Category Archives: Featured News

Police Chief Ken Corney announces retirement

For more than three decades, Chief Corney has served our community with honor and distinction.

After more than 33 years of service with the City of Ventura, Police Chief Ken Corney has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2019. In reflecting on his career, Chief Corney said that “it has been a tremendous honor to work alongside the dedicated men and women of the Ventura Police Department, and to serve our community.”

“For more than three decades, Chief Corney has served our community with honor and distinction. He is a model of integrity and professionalism and it has been an honor to work with him,” stated City Manager Alex McIntyre. “He epitomizes the values of teamwork, leadership and public service. He has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life in our community and responding to the significant public safety issues faced by cities throughout our state. The City of Ventura is a safer community thanks to the work of Chief Corney. He has led the Ventura Police Department with heart and humility transforming the service of the agency.”

Chief Ken Corney joined the Ventura Police Department in 1986. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1995, Commander in January 2000, Assistant Chief in December 2003, and appointed as Police Chief in December 2009.

Mayor Matt told the Breeze “Chief Corney’s intelligence and ability to think outside the box earned him national recognition. And as someone who was raised in this community, he cared deeply about Ventura and his number one priority was always the safety of Ventura residents. He was an incredible Police Chief and he will be sorely missed. But the strength of the department he leaves behind is a true testament to his leadership and professionalism.”

City Manager McIntyre has recommended that City Council selects Chief Corney to serve as the Interim Police Chief while a professional recruitment is conducted to select the next Ventura Police Chief. “The Ventura Police Department has great leadership,” said City Manager McIntyre. “An open recruitment to the process is important for transparency and community input. This process doesn’t preclude an internal selection. The recruitment will help determine the best individual to lead the agency.”

The City will retain a professional recruitment firm to conduct a search in order to find the best candidate to fill the Police Chief position.

Retired Ventura Police Chief and ex-city council member Mike Tracy stated.
“For the last 33 years Police Chief Ken Corney has committed himself 110% in service to the City of Ventura.  It was my great fortune to work with Ken for almost 20 of those years, and I can truly say he is one of the very best. His legacy is evident in the people he has developed, encouraged, and mentored.  Because of his leadership, the Ventura Police Department is prepared to face every future challenge.  My hope for Ken in his retirement is that he will follow in my footsteps and run for City Council—NOT!  Congratulations, Chief Corney, on your many years of exemplary service to our community.  All the Best to you and your family in the years ahead”

Ken Corney moved to Ventura from League City, Texas in 1970 when his father, a Grumman Aerospace engineer, was transferred from the Lunar Module project to the F14 Tomcat jet fighter project. Ken attended elementary school, middle school and high school in Ventura, and Ventura College. After his sophomore year at Ventura College, Ken accepted an athletic scholarship to California University Long Beach where he competed in track and field and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism – Public Relations.

Ken joined the Ventura Police Department in 1986. As an officer he served in the Patrol Task Force, SWAT hostage negotiator and field training officer. He was later promoted to Corporal where he served in patrol and later was as a gang investigator in addition to a collateral assignment as an entry team member of SWAT. Ken was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and after a tour as a Patrol Sergeant was assigned to the Special Enforcement Team – Gang Enforcement Unit, SWAT Team Leader as well as President of the Ventura Police Officers Association.

Ken was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000 and served as a patrol Watch Commander and later the department’s first Special Operations division Commander where he was responsible for Special Enforcement Team, SWAT Operations and Grant program management. In 2003 Ken was promoted to Assistant Chief and appointed to be the Chief of Police in 2009 by City Manager Rick Cole after the retirement of Chief Pat Miller.

In a previous Ventura Breeze, he was asked what he likes most about Ventura.

“Ventura is truly a post card community – from the ocean to the mountains. We are near enough many of the great things Central and Southern California has to offer, but far enough away to appreciate the uniqueness of our community. When I first arrived in East Ventura in 1970, the City’s population was around 50,000 and the east end was just beginning to develop. The town had the same rural feeling that still exists today. I think the feeling is the same because of the people that call Ventura home. I am blessed to have been provided the opportunity to work and raise my family in Ventura.”

Ventura Pier generously supported by the community

”2019 was a great year for our beloved Ventura Pier.”

Pier into the Future, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier is happy to share they recently presented the City of Ventura with a check for $20,000 to fund the replacement of the interpretive panels on the Pier. This generous gift was made possible by the community who donated funds in exchange for having their name engraved on the granite panels at the entrance to the historic Ventura Pier.

“With the wonderful support from the community and the leadership on the board of directors, 2019 was a great year for our beloved Ventura Pier”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez. The organization was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $811,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 26 years to enhance the Pier.

At the core of its fundraising efforts is the opportunity to have your name or the name of a loved one engraved in granite at the Pier. The engravings make wonderful gifts at the holiday times as a way to honor or memorize a friend or loved one. In addition, the organization produces two signature community events: Sunset Dinner on the Pier in May and Pier Under the Stars in October.

Pier Under the Stars launched a new program this year- Pier Pals. In exchange for a donation of $100 Pier Pals receive a custom Pier sticker and their name on the Pier website.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org or call 805.804.7735 for more information about pier engravings or Pier Pals.

Food Share’s 8th annual CAN-tree drive

On Dec. 13 and 14 Food Share’s 8th annual CAN-tree drive took place in Figueroa Plaza in Downtown. Groups donated cans and community groups built trees from the cans that were then donated to local food banks. Each CAN-tree required approximately 600-800 cans.

The very tall trees are 15’0” tall, 28 layers and contain 10,000 cans. 220,000 pounds of food are collected at the event to be shared.

Since 1978, Food Share has been feeding the hungry in Ventura County. Food Share provides food for over 75,000 monthly.

Learn more at https://foodshare.com/.

City of Ventura repurposes water for local park landscapes

City’s Urban Forestry Department’s new 4,000 gallon water truck doing its job.

Over the next month, Ventura Water and Parks, Recreation, and Community Partnerships (PRCP) will work together to repurpose an estimated 200,000 gallons of water during the annual main line flushing program to irrigate City parks and trees rather than discharging water into streets and storm drains. The City’s water service area is a complex system of 380 miles of pipelines ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches in diameter. Routine maintenance is required to flush out sediment, corrosion and remove “bio–film” that adheres to pipes over time.

“Water main flushing is a necessary part of maintaining and operating a drinking water distribution system to ensure high quality drinking water. Ventura Water is committed to innovative solutions that maintain water quality standards and limit water waste,” said Ventura Water General Manager Susan Rungren.

In recent years, the City of Ventura has taken a proactive approach to minimize water waste during mandatory waterline flushing. In 2017, Ventura Water began operating the Neutral Output Discharge Elimination System (NO-DES) unit, a state-of-the-art truck that connects to fire hydrants and circulates, filters, and puts water back into the distribution system saving millions of gallons of water.

Beginning on the Westside and moving East, the City of Ventura will be flushing at approximately 200 locations where water mains end and pose water quality challenges. Instead of running the water to waste it will be captured and transported using the City’s Urban Forestry Department’s new 4,000 gallon water truck and applied to turf and trees at Arroyo Verde Park, Camino Real Park, Barranca Vista, Chumash Park, Hobert Park, and Community Park in addition to linear park spaces and city trees.

“Overseeing Ventura’s 42 parks and being water efficient remains a top priority for the Parks Department,” Nancy O’Connor Director of PRCP explained. “We share common goals as public servants to be good stewards of our precious local resources. It’s always a win for both the City and our community when we collaborate with other city departments like Ventura Water to save money and water.”

Ninth Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Dinner

by Jill Forman

It started as a family dinner…

Jeri and Joe Bendot, the residential caretakers of Community Presbyterian Church, had a Thanksgiving dinner for their family in the Fellowship Hall ten years ago.

The following year, they asked their friends from the park to join them.

The next year, the park folks asked their friends.

And so the tradition was started.

This year, close to 700 meals were served to anyone who came. Almost 100 volunteers set up, served, bussed tables, washed dishes, socialized with the diners and did whatever else needed doing. Other church and community members had donated money, made tons of food, worked for two days previously as prep cooks, all the many tasks that go into such an ambitious feast. Many churches are involved, and Community Presbyterian sponsors the dinner

And a feast it was: turkey and its trimmings, ham, potatoes, yams, vegetables of every type, salads, rolls, coffee, and lots of pies.

Greeting the diners was a lovely lady named Jean, who has been doing that job for years.

City Council Member Christy Weir enjoying Thanksgiving with Jean.

Adding to the joyful atmosphere was a versatile musician named Chris Stockdill who played the piano, guitar, flute and a melodious drum-like instrument “made out of a propane tank.” He also sang a few songs. His volume was perfect, everyone could hear him and still talk.

Jeri Bendot was everywhere: overseeing the food distribution, helping wash dishes, sitting and chatting with several tables of guests, greeting, still smiling despite what had to be an exhausting week. Joe, in a colorful tie-die, was a genial host. They even did an impromptu dance that got cheers.

Aera Energy employees team up with Ventura City staff and students to feed hungry families

VUSD students help to feed hungry families.

Aera Energy teamed up with staff from the City of Ventura to put the “giving” in Thanksgiving by providing 140 families from the  City of Ventura a full Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings.

For years the staff at the City of Ventura and students from the Ventura Unified school district. have collected canned goods, side items and monetary donations to purchase food for the Thanksgiving meals distributed at Westpark Community Center. This year however, Aera Energy stepped forward and offered to purchase more than 140 turkeys to complete the meals.

“The families benefitting from these donations are in great need and wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving at all if it weren’t for these donations,” explained Anita Diaz, Westpark Coordinator. “The City staff and the Teen Voice students have been collecting food and gifting Thanksgiving food baskets for years. This year, with Aera’s help, we are able to serve even more families.”

Teams of City staff, students and Aera employees gathered at Westpark to pack the brightly colored Aera bags with canned goods and other Thanksgiving items in preparation for Tuesday when they personally hand over the bags and a large turkey to top it off. The effort results from Aera’s long-time partnership with the City’s Westpark Community Center.

“We are part of this community and Westpark is the hub of Ventura’s westside which is right in our backyard,” says Michele Newell, Aera Public Affairs. “It is through our partnership that we have created opportunities to really make a difference in people’s lives. This work makes our community a better place to live because we invest in it as a company and as individuals. We look forward to continuing working with them to help our neighbors throughout the holidays.”

       

Visit Ventura is giving away a host of generous gifts

Foto: The Elf Giveaway is something bigger than the holidays.

nby Visit Ventura

Tis the season to think Elf! As in Visit Ventura’s Elf Giveaway, yes. But also as in mischievous fun, lips-sealed secrets, and the magical Big Picture too.

Now through Christmas Day, Visit Ventura is giving away a host of generous gifts, kindly donated by Ventura’s fun-loving and community-caring businesses. The giveaway works simply. Follow Visit Ventura on Instagram (@VisitVentura) and tag a friend and you’re entered to win two prizes — one for each of you. Winners will be randomly chosen that day. Enter as many times as you want. Elves don’t care much for rules.

And nope, the Visit Ventura Elf won’t tell you what the gifts are, because what elf blabs away secrets? And we should all enjoy a sense of mystery. But, as a holiday gift of sorts, the Visit Ventura Elf will tell you that, in the final happy runup to the finale, she will be giving away two one-night stays at Four Points Sheraton Ventura Beach (December 23), Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach (December 24), and the Ventura Beach Marriott (December 25 — Merry Christmas!)

It’s a fun contest for visitors and residents alike, and the chance to try out new businesses or revisit timeless favorites. Many Visitor Bureaus strictly target, well, visitors. Not Visit Ventura. Ventura’s gifts — Elf and otherwise — belong to residents too. Which is why Visit Ventura sees the Elf Giveaway as something bigger than the holidays, bigger even than elves. It’s a chance to bring a community together. And there can never be enough of that, in any season.

Women of Jewelia: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Necklace

Lily Tomlin (wearing the Jewelia diamond necklace), Jonell McLain, Patti Channer and Jane Fonda sharing the love. Photograph provided by Patti Channer

by Maryssa Rillo

When living in a culture that defines a person by what they have and what they don’t, how do we spread and share our luxuries? Jonell McLain, Ventura resident, pondered this question often. To share her luxury, in 2004, she gathered 12 of her friends and together they purchased a 15 ½-karat diamond necklace. From there, the women set out on a journey to share their wealth and provide aid to others.

McLain was first challenged with this question when she was 30-years old and living in New York City. She heard Buckminster Fuller speak and he posed this idea.

“I heard him speak and he said ‘there’s enough to go around in the planet if everyone shares and some people don’t have to have so much more.”

This thought sat in McLain’s mind for years. When she returned to California, she saw a necklace at Van Gundy Jewelers in the Ventura mall. The diamond necklace had 118 diamonds, 15 ½-karats and was priced at $37,000. At the time, McLain was a single mom with two children and was raising money for coats to give to the kids on the Avenue.

“I thought really, someone paid $37,000 for a necklace that I could buy 1,000 Patagonia coats for these kids. Like really, this is what we do with our money. So, I gave it back to them,” McLain said.

A couple weeks passed, and she went back to Van Gundy with her mother. The necklace was still there but there was now a promotion going on where you could bid on jewelry. She rounded up 12 of her friends who each contributed $1,000 to purchase the diamond necklace that they could all share.

The group collaboratively came up with the name Women of Jewelia after Julia Child. In November of 2004, the ladies had their first meeting at Patti Channer’s house, who is one of the women of the group.

“The intent was to always do something for somebody. Make a difference. Nobody bought into this for the diamonds,” Channer said

The women have been sharing this necklace for 15 years and together they have made donations, provided aid to those in need and have helped many non-profits.

Their most profound accomplishment started in 2004, when the women were introduced to a homeless woman. Collaboratively, the women helped her find a place to stay, got her a cell phone, a bus pass and fixed her teeth. After a year and a half of helping her, the women were able to reunite her with her son who she gave up for adoption when she was a 13-years-old.

“I firmly believe that with every fiber in my body that if every faith-based communities, all the service organizations within Ventura County, everybody’s got an issue with homelessness. If they were to create an advocacy group around a homeless person who wants to get out of homelessness it could be done here in the city,” Channer said.

The Women of Jewelia have created such an inspirational story and have gained nationwide attention. They’ve done interviews with People Magazine, The TODAY Show, Good Morning America and many more. They even have a book written about their journey called, The Necklace, by Cheryl Jarvis.

The women are still active in their philanthropic work and are currently raising money for Kids and Families Together that provides assistance to families in foster care. You can learn more about it on their website, www.kidsandfamilies.org.

“It is possible to share luxury; it does demystify it. This is only a diamond necklace, it’s not anything else, but people attach so much meaning to wealth and all it is, is just diamonds but look what this has done,” said McLain.

City of Ventura announces $8 million settlement

Who will this money go to?

The City of Ventura announces an $8 million settlement with Southern California Edison Company to resolve wildfire claims resulting from the 2017 Thomas Fire.

The City of Ventura’s $8 million settlement is part of a larger settlement for a group of six public entities, including the 2017 Thomas Fire and 2018 Montecito Debris Flow, but it does not affect the claims of residents, individuals and businesses affected by the fire against Southern California Edison.

Mediator Judge Jay Gandhi (Ret.) presided over several days of in-person mediation sessions held in Los Angeles. Participants in the mediation process include 23 public entities with various claims from the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2018 Montecito Debris Flows, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire. After multiple days of mediation, Judge Gandhi brokered settlements covering all three of these events.

“The Thomas Fire was devastating for our community on many levels. This settlement will help the City continue to recover so that we can provide the best quality of service and important infrastructure for our community,” said City of Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere.

The City of Ventura is represented by the City Attorney’s Office and by outside counsel, Baron & Budd attorneys Scott Summy, John Fiske, Torri Sherlin and Stephen Johnston, who represent 45 public entities in wildfire settlements statewide.

Ventura Harbor announces reopening of dry boat storage

Ventura Port District has invested $61,000 towards the Dry Boat Storage Lot.

Ventura Harbor’s new Dry Boat Storage has recently been resurfaced and is now open with 88 dry storage spaces which can accommodate 14 to 43- foot size boats year-round. The Ventura Port District Dry Boat Storage is located conveniently across from the harbor’s public launch ramp and Dave’s Fuel Dock at 1540 Anchors Way Drive, making it accessible to the water for regular use and nearby to Ventura Harbor’s attractions, dining and shopping.

Ventura Port District has invested $61,000 towards the Dry Boat Storage Lot refurbishment, with additional costs covered by the Anchors Way street modifications inclusive in the Portside Ventura Harbor residential development plans.

According to Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District’s General Manager, “the newly re-opened storage facility provides boaters with the year-round option of keeping their boats in dry storage for added convenience and more regular use consistent with the Ventura Port Districts’ mission to provide exceptional boating facilities and services.”

Fees for Ventura Port District Dry Boat Storage range from $68 to $215 per month in the key-card fenced facility at Ventura Harbor. A bonus for boat storage tenants includes a 50% off discount of the annual Ventura Harbor Public Launch Ramp Permit. Future plans for the dry boat storage area will feature a kayak rack for personal watercraft.

To check space availability for Ventura Port District Dry Boat Storage and apply for a permit/application visit VenturaHarbor.com or email [email protected]