MY SON LEARNED HOW to spell his first four-letter word from the graffiti on the Union Pacific train bridge over the 101 Downtown. "Mom, what does F - - - mean?" he asked as we went whizzing underneath. This is a family blog, so I won't fill in the blanks.
I went up to take photos of the bridge the other day and that particular word is still up there in all its glory, several years after our errant spelling lesson. It's surrounded by lots of other colorful words, too, as the photo above shows.
In a city concerned with coaxing tourists to get off on the California Street exit and stay awhile, that train bridge isn't exactly a welcome sign. Recognizing this, many good folks have tried to get Union Pacific Railroad to clean up its act and have been duly discouraged over the years.
It was one of the first things Chris Palmieri, a city streets supervisor, tried to tackle when he started his job a little over a year ago. "My calls (to Union Pacific) basically went unanswered," he said. "I don't know what their maintenance priorities are." The city's own graffiti abatement program strives to get taggings covered up within 48 hours, he said. But the train bridge is not under the city's purview and city crews can't paint over the graffiti without consultation and approval from two slow-moving entities -- CalTrans and Union Pacific.
So what this basically means is that taggers are now bringing their grandchildren down to look at what they spray-painted while hanging upside down over a freeway many years ago. I exaggerate. But it feels that way to many of us.
However, good news may be on the horizon for those who do not appreciate the charms of this particular street art. Our City Attorney's office has sent a letter to Union Pacific reminding them that it is a violation of our municipal code to have graffiti standing too long, Palmieri said. And talks are in the offing between all the parties involved to see what can be done.
NOW, TO BE FAIR, painting a train bridge that runs over a freeway isn't an easy undertaking. The 101 will need to be closed in sections and bucket trucks will need to be brought out to do the work. Because of overspray hazards, the entire bridge will need to be encased in plastic sheeting. "It's a bigger deal than just going up and painting it," Palmieri said.
And you have to wonder if they feel it's a fruitless effort to go through all this trouble only to have the graffiti magically reappear the following Saturday night. But I, along with many others, feel it's worth the effort and I suggest while they're at it they should install some high-beam lights and alarms to deter further incidents.
If that doesn't work, I'm OK with trained attack pigeons.
If the taggers can paint the bridge without closing 101 in sections and without the bridge needing to be encased in plastic, why can't Union Pacific or CalTrans?
Send some teams armed with portable spray units up there between trains and paint it the way the taggers are doing it.
Seems like this would also be the cheapest/quickest way to go.
But that's just me.
What about using barbed wire as a deterrent for taggers? I know it's not very attractive-looking, but then again neither is the "F" word displayed in bold, black lettering for all to see as they pass through one of the most scenic parts of our city.
I've got a better idea, instead of barbed wire, how about snipers on the Country Inn's rooftop with night vision goggles.
I'm betting that after one or two of these stupid punks who deem it necessary to deface private property get 'tagged' themselves (starting with 'non-lethal' rubber bullets, moving up as needed to full metal jackets) the problem will disappear.
Since our dear city staff are not cutting gifts disguised as "grants" [100 thousand dollars worth] to their individual artist friends on the local government dole, but are proposing cutting police patrols on the weekends downtown, lets ask these budding artists we are funding [some of which have won these "start-up" grants MANY times over] to figure out how to keep the bridge painted AND patrolled. Someone has to do it. And if our priorities are to fund individual artists with our tax dollars OVER police, shouldn't they be asked to show some results that benefit ALL of us. I dont think the public knows that Cultural Affairs staff chose to cut a worthy art event like ArtWalk over gifts to individual artists who have no reason to stay in Ventura after we've paid their rent for a year.
John Doe,
You're right on the money, dude. Blow those m***** f*****'s off the bridge with AK-47's. I love it!
I liked my trained attack pigeons better.
Mongo, why are you ALWAYS so over the top?
Just trying to liven things up a bit, Marie. Relax. Crack a smile. It will surely do you some good.
"Trained attack pigeons" vs. "snipers on the Country Inn's rooftop"
Which one is real? Maybe Mongo Flamo is basing his reply in reality instead of fantasy.
Personally I like reality.
Neither is a realistic alternative.
Here is a device I looked into to scare the taggers who come up to the Serra Cross Park and spray graffiti on the Cross and the pedestal. I'm on the Serra Cross Conservancy Board and we really have some issues up there. Check this out and tell me what you think:
http://www.qstartech.com/
I could use one of those on my fridge at home!
Idea: The City makes a deal with Railroad to "Lease" the facade of the bridge for a $1 a year, then makes a public art project out of the bridge and fund it throught the already in place % for art program. Post web cams on the bridge that could serve not only as a monitoring device for vandals, but also a link to various websites as an attraction to Ventura. Maybe also a "traffic cam" tied to keyt. Post signs informing potential taggers of fines associated with vandalism, id them with the cam, and arrest them when they damage the bridge. The structure should be an icon for Ventura in the most positive of ways, rather than another embarassment like dirty beaches, vagrants, filthy parking garages and trash along our freeways. Meanwhile, we need to sue the railroad to force them to agree to fixing this problem!
Another alternative would be to mount LED lights all over the bridge, so that the whole thing becomes an iluminated structure. Using a computer program, the bridge could be made to change color with the seasons or have the lights spell out things like "Welcome to Ventura", all of which could be funded by adding a few small advertising panels to the bridge. I know billboard companies would die for the exposure available on the bridge and we could have our own litle version of time square or sunset blvd. luring people off the freeway to see downtown.
Seriously, I think the hotel behind the bridge is more visually bothersome. I look at the graffiti and think, "Reckless and gritty... wish the quality could be better." I love the lines of the bridge. Please no advertising nor neon. The qstartech might work, but I think many would love a souvenir of their antics in addition to the mug shot that would follow. Commissioning local artists is excellent. I think taggers would be less inclined to have their work compete with artists'. Am I naive to think there are local artists that might engender enough respect that taggers would not want to alter their public art?
Hire a paintball team with real paint. It might look like Jackson Pollock works for the city but it could be done in a few minutes with very little tools.
I still like my idea better. Break out the AK-47's! But, seriously folks, the real issue here is the City of Ventura's neglect in doing anything about this and thank you so much, Marie, for bringing this to all of our attention.
I appreciate the fact that the City Attorney has sent a letter to Union Pacific reminding them that it's their responsibility to remove the graffiti, but it has still gone unabated and too much time has passed since this took place without any serious follow-up. Calonne should be down in Superior Court filing a lawsuit against the railroad to get them to address the situation.
Believe me, if it was someone contesting the 911 tax he'd be dispatched in a nanosecond to fight it in court, but when it involves the vandalization of the gateway to downtown Ventura, which we are all struggling to lift up and make a showcase for the community, very little is done.
C'mon, Skip, chime in a little here. You're a downtown business operator, are you not?
The city has been trying to get them to do something about this for a long time. It's Union Pacific that is hanging it up. I thought I made that clear. I think movement will happen shortly; that's why I wrote about it. Good news on the horizon!
Maybe if the railroad folks see my blog they will take action a little quicker.
The graffiti has been up there so long most of us don't even think about it any more. What I hear the most complaints about is the derelicts down on the Promenade and Downtown. We're never going to beef up the tourism until we can get a handle on that. Don't get any ideas with that AK-47 dude!
Well, I can certainly understand your frustration because, you're right, it has been up there for a very long time. That was my whole point to Marie. You would think the City would have swung into action a little sooner on this given the high visibility location and everything they're trying to do with the downtown and all. I will wait with bated breath for some good news from Marie on this issue, since it appears something is finally about to happen. I think that's great!
Regarding the derelicts, you're right again. They are certainly not working in favor of attracting people to come downtown or to the beach area. Santa Barbara has been struggling with this same issue for years. They have finally started getting a bit tougher with them by more actively enforcing the pan-handling and vagrancy laws, cracking down on public intoxication, eliminating drinking on the beach, more nighttime patrols, etc.
It sounds like Ventura is going in the opposite direction. I know they're talking about eliminating the downtown beat officers (which Skip has expressed concern about previously) and the P.D. has generally been overly tolerant with the drunks and vagrants that hang out down there, and these people know it. Until they take a firmer stance with them, it's going to continue and we'll be fighting an uphill battle with trying to bolster the economic climate downtown.
I guess I'll have to keep the AK-47 handy, huh? (just kidding Marie, don't freak out on me now).
Good article, Marie! Why can't they use rollers to paint that bridge, with high-gloss paint, that would be graffiti resistant? If rollers used, would not need to close Hwy 101 over over-spray concerns.
If an emphasis was put on cleaning up that downtown area, and getting vagrants out, the city would realize an increase in tourist revenue. I had recent guests visit and stay at Crown Plaza Hotel by the pier. After they saw the Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay, they say they will stay there next visit. They were uncomfortable with the druggies/vagrants they encountered around the pier and while walking to downtown area. Probably a common experience for tourists coming here!
Great points, Rob! If Union Pacific has determined that spray-painting is more efficient of effective for whatever reasons, I'm wondering what the big issue is in closing 101? Caltrans does this all the time for freeway construction projects. They just redirect traffic off the freeway and around the construction zone and back onto the freeway.
The key is doing the work late at night to minimize the impact on freeway traffic. But, it can most certainly be done and is done all the time. The City needs to keep applying pressure to the railroad to get this done. Enough with the excuses already!
In my town (Oceanside) the city will fine those who choose to not cover or clean Graffitti on their private property. They have a totoal of 10 days before they are fined. Ventura get on the ball.
Gretch78, you have to understand how slow and methodical Ventura is in dealing with problems and issues out in the community, except, of course, if it involves imposing fees. On that issue, they're lightning quick, believe me.
But isn't imposing a fine the same as imposing a fee? Can they impose a fine on Union Pacific? They impose a fine on taggers if they are caught.
No, there's a huge difference between a fine and a fee. I fine is usually imposed as a penalty for breaking in the law (used more as a deterrent than to recover the cost of a program).
A fee, on the other hand, is usually designed to assess the users of a particular service or program cover the cost of that particular service or program.
The problem is, particularly in the case of the 911 "fee", that it can actually be called a "tax" because it's for a core service of broad benefit to the community, whereas, a fee is for specific service that only benefits the users of that particular service.
So by your logic the money we pay for water and sewer service is a tax, too, right? It's for a core service of broad benefit to the community too.
No, S****-for-Brains, the water and sewer fees are fees for service, since you pay directly for a service received, based on your use.
The 911 tax is a tax because it's for a core service we already pay for through our general taxes. Back to Economics 101 for you, Skippy!
You're such a charmer...
If you opt out, that is how the 911 fee is administered, too. You don't pay for it until you use it. Even then, you don't pay for it the first time or if you are calling on behalf of somebody else.
You forget that there are some of us who are quite willing to pay the $17.88 a year to help out with extra police services. Big deal. In my case it is $89 a year with all our phones and again big deal. We will get the School Resource Officers back in the high schools. We will get extra cops for Downtown. This is SO worth it. If you don't want to pay for these things, then OPT OUT.
And here's a question: Would you argue that the city does not have a right to recover their costs for services on a fee basis for anything that was previously not charged for on a fee basis before?
Thanks for the compliment, Marie. I try and spread a little love and good will when I can.
In the case of Skippy though, he just doesn't deserve it. Don't know if you caught his insulting comments to me on the above thread, but if the guy wants to pick a fight, I'll be glad to give him one.
On your comments regarding the "opt-out" provision of the 911 fee, I did, in fact, opt-out, as did many of my friends and neighbors, at my urging. I realize though that only about 11% of those with telephone lines in the city chose the opt-out feature.
The other 89% will be forced to pay the monthly fee ($1.49/month per phone line). That means they are now paying for a service that, heretofore, was available free of charge. It doesn't make sense and my prediction is the city is going to be sued and will lose in court on the legality of this fee, just as Union City did.
In response to your last question, no, I absolutely do not believe that the city has a right to recover the costs for services for anything that was not charged for previously. It is just gouging the citizenry and this will come back to haunt them in the next election, believe me. I believe some of these new fees will be going to the Council tomorrow night, as part of the user fee package.
Apparently my heavy sarcasm escaped you. I should feel grateful that you used asterisks in the entry above, I guess.
I looked at the staff report and the new user fees were for minor things like document certification; not excessive at all.
Many of us (62 percent) voted in 2006 to increase our own sales taxes to pay for better public safety. I also voted for the school bond measure in 1997. We got wonderful things for the minor increase on our property taxes. Among other things, Foothill High School was built; it has the highest API scores in the county. I suppose you would've voted against this, too, had you lived here then.
I don't think this town is averse to paying a bit more for better services. If only 11 percent of the phones were opted out after all the 911 fee publicity, what does that tell you?
"If only 11 percent of the phones were opted out after all the 911 fee publicity, what does that tell you?"
It tells me that up to 89% of the populace don't mind getting reamed with an unwanted tax. Or that up to 89% of the populace didn't understand that they were going to be taxed. And that same 89% of the populace is ripe for an increase of this 'fee' next year (if it hasn't been struck down by the courts by then).
Marie, your sarcasm didn't escape me. I was just returning a little of my own. Looks like we need to get you better hooked up to Mongo-humor.
I agree with John Doe. 89% of the population probably won't realize how the 911 tax affects them until they see it for the first time on their phone bill. Then all hell is going to break loose again.
It may be revoked by the courts by then, however.
Regarding your snipe on the school bond measure, you're absolutely right. I would have voted against it, as I do on most bond measures. We are incurring far too much debt (I refer to it as deficit-spending because it is) as a society and the last thing government needs to be doing is ringing up more debt that the taxpayers end up being on the hook for for the interest portion (which is typically the same amount as the bond issuance) for the next 30 years.
I think you're overstating this. If they didn't know about it and want to opt out next year they can. But it is just $1.49 a month and I don't think most people will even notice.
For those of you who don't want to pay $1.49 a month for School Resource Officers and extra police presence in problem areas, you don't have to. That is your right. But I don't mind doing so.
I was also fine with paying for new schools through a small increase on my property tax bill. You aren't, Mongo. But you pay extra for private schools for your kids when you don't have to. That is also your choice.
One thing the Star coverage of the 911 fee has missed is that Santa Cruz County's 911 fee was upheld by the 6th District Court of Appeal. But it wasn't a published decision and thus it did not set precedent. But the 1st District Court of Appeal struck Union City's fee down and that was published. From what I have read in other papers, the issue will likely go to the State Supreme Court since the two appeals courts disagreed.
You may Google to corroborate this.
I send my kids to private school because I think they deserve a good education. I'm not convinced that public schools offer the same high quality education as private schools, no matter how much money we pump into them, which we never seem to be able to do enough of, according to a lot of folks.
I am actually in the unenviable position of paying for both private schools and public schools, along with the endless bond measures and property tax increases, etc., that go towards funding public schools, but I choose to anyway because I think my kids are worth it.
I don't doubt the information you're putting out about Union City. It may well go to the State Supreme Court, which is not very encouraging to me given its recent ruling on same-sex marriage. Yikes!
"If they didn't know about it and want to opt out next year they can. But it is just $1.49 a month and I don't think most people will even notice"
What people will notice is that it is $1.49 a month PER LINE including cell phones.
Many people use 'family plans' with up to 5 lines of cell service on a single phone bill. ~$90/year. I'm noticing that. Plus my land line. Yeah, I'm noticing it. But then again, I look at my bill every month with a fine tooth comb to make sure that I'm not being charged for something I didn't use or ask for.
I'm all for School Resource Officers. But why should the city bear all of the cost. Shouldn't the school district pitch in (I know, there's no money there either).
Once we stop spending billions on a mindless war, maybe funding will turn around.
Yes, the school district is indeed pitching in. They are paying half the costs, even in these tight budget times. It's that important.
Look, it will cost my family $89 a month for all our lines. I could opt out of the fax line, but I'm not. it's just not that much to me in the scheme of things.
But it bothers you and that's OK, too. You can opt out.
I agree with you on the war. I'd also like to see us jumpstart what retail we can around here to keep the tax dollars flowing into the city.
What's going on with this graffiti eradication? I thought the City Attorney was supposed to be putting the screws to UP to get them to take responsibility for maintaining their property. Apparently, Calonne has dropped the ball on another one...
Maybe ask the city to put a sign up next to it that says:
This graffiti sponsored by and the name of the property owner.
Brian,
I like that idea. What do you think, Marie? Think you can get your buddy, the Mayor, to go along with this? Naahh, she'd probably cave to the bad advice of Cole, Calonne, Caulkins, or some other bureaucrat running the show over there.
I'll look into it and get back to you. Entities like Cal Trans do not move quickly, you know that.
Marie,
Sounds like a plan. I realize Caltrans, like any other mega-bureaucracy, moves at a speed closer to molasses than lightning. However, there is a reasonable expectation from the public that something needs to be done to remove this blight from such a key, high profile location in the City.
Although my personal experience with Caltrans has been less than stellar, as far as getting results, I also realize that public and political pressure is the most effective way to get through to these guys. We should be contacting Steve Bennett's office, Tom McClintock's office, Pedro Nava's office and have them step up to the plate as well to apply the kind of pressure to Caltrans and Union Pacific likely to get some kind of firm commitment to removing the graffiti at this site.
The Mayor should be contacting the aforementioned elected officials to solicit their support and assistance. This would demonstrate some real leadership in advancing this issue to the next level. Relegating it to City staff and hoping for the best just ain't cutting it I'm afraid.
Our mayor has been working on this issue, too. Last I heard, CalTrans is responsible for everything but the actual tracks.
I was out there today and it has gotten worse then when I took these photos. I suppose this is because school is out and these tagger kids end up with more free time on their hands.
Graffiti is a particular pet peeve of mine.
Hi,
I actually work in Simi as a Contractor and live in the County area, however do vist the beach and have seen the interesting folk art. Reminds of a time during grade school era I was about six or so seen two boys walking down the street, one stating "this is the way you make F***" showing his fingers one way, the other boy making his finger look yet another stating, " no that is not the way you make F***, this is how you make F***!!!"
I not knowing anything at all about it run home out of breath wanting to ask Mother, "Mom, how do you make F***?" she looked at me wide eyed her arm and hand seem cocked ready to strike, smiles and says, you had better ask your Dad. I have been in construction ever since.