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Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Opinion/Editorial

∙ Congratulations to our senior account executive Breezy Gledhill for her 10 years with the Ventura Breeze. Without her bringing in advertisers, there would not be a Ventura Breeze.

∙ Being on the Ventura City Council has been a great stepping-stone for higher political office. Ventura councilman Erik Nasarenko has been appointed as Ventura County’s district attorney. Erik is a senior prosecutor for the county.

Voting 5-0, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors chose Nasarenko over six other candidates.

Other city council members who have moved up are Steve Bennett, (AD 37) who went from the city council to being a Ventura County Supervisor to an Assembly member, and Matt LaVere who was recently voted in to become a Ventura County Supervisor following in the steps of Bennett.

Nasarenko would have to win election in June 2022 or in a subsequent runoff to keep the job after the appointment expires.

Replacing him on the city council has become very controversial – see the article in this issue regarding this.

∙ Very glad to see County (and therefore Ventura) restaurants are now allowed to serve customers outside again. Hopefully, schools will be able to open soon. So many students are falling behind in their studies.

∙The Ventura City Council has approved the last funding to get the planned $60.5 million Ventura Veterans Home development off the ground. The council voted to allocate up to $660,000 in federal HOME funding for the 122-unit affordable housing project located on a 9.6-acre city-owned site at 10900 Telephone Rd.

The complex will be adjacent to the existing 60-bed Veterans Home of California. Of the project’s 122 units, 120 will be low-income rental apartments exclusively for veterans. The two remaining units will be for the property managers.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for low and moderate-income housing projects which could be used for this purpose.

Councilmember Lorrie Brown stated, “My father is a veteran and he’s very fortunate to have a home. But I know that’s not always the case with all the veterans here in the county.”

∙ My wife and I recently received vaccine shots at the fairgrounds. Very well smoothly run, (and it didn’t even hurt).

∙I think schools should open as soon as possible. Students being stuck at home and trying to learn has been detrimental to their development. More so than the virus itself. Because of social media, kid’s today have little enough human contact to begin with. “I spoke with grandma today.” “How did she sound?” “I don’t know, we texted.”

∙ Often times it feels as if our two major political parties are more concerned about being right then they are about the welfare of the country. If Democrats make a COVID-19 proposal Republicans are automatically opposed to it. If Republicans make a proposal (even if it was the same one) the Democrats oppose it. No wonder they frequently don’t achieve enough.

For instance, the Senate approved a measure that would let Democrats pass the relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote 51-50. It just can’t be that every Democrat liked it and every Republican doesn’t – they just vote along party line. Frustrating.

∙February is Black History Month. Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.

During the celebration of the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford officially made February Black History Month. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

∙Perhaps we haven’t come as far as we think. A small Louisiana cemetery that denied burial to a Black sheriff’s deputy held an emergency meeting and removed a whites-only provision from its sales contracts. H. Creig Vizena, board president for Oaklin Springs Cemetery in southwest Louisiana, said he was stunned and ashamed to learn two days earlier that the family of Allen Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Darrell Semien had been told he could not be buried at the cemetery near Oberlin because he was African American.

But this certainly helps. North Carolina will no longer issue or renew specialty license plates depicting the Confederate battle flag. The state’s Division of Motor Vehicles said the agency had received complaints about plates featuring the Confederate flag.

∙Guns in the news:

Gunfire left two people dead and three wounded outside a strip club in western Pennsylvania.

A man in Pennsylvania shot and killed a couple in a murder-suicide over a snow removal dispute.

Six people, including five small children, died and a second adult was injured after a gunman opened fire at an Oklahoma home, police said. The five children fatally shot were ages two, three, five, six, and nine.

∙Over the past few weeks Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have been making outlandish, stupid conspiracy theories. One of those is that the 2018 wildfires in California were caused by Jewish space lasers.

Everyone knows that the fires were started by lizards that live in our sewers and were smoking pot when their matches started sewer gas burning and it spread throughout California in the sewer system. Shocking that an intelligent woman like her did not know this. I hope this clarifies it for you.

∙Donald Trump has funneled thousands of dollars from his donors into his private business after his loss in the 2020 presidential election. The former president’s reelection campaign moved roughly $2.8 million from donors into the Trump organization over his term, including at least $81,000 since he lost the election, according to Forbes. This is based on campaign finance reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

∙California climate advocates are celebrating the announcement from the Biden administration to halt oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. Advocates with the Protect the Pacific Coalition mention the need to protect the U.S. coastal economy from the risks of oil spills, addressing the climate crisis and the need for healthy oceans.

President Biden also issued a series of executive orders to take swift climate action. This included an Executive Order on 30×30, a commitment to protecting 30% of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030. The 30×30 Executive Order follows on the heels of California Governor Newsom’s statewide commitment to 30×30 last year.

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Mailbox

Breeze:

Just picked up your newspaper as we left Andreas today. Thoroughly enjoyed the historical piece about the Lagomarsinos and the classic Koch home. A lot of good reporting in a very small space, it covered a lot. Most of us are sick of politics and want to learn more about the history of this wonderful place. Did you know there used to be a bathhouse in Ventura? I don’t know much about it but it was there in the 30s or 40s. The old Pierpont has a great history too.

Patricia Richards Dodds

Patricia:
Thanks for the kind words and now you know more about the bath house.
The Ventura Public Bath house was located at the end of California Street and is now where the parking structure/Aloha Steakhouse resides.

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.
~ Albert Einstein

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Ojai News & Events

2021 is a new beginning for the Ojai Studio Artists

by Veronica Johnson

2020 was a challenging time for the Ojai Studio Artists. The annual tour was cancelled for the first time since 1984. Planned exhibitions of many individual artists, art fairs, artist talks, and individual endeavors were cancelled as well. However, 2021 may be a new beginning as the Ojai Studio Artists venture into unknown territory.

Second Saturday tours will resume this coming spring. All of the artists who participate will adhere to strict COVID-19 guidelines, making it a safe experience for all. Planning is underway for the October Studio Artists tour, from October 9th to the 11th. Should issues with COVID change the Ojai Studio Artists plans, they will let the public know.

The Ojai Studio Artists have also been working on a Panel Project fundraiser. Their artists have created various types of work on an 8×10 panel. This project has been a source of support for their scholarship fund. To see which panels are still available, visit their website at ojaistudioartists.org.

Hi Everybody, greetings from the Ojai Storytelling Festival. Hope this finds you healthy and strong. Maybe like me, you find yourself starving for stories. I have the perfect antidote to provide a positive jolt in these challenging times–An online concert with Bill Harley, Grammy winning musician and storyteller and one of my favorite tellers. Not only will you have a highly entertaining experience, but Bill has graciously offered to donate 20% of the ticket sales to the Ojai Storytelling Festival. A definite win-win for you and for us. Here are the details:

You can purchase tickets for the the whole series (4 concerts) or as many as you wish. The next show is Feb. 12 and it is geared for adults. The other 3 are designed for famlies. You can view any of the ones you purchase until April 12 so if you are unable to view one on the specific date of the show, you can catch the missed episode at your convenience.

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Community Events

Feb.11: The Midtown Ventura Community Council will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. The special guest speaker of the evening will be Mayor Sofia Rubalcava.  MVCC has always had a tradition of giving new leaders in our city an opportunity to informally speak about what inspired them to become more engaged in public service, their background and other topics of their choosing to help attendees become better acquainted with our new Mayor.  The Mayor will be speaking after their “Spotlight” guest.

First on the agenda that evening will be an up-to-date report of the COVID-19 19 vaccination status from a county representative who will also be able to answer some questions.

Darrick Brunk, Special Operations Commander with the Ventura Police Department, will give a very brief update on activities of concern for neighbors to be aware of in the community.

MVCC is also bringing back their “Spotlight on Volunteers/Non-Profits” which gives an opportunity to give a short overview of an organization.  Tammy Glenn, Executive Director of Caregivers: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly will speak about their local organization.

The latest information from Ventura Water/Wastewater on the new rates for both departments.  Ventura Water General Manager, Susan Rungren, and Assistant City Manager, Akbar Alikhan will speak and will take questions afterward as time is allowed.

The virtual meeting will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  You must register ahead of time for the meeting to be able to participate by going to their website at midtownventura.org and the link will be sent out ahead of the meeting.

For further information or questions please call Dan Long at 805 653-6573 or send an email on their website.

Feb.18: Meeting of the East Ventura Community Council, at 7:00 p.m. will consist of a Candidate Forum in which those persons interested in being appointed to the newly vacant District 4 City Council position will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. David Maron, Vice-Chair of the Ventura County Civic Alliance, and well-known moderator from the League of Women Voters, will officiate at the Forum. Questions for the candidates may be submitted ahead of time to [email protected].

The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate.

The meeting will be held online via the Zoom application. Go here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sx_vUZdeQ4aFylf7dIKh3w

You will first need to download the Zoom app on your computer or smart phone. You do not need an account.  If you miss the meeting, you can always view later on the website, www.eastventura.org.

For more information, contact EVCC Chairperson, Deborah Meyer-Morris at [email protected].

Feb. 27: Bank Of Books on Saturday 1-3 pm Doug Halter – Book Signing – “Give Me Time – The life and Times of Doug Halter” – Doug Halter and his partner were shocked to learn that they had AIDS and only a few months to live. Doug’s partner grew sick and passed away, but Doug miraculously got into the first successful trial of a drug that blocked AIDS complications – and he survived.

Achieving success as a chemical engineer and computer sales executive, Doug found his true calling as a highly innovative landscaper. Give Me Time is the inspiring story of Doug Halter’s lifelong dedication to AIDS and LBGTQ causes and his groundbreaking contributions to the culture and civic renewal of his chosen home, Ventura. 748 E. Main St. (805)643-3154

Feb.28: Art City Studios is thrilled to present Fitness Palooza, an interactive, outdoor, COVID-19 compliant health and fitness event for all ages in the Art City Stone Garden (aka Ventura Stone Henge.) The event takes place from 10am-2pm, and entry and classes are donation based for all participants.

Fitness Palooza brings outdoor yoga classes to all, aerial demonstrations, live art, music and vendors offering healthy and holistic products and programs. Sign up for a yoga class, bring a mat and spread out among the garden’s monumental stone sculptures for classes led by live instructors with DJ Down N Going spinning motivating flow style tunes.

Aerialists of all levels from Ventura County & Santa Barbara Trapeze Co will be performing aerial demonstrations throughout the event to inspire viewers to move, stretch and flow.

Interact with Art City Sculptor Andy Lewis as he sculpts stone and try for yourself to chisel some stone under his guidance.

Vendors bring healthy, holistic products and programs in a farmer’s market style setting for outdoor local shopping.

Art City Gallery and Studios will be open throughout the event for walk throughs. See breathtaking stone sculptures, fountains, stone monuments, onyx stone lamps and more. Walk through the breezy Art Gallery to see the bright, colorful paintings of Mike Tine.

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Ventura Music Scene

With the Stay-at-Home order lifted, venues are doing their best to get stabilized yet again. I’ve seen one or two postings on social media about solo artists playing during dinner one or two nights a week (Peirano’s and the Cave), so it’s a start. Meanwhile, I’ve reached out to another musician to talk about his latest project.

I met Darren “Zorba” Cruz back in the 90’s when we added the Ska Daddyz to our regular rotation at 96.7 the Bus, Ventura’s own alternative rock station. He’s been in many projects between then and now including Irie Ites and Strand Quentin. I caught up with Darren for a quick Q&A on his most recent enterprise to get the story behind Free Love Project 805. Pam: How did this project come about?

The Free Love Project 805 started in March, 2020.

Darren: The Free Love Project 805 started as my idea in March 2020. It was just supposed to be a couple of songs I wrote and recorded with some friends from other bands because we always talked about doing a

collaboration. I had songs I wrote in Puerto Escondido Oaxaca Mexico, sitting around, not my band’s genres. I was listening to Santana”s Supernatural Album. He is my idol, I started hearing all the different styles and artists, I thought to myself this is genius, I can do that here in the 805. I put out a post on Facebook stating I need a female vocalist for an unplugged duet I wrote called “Insanity” out now on all platforms, the response was overwhelming. I had bands and solo artists lining up like Stalag 13, I Decline, Ill Repute, Raging Arb, Night Demon, The Question, Rising Son members, my reggae band, Collaboration, All A Blur, Bobby Campbell, Brandon Cruz, Dalton Cruz,and more. I also did a song with Peter DiStefano (Porno for Pyros guitarist) called “Closer” a 60’s vibe rock ‘n’ roller.

Pam: So then you are the brainchild behind all this, well done!

Darren: Yes, to be clear I got sober over a year and a half ago, had I not had some time under my belt none of this would be going down.

Pam: Why the name Free Love Project 805?

Darren: This is a totally DIY project with no funding, no rules, when we want. how we want, we don’t need the money to express our emotions and talent. Record companies get money off of us artists for a talent that was given to us for “FREE.” Money has not even been a topic amongst the parties involved, this is not a get-rich scheme.

Pam: Tell me about the songwriting and recording process.

Darren: I do all the music songwriting, some are complete songs, I even sing lead on a couple of them. On a few of the songs the vocalist would write the lyrics. See a big part of why this project is doing well, is because I asked some of these bands and artists to step out of their normalcy. As an analogy, I went to the supermarket and bought all the groceries for the shindig, I took the ingredients to the chefs whom I’m working with and said, `You think we can make a great meal with this stuff, that we would be proud to serve? Then we started cooking it up in some of our fancy restaurant studios such as Armand’s Captains Quarters Recording Studio, Somis Sound Studios. Chingaso Records, MegaSound Studios. We have cooked up 10 killer dishes so far, 5 are almost done.

Pam: How has the response been on social media?

Darren: The response has been excellent, I’ve been on KTYD, Channel 3 news, and there’s been a write up in the VC Reporter. Other local media offers are in the making. I’m releasing two songs at a time starting in March.

Pam: Post pandemic, what’s the plan?

Darren: Post Pandemic plans? Good question, unfortunately I don’t have an answer for that; nobody knows, however there is one thing I know, and that is I smell a unity of musicians fed up with the industry standards of red-tape communism. We are treated like other country’s Olympic athletes, in other words, treating our own athletes in the amateur ranks. Pay to play? F!@# that! BANDS SHOULD NOT PLAY for FREE ever AGAIN!! The internet evened the playing field, Coronavirus gave ME the chance to see all this can be achieved by us artists. DistroKid killed the record executive star, LOL.

[DistroKid is an digital platform founded in 2013 for musicians to upload their music into online stores and streaming services]

Don’t forget to tune into the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP out of CAPS Media at 104.1 FM here in Ventura where you can hear the first single,“Insanity,” from Free Love Project 805. My show airs Tuesdays at 5 pm with repeats on Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon. You can also listen via the MyTuner app on your smart device or online at CapsMedia.org/radio. Every show I feature artists out of the 805 and artists who come to the 805 to play as well as a handful of indie artists I’ve come across.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows (online or live) you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Tuesday 1/19

 8:05am, receiving multiple reports of damage from the East wind event: trees down, cleats failing & trailered vessels in the dry storage blown around the yard.

9:30am, received report of a large powerboat that lost moorings and is colliding with the Fish&Wildlife vessel secured nearby. Officers responded by land and sea to resecure the cabin cruiser. The response was successful, damage minimal.

2:51pm, received a “Mayday” call on VHF 16, report of a 50ft catamaran breaking from its endtie moorings. Officers responded by vessels and vehicle to VIM I-dock to assist employees re-securing the SV.

Wed 1/20

 10:30pm, while on patrol contacted by village security and assisted with removing 5 transients drinking, playing music & charging cellphones at VHV.

Thursday 1/21

 6:33pm, while on patrol in the Fireboat, officers observed several fishing violations near the Harbor Entrance. Fishermen were warned of the violations and moved their hoop nets to legal fishing areas outside the breakwall/sandtrap.

Friday 1/22

 4:54pm, received report of a semi-truck that drove against traffic from beachmont to Anchorsway dr. Officers responded and were able to contact the driver and warn about wrong way traffic. The driver advised he would update his companies GPS so that the mistake does not occur in the future

Saturday 1/23

 10:03pm, received report of transients in the restrooms of the VHV boatyard. Officers responded and found homeless as reported. 3 persons were removed from the private restrooms and warned about trespassing.

Sunday 1/24

 12:07pm, received report of a pollical protester screaming racial slurs and throwing a political figures’ picture at an individual parked too close to the disturbing party.

Friday 1/29

 7:03am, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers observed the Santa Clara River berm is nearing breaching. Further observation showed the water is starting to flow towards McGrath along with heavy erosion from recent swell events.

Saturday 1/30

 7:12pm, received a report of an injured sealion near VIM L-dock. Officers responded and observed the mammal, no injuries or sickness apparent. But, officers were contacted by a bicyclist who had an injured seabird. Rescue volunteers were contacted and picked up the injured bird for treatment.

Sunday 1/31

 12:47pm, received a report of an injured seabird, a cormorant, at the launch ramp. Officers responded and found the bird was captured by a bystander. Possession of the bird was taken into a cage, awaiting rescue volunteer.

12:55pm, while on patrol in Rescue B17, officers observed a vessel engaged in hoopnetting in an extremely shallow area in the sandtrap. The vessel was moved to safer water, outside of the breakwall. Shoaling occurred because of the month-long Northwest swell event that deposited 200 cubic yards of sand there.

Monday 2/1

 11:51am, observed a 25ft motor vessel inbound and listing heavily to port. Officers responded and escorted the vessel to the launch ramp and dewatered the vessel so they could haul it out on a trailer. The vessel was recently repaired.

3:45pm, received a walk-in report of a lost person, 89 y/o female who wandered off. Officers located the missing person at nearby business unharmed.

7:07pm, observed a sailboat secure to the VPD longdock. The weary sailor was in search of berthing due to a long voyage from Santa Barbara harbor.

 

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura  Police Department and are not the opinions of  the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned  are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty  in a court of law.

Arrest for Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury

On January 29, at approximately 10:15 pm, a Ventura Police Officer was working patrol in the area when he witnessed 27 year old Ventura resident James Cobb striking the victim, who fell to the ground. Cobb began to stomp on the victim’s head very forcefully as the officer approached to intervene. The victim was unresponsive and had a head injury. Cobb ran away but officers quickly located him nearby. Cobb was arrested f or Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Assault likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment and is in stable condition.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Cobb has prior convictions for Robbery, Assault, Trespassing, Petty Theft, Resisting, Obstructing, or Delaying a Peace Officer, Public Intoxication, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Alcohol as a Minor.

Stolen vehicle recovery with arrest

On February 5, at approximately 1:00 am, a patrol officer observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen in the City of Oxnard. The vehicle was at a gas station and was occupied by one adult male. The officer made a safe approach with cover officers and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle as the driver was about to leave. The suspect, 48 year old Oxnard resident Spencer Brown, was detained and arrested without incident. He was charged with unlawful driving of a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Brown has prior convictions for narcotic sales, transportation for sale of narcotics, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crime should contact the Ventura Police Department at (805) 339-4416.

Vol. 14, No. 10 – Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2021 – Forever Homes Wanted

Polo and Trixie are a bonded pair that are looking to find their forever home together. They enjoy slow and steady strolls where they can let their noses explore. After a little while Trixie likes to use her stroller. Her legs aren’t what they used to be. If you are interested in this dynamic duo fill out an application on our website. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Beau is a 1½ year old, talkative house panther looking for a family that will spoil him with lots of attention and food. The only thing he loves more than food is holding a conversation with you. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive

This decision is disturbing on several levels

by Venturans for Efficient & Responsible Government (VERG)

No one makes a lifetime commitment based on a single moment in time. Yet, the Ventura City Council made just such a commitment. In November 2020, they awarded step and merit raises to city employees based on revised sales tax figures. This decision is disturbing on several levels:

The city staff led the Council to believe financial conditions were improving based on very short-term statistics.

The people benefiting from the salary increases were the ones making the recommendation.

Our elected officials failed to question the rosy picture the staff presented during the pandemic economic shutdown.

How Did We Get Here?

In the city’s fiscal year 2020-2021, the Ventura City Council faced a $12.0 million budget deficit due to California’s coronavirus shutdown. Among the solutions city staff recommended was the option to ‘defer’ $1 million in employee step and merit salary increases until financial conditions improved.

As a provision of the FY2020-21 budget, former-Mayor Matt LaVere, the City Council and all the bargaining units agreed to freeze employee step and merit increases as a down payment on the massive reductions necessary in the year ahead.

What Was The New Projection That Justified The Step And Merit Increases?

To everyone’s surprise, the September sales tax report was higher than anticipated. The city staff projected that General Fund would be $1.657 million higher than forecasted. The City Council seized this as the ‘green light’ to reinstate the employee step and merit raises.

At the November 9, 2020 meeting, the Council rescinded the suspended step and merit salary increases for city employees. The suspension lasted from March to November 2020.

Was The Decision To Grant Step And Merit Increases Logical?

The Council made its November decision based on data presented on September 23, 2020, a month and a half earlier. The Council received no updated data on which to decide. If they had, the decision might have been different.

What’s Happening With The General Fund?

The $1.657 million General Fund surplus presented in September 2020 was misleading. Yes, sales tax revenue was higher, but that didn’t account for the excess. Two unique, one-time events inflated the figures.

The General Fund received $2.0 million from the CARES Act funding. The city also received a donation from the Marion Schwab Trust.

Without these two rare revenue infusions, the city would have had $2.4 million less revenue than the city staff led the Council to believe when deciding to award the raises.

What’s more, the city staff failed to mention the City Council’s risks to the General Fund. Player’s Casino Card Room sales taxes, parking violations, and Parks & Recreation programming were below budget. Mr. Coon’s November 2020 report shows revenue fell more than $5.2 million below budget in those three areas.

The Result Of Their Actions

In June, Councilmember Jim Friedman warned of an “absolute financial disaster” in the coming years if the city doesn’t continue to cut spending. Yet, the City Council awarded over $719,000 in pay increases to city employees.

What Can We Do?

Every budget cycle, our City Council makes long-term decisions based on the short-term data they receive from city staff.

Staff isn’t always right. No one has examined the budgeting process recently. Periodically, it would be a good idea to have independent, outside consultants provide an unbiased analysis of Ventura’s budgeting.

Editors Comments

We believe the City Council made the November decision to award the step and merit increases on flawed forecasts from staff. The Council decided based on a September bump in the sales tax revenue for the first four months of the fiscal year 2020-21. And the data didn’t include the all-important Christmas season sales tax revenue.

At a higher level, citizens should be concerned about this process. The same people who prepare the reports used to decide salary increases are the same people who get the raises.

Our concern isn’t with the exact budget numbers. We question using numbers provided by the very people who enjoy the increases.

And we’re disappointed by the elected officials that failed to question staff’s rosy projections in the middle of a pandemic.

We hope that the new Council will be more rigorous in asking questions when preparing next year’s budget.

The TeensForAll team welcomes any and all teens to apply

TeensForAll is a completely teen-run organization which was founded by Xavier Ramirez a 10th Grader at Buena High School in September of 2020. Xavier said he started TeensForAll because he wanted to create an inclusive environment where teens no matter race, religion, sexuality, gender, or beliefs has a place to represent themselves, find new friends, make change, and gain valuable experience that can help them later down in the road in any career they choose.

TeensForAll discusses social justice, female empowerment, mental health awareness, and climate awareness. The TeensForAll team chose these issues in specific because they feel like these issues are beneficial for teenagers to gain more knowledge about. While TeensForAll is based in Ventura California, members come from all over the U.S. & Canada.

TeensForAll is run by a Cabinet and has seven committees. The seven committees are: Operations, Communications, Partnerships, Outreach, Design, Finance, and Journalism. Each of TeensForAll’s committees have one designated Committee Head and they work symbiotically with each other.

Operations handles all of the internal affairs and resource distribution. Communications handles all of TeensForAll’s social media and releases press releases. Partnerships Committee finds organizations, collaborations, and opportunities that allow TeensForAll to grow. Outreach plans and coordinates all of TeensForAll’s events and makes sure all of the events are planned out thoroughly and have all needed resources. The Design Committee creates all of the images utilized by TeensForAll. The Finance Committee develops a budget and fundraisers for TeensForAll. Finally, Journalism is all of TeensForAll’s writers and makes up the bulk of TeensForAll’s members.

All of these Committees work together through TeensForAll’s government style. For example, if the Outreach Committee needs to plan an event they would contact the Operations Committee to see if the project is approved. If approved, the project would then move to Finance for a budget proposal, then to Design to create promotional images, and then it would be sent to Communications to promote. This is just one example of how the TeensForAll structure of government works. The TeensForAll Cabinet which is made up of all the Committee Heads vote on any initiatives for TeensForAll to implement or create. TeensForAll currently has four blogs which are: TeensForChange, TeensForNature, TeensForWomen, and TeensForHope.

All of TeensForAll’s blogs go through an editor and are approved by a democratically elected Speaker and every week, 2-3 blogs are posted. TeensForAll also has many interactive aspects on their website such as a bi-monthly podcast where members discuss events occurring in the world. There is also a pen-pal finder where teenagers can fill out a form and find a new friend amidst the pandemic. Some of TeensForAll’s current initiatives include: Partnering with organizations, tutoring elementary school students, organizing a beach and park clean up day, and writing to frontline healthcare workers and elders in retirement homes.

Teens can join TeensForAll to become a part of a team, gain experience working both independently and with others, building leadership skills, develop an understanding for topics discussed, and be able to be a part of something meaningful. You can find all of their applications on the “Join Us” section of their website. TeensForAll also has an interview process to simulate applying for a job. However, it is not as nerve wracking as applying for a job. After applying, teens will be contacted after they apply to sign up for an interview time. Similar to a job interview our interviewers ask a set of questions.

The TeensForAll team welcomes any and all teens to apply to join and check their website which can be found at www.teensforall.org and their social medias of Tiktok and Instagram are: _teensforall_.