Vol. 16, No. 12 – Mar 8 – Mar 21, 2023 – As I See It

Approximately 500 people attended the Ventura County Fairgrounds re-development meeting held Thursday, Feb. 23 in the Santa Rosa building. The $319 million project proposed by the Pacific Sports Group of Oxnard would bring a 7,500-seat baseball stadium and other improvements to the fairgrounds. Most people in attendance were opposed to the proposal.

Certainly, the fairgrounds needs to improve the very old deteriorating Quonset type buildings that are now used for their events. The fairgrounds is in desperate need of renovation.

The plan calls for two new parking garages, a transit center, a police substation, and retail space that could be used by restaurants, stores and other business. The Ventura County Fair would still be held there.

Some protesters claimed Pacific Sports Group was just looking to make money. Of course, they want to make a profit if they are willing to spend $319 million on the project. Some of what they are proposing couldn’t even legally be built there, but I think a minor league baseball team would great. It could be called the Ventura Breezers and might get kids out of the house and into the sunshine for matinee games. And people from outside of Ventura could take the Amtrak to the games and spend money in Ventura.

A lot of Venturan’s want to keep our town of 110,000 a “little sleepy town” exactly as it is. Except, unfortunately, “sleepy little towns” don’t provide the tax base to maintain even basic infrastructure.

Regarding the fairgrounds 4 Los Angeles County men have been arrested in connection with the theft of more than $500,000 at the Ventura County Fair in August.The money came from gate receipts and parking.

The suspects are:

Alexander Piceno, 28, of Baldwin Park, Rafael Morales, 56, of La Puente, Carlos Alberto Aranda, 44, of Los Angeles and Jesus Rios, 55, of El Monte.

The Ventura City Council has approved an ordinance to help build more affordable housing. The new rules will impact residential projects with seven or more units and will take effect on July 1.

Approved unanimously, the inclusionary housing ordinance, will require projects of seven units or more to have a certain percentage set aside for low and moderate income residents.

The ordinance contains the following:

10% of affected housing projects must be reserved for moderate-income residents.

For rental properties, 15% of units will be restricted, with 5% for very low-income and 10% for low-income tenants.

In Ventura County, moderate income for a family of four is $118,550 annually for the household. The low-income equivalent is $90,350 and very-low is $56,450.

Research conducted in The Netherlands has found that the maximum ceiling life span for a female is 115.7 years. For men, it is slightly lower at 114.1 years, but, even so, that’s a long time. Therefore, women will need to live alone for 1.6 years.

Six people are dead and another was wounded in a series of shootings in Tate County, Mississippi after a man opened fire on his ex-wife and potentially other family members. The suspect, Richard Dale Crum, 52, was arrested and is facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the case. I doubt if he bought a gun to kill his ex-wife and 5 other family members.

A record 6,542 guns were intercepted at U.S. airports last year. Not at all surprising as more and more people are carrying guns.

Recently a friend asked me to buy cigarettes for them, I was out and about and heading to a liquor store. I bought 2 packs for over $22. Many people who smoke are spending at least $350.00 a month to support their habit. For that amount, you can buy a car.


Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
~ From George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour

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