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April 30, 2007
Star ignores soccer
Who are the Los Angeles Galaxy? Apparently The Star doesn't care. They are the soccer team that has won two Major League Soccer championships. They have been to the playoffs 10 out of the last 11 years, more than any of the other professional Los Angeles teams. Coming to them this year is one of the best world-renowned soccer players, David Beckham. And yet The Star refuses to give proper respect to this team and the world's biggest sport, soccer.
Soccer is the number one and fastest growing sport — according to The Star — among young kids, but in The Star, only small or sometimes no articles at all are written about the Galaxy or soccer. Did The Star know that the women's World Cup championships are being played this year in China? The Star doesn't seem to know, but that's another opinion article.
Give some time to soccer and The Star may pleasantly find its subscription numbers increasing.
— Verne Anglin, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:57 PM
Spiritual nutrition
Re: Larry Janss’ April 29 commentary, “Ansel Adams captured light and a boy’s heart”:
Like Larry Janss, I, too, am captivated by the light and natural beauty of Yosemite National Park. This time of year, I hunger to see the towering granite cliffs and hear the thundering waterfalls. So in mid-May, my wife and I will return for our 19th wedding anniversary to celebrate our marriage in the chapel there. As always, I will visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, again rejoice in the images he created, and celebrate an anniversary dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
This time, however, will be different.
I will also reflect upon the early Janss boyhood, his meeting with Adams, the mentoring relationship that ensued and the legacy that continues to enrich my spirit through Janss’s own work. The stunning imagery of Adams and Janss is mental and spiritual nutrition for me.
— Don Henderson, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:52 PM
Conservative crowd polite
Those who attended enjoyed a very special evening recently at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library when Sen. Edward Kennedy, "the loyal opposition," was the speaker. The crowd gave him a standing applause numerous times. The audience was polite and enjoyed his sense of humor.
Not all ideas were agreed upon. His statement, "Medicare for all," I do not think went over well, but there was no heckling, no shouting down and no intolerance for one’s ideas. You sensed in this man a great sense of warmth, loyalty to family first and deep personal tragedy. High marks must go to him because he continues.
Whenever I see a conservative speaker in front of a liberal audience, it seems they are just there to be belittled and humiliated. The utmost respect was shown Kennedy. I would like to see a conservative speaker given a similar reception in front of a self-proclaimed progressive crowd.
— William F. Klepper, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:47 PM
Abortion ban vs. mandate
Re: Claudia Satori’s April 21 letter, “Protecting the preborn”:
Ms. Satori wrote a letter disagreeing with an article written by Ellen Goodman that was pro-choice. Ms. Satori was anti-choice, and her interest was for the “preborn.”
An omelet is “preborn,” and so is caviar. There are no “yet-to-be-born” dogs at the American Kennel Club dog show and no “eventually-to-be-borns” running at the Kentucky Derby.
However, prior-born children deserve that best healthcare. Previously-born children deserve accurate sex education so that abortions are not deemed necessary. Already-born children deserve love and understanding. Up-to-now-born children deserve safe places to live. And, heretofore-born women deserve respect for the decisions they make for their own lives.
Neither the Congress, nor the Senate, nor the Supreme Court belongs in a gynecologist's office.
The biggest decision is: Who will decide. Remember, whatever entity has the right to say a woman cannot have an abortion has the right to say a woman must have an abortion. Adolf Hitler forbade German women from having abortions, but Jewish and Gypsy women had to have them. It's two sides of the same coin.
— Miriam Albert, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:42 PM
War’s horrors unreported
I wish a reporter from The Star had heard the Global Exchange talk recently at the Thousand Oaks Library. Dr. Dahlia Wasfi showed slides of her three-month stay with relatives in Iraq last year. She spoke passionately from first-hand experience about the horrible consequences of the Iraq war and the suffering experienced by ordinary people in Iraq.
If we could have more newspaper coverage of the realities of this war or see and hear programs like this on TV, people would become more aware of the terrible results of our invasion and occupation. I believe that if the American people knew the truth, they would empathize with the victims of our government’s actions. As long as we continue to use violent military force against the people of Iraq, we are only creating more terrorists.
It is time for us to face the fact that we went to war based on lies, and that continuing the war does more harm than good. We must admit that this war is not only wrong but is not winnable. As patriotic citizens of a democracy, it is our duty to make our elected representatives respond to the will of the majority by refusing to fund this war any longer and bringing our troops home now.
— Gordon Clint, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:35 PM
Disagree and die
Re: Yahya Merchant’s April 27 commentary, “Tense relationship result of Iraq war”:
It seems Mr. Merchant has a myopic view of the Middle East. According to him, the problems only started when we invaded Iraq. He justifies Sept. 11 because of al-Qaida’s anger at us for being in Saudi Arabia. We were in Saudi Arabia because their government allowed us to be there. Who is Osama bin Laden to tell the Saudi government who is allowed to be in their country?
These terrorists are no different than the Symbionese Liberation Army, which kidnapped Patty Hearst, robbed banks and committed murder. They adopted a slogan and then used the excuse that if you didn't agree with them, they were justified in murdering you. The same is true today. If you don't follow their extremist views on religion, they are justified in killing you and doing away with your way of life. Wake up, America!
— Tony Loniero, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:31 PM
Plaza belongs to the people
Re: your April 25 article, “Parks loses T.O. Arts Plaza office”:
I am disturbed with the Thousand Oaks City Council’s actions in removing the office of Linda Parks. This Ventura County supervisor represents the Thousand Oaks district. The council must not care about us wishing to visit her office.
The council should explain its reasons for us living in the Conejo Valley having to drive to an office someplace else then a building built and paid for by us Conejo taxpayers. This is our building, not the council’s. The council is certainly not representing the people in this endeavor.
I find it amazing that after all this, with contractors contributing to council members’ campaign funds and building a strip mall and ice rink, the council’s answer is to move Parks out. Where is the finished project, and when are the theaters we were promised going to be completed? Or is the council hoping no one remembers its promises?
If office space is so scarce, then I wish for the council to ask for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to patrol the day labor building frequently for illegal day workers. This building was built using thousands of taxpayer dollars. If illegals are using the building to find jobs, it is against the law, and we the taxpayers are fleeced again under the council’s watch.
— Dale Edwards, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:25 PM
Traffic control incomplete
Re: Martin Miller’s April 27 letter, “Signal needed for left turn”:
Something had to be done to allow motorists to make a left turn onto Olsen Road after exiting Highway 23 in either direction. Miller is correct that this spot was “an offramp begging for traffic control for years.” However the other letters criticizing the new lights on Olsen Road are also correct. What we now have is a major traffic problem. Traffic is backing up on the freeway, and traffic on Olsen is backed up to the Ronald Reagan Library turnoff.
To rectify the situation, may I propose the following:
— Keep the new signals. It is a fact that left turns from both offramps are safer.
— Bring back the barrier that forced eastbound Olsen Road traffic toward Simi into the left lane as it passed under Highway 23. By returning to the old arrangement, all traffic making a right onto Olsen off the northbound 23 will once again be allowed to do so without stopping. This will remove the backup on the freeway.
— Put up a similar barrier to force westbound traffic toward Thousand Oaks on Olsen into one right lane as it approaches the intersection. This will allow traffic exiting from the northbound 23 to make a left onto Olsen when the light changes. Meanwhile, the traffic in the single right lane can continue without stopping. Once the traffic has gone under the freeway, Olsen can open up to two lanes once again.
This suggestion tries to take the best of both configurations and will keep traffic flowing.
— George Neilson, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:14 PM
New lights a mistake
The solution to this traffic mess at Highway 23 and Olsen Road is very simple: Go back to the way it was before the red light and prohibit left turns off Highway 23 onto Olsen Road.
The only cars using the left turn are probably residents of the Sunset Hills and Erbes tracts. There is no other reason to use the left turn. These tracts are as easily or better accessed by turning off at the Sunset Hills off-ramp and going down Olsen Road or Erbes Road.
The other new red light for the left-turning traffic off the southbound 23 onto Olsen is probably a good idea in order to prevent accidents, but when you see the interruptions in the traffic flow that it causes, a left turn there should also be prohibited, at least during rush hours. Anybody then needing to turn left can continue up to the Sunset Hills off-ramp and then come down Erbes Road or Olsen Road. It’s all in the interest of better flowing traffic during the heaviest traffic flows.
But for the authorities to admit a planning mistake and a wasted red light is probably futile. We will be stuck with it because it is there.
Keep up the pressure.
— Sten Lindgren, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:05 PM
Gallegly’s goals correct
U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly is one congressional representative whose voice has for many years proposed controls on those invading our country. As a World War II veteran, I support his intentions to run for a seat in Congress. We need to stop the destruction of our country and our way of life.
If we look at what has been happening to our country, there is no doubt that we are being invaded, not only by Asians and Russians, but by Hispanics and Africans whose sole purpose is to ignore our laws. The cost to us, the taxpayers, is astronomical and affects our legal, judicial, medical and educational systems, as well as our insurance industry.
I support Gallegly for Congress.
— Herbert L. Bansbach, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:01 PM
Toll too high in Iraq
Re: your April 26 article, “U.N., Iraq clash over civilian death tally”:
I want to emphasize the need for Americans to recognize ongoing civilian casualties in Iraq, in addition to the loss of our own troops. In the safety of our home communities, there seems to be too little regard for this horrendous aspect of the war.
I am thankful to have heard Dr. Dahlia Wasfi speak about the human cost of the Iraq war at a recent Global Exchange program. Dr. Wasfi, the American born daughter of an Iraqi father and Jewish mother, last visited family in Iraq for three months in 2006. She noted that more than 90 percent of the casualties of war since World War II are civilians — unarmed people — and one-third of that are children. This trend is continuing in Iraq.
Based on her medical training and personal family interactions, she was able to the see the impact of years of sanctions, and now military occupation of their country, on Iraqi citizens. The people of Iraq, including young children, suffer daily. Violence against civilians, unstoppable tanks tearing up the streets and shaking homes, checkpoints and communications barriers, shortages of electricity, lack of clean water and sanitation, insufficient basic medical supplies and an acutely disrupted economy have wreaked havoc on the Iraqi people.
Modern warfare is terrorism. It’s time for a change. I encourage others to visit Dr. Wasfi’s Web site at www.liberatethis.com to learn more and support our troops by bringing them home.
— Barbara Leighton, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:55 AM
Dobson has principles
Re: Garry Trudeau’s April 15 “Doonesbury” comic strip:
I was surprised to see that Garry Trudeau would use a blatant lie in his cartoon alleging that Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family would choose a political party over his principles.
The “Doonesbury” creator made a worthwhile point in noting the multiple marriages among Republican presidential hopefuls, but his suggestion that Dobson isn’t concerned about the moral failings of those men is blatantly untrue.
Trudeau’s pen shouldn’t come with a license to blatantly distort the truth — and that’s what he did on April 15.
Dislike Dr. Dobson as much as you want, but it’s not Dobson whose blind allegiance to a political ideology is on display here.
Dobson has been openly critical of two of the men Trudeau alluded to, saying he couldn’t vote for either. That’s not the position of a partisan, it’s the boldness of a man of principle.
— Ruth Morrill, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:50 AM
Pettiness in T.O.
Thousand Oaks City Manager Scott Mitnick's actions targeting Supervisor Linda Parks go beyond declining to extend her lease. The novice city manager involved himself in the 2006 supervisor election by trumping up accusations against the county's financial relationships with the city in order to help her losing opponent, Joe Gibson.
In 2002, Mitnick was responsible for choosing the number for her City Hall seat dedication, a usually nice gesture that is made to all City Council members who end their tenure. It's K-9.
Pettiness and unprofessionalism are Mitnick's hallmarks.
— Lorraine Slattery, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:36 AM
Activist apprentice
Re: your April 28 article, “Oak Park woman is already a local hero; ‘Apprentice’ is cancer activist”:
I was extremely disappointed in this article about “The Apprentice” winner Stefanie Schaeffer. The headline talks about “local hero” and “cancer activist”, but 80 percent of the article was about “The Apprentice.”
The activities the article cites do not strike me as being activist. Hundreds of people participate in the Agoura and Newbury Park Relays for Life every year — thousands across the nation — and many of them raise large amounts of money. Personally, I walked in last year’s Relay for Life at Newbury Park High School and raised about $3,500. Do I need to raise $10,000 in order to be referred to as an activist? Or is being on a national TV show the criteria?
People who become team leaders, participate in multiple events over time, work at organizing the events, work to change policy and legislation, encourage research — those are the activists. Perhaps Ms. Schaeffer actually is an activist, but this article does not demonstrate that she is.
I assume Ms. Schaeffer deserves the award the American Cancer Society is giving her, and, let’s face it, it attracts more attention — and hopefully donations — to the Relay for Life, so that’s a good thing.
I just don’t approve of an article on the first page of the paper, above the fold, that is largely advertising for a TV show rather than news. The content of the article would have been better placed in the Arts & Living section or the Conejo Valley section, where the paragraphs about the Relay for Life would have been a nice counterpoint to the lead article, “Volunteerism in decline.”
— Debra Levine, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:29 AM
Islamic policy: violence
Re: Yahya Merchant’s April 27 commentary, “Tense relationship result of Iraq war”:
Merchant defines war as “the failure of peaceful negotiations and every resort to the use of international sanctions to resolve a conflict.”
He implies his is the only definition. He asks, “Why continue the failure?”
Carl von Clauswitz, a Prussian army officer and military theorist, proposed the doctrines of total war and war as instruments of governmental policy, therefore making war just as viable as face-to-face diplomacy or mediation.
Saddam Hussein was very concerned about the threat from Iran. Whether or not he actually had weapons of mass destruction is irrelevant now. Iran believed the Iraqi bluff. So did Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf states. Indeed, the world bought into it.
It achieved the deterrent effect it was supposed to achieve, until the United States called the bluff.
I do not share Merchant’s sympathy for the Islamic terrorists he calls “ordinary people.” Ordinary people do not fly passenger jets into the World Trade Center, nor do they strap bombs to themselves and detonate them in crowded restaurants.
Merchant wants us to believe terrorists are in Iraq because of our war on terrorism. That is not completely true. The terrorists use funds and trained advisers from Iran, improvised explosive devices from Iran and Syria and rocket launchers and rifles whose origins are Iran.
Never mind the bloodthirsty imams who condone death and violence and call for the conversion or termination of infidels.
Show me an Islamic Gandhi, an Islamic Martin Luther King. Those men did take ordinary people and achieved the extraordinary. Check your IEDs and AK-47s at the door. Islam needs to change its policy of death to a way of peace through nonviolence.
— Tim Robbins, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:19 AM
End the destruction
I have come to believe that the best way we can support our American troops is to get them out of Iraq. Along with many U.S. citizens, I've been struggling to understand what is the best action we can take now, given the circumstances of this war and the difficult choices we face.
I had the painful but enlightening experience recently of attending a talk at the Thousand Oaks Library by Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, a medical doctor born in the United States to an Iraqi father and an American Jewish mother. Wasfi's talk was sponsored by the Ventura County branch of Global Exchange.
Wasfi spent several years as a young child in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. She has returned twice in recent years to visit her extended family there. Wasfi explains that the damage from our use of depleted uranium will cause enormous damage, including cancer, to our troops stationed in Iraq. As an American, she is concerned about the lasting impact to the troops and their children from their exposure to dangerous chemicals used in warfare. She also described the lack of medical and psychological care that is now harming so many veterans of the Gulf War and the current war.
Our resources should be used to take care of the men and women who have served us so selflessly. Wasfi also showed evidence of the profound destruction in Iraq: a healthcare system broken, infrastructure destroyed and terrible casualties inflicted upon Iraqi civilians. To these innocent victims the "war on terror" is a "war of terror."
You can visit Wasfi's Web site at: http://www.liberatethis.com.
We have failed to protect our own brave troops and the Iraqi civilians we had hoped to "rescue." Let us do what we can to end this destruction now.
— Beth Farnbach, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:11 AM
April 27, 2007
All-out gun ban won’t work
Re: Bob Jackson’s April 23 letter, "No exploitation here":
It confuses me as to how Mr. Jackson can conclude that I am a "gun zealot" simply because I oppose an all-out ban on firearms. He claims to pray every day for some "sanity" in gun use. Is he suggesting that millions of responsible gun-owning Americans are insane?
My original suggestion that the gun control crowd is exploiting the Virginia Tech massacre is evident in these pages every day. They are framing the gun control issue in the context of being the absolute solution to gun violence. Let me reiterate my original point: If Mr. Jackson and other gun control advocates achieve their ultimate goal of banning guns in America, the only people who will have them are the criminals. You have several examples of this in industrialized countries all over the world.
It would be beneficial to this important debate to stick to facts rather than resorting to name-calling.
— Amul Pandya, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:15 AM
Prescription for violence
I keep hearing, "Why didn't anyone see the warning signs? How did they not know that Seung-hui Cho was capable of such violence?"
Who is responsible for it not being recognized? Not his family, friends and teachers. They saw the warning signs and tried to get help for Cho. They knew something was wrong.
It was the psychiatric profession that failed him and said he was not a threat to himself or anyone. Their "solution" was to medicate him with psychotropic drugs that carry Black Box warnings stating that they can cause violence and suicide! Well, they got exactly what they prescribed!
How many of these mass murders and suicides must families, schools and communities endure before we as a society wake up to the fact that you can't fix neurotic or psychotic behavior with a pill!
Oh yes, the psychiatric community will say, "We tried to help, he just came to us too late" or some other such excuse. But the truth is, he tried to get help for years, wasn't given it and was put on drugs without getting to the root cause of his condition.
Can't we do better than that? Aren't there lessons to be learned from these massacres? Or will what occurred at Virginia Tech be in vain?
— Bobbi Grantham, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:43 AM
Is an occupation winnable?
Re: Peter Shedlosky's April 26 letter, “Why give away the game?”
First and foremost, the Iraqi quagmire is anything but a game, with 150,000 dead Iraqis, 3,300 dead Americans and more than 20,000 wounded Americans, half of them severely, meaning arms and legs missing and brain injuries.
Wars are won and lost. The war with Iraq ended when President Bush proclaimed, "Mission accomplished" some four years ago. Since then, the United States and, to a much lesser extent, the British and others, have been involved in an illegal occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq. I'm not sure how you win an occupation.
Think about it. Only our hand-picked, propped-up Iraqi government officials want us to stay there. And even among them, it is less than unanimous. To win the occupation, we would have to murder the remaining population of some 8 million.
About three months ago, I wrote a letter that The Star published stating that we had already murdered 100,000 innocent Iraqis, and that by the end of this administration, if we didn't pull out of Iraq beforehand, the blood of another 100,000 would be on our hands. I was wrong. Since that letter was published three months ago, already 50,000 more have been killed. If we continue trying to "win the war," it will only take, at the current kill rate, 40 more years, 8 million more Iraqi lives and 33,000 more dead Americans. Oh, should I also mention another $6 trillion?
— Patrick S. O'Malley, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:13 AM
Is omission a lie?
Re: John Moore’s April 22 essay, “Giving readers the truth”:
Moore’s comment, “We can’t make all our readers happy — we’d end up with a version of the Weekly Reader,” popped from the print. Taking this word-pelting, while also contemplating the comparison between our community’s newspaper and a grade-school publication, I would have preferred if Moore used his statement in the first person as he honestly admits not everyone in the newsroom agrees with “his” decision to print.
While I admire Moore for coming forward to thoroughly explain his reason to print, the chosen headline for his article, “Giving readers the truth: Although repugnant, Cho photos told the story,” causes one to wonder whether the story would be lying to readers if the distasteful photos had been excluded? The issue is whether to print the truth or just write about the atrocities.
Throughout the numerous arguments about media, the safety of our children, the effects Cho’s actions could have on copycats and the emotions of victims and their families, it may serve readers to print some articles that address the unfortunate reality of attempting to cope with such sudden death traumas and the emotions that are experienced by the general public.
Additionally, articles that address a broken mental healthcare system, those laws that are tied to the system and the local and national campus challenges that result from understaffed counseling services may address the reasons some focus on their destructive rather than constructive powers.
As a mediator and health advocate, I find many rely on anger, blame, resentment and name-calling during tragic times as a means to comfort one’s feelings of uncertainty, overwhelm and shock. Hopefully, we as a community can understand these multiple emotions that come to the surface.
— Lisa Barreto, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:06 AM
Build nations, not walls
So even with the disapproval of the Iraqi government, we have decided to erect a wall through the middle of Baghdad. Besides making me wonder who the real government is there, or if it has ever been independent, it also reminds me of the walls we are building around Mexico and the walls we are supporting around Palestine.
It seems to me that all this wall-building isn't "nation-building" at all and, in fact, focuses on or targets minorities. Why wasn't a wall suggested around Canada, for example? Wasn't it Canada where the hijackers of Sept. 11 came from in the first place?
Meanwhile, The Star has reported that U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly has chosen to run for office yet again. I suggest we build a wall around his office and enclose him inside so we can protect the majority of Californians who oppose his offensive ideas.
It's high time Ventura said no to another four years of Republicans in the White House and no to another two years of Elton Gallegly, or "mini Bush" in Congress. Now that would truly be nation-building.
— Grant Marcus, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:53 AM
Compulsive gamblers run the war
Imagine this scene: A woman stands in her kitchen, clutching a checkbook with a determined grip. Her husband stands across from her. He appears angry and desperate. He's demanding that she give him the money they saved for their child's college education.
He wants to take it to the racetrack and bet it all on one horse. He's already gambled away his paycheck and hers. He's lost their money for the groceries, the utility bills and the rent. But this time, he assures her, he can't lose. This time, he says, he's got an inside tip. This time he has a new plan.
The woman is doubtful, and the man calls her a "defeatist" for refusing to give him the money. He says the family's financial collapse will be all her fault because she is not "supporting" him.
What should the woman do?
America now faces the same kind of decision. The invasion of Iraq was a huge gamble. Our leaders ignored the odds when they bet that the Iraqi people would submit to an occupation by foreign troops.
Like a compulsive gambler, our leaders can't quit. They keep on betting, hoping to end their losing streak and recover all their losses with one big win. Like a compulsive gambler, they have lied to us repeatedly and blamed everyone but themselves for each setback. Now they stand before us, asking for "one more chance."
What should America do?
I know the war in Iraq is complicated, but the choice before the American people is simple.
We must choose wisely. It's not just our children's college money they're gambling with. It's our children's lives.
— John Johnson, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:39 AM
War isn’t about winning
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer states, "Our troops are mired in a civil war with no clear enemy and no clear strategy for success."
It is my opinion that having a clear enemy and success strategy is less important than providing the image to the world that we stand for, and will fight for, freedom and the right of self-determination. We cannot back away from this responsibility and still look at ourselves in the mirror the next day. Let's quit treating this as a game requiring a loser and a winner and start thinking of it as of providing hope to the oppressed.
— Terrance Elliott, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:30 AM
Society needs fixing
Everyone agrees, I believe, that the Virginia Tech massacre was a horrible, senseless act. It seems to me that now we are concentrating on how it happened, with much discussion on changing laws regarding gun control and mental health. All these are important issues, but isn’t why it happened more important?
When our entertainment has become foul-mouthed, bullying humor full of violence and sexual behavior, are we not all to blame?
Don’t we need, as a society, to clean up our acts and be a kinder, more compassionate society and demand of the cinema, TV and reading material more wholesome entertainment? How can we do that? Let them know: Write letters, e-mail and phone.
— Maxine Fritz, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:25 AM
Don’t assign the right to kill
Re: Timm Herdt’s April 25 essay, “Seeking a better way to die”:
This essay was hopelessly naïve about the realities of medical care and physician-assisted death. In a word, legalization gives us doctors way too much power. We are the ones who control the board: We provide the patient with information about treatment options. If we don't know how to control pain — and according to the World Health Organization, about 80 percent of us don't know the basics — how can we be trusted to advise people when it's time to die? At Sloan Kettering's Pain Center in New York, and also the Los Angeles County pain center, there is hardly anyone whose pain can't be controlled with them staying alert and awake. Giving incompetent doctors the right to kill is not progress.
Plus, there are no real safeguards. Oregon has an honor system. There are no teeth in it. Nobody really knows how many people die this way because reporting is optional. We doctors control the drugs, the medical records, what the patient is told.
The only ones who will benefit from legalization are health insurance companies that can save money when doctors bump people off.
— Robin Bernhoft, M.D., Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:22 AM
Tennis trumps the war
Re: your April 27 article, “Pac-10 tennis players gain extended families competing in The Ojai”:
Congratulations to The Star for a great front-page article that pushed aside war and politics. It helped to prove our core values are still intact.
— John E. Gary, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:15 AM
Indians are from India
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue — and he landed on America.
My second-grade teacher brought to my attention the fact that the “Indians" that so many people refer to — the "Indians" who live on reservations — aren't actually Indian. It was actually just an ignorant mistake by Christopher Columbus. He thought he was in India, when, in fact, he had landed in America.
My question then is: Why do people continue to call them Indians when they are actually Native American? Perhaps, it is just tradition. Our society has been wrongly calling them Indians for so long that people rarely even question it anymore. Maybe we've been calling the Native Americans “Indians” for so long that no one even notices. Is this mistake even overlooked by the Native Americans? I may be wrong, as I often am, but last I checked, Indians live in India, not America.
— Sean Kobayashi, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:06 AM
It’s all about Ted
Re: your April 25 article, “Tickets for Reagan forum still available”:
As the quoted spokeswoman for Rock for Life Ventura County, I would like to clarify something: Our "protest" is all about Ted — specifically, Rock for Life, which is a pro-life youth advocacy organization, is demonstrating to state that Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is a claimed Catholic, cannot be both Catholic and anti-life. We are not saying he can't hold these views, or that he needs to espouse our pro-life views, just that he can't call himself a Catholic and be anti-life.
Rock for Life encourages youth to respect and protect life in all stages, and it accomplishes this through education, rallies and rock concerts. As young people, we strive to be the peaceful voice of the voiceless and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
— Sarah Ketelhut, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 08:43 AM
April 26, 2007
Who’s unpatriotic?
Vice President Cheney has labeled as "unpatriotic" the Democratic Party and any American citizen who wants our troops to return or be redeployed from Iraq. It is evident that these troops are there because of the administration's deception and untruths told to Congress and the American people. And now I ask, who is "unpatriotic"?
It seems that Cheney's clear and resolute actions of fabrications to us all are that and more. Put him under oath and let him prove how patriotic his untruths about going to war with Iraq really were. Congress and the American citizens deserve an accounting of his actions and of all others who propped up his lies with false statements.
— Charlane Keith, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:24 PM
Patsy Cline: She’s got you
There’s only one more week — until April 29 — that you can go see "Always....Patsy Cline" at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. It's great! Even someone who doesn't care all that much for country music would still really like this show. After seeing on April 22, I highly recommend it.
— Hazel V. Munger, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:23 PM
What politicians can do
Re: your April 12 editorial, “Day of action to light a fire”:
If global warming is a serious problem, then we need some serious solutions, not the usual liberal demands for us to "change our lifestyles."
Instead of saying there are too many SUVs producing too much carbon dioxide, let's get our elected representatives to change laws and regulations that have made auto pollution worse:
— Change zoning laws to permit mixed-use developments where people can live much closer to their work.
— Change the state tax structure so cities will focus on attracting high-technology jobs to where people live, instead of focusing on sales taxes from big-box retailers.
— End public transportation monopolies that prevent free-market alternatives, such as thousands of Internet-capable shuttle vans taking people to and from work.
— Stop diverting gasoline taxes to public transportation boondoggles and build roads that keep traffic moving.
Our clothes dryers and air conditioners do not produce carbon dioxide, so let's stop telling people that they are the problem. The problem is that they use energy from dirty fossil-fuel plants, instead of pollution-free sources such as nuclear energy. The draft report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognizes that converting to nuclear power would significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Nuclear power plants provide 70 percent of all U.S. electricity that comes from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases. Someday hydrogen may be used to power cars, substantially reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy could be used to produce this hydrogen in an environmentally friendly manner. Let's urge our representatives and utilities to pursue a crash program to replace old-technology nuclear plants with the latest technology.
Most of all, if the human race is to survive, we need to get politics out of science.
— Bruce K. Bell, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:05 PM
The children are watching
As teachers in the Pleasant Valley School District, we are proud to work with fabulous colleagues, the wonderful students we teach and the families we collaborate with throughout the school year.
That said, our disappointment continues to grow as we’ve attended board meetings, anticipating impending decisions that will affect both families and employees of our school district. We’ve seen upset parents, frustrated teachers and school-age students whose parents have encouraged them to speak about their schools in front of the school board. It seems to us we have lost sight of our vision, which is working together as a community to make this district healthy. When we hear a middle-school student comparing two schools in our district, we wonder to ourselves, why are we comparing schools? Whether it is a larger middle school or a smaller K-8, our teachers and staff provide nurturing, educational environments where students flourish districtwide. We teach at a K-5 neighborhood school. Is our school less valued because of its larger size? We’re sure the parents of our 668 students don’t think so.
What we say and do as adults in this community is closely emulated by our youth who are watching us with vigilant eyes. We need to treat each other with respect and move forward to make PVSD healthy. We need to recruit and retain quality teachers by compensating them appropriately in comparison with neighboring school districts. We’ve seen district staff, the 7-11 committee, teachers and parents offer valuable solutions. What is the school board doing to facilitate these solutions?
When the school bells ring each morning across the city of Camarillo, our students sit at their desks eager to learn and soak up knowledge. We must remember that our district requires competent, highly qualified and valued teachers to provide this first-rate instruction.
— Stephanie Taylor, Newbury Park
(This letter was been signed by 30 teachers from Tierra Linda Elementary School. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:00 PM
Developer deserves a break
At the council meeting of Jan. 9, developer Skip Padberg was given a setback to his development of a small parcel of land in Newbury Park. His group had spent considerable money in planning for an office building on Borchard Road between Silas Avenue and Theresa Drive based on a condition placed on this parcel in 1985. The portion of Silas that exits into Borchard was to be eliminated at the developer’s expense.
The developer figured this agenda item was simply a formality and would be approved without much discussion. But at the council meeting, 10 residents, out of the 400 who were given notice of this agenda item, objected to the abandonment of Silas, and the council caved in. They sent the project back to the city's Traffic and Transportation Committee for a formal study on the current status of Silas. To reverse the proposed abandonment would require a total redesign of the project.
At the April 24 council meeting, with Councilman Dennis Gillette absent, the council was split 2-2. The issue was continued for two weeks until Gillette returned to break the tie. The developer is faced with more delays on what he can do with this property.
I think it is unconscionable for the city to renege on the plans and subject the developer, who has been in good faith abiding by the city’s wishes, to incur additional expense and delays of his project.
If the council, in its infinite wisdom, elects to not allow for the abandonment of Silas, I think the least they should do for the developer in this case is to allow for a two-story building here. And if the residents in this area don't like this, they can thank those who objected to closing Silas Avenue.
— Don Volz, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:44 PM
Protecting the preborn
Re: Ellen Goodman’s April 20 commentary, “World now a more dangerous place for some women”:
Goodman used to be a favorite writer of mine, until she starting writing on abortion. She has missed the whole point about pro-life work.
Pro-life is about protecting the most helpless of all: the preborn. That is all that is important. If a woman finds herself with a child she is unable or unwilling to raise, she should give it up for adoption to a family who desperately wants a baby.
That the Supreme Court justices realize the importance of protecting the babies is so exciting. When we value life at its most helpless, perhaps people will value life at all stages, and perhaps there may be less of the horror that occurred at Virginia Tech. Perhaps there will be more respect for all life.
— Claudia Satori, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:39 PM
Some prisoners deserve release
Re: James E. Tilton’s April 19 letter, “Prison reform critical”:
The headline was right on target, but Tilton, of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, is off in his thinking. The overcrowding problem is now, not years away when the governor's proposed building program would be completed.
The governor's record on parole is dismal. He continually reverses the Parole Board's approval of inmates who present themselves with evidence of having taken responsibility for their crimes, attained a GED or higher degree, helped with tutoring and dog training programs and have no disciplinary write-ups during their years of incarceration. They can show solid offers of places to live and work upon their release. If those eligible for parole were released, the overcrowding problem would take a big step towards resolution.
The public safety argument is overused and stale. On March 28, we were in Sacramento, taking part in a demonstration on prison reform. We were shocked to see a sign on the door of our assemblywoman, which read, "Countdown to Chaos." That refers to a date in May when Judge Thelton Henderson will decide whether to put the CDCR under federal jurisdiction. The prison mess can be laid at the feet of the California Legislature, which has caved to the demands and pressures of the prison guard union.
Society has the right to imprison those unfit to live within a law-and-order structure, but to prolong incarceration for those who are fit to be returned to wage-earning and taxpaying Californians is cruel and inhumane punishment.
Public safety should be paramount, but our Legislature has failed to act in our best interests and those of incarcerated persons who deserve their freedom.
— Bob & Moira Fitch, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:35 PM
Preservation necessary
Re: Nasser Moradian’s March 7 letter, “Wetlands were man-made”:
I would first like to thank Moradian for saying, "If the city wishes to make my property as Mr. Matkovich suggests into a park, the city may wish to purchase the property." He was responding to my letter of Feb. 16, “Turn wetlands into park.”
However, I must disagree with his comments regarding my lack of knowledge about his property. Here is what I know. The property is home to several plant and animal species, including the rare Southern tarplant, the red-winged blackbird, sand-bar willow, arroyo willow, Pacific tree frog, red-tailed hawk, California toad, great egret, mallard duck and killdeer, to name just a few species. It is a place that makes the Conejo Valley special.
I would like to meet with Moradian to discuss his property. I have no hard feelings toward him, nor am I out to get him. I simply urge him to preserve this area and would like to discuss the issue with him like men. He may wish to contact me at Chauncey155@aol.com
— Clint Robert Matkovich, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:29 PM
A free lunch, much deserved
For the past few years, veterans of World War II and the Korean War have been having lunch at Denny's off Moorpark Road. We generally get together about every six weeks and find pleasure in our camaraderie, being part a diminishing and oft-forgotten generation. We chose this location as we are allowed the privacy of a back room, isolated from the restaurant area, so our noisy group of 15 to 20 can shout to each other with abandon.
After desserts, when we asked the waiter for our bills, we were told that a patron "took care of it.” We were all so surprised, thinking that one of our group was so generous, but finally realized this did not occur. This is to thank that anonymous person for his/her generosity, but more, for saying to us, "There are still some of us that thank you for your participation and sacrifice."
— Leonard Zerlin, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:24 PM
They’re back!
It’s been said that if you tell a lie often and loudly enough, people will begin to believe it’s true. Pinnacle Development must think that strategy will work in Santa Paula. It keeps repackaging the same nebulous development package and throwing it out to the voters of Santa Paula. I guess it has worked elsewhere. I trust that here, in Santa Paula, we will surprise Pinnacle by thinking about what is before us on the ballot and, again, saying no to these out-of-state carpetbaggers.
Limoneira is developing its own plans for Santa Paula’s growth. Unlike the outsiders in Pinnacle Development, Limoneira is taking the time to find out what will work for all of us who live and work in Santa Paula. Limoneira’s proposal will come with binding guarantees and plans for its development when it is brought to the voters. Santa Paula will know what they are voting for.
The opportunists who run Pinnacle are trusting that Santa Paula won’t quibble over the small print. Pinnacle has already convinced several prominent locals to front for it. It is putting a lot of money into the effort. All Santa Paula has to counter with is our common sense.
The voters of Santa Paula deserve to know what we are voting for. Maybe Pinnacle will put binding proposals into their next try, after A7 is voted down.
— Greg Thayer, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:20 PM
Keep S. Paula viable
Do not let Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources keep Santa Paula poor. This is the bottom line about Measure A7.
If you vote against A7, you have committed Santa Paula to remain poor. If you vote for A7, then Santa Paula has an opportunity to control the development of Adams Canyon, and maybe, just maybe, put some money in the city treasury. The opponents of A7 are not interested in Santa Paula doing better. They are just interested in keeping open spaces around Santa Paula.
I have lived in Santa Paula for 16 years, and I decided to be part of this grassroots effort to help save my town. I am a Santa Paulan 4 Quality Growth and proud of it. We need so many things for our town. No one who is opposed to A7 has come up with any other options for Santa Paula.
I urge all voters in Santa Paula to vote yes on A7 and do your part to help keep Santa Paula a viable town in the future.
— G.E. ‘Ike’ Ikerd, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:15 PM
Just say no to Pinnacle
Once again, the citizens of Santa Paula are being asked to take a leap of faith and trust Pinnacle Development’s promises and rosy financial projections. Once again, we need to tell them no.
Last year, Pinnacle repeatedly promised their development would generate $20 million per year in net tax revenue after 20 years. It has now “adjusted” this figure downward by $15 million — so much for promises. Remarkably, this same developer is still asking us to trust it.
Even the new fiscal projection of $5 million after 20 years is based on untested and overly optimistic assumptions. There has been no feasibility study released or any peer review study performed to take a critical look at Pinnacle’s assumptions to determine whether they are valid. All we have is the developer’s word, which has already proved extremely unreliable, to say the least. Ask yourselves: If they were wrong by $15 million last time, how do we know they aren’t off by another $15 million in their current “projections”?
Serious questions remain with respect to negative traffic impacts, water availability and the ongoing cost to the city to maintain the remote infrastructure in Adams Canyon. Pinnacle chooses to gloss over these difficult issues because it knows the answers will not reflect well on this project and that Santa Paulans will recognize this development for what it is — a Trojan horse.
We should not labor under any illusions. A development in Adams Canyon will not be our fiscal salvation and may ultimately bleed the public coffers dry. If we vote to move the city urban restriction boundary, we are handing Pinnacle Development the keys to the city. A City Council majority has already expressed a willingness to give them whatever they want.
Please vote no on Measure A7.
— Jim Procter, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:13 PM
A7 simply moves boundary
"Pep rally." Those words were used at a City Council meeting when many of us were there in support of Measure A7. That is what we were there for, to "rally Santa Paulans” to realize that we need to move the city urban restriction boundary to give our community an opportunity for growth.
I do not understand the opposition to A7 from members of the school boards. The needs for our school system are too numerous to list, yet these school board members are opposed to A7, which would give our schools some revenue. This is not about personal agendas, it is about the community as a whole.
In the future, we will have East Area One — a great project — and possibly other projects. These projects will undergo the same scrutiny and are different from the project to be voted on May 8. A7 is to move the CURB.
It will be very interesting to observe the reaction of Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources regarding the use of prime agriculture land in El Rio for low-income housing.
We in Santa Paula are good at pep rallying. The opponents of A7 have not made public any solutions to the dire need of revenue for our community. A7 will give us a start. We need to take the first step. Vote yes on A7.
— Maiya Herrera, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
Can Pinnacle be trusted?
Last year, Pinnacle used deceptive means to solicit signatures to place Measure Y on the ballot. Soon after the start of the campaign to develop Adams Canyon, Pinnacle said the project would raise $20 million annually for Santa Paula and the city would realize substantial benefits starting from day one.
I publicly questioned Pinnacle about the $20 million; it seemed greatly exaggerated. I asked Pinnacle to identify “day one.” Pinnacle ignored my request. Toward the end of the campaign, realizing it was in a close race, Pinnacle said the project would raise $22 million and would create 7,000 jobs instead of the 5,000 it had been citing. This desperate move failed.
Eight months after the campaign ended, Pinnacle quietly revealed the Adams Canyon project would raise only something over $5 million, a $17 million error.
Because of its credibility, Pinnacle needed a front to continue efforts to develop the canyon. The so-called citizens committee claims it has no ties to Pinnacle. However, leaders of the committee have been in Pinnacle offices on at least two key election dates. It is time for the committee to be truthful.
The committee takes pride in announcing it obtained close to 3,000 signatures to place Measure A7 on the ballot. The citizens who signed the petitions were not told it would cost $60,000 to make this a special gift to the multimillion-dollar Pinnacle Corp.
Pinnacle’s revised December estimate of fiscal impacts on Adams Canyon states the build-out date for Adams is 2029. Should it pass, don’t expect much from Measure A7 in the next 10 years, or ever, if the predicted drought conditions continue.
My question to the voters of Santa Paula is: Does truth have meaning in Santa Paula anymore? Does integrity? Please let your conscience be your guide when you vote.
— Bob Borrego, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:04 PM
SOAR veers off track
I opposed the excessive Fagan Canyon proposal voters rejected. The Adams Canyon proposal emphasizes quality, high-end housing that would bring Santa Paula’s housing mix toward balance with other cities. It calls for approximately one-fifth the number of units that were proposed for Fagan. Adams Canyon is more than twice the size of Fagan Canyon. Adams traffic will not pass through our existing streets. Measure A7 would limit the number of units to about 500 and bring Adams into the city. Details of the specific plan would be approved by the council.
Those opposed to bringing Adams Canyon into the city identify themselves as “Santa Paula SOAR.” The original Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources was a democratic, countywide group organized to save agricultural resources and preserve the environment. My wife and I were among its first supporters. We still support these original goals, but something has gone terribly wrong.
Where were the democratic and environmental quality goals when “Santa Paula SOAR” made decisions regarding Fagan and Adams canyons? Have you noticed the slick, expensive mailings from those who now identify themselves as Santa Paula SOAR? Have you wondered who is paying the bill?
What was previously a democratic SOAR now seems dominated by a developer determined to further overload Santa Paula with more low-end housing. We already have the highest percentage of such housing in the county. This developer claims to be “nonprofit.” Nonprofit organizations feed many fat cats. These are the same cats that supported (and still support) dumping 26,000 additional vehicle trips per day out of Fagan onto our existing two-lane streets. Twenty-six thousand 20-foot vehicles lined bumper to bumper would extend from Fagan Canyon to Bakersfield.
We need quality, balance and common sense. Please join me in voting yes on A7.
— Delton Lee Johnson, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:56 AM
Something must be done
Progress is always a good thing — or is it? With the improvements on Highway 23, especially over Olsen Road, it is hoped that traffic will flow smoothly and more efficiently. However, this project has caused major problems for the commuters attempting to get to Thousand Oaks via Olsen Road.
Two automatic signals were installed at the overpass of Highway 23 at Olsen to allow traffic exiting the freeway to get onto Olsen. What used to be a 20- to 25-minute drive from Simi Valley to Erbes Road in the morning rush hour has now become a 45- to 60-minute drive. It is not unusual to see traffic backed up form Erbes to Presidential Way during morning rush hour.
What a waste of time and money we have to lose due this traffic nightmare. Something needs to be done.
— Donald J. Garcia, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:51 AM
Wreck waiting to happen
I woke up the other day for work, just like any other day. I left my house at the same time I always do to drive the half hour it takes from Simi Valley to Camarillo. I then ran into dead-stop traffic halfway through Wood Ranch.
As I inched my way through the rest of Wood Ranch and past the sheriff’s station, I assumed there was a terrible wreck. I called my work to let them know I would be late. Slowly making my way toward what I thought was a car wreck, I found a new stoplight at the off-ramp of Olsen Road. I had seen this stoplight before, but it had never been working. The intersection never seemed to have any traffic problems nor any accidents that I have heard of, yet this light, this worthless stoplight, caused me to be late to my job, along with hundreds of other people.
I showed up 15 minutes late for work, which was luckily not a problem because I am never late. I completed my day of work and headed home only to find that same stoplight had traffic backed up onto the freeway from the Olsen off-ramp. I had to slam on my brakes, as did many others who were not prepared to stop before an off-ramp.
This stoplight at the Highway 23/Olsen Road off-ramp is going to cause an accident and has continued to force me to leave my house 15 minutes earlier. This stoplight needs to be taken out before an accident happens and someone gets hurt, if that hasn’t already happened.
— Shaun Jones, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:47 AM
April 25, 2007
SPP demands attention
I'm curious about the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (http://www.spp.gov/) and the general effect it will have on the residents of Ventura County. Being the huge plan that it is, it demands more attention.
— Tony Acosta, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:39 PM
New principal a positive step
Re: your April 23 article, “New St. Bonaventure principal first lay person to head school”:
It was so refreshing to open The Star and read positive school news. As a parent in the Pleasant Valley School District, that has not been the case over the past few months.
St. Bonaventure High School is on the verge of renewed greatness with the addition of Marc Groff as principal. Parents in our county are looking for high schools that stress a core focus of strong academic programs. Marc Groff is the leader who can help St. Bonaventure move up the ladder to academic success.
A strong high school offers students a combination of high academics, positive athletics and personal moral responsibility. It is apparent to me that St. Bonaventure is committed to providing the whole package.
— Dianne Glick, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:34 PM
Gonzales the forgetful
I wonder how long the American people are going to put up with the likes of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the head of the Justice Department.
On the first day of his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, he used the term "I misspoke" at least 60 times. I translate that to mean he lied.
On the second day, he used the term "I don't recall" 71 times. I guess the president must have warned him about misspeaking and what that could mean. I would think that a man who can't recall anything would not be qualified to run the Justice Department, but this doesn't seem to matter in our present administration. I wish they had asked him if he has trouble finding his car after work or finding his way home.
It must be hard for Gonzales to keep track of his lies, which I think he has already proven. I guess in my mind, the term "justice" implies that truth and honesty are the trait that we look for in the Justice Department and in our government in general, but it doesn't exist anymore.
I believe that the term democracy means rule by the majority or rule by the ruled. I find it hard to believe that when 72 percent of the ruled want our men and women out of Iraq, the president who calls himself the decider does not listen. If we let this go, it means that we no longer live in a democracy. What a shame this is. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime, but here it is.
As I see Bush and his attorney general on television, I keep thinking that when I was a child, my parents used to tell me that "birds of a feather flock together." It’s an old adage, but it’s still true.
We are fighting in a country where we were lied to about weapons of mass destruction. They didn't have any. Then we were told that we should be there to make a democracy, but we have lost ours in the process.
— Diana Scholfield, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:21 PM
Proper compensation a must
I am a parent of three children in the Pleasant Valley School District. It pains me to see such a division between the parents, teachers and the district.
In the past weeks, our community has been divided by the issue of school closures. This issue has snowballed out of control and created animosity among all involved. I believe there must be accountability for lack of leadership and the failure of the board to do what is needed to help this community move forward. The school board has a responsibility to ensure the district is managed in the most efficient and effective manner so our students receive the best education possible. This includes providing competitive salaries to acquire and retain teachers. In order for that to happen, three schools must close in the district.
When you can’t pay the bills, there are two choices: cut back and consolidate or generate more capital. The answer is clear: Money is limited, so schools must close. The PVSD board is not willing to show the leadership needed simply because its members feel they would be committing political suicide. They already have.
In the time my children have attended PVSD, I have seen good teachers leave. I ask, “Who do you want teaching our children? Teachers with experience or teachers earning their experience in order to move on to better paying districts?” It amazes me that the parents of the affected schools are so shallow they believe their school is somehow superior to other schools in the district. The teachers and the community make our schools, not the buildings. We must not lose sight of the priorities.
If we do not properly compensate our teachers, who will teach your children?
— Tony Belvedere, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:09 PM
Board’s view too narrow
By withdrawing its decision to close low-enrollment schools and programs, the Pleasant Valley School District board is catering to a small, select group of parents and students and jeopardizing the success of the rest of the district’s students.
The inability of the board to make the needed changes has caused a rift between teachers and parents and pitted schools against schools. PVSD will not be able to thrive much longer because the intelligent teachers will seek employment in a school district that treats the employees like professionals. When Superintendent Ken Moffett completes his term, what type of superintendent candidates is the district going to attract?
Our son attends La Mariposa Elementary School. We are very happy with the education he is receiving. Our daughter attends Las Colinas Middle School. We are very happy with the education she is receiving.
PVSD teachers are here because they are putting students first. Yet the economy of Ventura County necessitates a PVSD salary and benefits package that is comparable to similar-sized districts. The PVSD Board of Trustees needs to stand up and lead the entire parent, teacher, and student community to a fair and equitable solution.
It would be great if Camarillo businesses contribute to PVSD. But that money will not alleviate the district’s salary and benefits deficit. Businesses that are here today could be gone at any time given the high cost of living and the number of foreclosures our county is experiencing.
We urge the PVSD board to focus on all PVSD students when cost-cutting decisions are made. Without a competitive salary and benefits package to offer present and prospective teachers, all of PVSD students will suffer.
— Robert & Janet Johnston, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:00 PM
What is SOAR hiding?
Do you know that Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources has not released its required list of financial contributors yet? Do you know it is legally required to file a disclosure listing these contributors? What are they hiding?
According to the Santa Paula City Clerk’s Office, it seems that not one person from this “concerned group” has bothered to file the required documents disclosing their contributors. Nobody knows who is funding their well-funded campaign against Measure A7. Nobody knows who is funding the slick brochures. Nobody knows their real agenda in opposing Measure A7.
Are there well-heeled developers hiding behind SOAR? It is no secret that there is a link between a local developer and SOAR. Are they still receiving money from out-of-state interests? Considering they already know we have enough water for this project, the revenue projections are real and most of Adams Canyon would remain in a natural state, this would certainly help to explain their motivation to oppose Measure A7.
— Kevin Beyer, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:55 PM
Signal needed for left turn
Re: Doug Crosse’s April 24 letter, “Sign impractical”:
Mr. Crosse must have never tried to turn left at the Olsen and Madera Roads off-ramp. If he had, he would have been faced with three lanes of east and westbound traffic traveling at 50 to 60 mph. It takes a brave soul and a very competent driver to make that turn. I have seen three very serious multicar injury accidents at this off-ramp over the years, and I do not travel this route every day. This was an off-ramp begging for traffic light control for years.
— Martin Miller, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:49 PM
Signal problem worsens
Re: Doug Crosse's April 24 letter, "Signal impractical":
Let me amend that to say, "Signals impractical." Yes, there are now two signals where there previously were none. My morning commute, as well as that of hundreds and maybe a thousand people, has been adversely affected by the placement of these signals. My route takes me on Olsen Road towards Thousand Oaks. Previously, traffic flowed smoothly through the intersection of Highway 23 and Olsen Road. Now, the gridlock of vehicles extends all the way to the Ronald Regan Library turnoff, approximately two miles.
California Department of Transportation: Are you listening? They should put a monitor at this intersection any weekday during rush hour to see the impact of these signals. Let's get a Caltrans response to this!
— David Elkins, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:45 PM
Organ donors save lives
I have always had the sticker on my driver’s license to donate any organ that would benefit another life. How important this is recently was brought home to me.
I received a phone call from my son in Michigan. The anguish and despair in his voice was something a loved one never wants to hear. My daughter-in-law was in the hospital with complete liver failure, and if a donor liver was not found in the next three days, she would not survive. She was transported to the University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, with family praying and waiting for a donor liver. Minutes were eternities.
When the doctors felt she could not hang on for another six hours, a donor liver came in, and it was a perfect size and match for her. Today she is home, having kidney dialysis, but otherwise on the road to recovery.
It is shocking how a person can be healthy one day and at death’s door the next minute. All this was from the medication Vicodin, taken for severe back pain and migraine headaches.
So, two important lessons are learned here. One, donor organs are vital. Another, be carefully monitored regarding the medications you are taking.
Our donor, unknown to us, will nevertheless always be remembered with grateful hearts for giving our family member back to us.
— Neda Cancaro, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:32 PM
Equestrians not forgotten
Re: your April 14 article, “51st Conejo Valley Days on way, sans rodeo”:
This article didn't include the fact that there will be six performances by the Conejo Riders, a local equestrian group, during the May 5 and 6 festivities at Conejo Valley Days 2007. They will be performing before the Super Dogs shows.
These are the same equestrian performers that have been at Conejo Valley Days for countless years, and this is twice the number of performances than in the previous years.
Conejo Valley Days has not forgotten the equestrian community and never planned to do so. I hope the rest of the community will support them, too.
— Jean Duffy, Thousand Oaks
(The writer is general chairperson of Conejo Valley Days 2007. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:25 PM
Let city, not county, reap riches
Unless the opponents of A7 have their heads in the sand, they must know by now that we have the lowest paid police, firefighters, teachers and civil servants in the county. As a matter of fact, we have become the training ground for the other cities of Ventura County for first responders and educators. We train them; they move on for better salaries. At the same time, we have the worst schools and the worst test scores in the county. The teachers do their best, but the money is not there. Why? Because we have the lowest tax base in Ventura County. A quality development in Adams Canyon would remedy this.
The whole infrastructure of Santa Paula, such as streets and sewers, is crumbling. Over the years, the city has been patching these things up, but these fixes are only temporary. Think of the wastewater treatment plant that the city now estimates will require $70 million to $180 million to replace. Guess what? This will more than double your sewer bill. Will Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources help you pay your sewer bill? I think not.
We now have a choice. We can regain control and bring Adams Canyon into the City Urban Restriction Boundary of Santa Paula and help to pay the salary deficiencies and some of the deferred maintenance listed above. Or we can imitate Thousand Oaks when they failed to bring Lake Sherwood into their city boundary and let it go to Ventura County. The county is now reaping the tax benefits of that multimillion-dollar development. This is one of the reasons that two of the county supervisors support Adams Canyon remaining in the county. Santa Paula cannot afford to make the same mistake as Thousand Oaks.
To ensure a prosperous future, vote yes on A7 on May 8.
— Mike Lynch, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:18 PM
Progress without damage
We support Measure A7, authored by Steve Smead, co-petitioned by Ed Beach and supported by a diverse group of Santa Paula residents, including three members of the City Council. We are one of three property owners in Adams Canyon. Our family has been and remains committed to sound stewardship and progressive agricultural production. If we had our wish, it would be for the neighboring properties to still be operated by the Smith-Hobson family as a well-managed agricultural operation in strong agricultural hands.
Being a citizens’ effort, A7 is fundamentally different than a developer-authored and -sponsored land-use initiative. That difference is very important to us and is a major reason we support a yes vote on A7.
Adams Canyon is a very special place. Over the years, we have watched Pinnacle evolve in its thinking toward a very compelling vision of what could be. The attractive feature of A7 is that it is an effort to ensure a new project in our community that turns out as promised, with no slight of hand, with the cards dealt face up and with the best interest of our community clearly in mind.
Pinnacle has a track record of being able to deliver on its promise.
Much of the change envisioned in A7 will not be visible from the valley. However, the impact on our town’s economy, the increased vitality of downtown and its surrounding central business district will be profound and positive.
We will be the property most impacted by this change. We care deeply that we see true progress, that the result will be something we can live alongside and that the unique potential of our hidden canyon will be carefully nurtured and not spoiled.
We urge you to support A7 with a yes vote May 8.
— Dan and Susan Pinkerton, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
Adams Canyon holds risks
I agree with the opponents of Measure A7 that Pinnacle’s Adams Canyon project will cost us dearly in the long run. We will have to pay for maintaining streets, sewers, water pipes, parks, vegetation, etc., spread over a 6,500-acre area that extends from Foothill Road in Santa Paula to Sulphur Mountain in Ojai.
The fact that Adams Canyon runs to Sulphur Mountain is important in another regard. Adams Canyon had many more than 40 wells drilled into it years ago before the Division of Oil and Gas and its predecessor, Bureau of Mines, were active in abandonments. The dozens of old oil wells in Adams Canyon may pose a risk to Santa Paula. Oil fields seep naturally and regularly. Some wells were not properly abandoned.
Who will be responsible for cleaning up any messes associated with these wells if we populate Adams Canyon with nearly 500 homes, a hotel and golf course? We can’t control how the oil in the canyon moves. Biohazards are extraordinarily expensive to clean up. At the first hint of any contamination to a millionaire’s property, the well-heeled denizens of this development will have the best attorneys at our throats. Will Pinnacle be here to pay the bill? No. Pinnacle puts in streets and lots, then leaves. You and I and our children will be saddled with any fallout from all the old oil wells in Adams Canyon.
Add the troubles associated with dozens of old oil wells to the cost of spreading 495 homes over 10 square miles and you have some large bills rolling in and large sums of money rolling out of our wallets.
Adams Canyon is a bad place to build. It is the wrong place to build. Vote no on Measure A7 and let the county get the costs and headaches.
— Richard Vincent, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:59 AM
Officers should testify
Re: your April 10 article, “Family sues to get beach death facts”:
As Cindy Conolly's brother, I can't understand why police officers don't have to come forward and testify when they cause a death, as any regular citizen would have to in this situation. How can Ventura County be made safe from such incidents in the future when the public is denied the truth about what happened? Isn't it ironic that our family now is being forced to go into court to obtain an order to find out the truth from police officers?
— Randy Hudson, Pipestone, MN
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:55 AM
Something to hide?
Re: your April 10 article, “Family sues to get beach death facts”:
In response to Gary Gillig’s quote about how traumatic this has been on the officers, I would like to express how offended I am. We waited for the investigation for more than seven months. We have never heard from the city once to apologize or to see how we were doing.
Gillig stated he believes we should be talking about a settlement and moving on. What Gillig fails to realize is that I am not prepared to move on. I will make sure, one way or another, that no other family goes through what we have been going through. My mother, Cindy Conolly, died the day after my wedding as result of being run over by a vehicle driven by two Oxnard police officers.
It is shocking that the officers are refusing to testify under oath about what happened that tragic day. If it was just an accident, why are they afraid of giving honest testimony under oath? Is there something to hide? My family and I have been suffering enough, and now Gillig is making us go to court just to question the officers.
— Ronnie Bassett, Prior Lake, MN
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:53 AM
Family traumatized, too
Re: your April 10 article, “Family sues to get beach death facts”:
Oxnard City Attorney Gary Gillig was quoted in the article as saying: “This is a traumatic event for the officers, and at this point in time, it is the city’s position that the parties should be talking settlement and resolution and not reliving this terrible day.”
I am offended that the city attorney is focusing only on the “trauma” the officers have suffered, and that he fails to acknowledge the trauma my mother, Cindy Conolly, suffered — and the trauma my brother and I suffer each day at having lost our mother.
These officers must be made to testify under oath about the death they caused, as no police officer should be above the law.
— Tammy Krieger, Prior Lake, MN
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:46 AM
April 20, 2007
Bill will stop overbreeding
Re: Susan Robles' April 19 letter, "Cats, dogs in jeopardy":
I would like to clear up some of the misinformation contained in Susan Robles' letter criticizing the California Healthy Pets Act, or AB1634.
This bill would require the spaying and neutering of most cats and dogs by the time the pet is four months old. This bill is meant to reduce the number of unwanted pets in shelters and the number of healthy adoptable pets that have to be euthanized in shelters because there are not enough homes for them.
Robles' letter is vague, but she implies that early spaying and neutering is dangerous and kills puppies and kittens. She cites no studies or resources. In fact, the exact opposite of what she claims is true.
The truth is that some half million unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats are killed in California shelters every year. Many of them are healthy and adoptable. This is caused by overbreeding and irresponsible pet owners. Spaying and neutering pets cuts down on the number of unwanted puppies and kittens born, thus the number that have to be killed.
Will early spaying and neutering kill puppies and kittens to the point of extinction, as Robles asserts? There is research available on the physical, behavioral and short- and long-term effects of spaying and neutering puppies and kittens between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months. These studies found no adverse results. Based on this information, the American Humane Association supports this practice as a feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation. Also, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association support early spaying and neutering.
As for Robles' claim that this bill would "eliminate all dogs and cats," there are exemptions to this bill. Breeders of purebred dogs and cats will still be able to breed when they obtain a permit. Service dogs and guide dogs will not have to be altered, and dogs used in law enforcement and search and rescue will be exempt, as will dogs and cats whose veterinarians determine are too old or sick to be altered.
For more information on the California Healthy Pets Bill, please visit www.cahealthypets.com. For information on the number of animals taken in and euthanized in Ventura County, please visit the Ventura County Animal Regulation Web site at www.vcar.us and click the stats link.
The bill comes to a vote on April 24. Please contact your Assembly member and let them know you support this important bill.
— Patricia Willis, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:56 AM
S. Paula needs change
We moved to Santa Paula four years ago, and I could see immediately that the city needed to change its thoughts about growth.
Santa Paula is one of the most central towns in the county and at one time was the largest. Now it has fallen way behind in improvements and growth. More people mean more business, which means more jobs which means more money to help the city that is in major deficit.
Come on, people: Do you want to see your city become a slum city? Do you want to pay more taxes? Your children need better schools and a better place to live and, in turn, raise their future families, which is the future of this city.
— Don & Marilyn Westerdale, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:45 AM
Reach for the brass ring
One of the opponents of Santa Paula’s Measure A7 commented about a fishy smell. It probably comes from the seemingly endless supply of red herrings the opposition drags across any trail that might lead to upgrading our town.
Measure A7 would only give Santa Paula control over the future of Adams Canyon. It is not a development issue. While the lightweight negative arguments wander all over the map, they somehow manage to avoid addressing that simple fact.
The only plausible reason for opposing Measure A7 would be to maintain our status as poor and needy — fertile ground for developers of subsidized low-income housing. Measure A7 simply offers us the potential for improving our economy without development strings attached. Future use of the canyon would then be ours to decide.
I feel strongly we should at least reach for the brass ring by voting yes on A7.
— Bill Glenn, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:14 AM
April 19, 2007
Arming citizens
Re: Robert Hardaway’s April 18 commentary, "Shooting may force high court to address 2nd, 9th amendments":
"Stacking the deck" could apply to the arguments Hathaway uses to prove that the Second Amendment is a collective, rather than an individual right. Being a professor of law, Hathaway should honor the opportunity to provide all of the facts. He is not guilty of falsehood, but of omission.
He cites the ruling in the case of U.S. v. Miller, interpreting the Supreme Court opinion as: the Second Amendment guarantees no right to keep and bear a firearm that "does not have some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia.” Hardaway believes it follows, therefore, that you have to be in the militia to own a firearm.
In 1938, Jack Miller and Frank Layton were indicted on a charge of transporting a sawed-off shotgun from Oklahoma to Arkansas. The case, which challenged the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act, rose to be heard by the Supreme Court.
The decision, which Hardaway quotes, did not rule that only the militia could bear arms. The court stated that there was no evidence that possession of or use of a shotgun having a barrel of less than 18 inches in length has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia. In other words, a citizen defending his country would not use such a weapon.
Hardaway quotes Chief Justice Warren Burger: “The gun lobby’s interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud….” If Hardaway considers himself qualified to speak on this issue, he should be aware that it was the founders of this nation, not the gun lobby, that made it clear that the availability of a militia required the arming of private citizens.
— William Vietinghoff, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:03 PM
The big picture
The recent shootings at Virginia Tech have left us all speechless and shocked. Our country need not worry about terrorism. We seem to be destroying ourselves from the inside out!
It seems to me that a spirit of murder is currently alive in our midst. It is a horrible thing to have warning signs that no one seems to see. This young man was certainly depressed and mentally ill, but no one seemed to notice or care.
Our society has become uncaring and unfeeling until something bad happens. It's time that we look at the big picture. God has been kicked out of our schools, our lives and our country. I pray that all of us get back to putting God back in the picture of our lives and our land. We so need him to heal our country and our spirits.
I pray for all the families that have lost loved ones. Our words need to be backed by action. I don't know the solution, but I am certain that with God, we'll have one.
— Dorothy Campagna, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:59 AM
Psychiatrists at fault
According to a roommate of shooter Cho Seung-Hui, Cho was taking psychiatric medications every morning. Psychiatric drugs are commonly found among those involved in senseless violence. The Columbine massacre, the Red Lake Indian Reservation shooting — look closely and you will find psychiatric drugs.
Before a person is prescribed psychiatric drugs, he typically must first be labeled as having a psychiatric illness. Here is where it gets real interesting. Did you know that with psychiatric illnesses, there is no physical evidence of any disease? And yet strong mind-altering drugs are prescribed, many of which have strong written warnings of suicidal tendencies and violence.
Who would prescribe such a drug? Could you conscientiously prescribe a drug known to have caused any person to become a psycho-killer? Knowing that these drugs are documented to have created suicidal tendencies and/or violence in others and yet prescribe them in the name of help is a crime!
It is time we made the psychiatrists who prescribe these “killer drugs” accountable for these murders as well. After all, they know or should know the side effects of the drugs they prescribe.
— Steve Bibb, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:53 AM
Gun laws in flux
Re: Robert Hardaway’s April 18 commentary, “Shooting may force high court to address 2nd, 9th amendments”:
It’s too bad Robert Hardaway did not acknowledge what the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reasoned on March 9 when it announced the Washington, D.C., handgun ban violates the Second Amendment.
— Todd Sands, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:48 AM
Were medications a factor?
Many will blame video games, guns, insanity and others for the cause of violence in our schools. One point cannot be argued in case after case: The "killers" in many of the most violent acts in our schools in the past 10 years have been taking psychotropic medications.
This isn’t hard to understand when one looks at the facts. Many people who are taking these types of medications are taking them to block awareness to depression or some sort of pain. With a lessening of reasoning powers, the reality of what they are doing is blocked. They act in ways that appear totally irrational to human beings who are sane.
Many may want to make nothing out of the overwhelming evidence that points to psychotropic medications and their prescribers as at least in part responsible for the increase in school violence in our country. The facts are the facts, and we ignore them at our own demise and at the cost of future school and social violence.
— George Horton, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:43 AM
Gun crackdown isn’t answer
Less than 24 hours after the horrific massacre by Cho Seung-Hui on the Virginia Tech campus, we were once again confronted with the heartless and mindless promotion of agendas by the likes of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
To the hundreds of immediate family members who have had their lives shattered by this insane individual, do not let yourselves become tools of this agenda-pushing organization. If this butcher, Cho, had chosen to use a car, would we try to stop the sale of cars? What if he had used a bomb? The terrorists of Sept. 11 chose weapons of flying aircraft. Should we remove all aircraft from the skies because of why might happen if other lunatics gain control of those "weapons?"
Let us give the families and friends of those lost in this senseless killing time to grieve and time to heal. To the Brady Campaign, the demon who selfishly took the lives of 32 innocent souls before he committed the cowardly act of suicide is the monster. Let us understand why he did this so we can prevent other acts of hatred before they happen.
— Matt Kolb, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:35 AM
Make bullets like Sudafed
It seems to me the easiest way to slow down people from committing mass murder — you can't totally prevent these things — is to limit how many bullets a person can buy.
I am a pharmacist, and there is a law that says you can't buy more than, say, 100 tablets of Sudafed per month. This has really slowed down meth labs. The law has real teeth because you can't buy the Sudafed without a valid driver’s license, and if somebody tried buying Sudafed at different pharmacies, the register actually shows when they can and can't buy more.
Well, if we can have this kind of technology for drugs, it should be relatively simple to set up the same system for bullets. Set up a reasonable limit of shells that can be bought per month and have all the registers linked by the same computer we pharmacists have to put up with.
For those who say, “What about target practice?” I say you have to use an approved shooting range. Buy your bullets there — 30 to 40 at a time — and know you can't leave with the excess.
We may not be able to control who has guns, but they are useless without the ammunition.
— Dan B. Kaufman, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:21 AM
No one could shoot back
While people wonder what would make a young man go nuts and kill so many fellow students as Cho Seung-Hui did at Virginia Tech, I can't help but have the answer flash into my mind:
He was evil. And he could do it.
Nothing could stop him — not the police, not campus security, not the brave professors and students who tried their best to keep him out whenever they could. This evil person even had the foresight to chain the door to the building shut, to keep out police and keep his victims in.
The wolf had chained himself in with the sheep.
He acted with methodical hatred. He shot students one at a time. Rushing him would have been suicide. So, unfortunately for many, was staying put.
So what could have stopped this killer? An adult who could shoot back. At this point, the only solution to this problem was a person with the will and the training to return fire, much as we in the civilized world hate to hear talk like this.
Before anyone says I want to pass out handguns to every kid in college, I will say up front that many people should not have them. Convicted criminals, hotheads, the mentally ill and people who can't or won't learn how to handle a gun should not own one.
But how about the rest of us? What is a cop anyway but a person who has had firearms and legal training and passed tests? What if people like you and me could receive training and pass tests to carry a gun? Some states allow this. Virginia is one of them, but the law does not allow carrying guns on school property. The killer was crazy, but not stupid. What do you want to bet he knew this and planned accordingly?
If another student or a teacher had had a handgun in one of these classrooms, I am guessing no one in the room would have been upset. In fact, I bet they would have felt happy and not a little relieved.
Support sensible concealed carry laws. The life you save may be your own.
— Ken Foerster, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:15 AM
Where was zero tolerance?
Re: your April 18 article, "Killer was known as a sullen loner":
In watching the continuous coverage of the horrible rampage at Virginia Tech, I am appalled by how things like this can continue to happen in the age of zero-tolerance. We have all read about how people with little common sense have misapplied zero tolerance to incidents such as the 6-year-old suspended for sexual harassment when he kissed a female classmate on the cheek and the kids suspended for carrying water pistols to school. And how about the kid suspended for having a 1.5-inch plastic toy pistol hanging from a key chain?
Then there is Virginia Tech and Cho Seung-Hui, a man referred to as a “sullen loner.” This man stalked two different girls without receiving so much as a reprimand, sat like a stone and refused to participate in classes and wrote perverted, violent themes filled with rape and murder.
Of course, we can all rest assured that our children are safe from those evil, water-gun-totin’ kindergartners. But where was zero tolerance when everyone on campus who knew him seemed to know this man was an explosion waiting to happen? Where was zero-tolerance for the 32 people in this madman’s path? Stephanie Derry stated, “We always joked that we were just waiting for him to do something.” Well, the waiting is over for 32 innocent people.
— Judy Woolsey, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:07 AM
Opportunities abound
The city of Santa Paula has some wonderful opportunities to enhance its prosperity on the horizon. Responsible growth will benefit all Santa Paula citizens as we grapple with the many financial issues facing our beautiful city: escalating utility costs, deteriorating roads, worsening safety records and substandard educational results. The cost-benefit relationships of each development project for our town will be well thought-out with the creation of specific plans, development of comprehensive environmental impact reports and mitigation strategies for any/all environmental impacts future projects will create. This process is demanding but necessary to preserve the quality of life all of us enjoy and demand in Santa Paula.
I believe that responsible growth involves complimentary development projects in Adams Canyon, Fagan Canyon, East Area One and Santa Paula infill. To view our community comprehensively across all development areas provides the core for responsible growth and will allow us all to maximize the many benefits growth will provide while minimizing the costs on our beautiful city. Development of a specific plan in Adams Canyon will compliment our fine city as well as future projects our city will approve. Annexing Adams Canyon into our city will allow a complimentary specific plan to be created, taking into consideration responsible projects in East Area One, Fagan Canyon and specific infill opportunities. The results will be dramatically beneficial to our community as we work together to raise the prosperity of Santa Paula.
As a concerned citizen of Santa Paula, I will vote yes for Measure A7 so the opportunity to create a responsible specific plan for our community can be realized.
— Harold S. Edwards, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:58 AM
A7 gives Santa Paula control
Although Adams Canyon is a beautiful part of the Santa Paula area, I can personally attest to the property’s inadequate agricultural viability.
More than 30 years ago, several associates and I failed in an attempt to successfully develop a 600-acre avocado venture in Adams. Inclement weather and marginal hillside soil proved to our bane.
Of the canyon’s 6,000-plus acres, much is suitable only for open space and related activity. Some of the property appears to be residentially developable without losing the canyon’s charm.
Measure A7 is simply an effort to bring the canyon’s future to the attention of city government rather than county.
Some of the proposition’s opponents are publicly criticizing development, when, in fact, a specific plan has yet to be presented.
In basic terms, A7 asks that Adams Canyon fall within our city’s governmental decision-making process, not the county’s.
I sincerely believe the citizens of Santa Paula can best determine the city’s future, and that a yes vote on Measure A7 would be a step in the right direction.
— Alan M. Teague, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:52 AM
Alternatives to Adams
It’s not too late to educate ourselves on why Measure A7 is a dangerous choice for Santa Paulans to make in addressing our needs for growth.
At Santa Paula’s Blanchard Community Library is a copy of the Island Press book, “Sprawl Costs: The Economic Impact of Unchecked Development.” It is a compelling argument against buying into growth that isn’t physically connected to existing city infrastructure. A Web search at home with the words “sprawl costs” will also turn up a number of Web sites and pdf files to download that provide good economic arguments against taking on projects like Adams Canyon.
Also at the library is a copy of a very recent report from Michigan State University’s renowned Land Policy Institute, “Fiscal Impacts ... Infrastructure Costs,” available for download at http://www.landpolicy.msu.edu/reports/index.html. It’s not bedside reading, but it clearly spells out a scenario for economic disaster that befalls towns like ours that pursue projects far from the city core. Up until now, this kind of information has been missing from cost-benefit analysis equations.
It is important for us all to understand why the rosy economic picture being given for moving our City Urban Restriction Boundaries to include Adams Canyon is based on a fatally flawed rationale.
We need to keep in mind that we have other choices for growth besides what A7 offers us. We don’t have to put our worst option at the front of the train with little chance to see just how much growth is actually enough before we spread unwisely across the landscape.
Limoneira has its East Area One project, which we will most likely vote on in the fall, once the dust settles from A7. It is a project that appears to possess real potential to make a difference, both socially and economically, for our community without the serious downside of sprawl into Adams Canyon. They have been busy involving the community with their plans the last two years and will roll out a very specific project with environmental impact reports ready for our inspection. There will be no guesswork about what we’ll be buying into when we move that CURB.
We also know that a project in Fagan is being revamped, likely with reduced numbers, which we can also take a look at again. There is no need for us to panic, fall prey to fear, and get stuck with the huge liabilities that will be ours if we move the CURB to include Adams Canyon.
I urge Santa Paulans: Don’t be misled into thinking easy street lies just over the ridgeline in Adams. Please, do some homework so you can vote intelligently May 8.
— Linda Spink, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:47 AM
Library dream come true
Re: J. William Little’s April 16 letter, “Camarillo Library slighted”:
I thank Mr. Little for his letter. Members of the Friends of the Camarillo Library have been working and planning for a new library since 1988. We raised a great deal of money at the Big White Tent Sales by selling books donated by Camarillo residents. In November 2001, the Friends of the Library opened a bookstore using donated books. Both were successful. We were able to donate $400,000 to the city for use in the new library.
Camarillo citizens had an enormous interest in the new library, as evidenced by the 9,000 young and old folks who were at its opening. Families and students continue to explore and use this wonderful new library.
The Star erred badly by not covering the grand opening of the library. Maybe the newspaper could do a series on the library from its inception to the present. Then we book lovers will forgive its bad judgment in ignoring such an important event.
— Marjorie E. Grate, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:40 AM
Grand Jury commendable
Re: your April 18 article, "Grand Jury audit report 'disservice,' officials say":
You have to wonder if any member of the Board of Supervisors actually read the Grand Jury report, "Failure to Audit."
The Grand Jury report is tightly reasoned and well-written. Its fundamental conclusion: "The county has exposed itself to loss from ineffective procedures and practices as a consequence of significantly reduced auditing capabilities."
Rather than consider this inconvenient truth, the board turned to fawning over CEO Johnny Johnston and condemning the messenger, our Grand Jury.
Fundamentally, this is not about Mr. Johnston. It is about systemic institutional failure to have audit controls in place to assure accountability. As the report demonstrates — and without making a personal attack on anyone — many decision makers share responsibility for this failure. These include Johnston, the auditor-controller and, ultimately and primarily, the Board of Supervisors itself. Remedial action is long overdue. The auditor-controller cannot do the job with present staffing, and the notion that departments spending millions need only "self audit" is absurd.
To the extent, if any, that there are errors in the report, it results from the failure of our county to provide the Grand Jury with the tools it should have. Unlike other counties, our Grand Jury lacks investigative and legal staff. It must look to county departments to borrow that expertise or do without.
As one member of the public, I wish to commend and thank the Grand Jury for its volunteer service. It deserves respect from the Board of Supervisors, and I am hopeful it will yet loosen up its closed ranks and actually listen.
— Lee Quaintance, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:28 AM
Temescal not ‘smart growth’
By a narrow margin, the Board of Supervisors recently voted to prevent the subdivision of the 2,400-acre Rancho Temescal in Piru into luxury estate lots. Such subdivision would have priced the land out of the range of farmers and utterly failed to address the need for affordable housing. It would have decimated the wildlife values of the ranch, created development that would have been costly for the county to serve and led to long-distance commutes to jobs. In short, it would have been the opposite of “smart growth.”
This vote truly protected the long-term agricultural economy of Ventura County. Let’s hope that the entire board strengthens the general plan in the future so that Ventura’s “working landscape” does not succumb to unaffordable estate lots. Very low densities are the critical ingredient.
For the rest of Southern California, Ventura County is a model for good planning.
— Dan Silver, Los Angeles
(The writer is executive director of Endangered Habitats League. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:15 AM
April 18, 2007
A7 will help city
I would like to address those who seem to be so adamantly opposed to Measure A7.
How can anyone possibly think that the huge amount of school fees generated by building permits could not help the school system? God knows it certainly needs help. The fact that 40 acres is set aside for a new school can't be all that bad! I know that it is too far away right now, and most kids would have to be bussed until they can drive, but it is better than gargantuan overcrowding.
How about this scenario? Build a new school that would work for a community college. Upon completion, move all the high school students into it. Raze the existing high school, rebuild it with multistoried buildings that will sufffice for the next 20 years, and move the high school students back into the existing