Category Archives: Featured News

City schedules open discussion on pot regulations

How should the city approach the new pending marijuana regulations?

by Paul Peterson- Pat 1 of 2

The city of Ventura has just announced it will host a community meeting for all Venturans to offer input as to how the city should approach the new pending marijuana regulations. The meeting will be held Thursday, September 28th at 6pm in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, 501 Poli Street. The public will be asked to weigh in on issues such as marijuana store fronts, delivery services, cultivation, taxes, zoning and other related issues. The input will then be given to the city council at another public meeting on October 9th, also at 6pm in council chambers. Those who can’t attend are encouraged to email their input to [email protected]. This is a real opportunity for the people to speak out on this subject.

On January 1st, 2018 marijuana becomes legal to consume and cultivate for Californians over age 21, many enjoying strains similar to blue venom. The supporting cannabis industry has been gearing up for legalization with a series of pot industry conventions and confabs throughout Southern California. The level of business acumen and innovation is surprising. More details on these gatherings along with input from the September 28 meeting will follow in a second installment for The Breeze. The CBD industry is set to skyrocket too with many businesses looking for a CBD manufacturing company from whom they can purchase private label products to sell under their brands.

Recent polls have shown national support for medical marijuana now tops 90% while support for legalization for all is now over 60%. It seems to be the will of the people. Ventura has remained on the sidelines so far as to whether the new law will be approached as a problem or an opportunity.

There has been enormous financial success for Colorado since enacting their law. Gross sales will surpass one and a half billion dollars this year resulting in tax revenues of over 116 million dollars for Coloradoans. Additionally, new business ventures have been able to grow into the sector to help promote it in their regions, such as Avidon Marketing Group to name one example. California’s gross sales are expected to top 8 billion in a few short years.

How Ventura will fare in this coming tax and licensing windfall lies in the policies developed going forward.

It should be noted that at all the aforementioned cannabis confabs, optimism is very high and opportunities for cannabis jobs and starting new businesses were everywhere. Many women were seen as leading entrepreneurs in these new businesses, especially in food infusion and minorities seek to be equally represented as shop owners and distributors. There seems to be new opportunities for many.

January is right around the corner and Ventura’s opportunity to take advantage of a whole new industry and is on the line. It appears to be the biggest new revenue source in decades for city coffers. Opposing progress might be akin to being the last dry town in a wet state, to use a prohibition example. Illustrating this, the town of Milliken, Colorado is now approving pot shop licenses to two new businesses because the nearby town of Garden City now credits pot taxes and license fees for bringing in half of their $1.3 million dollar budget. Imagine doubling a city’s income and being able to fund new projects and complete existing ones. That may be the opportunity before our city council. Citizens have a chance to express responsible views at the upcoming events September 28 and again October 9th. City funding and jobs are at stake.

The plan is to evaluate the one way conversion in six months

Were you surprised to see this?

by Jeff Hereford, City of Ventura Civil Engineer

Harbor Boulevard west of Figueroa (adjacent to the Amtrak station) has been permanently converted to an eastbound one way street. Note that the section of Harbor Boulevard east of Garden Street (adjacent to the fairgrounds) is already an eastbound one way street.

For the past couple years Harbor Boulevard west of Figueroa has been converted to eastbound one way as a part of the VC Fair traffic control set up. Since the conversion was made VPD has indicated a significant improvement to traffic flow during the 10 days of the fair, particularly when fairgoers exit the fairgrounds in the late evening. A significant amount of work has to be done each year to make this conversion which includes re-striping the roadway. The removal of the striping has an impact to the condition of the pavement and over time will require additional maintenance. In addition, there is a significant cost in making these changes each year.

With the growing number of special events at the Fairgrounds and the amount of work it takes to convert to one way each year prior to the fair, it would be beneficial to just make the one way permanent. People wanting to go to the Amtrak station will need to traverse through the fairgrounds parking lot. New signage has been installed as a part of the permanent conversion to guide motorists to the station. The fairgrounds will accommodate access to the station through their parking lot. The fairgrounds already has an agreement with the City to provide 22 parking spaces in their lot for long term parking for Amtrak passengers. In addition to coordinating with the fairgrounds we have also coordinated with the DVP (Downtown Ventura Partners)trolley. The trolley will also need to traverse through the fairgrounds parking lot. This has been discussed and there doesn’t seem to be any issues.

The plan is to evaluate the one way conversion in six months to see if there are any major issues that arise. The City, Fairgrounds, VPD, Fire, and DVP will all be involved in the evaluation. Since the striping has been done in paint rather than a more permanent striping material it can be changed back to the original layout fairly easy.

Rubicon Theatre conducts search for executive director

Company moves into 20th anniversary season.

Rubicon Theatre seeks to hire an experienced and energetic, hands-on Executive Director (ED) to take the organization to the next level. According to the Chair of the Search Committee Walt Wood, “We are especially looking for someone with a proven record of success in board and committee development, fundraising, financial management, and administration.”

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will work closely with founding artistic directors Karyl Lynn Burns and James O’Neil to support and carry out the mission of the company. The ED will have responsibility for a “Capital and Comprehensive” campaign, make and manage donor solicitations, and oversee facility renovations and expansion during and after the campaign. Exceptional verbal and written skills are a necessity.

Rubicon Theatre, founded in 1998, is about to embark on its 20th Season as one of the premiere nonprofit professional theatre companies in Southern California. Rubicon Theatre Company has served more than 440,000 audience members and 45,000 students in an intimate 185-seat renovated former church built in the 1920s. Rubicon began as an actors’ and directors’ company and is committed to creating a nurturing environment for artists and creating an atmosphere where experimentation and exploration are encouraged and supported. As a result, a number of notable artists have graced the Rubicon stage, including Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Golden Globe and Obie Award-winners.

Annual programming consists of a season of 5-8 diverse shows (dramas, comedies and musicals); a Broadway concert series; festivals; special events; and education and outreach programs. The company has presented numerous World Premieres and has launched national and international tours. Last year, three Rubicon-originated or developed productions played Off-Broadway. The company has been the recipient of multiple Ovation and Indy Awards, an NAACP Award, the L.A. Drama Critics Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Excellence,” and the N.Y. Drama Desk Award.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Search Committee, Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001. Fax 667-2904. Or e-mail: [email protected]. No phone calls please. EOE. For complete details http://siteline.vendini.com/site/rubicontheatre.org/job-opportunity-executive-director.

Help to clean up our beaches

Bring your own bag, bucket and gloves.

Be one of the 60,000 people across all of California in the upcoming 33rd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, on September 16! Volunteer to remove debris from beaches, creeks, rivers, and lakes all around California to protect wildlife from harm while taking care of our environment.

Last year, nearly 3,000 dedicated volunteers from Ventura County collected close to 10,000 pounds of trash and recyclables.

Volunteers are encouraged to attend their local cleanup site and bring their own bucket or used grocery bag, gloves, and a reusable water bottle to lessen the amount of trash created during the event.

The California Coastal Commission and the Ventura County Coalition for Coastal and Inland Waterways will once again coordinate this regional cleanup event made possible by our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers.

Thousands of marine animals die each year from becoming entangled in debris or from ingesting it. Marine debris can impact critical habitat, smothering sea grasses or dislodging or injuring corals. Debris can also pose human health and safety risks. Syringes, broken glass, and other hazardous items pose obvious dangers to barefooted beach goers. Grocery and trash bags, fishing line, nets, rope, and other debris can wrap around boat propellers and clog seawater intakes, causing costly damage and becoming a safety hazard.

For more information visit VCCoastalcleanup.org.

Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the road

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko addressing the students. Photos by Bernie Goldstein

On September 1, a virtual reality 360° driving experience showing the potentially deadly consequences of smartphone distracted driving was held at Buena High School, 5670 Telegraph Road.

The event included a simulator car, virtual reality gear, signage and a digital education display. The It Can Wait simulator was accompanied by AT&T It Can Wait campaign ambassadors. This is similar in some ways to how 360 provides VR training for workplace safety purposes, except this time the focus is entirely on the driving.

AT&T partnered with the Ventura Police Department and Buena High School to bring awareness about the dangers of smartphone distracted driving with its virtual reality simulator. This is a great idea as the number of people hiring a car accident attorney is rising dramatically and one of the predicted reasons is the increase in people texting and driving.

Ventura Mayor Nasarenko told the students, “Six thousand individuals die every year because of distracted driving. That would be like the entire student body of Buena High School vanishing along with two other high schools of the same size. So don’t send that text, answer the phone, or put mouse whiskers on the Snapchat photo while you’re driving. Remember, It can wait.” This really puts the problem into perspective; those injured by a careless driver may want to pursue legal action against them through the likes of Virginia Car Accident Attorneys.

Inset is 9th grader Armando Ontiveros being virtual.

The students learned that:

Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the road or hands off the steering wheel -especially texting and cell phone use, whether hands-free or handheld. Who’s doing it? Most drivers. It has been estimated that, at any one time, over 10 percent of drivers are using a mobile device. This also includes truck drivers with most truck accidents being caused by distracted driving. Truck accidents rarely have a happy ending and those who have been in such accidents ending up in the hospital for a lengthy amount of time. If you have found yourself in such a situation, you might want to get in touch with a law firm similar to these Tate Law Offices who might be able to help with getting compensation for your accident.

According to the California Office of Traffic and Safety:

  • 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
  • Up to 6,000 people nationwide are killed in crashes where driver distractions are involved.
  • Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.
  • Texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, far enough to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph. Most crashes happen with less than 3 seconds reaction time.

What can a driver do? They can obey the law. They can also work to eliminate distractions:

  • Never text and drive.
  • Turn off the phone when you get behind the wheel.
  • Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.
  • Make a pact with family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone in the car.
  • No eating or drinking while driving.
  • Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player or other devices while driving.
  • Pull over and stop to read maps.
  • No grooming, no reading, no watching videos.
  • If something falls to the floor, pull over before trying to reach it.

“From the Peace Corps to the Port” at Museum of Ventura County Sept. 12

“From the Peace Corps to the Port” is topic of September speaker series hosted by the Museum of Ventura County

Keynote speaker Will Berg, Port Hueneme City Council member, will present “From the Peace Corps to the Port” at the Sept. 12 “Speaking Of Ventura County” lecture series, 1–2:30 p.m., at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Berg will share the fascinating history of Richard Bard’s vision to build a port to serve the citizens of Ventura County, the port’s growth and its current position as one of America’s top ports for fresh fruit.

Berg is the former Director of Marketing and Public Information at the Port of Hueneme Oxnard Harbor District. A sitting member of the District Export Council’s Leadership Task Force of Southern California, a federal appointment, Berg serves many community organizations, including Cal State University Channel Islands Business Advisory Council and the university’s International Affairs Advisory Board, Outreach Committee of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board, the Ventura College Business Division Advisory Board and the Land Use and Business Development Committees of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce.

Admission to the event is free for MVC members; $5 for non-members. Light refreshments provided. For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

The Museum’s “Speaking Of” series takes place at the Museum of Ventura County on the second Tuesday of the month, September through June. Major funding for this program is made possible in part by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura.

Results for Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit Sept. 1 DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint

The Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit scheduled a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint for September 1, 2017, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely. DUI can also affect the driver’s insurance policy and since insurance policies differ from person to person finding out how much can your insurance increase with a DUI might be a step worth looking into.

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Ventura Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI. Those who are found to driving under the influence may have to attend the DUI Counseling Center of Illinois and face criminal charges. DUIs are not going to be taken lightly and anyone found driving in a poor state will have the law to deal with.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public. However, those who stopped at these checkpoints for a DWI or DUI check have the right to refuse when asked to take any of the Sobriety tests without consequence. It is still important to note that, if you are still stopped by the police and you have been drinking, you will need to look into getting legal counsel.

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspensions and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Ventura Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

The checkpoint was conducted at 9:00 p.m. and was located on southbound Victoria Ave south of Ralston Street. The checkpoint concluded at 2:45 a.m. and at the conclusion of the Checkpoint, the final results are as follows:

  • 662 Vehicle were screened through the Checkpoint
  • 32 Field Sobriety Examinations (FST’s) were performed
  • 1 person was arrested for DUI out of the Checkpoint
  • 1 additional person was arrested for DUI during the Saturation Patrol
  • 1 Vehicle was towed for 14601 VC (Suspended Drivers License)
  • 6 Drivers were cited for 12500(a) VC (Driving without a Drivers License)
  • 4 Drivers were cited for miscellaneous violations

More excitement coming to the Harbor!

Two exciting new development projects are underway at Ventura Harbor that will offer Ventura visitors and residents additional opportunities to stay ocean side. The Board of Port Commissioners has approved a proposal from H. Parker Hospitality that will bring two new hotels to Ventura.

The “Harbor Cove Inn,” was approved for the 2.07-acre site next to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and Harbor Cove Beach, at the end of Spinnaker Drive. Plans call for an upscale 64-room hotel, complete with restaurants, rooftop pool, fitness center, casual patio dining, beach club program, dock which would serve as a launching spot for fun and excursions to the Channel Islands, whale watching, diving, sport fishing and other harbor activities such as a water taxi service.

Expanding on the seaside brand of Ventura Harbor as home of the Channel Islands National Park, the second hotel property will be located at the area between Ventura Harbor Village and Island Packers and is named “Adventure Lodge,”. The Parcel 5 property is about two-thirds of an acre, where H. Parker Hospitality proposes building the hybrid hostel-lodge inclusive of a public pocket park located within the large lawn area that is now the location of many outdoor events.

“We’re thrilled to bring new lodging options to Ventura Harbor and are grateful for the community support we’ve received for these exciting projects,” said Port District General Manager Oscar Peña, who noted that over a dozen speakers supported the projects at the Port District meeting on May 24. H. Parker Hospitality owns and operates several other popular hotels in California including the Fess Parker Resort in Santa Barbara.

Port District commissioners say both sites are valuable but have been underused. Their proximity to Ventura Harbor Village, the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Island Packers and beautiful Harbor Cove Beach make the sites ideal for hotels, Peña said.

Before any construction can begin, the developer must win approval from the Ventura City Council and the California Coastal Commission, among other steps which means the project is many years away from starting construction.

In memoriam John Cressy

John Cressy with his dogs Baron, Dog and Whiddle near the mouth of “the raging Ventura River,” as John joked on Facebook.

The Ventura Breeze would like to honor the memory of John Cressy, who died recently after a courageous battle with metastatic cancer of the esophagus.

Cressy was a longtime friend of the Breeze. He spent his last 17 years as part of the team at Whisenhunt Communications. A consummate professional, Cressy insisted on continuing to work even as he grew weak from the disease and the battery of treatments he underwent to fight it. He was still sending us press releases the week before he died, on Sunday, Aug. 6.

“The last few years when he was battling cancer, John was simply amazing,” said Stan Whisenhunt, owner of Ventura-based Whisenhunt Communications. “He wanted to keep working and he did that right up to the end.”

Cressy was born June 16, 1953, in Hayward, California, the middle of nine children. He graduated high school in 1971 and in 1975 earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Humboldt State University. After working a year at Alameda Glass and Paint, he returned to Humboldt and in 1978 earned a degree in journalism.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Cressy spent the next 22 years in newspaper journalism, primarily as a sports writer and editor, for the Arcata Union, the Santa Maria Times and the Ventura Star-Free Press. Starting as a sportswriter, Cressy went on to become a popular sports columnist at the Star-Free Press and in 1987, he was promoted to sports editor by then-managing editor Whisenhunt.

Cressy went on to work at the Ventura County Star and the Santa Barbara News-Press before leaving journalism in 2000, when he returned to work for Whisenhunt, who’d left journalism in the early ’90s to create his public relations firm.

In addition to his work as a writer and photographer for Whisenhunt, Cressy also taught writing skills at workshops for Custom Training. His personal passions revolved around his family and his love of sports and sports trivia. He also loved photography, hiking, the beach, classic movies and classic rock.

He died peacefully on Aug. 6 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, surrounded by loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; stepchildren Laura and Darren Mills; sisters Susan Verhees; Ann Zammattio (Duilio) of Italy; Peggy Figueira (Ray); brothers Danny, Steve, Bob and Brian Cressy (Rosalee); brothers-in-law Pat Williams and David Kimbrough; mother-in-law Suzanne Kimbrough and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Other survivors include his faithful maltipoo Whiddle, who was at his side when he died, and his catnapping companions Rascal and Oscar Eddie.

A rare man of honor, heart, humility and humor, Cressy was a truly good person with a remarkable work ethic whose passing has left a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him and worked with him. We’re grateful to have had that privilege, and we’re grateful for all his service to journalism, particularly to us these past 10 years.

Cressy will be remembered by his large and loving family and loyal friends in a private memorial service. Donations may be made in his honor to the Humane Society of Ventura County.