing to voice my personal opinion on how very bitterly citizens are being treated at City Council meetings. It’s sad that the council is slapping people around like a football. I’m hurt by that.

The council members are trying to stop citizen involvement in our local government altogether. I’m glad I’m not on any committees anymore. I’m at the welcome desk where I’m appreciated. But it hurts when issues you care about get slapped down.
Election time is nearing, and I’m glad. It’s time for change, and we need someone who believes in open democracy and citizens being involved.

—Mary Harris, Thousand Oaks

Re: Jerre Reimers’ June 28 letter, “Who pays for healthcare?�

Jerre Reimers should do his homework. My letter to The Star, which Reimers unfairly attacked, was actually in support of a proposal made by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was not "my plan," as Reimers alleged.

Re: Thomas Ion’s June 25 letter, “Not like us�:

When will people like Ion finally realize Saddam Hussein was no threat to the United States? Sanctions had ensured Iraq had no military capable of threatening the United States. Iraq was in no way connected with al-Qaida or Sept. 11. Bombing Iraq, as Ion wanted, created the very situation that brought al-Qaida and Iraqis together, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of more than 2,500 military members.

Re: Greg Stratton's June 22 commentary, “School district fails its students�:

Simi Valley Unified School District trustee and former mayor Greg Stratton should be commended for writing this letter and telling the truth about the school district's lack of planning. It's a refrain heard from critics often, but it's clear as day when made by a sitting trustee.

Re: your June 27 article, “Possible terrorist threat closes Port of Hueneme�:

The threat of a terrorist attack on our local coast is real. Port Hueneme was closed due to a possible terrorist threat found on board a 30,000-ton refrigerated ship that arrived from Guatemala.

When will the powers that be in this state wake up and smell the espresso? A liquefied natural gas regasification plant — proposed Cabrillo Port or any other proposition — off our coast is a bad idea due to the possibility of a terrorist attack. It’s plain and simple.

Re: your June 26 editorial, “More than just a brain�:

As a retired Thousand Oaks High School teacher, I wish to mention some realities of high school life here in the Conejo that The Star and others who support the premise of no bathroom breaks may not know.

Oxnard has become the new hot spot for debate as talk of a liquefied natural gas complex arises as a possibility in this city.

LNG is a natural gas in liquid form, used for cooking, heating and electrical functions as well as other industrial uses. It is also used as an alternative fuel source for transportation, which brings me to my main concerns.

Why does everyone seem to speak so powerfully against a local terminal to unload this imported gas? That seems to boggle my mind.

Re: your June 15 article, “Reports detail Ventura city officials' dispute�:

A member of the Ventura city attorney's staff has been charged with dissuading or preventing an official from testifying. Has City Attorney Bob Boehm broken the law in this case by withholding evidence?

It's the good old boys club in action again when our city attorney runs directly to the district attorney to secure exoneration in this case and is accommodated. If you ask me, this matter needs to be investigated!

— Jim Gray, Ventura

Re: Roy Hooper's June 23 letter, “Beauty near the fast lane unsafe�:

If gool ol' Roy would drive the speed limit, he might see that the "tiles" are stamped concrete.

- Wayne Saddler, Ventura

The local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County Inc. celebrated its 21st year as a leading veterans organization June 17. During its meeting, it also honored the winners of the James Michael Ray Scholarship Fund.

This year's winners were Dawn Zolman of Oxnard, Frank Forbes of Oxnard and Jeanette Howard of Santa Paula. Scholarship money is received as donations by various veterans organizations throughout the year.

This year's event was the best the veterans have seen in the past few years, according to scholarship fund chairperson Rick Brandl.

Elected officials are responsible to serve all the constituents, not just those with one point of view. This not a trivial or easy task. It takes empathy, wisdom, humility and a dedication to find and communicate the “deeper truth� of a situation.

The division, polarization and nastiness we see in politics today are a testament to how little responsible leadership we currently have.

Re: your June 23 editorial, “Politics eclipses immigration bill�:

Uncontrolled illegal immigration is truly an urgent national problem. The Star has it wrong when it characterizes the House of Representatives as "playing politics" with the immigration bill. Rather, it is the U.S. Senate and President Bush who are playing politics. The vast majority of American citizens is fed up with overpopulation, housing shortages, increased crime and overcrowded schools caused by uncontrolled illegal immigration.

Re: Arleigh Kidd’s June 22 letter, “Healthcare for all children needed�:

Kidd blames the Republicans in Sacramento for failing to include a “feel-good� plan to provide unlimited healthcare to all children in this year’s budget. He does not care whether these resident children are here legally or illegally. He also does not say how the plan should be paid for.

Who does Kidd think should be taxed for this generous benefit? Also, since he signed the letter as the local executive director of the California Teachers Association, what is in this for the CTA?

The majority on the Thousand Oaks City Council is out of sync with the voters, and nothing proved that more clearly than the last election. Four of the five council members endorsed Joe Gibson for supervisor and attached their names to his negative mailers. Not surprisingly, despite the endorsement of Gibson, Linda Parks won overwhelmingly.

How could a council majority be so off the mark? I can only guess it's because they have plans for this city that a slow-growth supervisor would not endorse. They all "talk the talk" about being slow growth, but at the end of the day, who is buying it? Not the majority of voters who heartily rejected their candidate.

Re: your June 22 article, “Teaching Zoo’s popular monkey Koko dies at 43�:

If, God willing, I am blessed with a long life, I hope no one sees fit to euthanize me solely because they do not want me subjected “to the humiliating decrepitude of extreme old age.�

— Angela Buckley, Simi Valley

I don’t know if desecrating the flag should be an allowed expression of free speech or not, but I think we need to remember why we love our county. I love my country for the freedoms and opportunities that I have here. I also worry that if it becomes illegal to damage a symbolic piece of cloth, what will be made illegal next?

I would never desecrate my country’s flag. I hate people who do not respect our flag. However, legislating its respect is going down the wrong road. Congress should worry about making themselves more respectable. Maybe that is what they are up to. The next step is to make it illegal to disrespect Congress.

My home in Ojai, designed in 1969 by my late husband, an architect, will be taken by eminent domain if the local, state and federal governments continue their plan to demolish Matilija Dam. Other buildings and homes below the dam are targeted for destruction despite Ventura County officials’ promise in June 1999 to protect “public and private property.�

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, wants to use Santa Rosa Island as a potential military hunting reserve despite agreements ending the hunt in 2011. What a disaster! I have seen dramatic results already from eliminating most of the deer and elk on the island.

Re: Paul D. White’s June 19 commentary, “U.S. should apologize now for slavery�:

White wants the U.S. government to officially apologize to African-Americans because “slavery and its lingering legacy� were wrong. And he wants our government to apologize for it.

Why stop there? What about the now-defunct Confederacy? Get every state government that was a member to issue an apology.

Re: Andrew Knauer’s June 23 letter, “Graduation audience a disgrace�:

I have heartfelt sympathy for what Andrew and others in the audience had to endure as they capped off their high school years. This should have been a great night of celebration for the graduating classmates of Newbury Park High School’s Class of 2006. Lack of courtesy and open rudeness to a special teacher like Elwyn Ellis had to be downright embarrassing. I’m sure Andrew felt like jumping to his feet and shouting to these juvenile-acting parents, relatives and friends to show some old-fashioned courtesy. He would have been soundly applauded.

Re: your June 18 article, “Cities hide cell antennas in plain view�:

This article was an excellent example of what happens when The Star doesn't do its homework and relies on an industry lobbyist for information.

I take offense at Joe Farre, a Washington lobbyist, saying that "the rub" to many subscribers is they don't want to deal with looking at cellular or wireless antennas. A "rub?" It's more serious then that.

Re: your June 22 editorial, “Time to end death penalty�:

We very much appreciate The Star's editorial, a compelling summary of the reasons why the death penalty fails California. The new debate about the constitutionality of the use of lethal injection is just the most recent in a long line of complications in administering the death penalty - complications that will never be resolved.

Re: your June 22 editorial, “Time to end death penalty�:

This is an editorial long overdue. In my opinion, the execution of only one innocent person is enough to get rid of the death penalty everywhere.

As a mother of a murder victim, I felt like I had to practice what I preach and joined a group of people in Texas, who, in conjunction with the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, went on a Journey of Hope "From Violence to Reconciliation," a 17-day trip that started in Houston with a quiet vigil in front of the prison in Huntsville where executions take place.

Re: your June 22 editorial, “Time to end death penalty�:

The editorial appeals to common sense dictating the abolishment of this form of punishment for murder and other forms of crimes against society. The approximately 65 percent of Americans — according to a Gallup Poll — who still favor this action simply don’t look at facts to come to a logical conclusion. It is self-evident they are only interested in retaliation or vengeance without regard for the life of an innocent man — there have been 123 exonerations since 1976 — or believing that this threat from society is actually a deterrent to crime.

As deeply saddened and disappointed as we are about the defeat of Measure E6, we are nevertheless grateful for the experience of working with so many dedicated and selfless people with whom we shared a vision for the future of Santa Paula. We are grateful to Rick Bianchi and Centex for listening to those of us who took the time and effort to participate in the many community meetings and the exciting charrette process. Centex came up with a project that we designed and that incorporated our vision for Santa Paula, not theirs.

Gee, what a fine idea to hunt on Santa Rosa Island. Let's keep the elk herd alive so they can be killed. There are some in government, most of whom are members of the Republican Party, who can never get their fill of killing. Just take a look at the membership of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.

— Marge Hackett, Ojai

Last year, we attended Buena High School's graduation. While it was a lovely ceremony, with many hours put into its planning, preparation and culmination, unfortunately it was badly disrupted.

The ceremony was marred by people who chose to blow air horns, stomp up and down and yell. We were unable to hear much of what was being said during the ceremony. What should have been an experience celebrating a milestone in these young adults' lives degenerated into an atmosphere that was more like a football game.

Re: your June 14 editorial, “Beach patrols require review�:

The Star listed several suggestions that Oxnard Police need to consider if beach patrols are halted. However, The Star failed to suggest that a lifeguard should be hired for the summer months and holidays that might preclude the need for SUV police patrols at Mandalay Beach and the Oxnard Beach Park.

Re: your June 14 editorial, “Beach patrols require review�:

It would behoove The Star, and the community at large, to wait until a full investigation has been concluded in order to determine exactly what might be done to prevent this kind of accident from happening again — if indeed that is a realistic expectation — before offering solutions.

Re: David Howard’s June 13 commentary, “Immigration rights, not immigration reform�:

It is not the xenophobic right, as Howard puts it, that is in favor of stricter controls. Across the country, 80 percent of the people, Democrats and Republicans, are in favor of tightening the border and getting a handle on illegal immigration. To the majority, it is a problem. Legislators are listening to their constituencies because the majority is speaking out.

Re: your June 9 article, “Patience, time, cash needed for green card�:

The article puts the lie to those letter writers and right-wing talk show hosts who blabber about anchor babies or wonder why illegals don’t just do it the legal way. As the article pointed out, many would never get in legally, no matter how long they waited.

Re: David Howard’s June 13 commentary, “Immigration rights, not immigration reform�:

Unfortunately, the invasion problem in our country is with illegal aliens, not legal immigrants. Legal immigrants have rights, whereas illegal aliens do not, nor should they demand any. Too many people assume that all those who come across our borders are nice, hard-working people just looking for work. This just isn't reality!

Considering that Highway 101 from Sanjon Road to the Santa Barbara County line resembles a road in some Third World country, wouldn’t our highway dollars be better spent repairing the roadway than some electronic sign that really serves no useful purpose?

— Charles E. Voigtsberger, Ventura

It has been said, “Those who do not learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.� We were told that if we did not stop communism in Vietnam, it would spread and take over all of Asia. We wasted over 50,000 lives of our young men, until finally we just quit and came home.

I watched a recent Oxnard Planning Commission meeting in total awe! The comments made by some planning commissioners about Centex Homes’ proposed development on the corner of Oxnard Boulevard and Gonzales Road were inept, foolish and downright insulting! How could these insensitive people actually be appointed to advise the City Council in the first place? Who on the council appointed these people?

I was born and raised in Oxnard. It is the only city I have really known. Even though my family remains true to our city, the city hasn’t remained true to my family.

Oxnard says that it is a “City that Cares.� However, it has shown it does not care. April 1, around 9:30 p.m., I was traveling down Gonzales Road, going the speed limit, if that, when I hit a huge pothole. My car isn’t very big, so the pothole damaged my car. I had two witnesses in the car with me and all of us noticed something was wrong once my steering wheel started to shake.

Re: Gerald Schwanke’s June 9 letter, “Where were the ballots�:

As an inspector in a Ventura County polling place, I can confirm that we had decline-to-state ballots for nonpartisans to vote Democrat, American Independent or Republican. I issued several of each. Perhaps the problem that Mr. Schwanke encountered came from some confusion in his precinct. We had, I think, nine different ballots to deal with, as well as a totally different voting system.

Re: Jack Brewer’s June 11 letter, ‘Just plain rude’:

I have to agree with Mr. Brewer. Judy Mikels claimed her defeat was due to bad politics and a mudslinging campaign on the part of her opponents. Mikels fails to recognize how many people she has offended and that there are those who went to the polls only to vote her out. Jim Dantona and Peter Foy had very little to do with it.

On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission votes on whether to allow the Pebble Beach Company to build yet another golf course, as well as mansions and resort development, in the largest remaining Monterey pine forest in the world.

Just before Wednesday’s big vote, Assemblyman Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, sent a letter to the Coastal Commission announcing that he was replacing Coastal Commissioner Alternate David Allgood, who has a proven commitment to the Coastal Act and was scheduled to vote on Wednesday.

I finally agree with the proponents of BHP Billiton’s proposed liquefied natural gas facility, Cabrillo Port.

I attended the Environmental Protection Agency’s public hearing June 5 on BHP’s air permit and realized the issue really is NIMBY — Not In My Back Yard: 279 tons of air pollution right in our back yards!

According to the EPA, Cabrillo Port would annually emit nearly 279 tons of various air pollutants, including 66.05 tons of nitrogen oxide.

Re: your June 6 summary, “Star's positions on state propositions�:

I take issue with the statement, “Taxpayer money would be better spent assisting families that cannot afford preschool, not boosting the incomes of those that can.�

My husband and I have our small son in daycare, not because we have extra money that we want to throw around, but we because we both have to work to pay our mortgage, bills and put food on the table. Our family insurance is provided through my employer, so staying home is not an option for me.

Re: George A. Papandreou’s June 11, commentary, “Choosing candidates – the Athenian way�:

While Papandreou is correct about the basic facts of ancient Athenian democracy, there is much that he omitted which would indicate that it was not as populist a system as he wants us to believe.

It's awful creepy to think there was someone in the stands filming our community's daughters' stadium cheerleading and selling perverted edits on the Internet. Until the sheriffs can get Sacramento to write an ironclad law protecting us, I think there is a marketplace solution. It's called copyright.

The article quotes a Penn State law professor as saying there is "no reasonable expectation of privacy...when...in a public place." Our high school stadium is not exactly a public space like the sidewalk downtown. Everyone pays for entry to the football games. So shouldn't the schools be able to copyright the "performances" taking place in that stadium?

I would like to thank co-chairs John Wisda and Richard Main and the rest of the We Care Committee for taking on such an uphill battle in leading the charge against Fagan development E6.

First came the referendum and then the initiative. It seemed all odds were against them, including the present City Council, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and the One Santa Paula. It was almost an impossible feat, but with the faith of these warriors who did not look to the left or to the right, but remained focused as they persevered with their message to enlighten the people of Santa Paula, the people listened and joined in and together they won the battle.
Thank you, John! And thank you, Richard. And thank you all who helped. You know who you are. Thank you.

— Al Escoto, former mayor, Santa Paula

I received a call from former mayor Carl Barringer saying that what happened on June 6 “has revived my faith in the good judgment of the people of Santa Paula.� Everyone respects this fine man.

Even with city officials working against us and the pressures of a multimillion-dollar developer campaign, we have witnessed a remarkable display of courage, independent thinking and quiet resolve.

Re: Manuel M. Lopez’ June 11 commentary, “An albatross around Oxnard’s neck" and Steve Sarchett’s commentary, “An asset�:

I was glad to see Dr. Lopez's letter addressing some of the negative impacts the airport has on our city. There are many more negatives. Here are just a few:

— Noise. Oxnard residents cannot have a wedding, a funeral, a tribute to our fallen police or any other outdoor activity without interruption by aircraft noise. A phone conversation, a TV show, a full night’s sleep — forget it.

Re: Manuel M. Lopez’ June 11 commentary, “An albatross around Oxnard’s neck" and your May 27 article, “Plane collides with SUV�:

First, the Oxnard Airport does not belong to the City of Oxnard; therefore it is not an albatross.

Of the seven "accidents" reported in The Star article, only two occurred off the field. Therefore, the dangers of the airport location are exaggerated.

Re: your June 10 editorial, “Defibrillators in schools right�:

Why are defibrillators only being considered in the Conejo Valley Unified School District by a private organization spearheading the project? Liability is cited as the excuse.

I wish so-called risk managers would actually cite a situation where doing the right thing and having a defibrillator resulted in a lawsuit. There has never been a lawsuit concerning the use of a defibrillator by a layperson, but there have been lawsuits when a defibrillator was not available. The Good Samaritan Act protects and encourages a person to render aid to someone in need.

It is very interesting to hear the reasons why Ventura and Oxnard school administrators do not want heart defibrillators on campus. I did not think school officials, of all people, would want to not progress in their thinking, for it seems that is the rationale behind their thinking.

For anyone who has seen or known of anyone who has experienced a defibrillator when the time came, and no matter if you are young or elderly, that instrument saves lives — and many of them. Ask anyone who uses them or has seen them function. It is not magic but scientific research behind the reason to have them on every campus.

I had supported Judy Mikels in her last three elections. It was her apparent indifference to people in her district that caused me to switch my support.

During her current term, I contacted her office several times and never had a response. The last time was the clincher.

Re: your June 8 editorial, “Where have all the voters gone?�:

As a conservative Republican, I always am grieved to see the party lose another position.

I do, however, believe Supervisor Judy Mikels was out of touch with her constituency and was probably complicit in her own defeat. All of the reasons The Star gave in its editorial skated around the fact that perhaps Mikels got into one too many battles with Supervisor John Flynn. The Star failed to mention that Flynn endorsed Jim Dantona and even helped him walk precincts in the 4th District.

Amid the clamor about “The Da Vinci Code,� there are those who think the book is an abomination and that the movie should not have been made.

There are others who don’t understanding what all of the ballyhoo is about. They make the claim that Christians shouldn’t get so upset about a work of so-called fiction.

To them, I say the following.

It would take far too long for me to vent my illegal alien and nationalist Mexican immigrant concerns, and I would possibly offend the last two people on earth who can say, "They put in more than they take out� with a straight face, so I won’t.

What I will do is share the blame with all who should have stood against the 25-year "period of the smiling invaders" instead of quietly shaking our heads in disbelief. It was not until we had Mexican flags stuffed in our faces and were forced to listen to schoolchildren pop off as though their opinion matters at this level that enough was enough. And don't get me started on the mayor of Los Angeles. He and the Los Angeles Unified School District should have given those children the guidance that their parents evidently were not capable of providing.

Re: your June 2 article, “Doctors cleared in death of teen�:

As a doctor in Ventura at Ventura County Medical Center, I want to question The Star’s thought process in presenting a medical malpractice case originating at Community Memorial Hospital recently.

Medicine is practiced by human beings and, as such, will always be subject to oversight and criticism. I think all the doctors in this community understand that.

Re: your June 5 editorial, “A prior attack doesn’t count?�

This editorial concerning the formula used by the Department of Homeland Security to distribute funds for the coming year omits a few of the facts.

A "national monument or icon" is, by strict definition, a structure in which people do not dwell. The Statue of Liberty and the St. Louis Arch are considered icons because there are no offices or human habitats within the structures, while the other edifices The Star mentioned are office buildings.

I spent the Memorial Day weekend on Santa Cruz Island at Scorpion Campground with my friends. Since 1999, when I first discovered camping there, I’ve enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, turquoise waters, kelp beds full of fish, starfish and urchins, and the amazing trails leading up cliffs and through expansive meadows. At night the stars and comets burn brightly because the island has no street lights at all.

I believe that the current situation with our involvement in Iraq and how our current president is handling it is appalling. I am not saying that our troops are not doing a good job. I just think that our current administration is not doing what it should to help that country.

I believe that we should start to pull our soldiers out of Iraq and let their administration handle their own affairs without our iron hand behind them guiding them the way we think they should be headed.

Re: your June 4 article, “LULAC panel discusses immigration issues�:

As a taxpayer who helps fund California State University, Channel Islands, I hope the university will host group discussions with alternative views of immigration issues. It’s interesting how the word “illegal immigrant� was never used by anyone in this group or in The Star report.

— Bob Scudder, Camarillo

Re: Roger Rodriguez’ June 5 letter, “Hypocritical racism?�

Mr. Rodriguez’ letter reveals the anger he must feel in his present situation. He is not alone in his situation, and there may be some hope for him in my story.

Re: your June 7 article, “Local healthcare needs funded�:

It is outrageous that any of the tobacco settlement money went to the Ventura County Mental Health Department. Mental Health just received an approximately 50 percent increase in funding when Proposition 63 passed a few years ago. By the way, are we still paying for their Medicare fraud of the late 1990s?

The hundreds of people attending the Memorial Day ceremony at Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village enjoyed a wonderful and moving program. But I wonder how many of those people observed and understood the significance of the two red-tailed hawks that arrived just as the National Anthem began, soaring overhead in silent graceful arcs until the anthem ended. In the local Chumash Indian culture, it is believed that if hawks fly over during a ceremony, that ceremony is highly blessed. And so it seemed to be.

— Gary & Diane Anderson, Westlake Village

It may have been this way for awhile now, but I noticed only recently that Long Canyon Road in Simi Valley has been changed from two car lanes and no bike lane to one car lane and one bike lane. This is where a bicyclist was killed a year or so ago. I think it is fitting to name this bike lane in his memory.

— Ken Mercurio, Simi Valley

Re: Paul Campos’ May 31 commentary, “In the debate on global warming, nothing is certain�:

As Mr. Campos points out, Al Gore's claim that the global warming debate is over is "a serious exaggeration." Contrary to Gore, science only progresses through constant argument and testing. That's why Albert Einstein finally triumphed over Sir Isaac Newton.

I am sure I cannot be the only person in Ventura County totally disgusted by the onslaught of political and commercial telephone calls.

At the present time, my husband is ill — thankfully, not terminally — and today I have lost count of the number of political calls we have received. Does anyone ever think that someone in the home they are calling might be ill? Some terminally?

Is it just me, or is it just plain wrong to give a beautiful island like Santa Rosa to the military for recreational hunting? Why on earth should off-duty soldiers be encouraged to go out and blow living creatures away? This is twisted, sick and just plain wrong!

The Channel Islands need to be preserved as an entire ecosystem. It is not called an island chain for nothing. U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter needs his head examined.

The Channel Islands are an important jewel in the national park system and must not be exploited for this twisted purpose!

— Susan L. Wells, Santa Susana Knolls

Re: Paul Campos' May 31 commentary, “In the debate on global warming, nothing is certain�:

Mr. Campos begins by telling us how patently absurd industry-related claims regarding global warming are. He then very carefully muddies the water regarding what the vast majority of scientists believe is driving climate change.

Remember the old TV gag where the comic boasts that he "owns a big chain of empty stores?" I remember, and I fear it's happening on Main Street.

On our frequent trips from Los Angeles to your charming city, my wife and I have seen the change, and it isn't funny. It's time the city fathers, city planners and city landlords realize that squeezing out the antique and thrift stores that made Ventura a destination could have disastrous results. At the very least, the city should subsidize some downtown "Antique District" space for the shops that were displaced, because few folks will drive an hour to reach a four-block-long food court.

- Jerry Braude, Los Angeles

I'm supporting Barry Groveman for the 41st Assembly District because he has the most experience and the greatest commitment to opposing powerful interests like BHP Billiton.

BHP Billiton is attempting to site a liquefied natural gas supertanker Cabrillo Port terminal off the coast of Ventura County with pipelines coming ashore in Oxnard. They chose our area because they believed they could run roughshod over community views. Instead, what BHP faces is united opposition from angry residents.

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a mayor or a member of any city council or school board. But I am a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and working-class taxpayer. So maybe that’s why I can see clearly that Kelly Hayes-Raitt is the best choice to represent the entire 41st Assembly District.

She has the diverse experience and leadership needed to address the difficult issues that face California.

I'm a senior at Adolfo Camarillo High School, and I _have been very interested in politics recently. For the end of my senior year, my AP Government teacher asked our class to bring public servant guest speakers. I have been especially interested in the U.S. District Congressional race.

I am a veteran of the Korean War, “the forgotten war.� When I came home, I also wanted to forget it. As my grandson grew older, he asked about the war, as few people knew anything about it. We discussed it, and he asked me if I had any medals. I told him when I was discharged, they didn’t give them to me. I tried to obtain them several times and was unsuccessful.

On Tuesday, please vote for Simi Valley’s hometown hero: U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly. For many years, he has worked long and tirelessly representing our county.

Our hero in Washington monitors anything and everything that may pertain to our country and his district here. This information is quickly entered in his timely newsletters and mailed to his constituents. He also often seeks your questions and suggestions. He is a proven, dedicated family man, husband and father who deserves your support.

Long before gas reached $3 a gallon — or $2 a gallon for that matter —U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly was warning about the need to wean the United States from foreign oil.

That’s why he’s such a strong supporter of opening the northern coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil production. Scientists estimate there is enough oil there to replace Saudi Arabian imports for more than 25 years. The northern coastal plain has been separate from the rest of the refuge for its production potential since 1980. With today’s technology, the impact on the environment would be minimal. What’s more, the people of Alaska want the jobs and economic growth that oil production there would provide.

I first met Linda Parks in 1999, and every year since, I have added admiration for her convictions and honesty as a public servant.

Her years of dedicated service received praise while she was on the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission and as mayor and councilwoman. In 2000, she teamed with Ed Masry, and after a landslide re-election victory for Thousand Oaks City Council, provided leadership to keep the city committed to slow growth. She also continued her stewardship for the preservation of open space as a director of Save Our Agricultural Resources. She worked tirelessly for the defeat of Ahmanson Ranch, which would have adversely affected our city and county, and she led the way to make it a state park.

Re: Marie Briggs’ June 1 letter, “Giving proper credit�:

This letter exposes the fact that Joe Gibson worked on the deal to build a city where Jordan Ranch/Palo Comado National Park now stands. According to the letter writer, Gibson worked on the environmental impact statement. The writer states this as a reason to vote for Gibson, since he was there in the early 1990s working on the project.

The old adage of having to hold your nose to vote is so true in the case of the race between Joe Gibson and Supervisor Linda Parks.

Richard Messina, a former Thousand Oaks City Council candidate, has said that after running, he realized that there were two gangs in the city. “Gang� may be a harsh word to describe the two feuding factions, each trying to paint the other as “no growth� or “pro-development,� etc.

I can't believe our fine City Council members are not endorsing Linda Parks for county supervisor. After serving the City of Thousand Oaks as a council member and mayor, I would think they would have a little class and endorse Ms. Parks for a job well done in Thousand Oaks.

Shame on these council members.

— Tony Pavia, Newbury Park

I want to say thank you to Supervisor Linda Parks and show my support for her on Tuesday.

The reasons that many of us moved to Ventura County are the very same reasons that we should all vote to re-elect Linda Parks as our Ventura County supervisor. It is necessary to do so in order to preserve our environment and our way of life.

We want to live in a quiet and beautiful community that is safe and not overdeveloped. The community should offer good schools, good air quality, recreational activities, employment opportunities and other services.

I received a letter from our supervisor, Linda Parks, informing me of some of the many accomplishments she has achieved as our elected representative and discussing what she intends to do for us during the next four years. The correspondence had photos showing Parks' commitment to represent all segments of her constituency as a supervisor. She has earned the confidence and support of our firefighters; law enforcement; seniors, for her programs directed to this growing segment of our population; parents of schoolchildren, for her accomplishments in the area of child safety; and taxpayers, for her conservative fiscal policies that have resulted in the county once again operating in the black.

I support Two Winds Ranch in the 20-acre corner of the Rancho Potrero property. I do not support a 22,000-square-foot pavilion there because of the additional traffic it will bring on Lynn Road. I feel strongly that the remaining acreage must remain natural, as was intended in the national park planning documents.

Barry Groveman is the only candidate from our side of the 41st Assembly District. All the other candidates live in Santa Monica.

As our assemblymember, Barry will be sensitive and responsive to the needs of our area. He has concrete, practical proposals to improve traffic flow on major arteries such as Highway 101. He is the best candidate to represent our interests in Sacramento.

Without a doubt, Barry Groveman is the best candidate for California's 41st Assembly District. His outstanding public service record speaks volumes. We are fortunate that a person of his caliber is interested in representing us in Sacramento. Voters would be well advised to review his public service accomplishments when he served as mayor and councilman in the City of Calabasas.

— Lupe Anguiano, Oxnard

As a 16-year Agoura Hills councilmember and mayor, I have been part of many of the struggles that have kept our area one of the premiere places to live in the country. Assemblymember Fran Pavley has been a powerful voice for our environment, our schools and our quality of life. Now, as she is termed out of office, Julia Brownley has emerged as the standout candidate to continue her legacy. Only Julia is a proven community leader, first as an involved parent, and now as an 11-year member of the Malibu/Santa Monica school board, helping to make it a model of excellence and innovation.

If I were a Republican living in California’s 24th District, I would demand real leadership from the person who represented me in Washington. Instead, the Republicans continue to re-elect Elton Gallegly, a man who only represents what his party tells him to represent, whether it is beneficial to his constituents or not. If his voting record is not a clear enough indication of this, all anyone needs to do is to look at the events leading up to his running for office this time.

We sent Elton Gallegly to Congress to lower taxes, and he gave himself a 16 percent raise. We wanted something done about our freeways, and he came back and spent millions to plant flowers, only to have them mowed down before they even bloomed.

So now it is time to bring in a Republican who will go to Congress and do what we expect him to do.

I urge you to please vote for Michael Tenenbaum, a real Republican we can be proud of.

With the June election upon us, I would like to share my personal experiences with U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly.

Rep. Gallegly and his office staff have helped me with complicated medical and governmental agency issues. Whenever I have called their office, either his assistant Paul Sheil or the congressman returns my calls. I have received at least six calls from the congressman and/or his wife, Janice. Both start by saying “Hello, this Elton� or “Hello, this is Janice.� As of this date, I have never personally met Elton Gallegly or his wife, but I know from my conversations they are very caring people.

Why is it that politicians think they deserve a job for life?

In the Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Somis area, our county supervisor has been paid nearly $1,500,000 in salary over her term in office, and what have we gotten?

I am absolutely appalled to see how low a candidate will stoop to try and get a person’s vote. Jim Dantona is waging one of the most disgusting smear campaigns I have seen in a long time. What do you think he would do if he was actually elected?

Jim has had "a very difficult financial period," as stated by his former wife, Bonnie Galvin. Who do you think is financing his campaign? Could it be the oil companies, land developers and builders that he has lobbied for in the past? Don't you wonder why they are so anxious to get Judy Mikels out of office?

As we head into the final days of this election, there is no question as to who I am supporting for county supervisor.

For the last 12 years, I have supported Judy Mikels because I believed she was the right person for the job. I don't believe that any longer. The county needs someone who is in touch with Sacramento and Washington, D.C., but, more importantly, the residents in the 4th District. We need someone who welcomes new and fresh ideas for the East County. I believe that person is Jim Dantona.

For the last 12 years, we have had a supervisor who doesn't give a hoot about our environment.

Judy Mikels was the only Ventura County supervisor who declined to sign a letter voicing concerns to the federal government about proposed offshore drilling along our Ventura County coastline and in the Los Padres National Forest.

In the 37th Assembly District, the choices are very obvious. You can have a religious right candidate who takes money from big oil, Anheuser-Busch, tobacco companies, and horse racing interests like Audra Strickland, or you can go for a decent and mild-mannered Republican more likely to actually get a bill passed.

You can choose between a candidate who uses fear and smear campaigns like the Tony and Audra Strickland duo, or a respected community member who won't waste time writing bills to allow pregnant women to ride in the carpool lane to pander to the radical religious zealots hijacking the Republican Party.

The proposal of a government-run preschool not only creates a massive new bureaucracy of $2.4 billion annually, but is also likely to shut down many of the thousands of private, community-based preschools that currently serve 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, nearly half of all children enrolled in preschool programs. This would result in thriving businesses that provide jobs and tax revenues being replaced with a government-run program requiring tax expenditures and only increasing preschool enrollment by a mere 4 or 5 percent and focusing only on 4-year-olds.

Shall I vote Republican or Democrat?

What have the Republicans given us over the last six years? Under their leadership, they have committed America to a great purpose, that of establishing freedom and democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the larger Middle East. And in doing this, they have given our nation — now and for all future generations — something to feel good about, something to feel proud about, adding yet another jewel to our crown of national self-worth and self-esteem.

Re: James M. Crosser’s May 19 letter, “Just pay, pay, pay�:

Contrary to the unfounded assertions in Mr. Crosser’s letter, Phil Angelides has been up front on how he intends to pay for education and other essential services.

His plan is to restore fairness in the tax system by rolling back the massive tax breaks granted to corporations and wealthy individuals. The so-called “fix� provided by Crosser’s action hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was a bond measure that amounted to little more than a $15 billion consolidation loan, to which he then added an effort to roll back funding for education, healthcare, police, fire and other essential services.

OK, I'm a big girl. I recognize that mudslinging is part of politics. I don't like it, but I recognize it. However, the TV ad I saw this morning was over the top.

My choice for Democratic lieutenant governor is party faithful John Garamendi. I believe he has and will serve the people of California faithfully and honestly.