by Jackie Martenson for City Council

Do I think City Council is doing a poor job? No. But we can do better, and this year I felt a call to help do so.

I am running particularly on a ‘green’ agenda. This platform will serve not only to move Ventura into a more self-sufficient city but also create job growth and a stronger infrastructure without raising taxes.

Which is why I oppose Measure O. Of course the city needs more revenue, but we’re already pricing average middle class households out of Ventura. Additional sales tax would further hurt the families I’d like to be a voice for. The median household income for Ventura is $66,485/year. Measure O would increase what the average Ventura citizen already pays in taxes by $170/year. Furthermore, the accountability of where this money will be spent is unanswered. It’s a blank check to the Council with an oversight committee appointed by the  Council.

Next, the drought. This is a complicated issue; however, the answer is not the state.  We cannot become reliant on sources that at any time can cut us off; leaving us worse off than before given the false reality additional water can give at the time in terms of growth for Ventura. Ventura is unique in that all of our water comes from local grounds. It is something to be proud of and why Ventura should be at the forefront of creating a sustainable, local solution.

The city has already enacted the successful “Green Street Project”. Additional resources should be provided to water conservation and reuse such as capturing and recycling yard water run-off.

Self-sufficiency is not possible without local food. We need to work with farmers and their land to utilize our precious water in the most efficient and effective means. Using permaculture design, we can restructure the lay-out of our farmlands to create a more sustainable and permanent agriculture.

To increase infrastructure, revenue and job growth, I propose ‘solarizing’ Ventura. At least three farms closed last year. If the land cannot, at this time, be reconstructed into farmable land, then there is a space where a solar farm could be applied. Other cities from here east are contracting with solar energy companies to put solar panels on all homes in their city; thus, not only creating revenue for the city, but dropping the  average household energy bill by 75%.

Additionally, Ventura should invest in wind energy. We have the wind and need the power. Echoes throughout the City call for more tech companies. What better way to bring that type of job growth than to be at the forefront of sustainable   energy.

There are seven seats on the Council. Ventura would like to see a more diverse representation of the people and their voice. Businessmen, lawyers and the blue collar worker. We may not have all the answers yet, but at least now we’re discussing new and innovative ideas. Let’s work together to find the solutions for us, our kids, and generations to come. Thank you for your vote. I look forward to serving you and preserving our home, San Buenaventura.

by Matt LaVere for City Council

I was born and raised in Ventura.  This is my hometown and no one will work harder for Ventura than me. The reason I am running for City Council is simple: I want to make sure the Ventura my young daughter inherits in 20 years is even better than the Ventura we know today. That means balancing respect for Ventura’s unique history, while also having a bold and strategic vision for Ventura’s future. My sole focus is improving Ventura, specifically, creating jobs, reducing Ventura’s awful crime rates, expanding use of our parks/open spaces, finding a solution to Ventura’s homeless/vagrancy problem and ensuring our town builds the housing we need for local residents. I believe Ventura can benefit greatly from a new voice on the City Council — someone with fresh ideas who will proactively work to create the safe, family-friendly and prosperous City we all desire.

I am not some politician who is all talk but no action. I have a long track-record of working hard to make Ventura a better place. I am a Ventura Parks Commissioner, where I have made it my priority to clean up Ventura’s parks and expand the community’s access to open space all over the City. I am on the Board of Directors of Project Understanding where I have worked with staff and Board members to help dozens of people get off the street and into homes. I am on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Ventura Rotary Club where we concentrate on community service projects, especially those benefitting underprivileged children in Ventura. And I am on the Board of Directors for the Ventura College Foundation where I spearheaded a new diesel mechanic program launched at Ventura College last month. I helped build a public/private partnership that created 55 high-paying jobs for local students, jobs which start at around $50,000/year and will quickly pay $70,000-$80,000/year. I am incredibly proud to have established this program and I will build on this by creating similar programs for other local companies/industries. This is how we bring real jobs back to Ventura.

As the “hometown” boy, I’m ready to get to work. And my passion for Ventura’s future has earned me bi-partisan support. I am endorsed by Ventura Firefighters, Ventura Police, the Democratic Party, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Tri-Counties Central Labor Council, and these are just some of the more than three dozen endorsements I have received from other organizations, public officials and community leaders.

In my conversations with Venturans all over town, I hear the same message: people are sick and tired of business as usual in Ventura. They want a new voice on City Council. They want someone who will work hard and bring a different perspective. I am that candidate, and I would be honored to have your vote on November 8th!

Learn more at www.voteforlavere.com and on Facebook at “Matt LaVere for Ventura City Council”.

What are the most important priorities for the Ventura City Fire Department right now?

As a full-service city that also functions as the county seat, Ventura faces many challenges when it comes to public safety.  The City contends with miles of coastline, railroads, highways, two rivers, the Government Center, the County Jail, the County Fairgrounds, wildland (brush) fire hillsides, tsunami threat, earthquake faults, and more.  Despite the many unprecedented challenges, the Ventura Fire Department continues to remain trained, prepared, and equipped to serve you quickly and efficiently in times of crisis or disaster.

Maintaining fire, police and paramedic emergency response is vital to protecting the residents of Ventura. One of our highest priorities is to keep our response times as short as possible.  Nearly 85% of all calls to the Ventura City Fire Department’s communications center require emergency medical attention.   Keeping all six of the City’s fire stations open is important to maintaining quick response times and utilizing every resource available to save lives and mitigate emergencies.  One of our local fire stations currently relies on temporary funding to remain open.

The City has placed Measure O on the November ballot for voter consideration to make local funding available for vital city services, including keeping all existing fire stations open.

We currently provide service out of six fire stations, with a daily staffing of 22 firefighters citywide, serving a population of over 110,000 people.  In 2015, the department responded to more than 14,300 emergency calls for service.  In 2008, the department received just over 10,500 calls for service.  The continued increase in calls for service remains a challenge for the crews protecting the city around the clock.

In 1974, when the department responded to 1,975 calls annually, the daily staffing was 19 firefighters.  In 2016, the number of permanently funded firefighter positions remains at 19.  The additional 3 daily positions we have today are only temporarily funded, and that is the greatest challenge we face when trying to maintain rapid, efficient emergency response.  Maintaining today’s response times means keeping all of our current fire stations open and operational.

Another priority is ensuring firefighting equipment and training is up to date.  The advancement of technology is, at best, very difficult to keep up with.  Progressive elements such as new air bags in vehicles and different types of home construction present new challenges to emergency responders.  Firefighters must learn and train on the techniques of victim extrication from newer cars and the dangers the airbags pose to rescuers during emergency operations.  They must also become experts at understanding newer building construction under fire conditions, and when and how the structure may fail or collapse.  These are two examples of the many types of incidents our crews face every year.

Firefighters no longer just “fight fire.”  Ventura City firefighter professionals are also paramedics, hazardous materials specialists, building collapse experts, urban search and rescue technicians, rope rescue experts, ocean rescue swimmers and trench rescue technicians to name just a few.  Keeping all existing fire stations open and our firefighters trained and equipped with the best protective gear and rescue equipment available is important to protecting the health and safety of Ventura residents.