by Michael Graves for City Council

Michael Graves was inspired to run for City Council after volunteering for Bernie Sanders and campaigning to be a DNC Delegate. “I want to be the change I want to see in my city. I want to ensure the decisions of the City Council are truly representative of the various and diverse communities in Ventura.” Graves said. “I was shocked to learn that in a city that is 30% Latino, there has never been a Latino on the council.” Graves, who is Mexican, Spanish and Cherokee lives in Midtown with his wife, daughter, and their rescue cat, Hercules. As a Special Needs Attendant, he works with adults with disabilities to help them reach their personal goals.

Graves understands the struggles of Ventura’s working middle-class families, and the impoverished. For part of his childhood, his family was forced to live in a homeless shelter due to his father’s “poor priorities.” After a while, they settled into San Diego’s barrio, Logan Heights. This experience built a strong sense of compassion towards individuals who are often overlooked in our society, be they disabled, homeless, or living with mental illness. “Homelessness is an economic issue, not a criminal one,” said Graves. He feels the same about people struggling with drugs and alcohol. “Labels like ‘addict’ or ‘chronically vagrant’ only strengthens the concept of ‘Us vs Them’. These are people that need our help, not our judgment.”

That sense of compassion is the reason he is a very vocal supporter of Prop 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. “My grandfather is in the late stages of prostate cancer. He was wasting away… in so much pain. Medical cannabis brought him back from the brink.” Graves mentions his friend, an Iraq Veteran, who returned home with a severe neck injury and a few less vertebrae. “He used to live in constant pain, even while using highly addictive opioids. Cannabis relieves his pain without doping him up. Now he can earn a living and has a great quality of life.” This is why giving people options such as ordering marijuana online from companies like budbuddies or visiting a dispensary is important. There are some people who can’t leave the house and would prefer to get their products delivered straight to their door. And there are some people who don’t mind pre-ordering their request online and collecting it at a local dispensary. Read more about this option if this sounds like something that would be more convenient for you.

Going further, Graves wants Ventura to roll back the bans on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. “I have clients whom are disabled, who can’t drive. They shouldn’t have to rely on a stranger coming into their house just to get their medication.” While other council members fear marijuana stores would increase crime, Graves cites government statics that show otherwise. Apparently, providing legitimate dispensary packaging to differentiate it from what some would currently call “street cannabis” has contributed to reducing crime. This is because of the improved decriminalization of cannabis. If you’re like Graves and wants to see the legalisation of medical marijuana in Ventura, when the day comes for the rules to change, maybe looking to open a dispensary may be something worth considering. As there are many rules and regulations surrounding this industry, it is best to do your research beforehand. Plus, with the help of a dispensary supplies company, opening a store that is suitable for this field may not be as difficult as you first though!

“Local delivery drivers are being robbed of cash and product, yet Colorado has seen a decrease in crime and DUI’s.” Removing the ban would also increase tax revenue for the City’s law enforcement, youth programs and environmental restoration.

Graves also supports Prop 59 to overturn Citizen’s United, Prop 61 to keep medications affordable, and SOAR.

“I find it offensive that the people of Ventura are being asked to pay more taxes, while at the same time council members want to double their own income. I’m doing this for the people, not for the money.”

by Sabrena Rodriguez for School Board

A growing number of Ventura officials, educators and community members have endorsed Sabrena Rodriguez in her campaign for one of two open seats on the Ventura Unified School District Board of Trustees next month.

“Sabrena Rodriguez has spent the past decade volunteering at every level of the school district, which makes her uniquely prepared to help govern it as a school board member,” said Debbie Golden, who has served on the board for the past 18 years and is not seeking re-election.

Golden joins a list of prominent community leaders who have endorsed Rodriguez, including:  Assemblymember Das Williams, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, Ventura mayor Erik Nasarenko, current school board president Barbara Fitzgerald, former Ventura Unified superintendents Dr. Trudy Tuttle-Arriaga and Dr. Joe Spirito, and many current and retired principals, teachers and school personnel.

Over 10 years, Rodriguez has collaborated daily with educators and parents to improve public schools. She helped create and implement the district’s multi-million dollar Technology Plan, as well as the Arts and Music Master Plan. She was influential in determining priorities for the district’s new budget framework, called the Local Control and Accountability Plan.

Rodriguez currently advises the district as a member of the Parent Advisory Council and the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee and is president of the non-profit Ventura Education Partnership, which raises private money for classrooms citywide.

The mother of two current students at Ventura and Foothill Technology high schools, Rodriguez said she and her husband, physician Dr. Andrei Bobrow, believe active participation in local schools can help every child reach their full potential.

“Education of our community’s youth is critical to building a successful future for the citizens of Ventura,” she said. “We need our young people to be challenged to think, encouraged to evolve and grow, and empowered to take action in the global and local community.”

Rodriguez believes the school district should focus on building strong foundations for students in reading, math and science, while increasing their technology skills and ability to work well with diverse groups of people.

Adapting to new challenges during an era of rapid change will be paramount for students, staff and administrators and for the community of Ventura, she said.

“Our schools will need a board that understands this new dynamic and can help to create a vision to achieve this for all students, regardless of their circumstances,” she said.

For more information, go online at www.sabrenarodriguez.com.

The Ventura Chamber PAC interviewed candidates for the Ventura City Council. All ten candidates were invited to participate in the endorsement process. The following candidates are endorsed by the business group’s PAC.

Matt LaVere
David Grau
Cheryl Heitmann

“We endorsed these 3 candidates for their knowledge and understanding of city government, solutions-oriented posture, and demonstrated commitment to follow-through on issues important to the business community,” said Steve Greig, Chair of the Ventura Chamber PAC. “These candidates understand that job creation and development are critical to Ventura’s economic vitality.”

The Ventura Chamber PAC also interviewed candidates for the Ventura Unified School District Board. All seven candidates were invited to participate in the endorsement process for the two open seats. The following candidates are endorsed by the business group’s PAC.

Don Wood
Lou Cunningham

“We were impressed by the qualifications and thoughtful perspective of all of the candidates that we interviewed. Each appreciates the importance of the partnership between schools and the business community, which helps make Ventura a great place to live and promotes a qualified local workforce. Ultimately, we endorsed Don Wood and Lou Cunningham for the unique expertise and experience they can bring to the position. They have demonstrated commitment, leadership and a collaborative solutions-oriented approach to the challenges that face the school district,” said James Perero, 2016 Ventura Chamber Board Chair and Chamber PAC Trustee.

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (PAC) has a twelve member Board of Trustees who share the Ventura Chamber’s values for business and economic prosperity. Their mission is to seek out, endorse and support candidates for public office at the City and County levels who support free enterprise, believe in fiscally responsible government and whose views represent the interest of both the private and public sectors of the economy.