Weir is appreciative of the people that she served with.

by Carol Leish

Christy Weir, who was on the Ventura City Council from 2003-2020. got involved since, according to her, “The city, in 2003, was starting the process of adopting a new General Plan, and there was a meeting taking place about the community’s vision for the future of Ventura. I was interested in land use planning because of the long-term impact on the character of the city and the quality of life for the residents. And, I wanted to help lead civic engagement efforts, to ensure that the people of Ventura had voice in their future.”

Weir and her family have lived in Ventura since 1986. She said that her husband and her have raised their son and daughter here. According to Weir, “My son and daughter now live in this community with their families. Thus, I am fortunate to have my six grandchildren nearby.”

Weir said that she was a teacher for ten years. She was also a managing editor at a local publishing company for fifteen years.

“My years on the Ventura Council,” according to Weir, “have been spent speaking on behalf of families and children and nature. I am especially proud of accomplishments in the areas of urban forestry and beautification. Trees are not just decoration; they are essential to the health of our environment and a key in fighting climate change.”

“Protecting our health and environment for future generations has always been a top priority of mine,” according to Weir. She continued by saying, “Protecting our health and environment for future generations has always been a top priority of mine. During my years on the Council, we banned smoking in city parks and other public areas, voted to not allow the sale of flavored nicotine products and banned the use of Styrofoam by our restaurants. I also led the efforts to join the Clean Power Alliance to provide renewable energy to our residents.”

“As the founder and board member of the Downtown Ventura Partners,” Weir said, “I’ve been thrilled to have seen the success of our outdoor dining pedestrian environment in response to COVID-19. Our historic downtown is a priceless community asset, and one that we can all support with our shopping and dining dollars.”

Weir said, “After many years of efforts, we were successful in opening Ventura’s first year-round homeless shelter, in collaboration with Ventura County and other dedicated partners.”

Weir also stressed the importance of transportation “Active transportation is crucial for our future. Creating safe, connecting bike lanes and well-maintained sidewalks has been a priority of mine.”

Weir is appreciative of the people that she served with. “I was glad to share this position on the Ventura City Council), with people who she respected and has learned from: Brian Brennan, Sandy Smith, Jim Monahan, Carl Morehouse, Bill Fulton, Neal Andrews, Ed Summers, Mike Tracy, Cheryl Heitmann, Erik Nasarenko, Matt LaVere, Jim Friedman, Lorrie Brown, and Sofia Rubalcava.

I’d especially like to thank councilmembers LaVere and Heitmann, for their strength and leadership during the Thomas Fire and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the incoming new council, Weir would like to say, ‘Congratulations and welcome to our new council members: Joe Schroeder, Doug Halter, and Mike Johnson, who will be instrumental in shaping Ventura’s future.

Thank you, Christy Weir, for your many years of service and involvement on the Ventura City Council.

Cathy and Kent Bullard  have been driving on sunshine since 2011.

The City of Ventura received a Beacon Spotlight Award for its measurable
achievements in reducing community greenhouse gas emissions, further illustrating its
dedication to meet state climate goals. The Beacon Award, which is sponsored by the
Institute for Local Government (ILG), honored Ventura with a Silver Level Award for an
eight percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during a special virtual presentation
in conjunction with the League of Cities Annual Conference.

This award builds on Ventura’s long-standing commitment to environmental
sustainability. Since joining the Beacon Program in 2010, the City has been recognized
for numerous achievements for saving energy and implementing sustainability best
practices like implementing a green business certification program, expanding open
spaces, planting drought-resistant landscaping, and encouraging alternate modes of
transportation.

“We are honored to gain recognition in our efforts to help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in our City. By doing our part, we hope to inspire others to continue making
small changes that can help create the biggest impacts in improving our environment,”
said Mayor Matt LaVere.

In addition to participating in the Beacon Program, the City of Ventura is also part of ILG’s
BOOST Pilot Program, a joint endeavor of the ILG and the California Strategic Growth
Council (SGC) to help local governments address California’s climate and equity goals.
Through the BOOST Program, the City has secured more $700,000 in grant funding to
support its comprehensive planning effort, which will include the City’s first Climate Action
and Resilience Plan. The City’s participation in both programs provides additional
resources to assist with climate and resilience initiatives.

“Current events across the state such as record setting heat waves, devastating wildfires
and extremely poor air quality underscore the importance of implementing both proven
and innovative policies and practices to move the needle on climate change,” says Erica
L. Manuel, CEO and Executive Director of the Institute for Local Government.

Cathy and Kent Bullard are proud residents of Ventura who appreciate the City’s continued efforts to improve the environment for all residents. They both have been driving on sunshine since 2011 and helped to establish the Electric Vehicles Advocates of Ventura County. Their home in East Ventura’s has a 4.2kW solar system which provides 100% of their electrical needs including charging both of their electric vehicles. They are regular participants in our local environmental scene educating others about making personal changes to benefit everyone.

Commenting on the award Ventura Bike HUB Joey Juhasz-Lukomski stated “We can’t reduce GHG emissions quickly if we don’t get people out of cars. For errands, commuting, going to school, and every other kind of trip, having the knowledge to just fix a flat tire yourself or the confidence to ride in traffic could be the difference between reaching for your car keys or reaching for you helmet as you walk out the door.”

“As we celebrate this win, it’s important to remember that if future generations are to inherit a livable planet we must continue to follow the courageous example of our current city leadership in reducing GHG emissions.  Gratefully, the Solarize Ventura program enabled broader participation, including my own, towards mitigating the impact of climate change on our youth.  Thanks to all involved!” stated Cindy Piester.

The Institute for Local Government established the Beacon Program to create a
framework to assist local governments in setting goals, documenting progress and
sharing best practices that create healthier, more efficient, vibrant communities.
To learn more about the City of Ventura’s achievements visit: www.ca-ilg.org/beaconaward-participant-profile/city-ventura.

Blanca Lopez, Omar Amaya, Gricelda Navarro, and Jamin Navarro receiving meal kits.

The City of Ventura, Aera Energy, and the Downtown Lions Club partnered together to host its 19th annual Thanksgiving basket donation event. More than 100 low-income families received Thanksgiving meal kits that were prepared in to-go baskets, and included a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing, rolls, yams, and a pie.

“Due to the challenges presented this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City wasn’t sure it would be able to fulfill its annual commitment to local families,” said Nancy O’Connor, City Parks and Recreation Director. “Thanks to the generosity and support of Aera Energy and the Ventura Downtown Lions Club, the City was able to buy, pack, and distribute Thanksgiving meals to local families living near our Westpark Community Center.”

Thanks to $2,500 donations from Aera Energy and the Downtown Lions Club, the City was able to purchase ingredients for the Thanksgiving meal kits. The Downtown Lions Club provided volunteers to help pack the baskets, which were distributed to low-income residents at the Westpark Community Center on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

“Ventura’s westside community is made up of predominately low-income residents,” said Anita Diaz, Parks and Recreation Youth Program Coordinator for the City of Ventura. “Right now, is an exceptionally difficult time for our families. They are struggling to keep their jobs, and their children are distance learning all in the middle of a pandemic. The Thanksgiving meal kits meant a lot to them.”

In addition to Aera’s donation sponsoring Thanksgiving meals, Aera also provided an another $2,500 to support Westpark holiday events including the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, which provides holiday gifts for families who could not otherwise afford them.

“COVID-19 has impacted life for so many local families who are struggling every day just to put food on the table. Our donation alleviates the worry around the Thanksgiving meal and holiday gifts and allows our neighbors to focus on the things most important to them,” said Michele Newell, Aera Energy’s Public Affairs Representative. “The holidays are a time when many local families need help and Aera is happy to provide the means to support them. Our community is stronger when we come together and help those that need it most.”

For more information about the City of Ventura’s Parks and Recreation Department, please visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Parks-Recreation.