Category Archives: Featured News

Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Award Winners

Winner Philip Drescher accepting his check from VPOA board members Schuyler Heard, Mike Hibdon and Bill Griffin.

The Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 15th annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships are to honor Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell, who was shot and killed on August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the only officer in Ventura’s history to die in the line of duty.

In selecting scholarship recipients, the VPOA considered academic achievement, school and community service, financial needs, and the following requirements:

Applicants must:

Be entering his/her freshman through senior year in college;

Plan a course of study related to the field of public service;

Ventura resident or have graduated from a high school in Ventura within the past three years, or a Ventura Police Department employee or employee’s child.

Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system);

Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better if selected as a recipient;

Submit a resume of school and community activities, including a copy of transcripts through the most recent semester;

Submit an essay of 1000 words or less on “Leadership, what it means to me”;

Submit a letter of recommendation from a public servant.

2018 Scholarship Awards Winners:

1st Place $5,000.00 Philip Drescher

2nd Place $3,500.00 Haiden Henderson

3rd Place $2,000.00 Elissa Root

The VPOA thanks all of the applicants and congratulates the 2018 winners of the Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship!

“Be honest, be safe, and look forward to each day.” Sgt Dee Dowell.

Happenings at the Museum

Proceeds from this concert will go toward the purchase of a bookmobile.

Live Performance Benefit and Fundraiser was a big success on Saturday May 19 at the Museum of Ventura County. The concert featured two-time Grammy Winner Laurence Juber, lead guitarist for Paul McCartney’s Wings and Fingerstyle Guitarist of the Year. Juber displayed his acoustic firepower with Beatles medleys, his own compositions and Won’t Get Fooled Again, by the Who.

Proceeds from this concert will go toward the purchase of a bookmobile to be used by the Ventura County Library to better reach and serve all residents of Ventura County.

The Museum has announced the recipients of the Bonita C. McFarland and Forum of the Arts 2018 scholarships. This year’s scholarships as recommended by the Museum’s Fine Arts Committee:

  • Kyle L. Cobian, who will be graduating from Foothill Technology High School in Ventura
  • Lane Domke, who will be graduating from Foothill Technology High School in Ventura
  • Marissa Gonzales, who attends Ventura College
  • Elaine Sanders, who will be graduating from Foothill Technology High School in Ventura
  • Elwood Walker, who will be graduating from Thousand Oaks High School

An awards reception was held on Wednesday, May 30, in the Museum Courtyard. Family members, instructors and supporters attended.

The Bonita C. McFarland scholarship is named for a generous benefactor to the arts in Ventura County. The Forum of the Arts scholarship takes its name from the organization originally created in 1961 which was the first arts organization to offer grants to the local arts community. The funds for the scholarships are generated from two endowments, held and administered by the Museum of Ventura County. The scholarships are available to any high school senior preparing to enter college in the fall of 2018 or any continuing college level student of the visual arts who is also a Ventura County resident.

Recipients of the Bonita C. McFarland awards with Barbara Barnard Smith and Elena Brokaw.

Ventura County writer-journalist Ivor Davis was in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel half a century ago to witness the horrendous assassination of the man who would be President—Senator Robert Kennedy, younger brother of John F. Kennedy. On Wednesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. – the 50th anniversary of the assassination – Davis will appear with an eyewitness account, which vividly brings to life that shocking night in American political history. Admission is $5 for museum members, $10 for non-members

Leonard Bernstein at 100 – a tribute, presented by the Ventura Music Festival and the Museum of Ventura County, to an artist whose impact has transcended genres and generations, Sunday, June 24, in the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion. This presentation will celebrate the life of Leonard Bernstein, a great American composer, conductor, pianist and humanitarian during this, his centenary year. The reception starts at 3 p.m., with the program beginning at 4 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at www.venturamusicfestival.org. For more information, call 805-648-3146.

Torch Run benefits the Ventura County Special Olympics

You might get to see some of the Ventura Police Officers, K9 Officers, police volunteers and Chief Corney who gathered for this photo taken at the St. Pats Parade.

On Thursday, June 7, at 8:00 am, the Ventura Police Department (VPD) will participate in the annual Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) benefiting Ventura County Special Olympics. This will be the twenty-ninth year the Ventura Police Department has supported this effort.

At 8:00 am, Ventura Police Officers and Civilian Personnel, City of Ventura Employees, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Agents, Mile 26 Sports Ventura Running Club and Special Olympics Athletes, will meet at the steps of Ventura City Hall and carry the Special Olympics’ Torch, also known as the Flame of Hope, through the streets of Ventura. Community members are encouraged to come out and cheer on the participants as the Flame of Hope makes its way through Ventura.

The Special Olympics Southern California LETR is comprised of nine different “legs” ranging from San Luis Obispo to the California-Mexico border. Legs are run in conjunction with various members of law enforcement agencies from throughout the region and Special Olympic Athletes. All legs will ultimately meet at the California State University at Long Beach (CSULB) as the Flame of Hope enters the stadium and the cauldron is lit to mark the opening ceremonies beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th. The games will take place on June 9 and 10 at CSULB.

The LETR is an international fundraising and public awareness campaign for the Special Olympics and is comprised of the Torch Run, Tip-A-Cop, and other fundraising events. For over twenty-five years, Ventura County law enforcement agencies have been raising tens of thousands of dollars annually to benefit Special Olympics of Ventura County. The money helps Ventura County Special Olympics to offer free, year-round, sports training and competition to over 700 individuals with intellectual disabilities ages eight years and up, who participate in seventeen sports at forty-five training sites throughout Ventura County.

Approximate Timeline of Ventura Flame of Hope Route:

8:05 am: The Flame of Hope will begin its journey from Ventura City Hall and travel south on California Street

8:30 am: Then the Flame will travel east onto Thompson Boulevard to the Five Points Intersection

8:40 am: From the Five Points Intersection the Flame will continue East on East Main Street to Telephone Road

9:00 am: South on Portola to Ralston Street where it will pass by the Ventura Police Department

9:10 am: East on Ralston Street to Johnson Drive

9:30 am: South on Johnson Drive and over the 101 Freeway Footbridge where the Flame will be handed off to members of the Oxnard Police Department on Ventura Road

First Thomas Fire rebuild in Ventura is underway

The Fuller’s are number one.

by Richard Lieberman

Six months ago, the Thomas Fire raged through communities in Ventura County. Burning nearly 282,000 acres and destroying 1,063 homes and buildings. Today in our on-going series we examine the re-building process of one homeowner in the Scenic Way Dr., community. Homeowners Ed and Sandy Fuller are the first homeowners to receive re-build permit approval from the city.

We met Ed and Sandy Fuller at the site of their destroyed home, burned to the ground during the fire. The re-build had already begun, and the organized chaos of the job site was evident. A new structure on the property was already in the final stages. The small out-building will serve as Ed Fuller’s workshop, and office during the re-build process. Still remnants of the destructive fire could be seen around and on the site. Burned shrubs, the remnants of burned and disfigured trees and plants all a reminder of the devastation the fires caused.

“There is no sense in grieving about it for a long time the loss was the loss.” Fuller said. “The reality is its just things and things can be replaced” he added. Like others the Fullers were glad that they got out safe. “We did get out with a few of our photos, some of our important documents, we had enough time.” said Fuller. The Fullers even managed to get out with a few paintings that held sentimental value to them. They evacuated to a friend’s house on the same street and the house didn’t start to burn until three in the morning” said Sandy Fuller. “All we could see was this huge fireball wafting across our property.”

One possession that meant a great deal to Ed was a wooden toolbox that his grandfather had made that was in his woodshop that burned to the studs. “To me it was big deal.” Added Fuller. After getting to see the damage the fire caused Sandy said, “We looked at each other and said we know how to re-build we know how to do this.”

Some of the Fullers neighbors have also begun the re-building process and Fuller believes some will even surpass them on the re-builds. “Since the fire we are probably closer to our neighbors than we have been.”. he said. “We even met neighbors that we had not met before.” Added Fuller. “Now it seems like everybody knows everybody.” He added. “We try to encourage each other, this is what we did to get through this process, this is what we did to get through permitting or this is who we are using for whatever. Were all trying to help one another.” Sandy said.

Ed Fuller retired now but was a construction manager for a large oil company so “I am very familiar with the construction process. “he said. The Fullers are acting as general contractor for their re-build. Their insurance company paid only 75% of total value, and Fuller added “most contentious thing we have with the insurance company is some of the personal property.”

When asked about how the city has responded Sandy responded, “When we went into Building and Safety with our architect we took our plans to a back room and with all the department heads and they mark up the plans with what is additionally needed.” “What most people need to know is that most of the rules and guidelines are state mandated and not city rules that make the process so overwhelming.” She said.

When asked about the timeline for completion Ed said” We have an incredibly aggressive timeline with the hope of celebrating Christmas in our new home.” “We are just finishing compaction and next week we expect start laying the foundation.” Fuller said.

“The only thing I can say in conclusion, in the end this can be a very positive experience.” Ed Fuller added.

Yolanda Bundy, Chief Building Official at the Building and Safety Division, Ventura was instrumental in aiding and guiding the Fullers in expediting the permit process for the first permit to be issued for re-building after the fires.

“We’re very excited that the Fuller family is on their way to rebuilding.” “It was a true team effort” said Bundy. The detailed and comprehensive effort by the Fullers was instrumental in speeding the process. “The Fullers were very responsive and cooperative throughout the process.” Bundy added. Acting as their own general contractor the Fullers were able to present to the city plans that met the requirement of both local and state governments. “The quality of the plans provided by their design professionals was a key to successfully helping us meet our goal of issuing their permits with a 14- day business turnaround.” Bundy continued.

Bundy also commented “We want our community to know that we care about them, and that we are committed to working with both Thomas Fire Rebuild applicants and with all the other permit applicants who come into our office at city hall daily. As members of the Ventura community we take our role in helping our community build or rebuild very personally. We all need these milestones of hope right now.”

Ventura Water’s General Manager Kevin Brown

Brown had been on the job only 2 months when the Thomas Fires erupted.

by Jennifer Tipton

Before becoming Ventura Water’s General Manager, Kevin Brown, now a retired Navy Captain, worked in the Pentagon as chairman of the Strategic Laydown Assessment for the Chief of Naval Operations, a nine-billion-dollar annual program.

With an annual revenue of around $94 miilion, Ventura Water brought in Brown specifically for his strategic planning experience for infrastructure. He had been on the job only 2 short months when the Thomas Fires erupted.

On that fateful night, December 4th, 2017, Brown was at City Hall with most of the city staff for the initiation of Mayor Neal Andrews. “We were getting ready to celebrate our new mayor when phones started blowing up”, said Brown. Grabbed to the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) he was still so new to the job, he was just happy to be told we had one! In the Navy, they would routinely practice drills, but according to Brown, “for a city that had not had to do this for a very long time, the response was tremendous, all of the city came together quickly and that was impressive!”.

I asked, “are you aware some have asked where was the water when we needed it most? Do you feel we had enough water to combat the Thomas Fires?”

Brown assured me that there was ample water supply, “more than enough with what was brought in from Lake Casitas”. I then asked if there was a problem with the fire hydrants and he responded, “no, however, there were large water tanks we just couldn’t get to because they were surrounded by fire”.

He spoke of drought and disaster resiliency, “we’re constantly analyzing the system to see where it can be improved, such as, how homes are built and the utility systems – do they need to be changed? The Oxnard City Water Services has over 400,000 customers, they are worried about being cut off by a seismic event, we’re all looking at that”.

There are four water basins we draw from here in Ventura and four different organizations that oversee those basins, “it’s complicated”, said Brown.

According to Craig Jones with Ventura Water, the basins and the organizations that oversee them are:

  • Mound Basin – Mound Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
  • Oxnard Plain – Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency
  • Upper Ventura River – Upper Ventura River Groundwater Sustainability Agency
  • Santa Paula – Santa Paula Basin Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

“Since 1971, Ventura has been paying for state water but never got it, because there’s no connecting pipeline”, said Brown, “this should be completed by 2022 – 2023”.

I discovered that what we’ve been paying for is the right to state water and we pay roughly $1 million per year; water delivery fees will be an extra cost once the pipeline is complete.

In Fall 2018 – Fall 2021, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will be in place. Ventura Water will be replacing all manually read meters with automatic meters that relay readings remotely. The expected results are improved accuracy in readings and customer service, advanced leak detection and notification capabilities, the ability for customers to actively manage their water usage and enhanced water quality protection and conservation. Ventura Water is excited to implement this new technology.

Lastly, I asked Brown, “if you knew what was coming (Thomas Fires) would you have taken the position as General Manager with Ventura Water?” He sat back and chuckled, “oh boy… knowing then what I know today … yes, I would. It’s in my heart as an engineer and there’s so much going on here from water allocations to all the innovations, it’s just exciting each day to come to work!”

Ventura Water will be looking at revenue and rate structure changes starting winter 2018.

Rotary Club Of Ventura South holds First Annual Speech Contest for Ventura high schools

The senior winners are Jonathon Saldana, Alaina Hooks and Aspen Levitt.

The Rotary Club of Ventura South conducted its first annual speech contest for Ventura high school students with the finals held on Thursday, May 17, at the Tower Club in Oxnard. At the event, the Club awarded more than $4,000 in scholarships for first place, second place, and honorable mention to students from Buena, Foothill, and Ventura High Schools. First Bank in Ventura contributed $2,000 to the project.

Bob Davis, 2017-18 President of Rotary Ventura South, commented, “We’re excited to sponsor this first annual event as a means of supporting education in our community and encouraging students to develop their public speaking skills. We look forward to welcoming even more contestants in the coming years.”

Invitations to participate went out to all Ventura High Schools in March, and the initial round of competition was conducted on campus for students at the responding schools. The entrants were asked to prepare a four-minute speech on the American civil rights movement of the 1950s-60s.

The presentations were judged by panels of Rotary Ventura South club members using delivery, content, and their own discretion as criteria. They were John Weiss, Rosanna Colin, Bob Braitman, Mary Davis and Dante Honorico.

The winners are:

  • Kaitlyn Saldana – Freshman, Buena High School. First Place (Freshmen) – $1,500.
  • Angela Tang – Freshman, Buena High School. Second Place (Freshmen) – $750.
  • Joshua Cenzano – Sophomore, Buena High School. First Place (Sophomores) – $1,500.
  • Alaina Hooks – Senior, Foothill Technology High School. First Place (Seniors) – $1,500.
  • Aspen Levitt – Senior, Ventura High School. Second Place (Seniors) – $750.
  • Jonathon Saldana – Senior, Buena High School. Third Place (Seniors) – $300.

The Rotary Club of Ventura South is one of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs with 1.2 million members around the world. The clubs work together to promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; and grow local economies. Rotary Ventura South meets at noon every Monday at the Tower Club in Oxnard. Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit venturasouthrotary.org.

The Ventura Police Department, partnering with allied agencies, conducted enhanced patrols

As part of the City of Ventura’s ongoing efforts to respond to concerns from the community as well as business merchants regarding illegal behaviors in the parks and surrounding areas of the downtown corridor, 4000 block of E. Main St, and the Victoria corridor, the Ventura Police Department, partnering with allied agencies, conducted enhanced patrols in the those areas on May 9. The officers involved included Ventura PD Motor Unit, Ventura PD Patrol Task Force, VCSO Mounted Enforcement Unit, Ventura County Probation and Ventura County Behavioral Health

The goal of the City of Ventura’s Safe and Clean Initiative is to ensure safe and clean public places for the entire community to enjoy. One of the core elements of this effort is to direct and leverage limited resources to better address illegal activity and quality of life behaviors in public spaces.

As a result of this effort a total of 13 arrests were made in the focus areas:

  • 4 arrests for being under the influence of a controlled substance (misdemeanor)
  • 1 arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor)
  • 1 arrests for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a dangerous weapon (Felony)
  • 6 arrests for violation of probation
  • 1 arrest for a possession of a stolen vehicle warrant (Felony)

The locations of these arrests included:

  • 1 at Plaza Park, 600 E. Santa Clara St.
  • 2 at Mission Park, 190 E. Main St.
  • 4 at Promenade Park, 398 Figueroa St.
  • 6 at various other locations in the downtown corridor

The City of Ventura is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the community by making a concerted effort to support the Safe and Clean Initiative.

2018 Amgen Tour of California

On Monday morning, May 14, thousands waited anxiously for the start of Stage 2 of the 2018 Amgen Tour of California at the Ventura Pier. According to Amgen, 117 riders representing 30 countries are competing in the race. The field includes seven world champions and two current national champions. The athletes will have gone 645 miles before finishing Saturday in Sacramento. Local elected officials spoke briefly, including Ventura City Council members Matt LaVere and Christy Weir and Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett

Summertime is Ventura County Fair time

The Ventura County Fair is Ventura County’s original Social Network, come out and connect with your neighbors, friends and families as we gather for a celebration of our great County. The Fair runs from August 1 through 12 and will feature unique exhibits, exciting contests, and entertainment, free with Fair admission.

The Ventura County Fair carries out the tradition of great values. Special admission days offer these opportunities to enter the Fair free or at low prices:

  • Wednesday, August 1: Dollar Day, $1 admission until 3PM.
  • Thursday, August 2: “Feed the Need” Food Drive. Bring 5 cans of food to donate to FOOD Share to receive a free return ticket to the fair, valid August 6-9.
  • Friday, August 3: Youth Day, children under 12 are admitted free all day.
  • Tuesday, August 7: Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day, Seniors (62+) and Persons with Disabilities are admitted free all day.
  • Wednesday, August 8: “$3 Before 3” Day is; admission is $3 until 3PM.
  • Thursday, August 9: Military Appreciation Day, all military personnel holding a current, valid military ID will be admitted free. Thank you for your service!

If you are a kid or a kid at heart, Carnival Wristband Days are back again this year. On August 2, 6, 7, and 9, purchase a $30 wristband, good for unlimited carnival rides until 7:00 pm.

Grandstand concerts are a Fair favorite, visitors can see their favorite musicals acts and rodeos free with paid admission to the Fair.The Grandstand Entertainment begins on August 1 with Motor Sports, a great way to get revved up for 12 days of amazing fun. (Motor Sports requires a $5 admission in addition to paid fair admission.)

Rodeo Days at the fair are Saturday, August 11 and Sunday August 12.

Everywhere you look at the Fair you will see performers singing, dancing, playing music, making magic and more. This year’s grounds entertainment features Fair favorites like the All Alaskan Pig Races, Sweet Caribbean Steel Drums, Hypnotist Tina Marie and some new treats including Fido 500 Dog Show, Dezmo’s Blues Band and masking tape sculpture from Tapigami.

The Ventura County Fair makes transportation easy with free shuttle rides to and from the Fair. Convenient and comfortable, the shuttles begin ½ hour before the fair opens and bring visitors to the Fair’s front gate. No traffic hassles, no parking problems, free parking and free shuttle bus service to the Fair is available from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm Wheelchair capable busing is available from all sites.

Follow the Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For hours, admission, schedules, and more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call 648-3376.​

Families must feel safe in their neighborhoods

by City Council Member Christy Weir

The recent killing of Anthony Mele was a tragic event that has left many of us struggling to find ways to more effectively prevent acts of violence. We have heard ideas from residents by email, social media and at City Council meetings. Our community has expressed their sadness and anger through marches, radio and online, and shown support for the Mele family with fundraisers and heartfelt expressions of sympathy.

Ventura is a community that cares, and comes together to problem-solve. Our Police Department works hard every day to make our City safe and is committed to stepping up patrols and enforcement to diminish vagrancy-related crimes. Additional Police officers have been hired and more will soon be joining the force. Our downtown Ambassador program will be expanding to include other impacted areas. There are many contributing factors that we need to be examining— two methadone clinics, ineffective treatment for mental illness, inmates being released from jail in Ventura, state laws that have negatively impacted criminal sentencing, huge encampments in our river bottoms and panhandling.

The public can help us in several ways: volunteer for clean-up and other community improvement projects, report suspicious or threatening behavior and do not give money to panhandlers. A leader of a local non-profit once told us that each dollar given to a panhandler is like another nail in their coffin. That sounds dramatic, but he explained that when people are receiving cash to feed their harmful habits, they are less motivated to accept help for their addictions. That cash can also be a contributor to drug-related crimes. Please donate to service agencies that can provide lasting care that saves lives.

Families must feel safe in their neighborhoods and in our parks and beachfront areas. Crime and threatening behavior in our public spaces cannot be tolerated. I look forward to partnering with our residents, businesses, service organizations and City and County government to ensure a safe and clean Ventura.