Category Archives: Featured News

Meet some of the candidates for City Council

Lorrie Brown

Lorrie Brown, a local mother, with a local perspective and an invested interest in local issues has announced that she plans a second run for Ventura City Council. Lorrie grew up playing at Barranca Vista Park and graduated from Buena High. She brings a diverse perspective and looks forward to being a strong voice for Ventura families.

Lorrie expressed that it is important that as a council member she remain accountable for every vote and proactive in her leadership. Lorrie Brown still has a heart for people, a mind for business and the resolve to work with the City of Ventura.

Brown said, “The current council has done a good job of keeping the City of Ventura above crisis. As we move forward our future council must engage a council led approach. Tempered with constructive discussion: all the while being present for every decision and every vote.”

Matt LaVere

Matt LaVere, a native Venturan, has announced that he will be seeking a seat on the Ventura City Council this coming November. His official campaign launched on Saturday, June 25 at the Mini-Park on Main Street in Downtown Ventura. His wife Alicia and daughter Lucia were there to help get his campaign going.

“Having been born and raised here in Ventura, and now raising my own family here, I have a unique perspective and awareness of the issues we face in this community. I understand the need to balance the respect for Ventura’s historic past, with the need to chart a future for Ventura that maintains our quality of life while also ensuring our City remains a safe, prosperous place for our children and those generations yet to come.” stated LaVere.

There were kid’s activities, live music, and food from NOW Ventura.

Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios

Dedicated public servant and seasoned community organizer Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios has launched her upcoming campaign with a Campaign Kickoff BBQ held on Saturday, July 2 at Westpark Community Center.

Among others she was joined by State Assembly member, Das Williams, County Supervisor Candidate, Carla Castilla, City Council Candidate, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios of course, State Senator ,Hannah-Beth Jackson, State Assembly Candidate, Monique Limon, Assembly member, Jacqui Irwin,Democratic Chairperson Shawn Terris, S.B. and County Supervisor Salud Carbajal.

She stated “For more than ten years, I have built a reputation as an effective leader and trusted advisor for several of Ventura County’s most prominent progressive leaders and non-profit organizations. I am raising my family in Ventura and have cultivated a personal knowledge of the community with a clear vision for how it can be improved.”

Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Oil spill travels into Hall Canyon

Spilled crude oil stopped before reaching the ocean.

On June 23, at 5:30am, a crude oil spill was reported in the northwestern part of Ventura. The spill traveled a half mile from the Prince Barranca into Hall Canyon. Early reports (including the LA Times) greatly exaggerated the amount of the oil spilled. It was eventually confirmed to be about 700 barrels (29,400 gallons) of crude oil. The pump station where the leak occurred was quickly shut down to keep the spill to a minimum. The flow traveled about a half mile and ended up in a catch basin in the Prince Barranca and did not flow out to the ocean.

The pipeline was carrying oil produced by Area Energy and is owned and operated by Crimson Pipeline.

Community members were sent the following VC Alert message, “The oil spill in Hall Canyon is currently contained in the Prince Barranca. Crews will be working around the area and residents are advised to avoid contact with the oil and take safeguards to protect pets and property. Residents may smell strong odors and at this time air quality monitoring is taking place. Further information will be released as it becomes available.” Residents may request VC Alert notifications by texting “VC Alert to “313131”.

Many Venturans and city officials are not happy with the response and information provided by Crimson.

Ventura resident Robert Louis Chianese stated, “Our City Manager Mark Watkins has subpoenaed the Crimson Pipeline company. It’s amazing because the State of California regulates pipe lines without local officials’ involvement. I think this time, the oil company reps and others at our public meeting last night were fooling with us the whole time, and we were very angry to find out in the morning that they had re-pressured the pipe and sent it flowing with oil. There are still pools of oil in the Barranca, and the clean-up could last weeks. Crimson has had 11 spills since 2006, and while this one allegedly involves a valve, the pipe itself is 75 years old.

“Manager Watkins did something about it. It is actually very moving in his concern for the citizens and those of us close to the spill. Watkins’ anger underlies much of it too. This ought to make the national news just for the uniqueness of it with a public servant pushing for a member of “big oil” to cease and desist with the pumping and come clean with all the information we need to know to determine what we should do with that pipeline.”

In his letter dated July 1, 2016 to Crimson Pipeline, Ventura City Manager Mark Watkins stated in part.

“On June 30, 2016 the Unified Command including Crimson Pipeline held a neighborhood meeting – hosted by the City – to provide a forum for residents to receive information and ask questions about the incident. A representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Crimson responded that before the line would be allowed to resume operations it would be approved by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and there was a process and protocol to be followed before that could happen.”

“Crimson Pipeline personnel that attended the meeting agreed on the process and status of the pipeline. It has since come to our attention that Crimson Pipeline was putting the pipeline into testing phase during the meeting and has since resumed use of the pipeline. It is evident that the information given to me and our residents during the neighborhood meeting was not transparent or forthcoming. The City and its residents deserve a reasonable notice prior to resuming use of the pipeline. “

“The City stands by its neighbors and requests that Crimson Pipeline LLC provide a full, accurate, and honest accounting of the facts to our residents. To this end, the City requests that Crimson Pipeline:”

Shut down the pipeline immediately.

Provide the City and its impacted residents with information about the safety, process and timeline of the pipeline in advance of its resuming operation.

Comply with the City’s legislative subpoena Provide the cause of the oil spill.

Report back the actions taken to repair the pipeline and/or valve.

Provide a summary of testing for the valve and/or pipeline.

Provide protocols and/or process for resuming use of the pipeline.”

Don Haskell passes on

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 there was a truly meaningful event that took place at City Hall when Don Haskell was honored by the VUSD. Photo by John Ferritto

Don Haskell has died peacefully on June 25 at CMH from severe respiratory distress stemming from the progressive debilitating MS. He was a few days short of his 74^th birthday.

Don Haskell was a Ventura Unified School District teacher for thirty-six years and taught at Ventura High School. Of late he was known for being a member of the brilliant “seniors” participating in the Knowledge Bowl presented by Suz Montgomery between seniors and high school students.

In speaking to Don’s daughter Luisa Suz stated “Oh Luisa, I am devastated. On a conscious level I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that he is gone. But in my heart he’ll always be there and participating in our class making with me laugh and imparting his phenomenal memory for facts and antidotes. Don was a very big part of my life and will always be.”

“I am saving a copy of the latest Knowledge Bowl article from a couple of weeks ago in the Ventura Breeze with his ever present grin.”

Ventura City Fire and Police Departments respond to single vehicle accident

In the early morning hours of July 3rd, Ventura City Fire and Police Department responded to a report of a single vehicle accident with a trapped victim by Victoria and Ralston.

When fire crews arrived they discovered a passenger vehicle that had hit a traffic camera pole as well as a tree in the median of Victoria. Firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools to cut and pry the vehicle from the victim were able to free the trapped driver 45 minutes after their arrival. The extrication was complicated by the extensive damage to the vehicle which entangled the drivers’ legs under the dashboard. While the extrication was taking place, additional firefighters provided advanced life support to the driver and worked to suppress any fire potential from the vehicles’ leaking fluids.

Once extricated, one adult male was transported to a local trauma center with non-life- threatening injuries.

Marine Sightings – June 2016

How safe are Ventura County’s Special Education Schools?

by the Grand Jury

When parents send their children to school in the morning, they trust their children will have a productive day of learning in a safe environment. Similarly, when teachers report to work they hope to focus their efforts on teaching without fear for their safety and that of their students. Unfortunately, with the increase in school violence over the past several years, children, parents, and teachers no longer feel as safe as they once did.

The 2015-2016 Ventura County Grand Jury opened an investigation based on a public complaint about safety in the Phoenix schools in Ventura County. The Phoenix schools servestudents with serious emotional disturbance from all of Ventura County and the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

From this investigation, the Grand Jury learned that Phoenix schools provide an intensive educational program for their students through low enrollment and high staff-to- student ratios. Although Phoenix students often act out in frustration, the staff is well trained in, and regularly uses, techniques to de-escalate hostile behavior at the earliest possible stage. Despite the consistent use of positive behavioral interventions, administrators at the Phoenix-Airport campus call law enforcement an average of two to three times weekly for situations they are unable to de-escalate. However, responding patrol officers may not have Crisis Intervention Team training to be able to deal effectively with these emotionally disturbed students. The Grand Jury also learned that it is the position of the Ventura County Office of Education that having a dedicated School Resource Officer would escalate rather than defuse volatile situations in the Phoenix schools.

The National Education Association has established best practices regarding school safety. These practices recommend that schools partner with law enforcement (and social service agencies) to promote a safe environment. Ideally, a sworn School Resource Officer should be dedicated to one school and work collaboratively with staff and students to build positive relationships and to support administration with crisis intervention.

The Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Sheriff and the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools formalize a collaborative relationship to increase law enforcement presence on all Phoenix campuses. Additionally, the Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Sheriff ensure that any patrol officers who may be called to respond to a Phoenix school have Crisis Intervention Team training. Finally, the Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Board of Education authorize and seek funds for a dedicated School Resource Officer for the Phoenix-Airport campus.

The complete report may be accessed at www.ventura.org/grand-jury; click on the Annual Reports tab and consult “Fiscal Year 2015-2016.”

Simple Steps to Good Health – June 2016, Fitness Tips

by Elisabeth Mondragon

5 Ways to Sneak in Exercise This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to check in with your healthy lifestyle goals. You might be spending less time in a gym but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on exercise. Be creative and exercise outside! Spending active time with your family or friends outdoors is an easy way to sneak in exercise and summer fun in the sun. Here are five fun ideas.

1. Early morning walks
The thought of being outside in the summer afternoon heat can be daunting. Why not take a morning walk instead? You can even take your coffee with you, just make sure you’re walking fast enough to get your heart rate up. A lap around a scenic park, a brisk stroll down the beach or even a couple of loops around your block will ensure your day gets off to a healthy start. Bring your dogs and kids if you have them!

2. Pool exercises
There are endless opportunities to enjoy time at the pool during hot summer months. Whether you have a club membership, access to a neighborhood pool or even a day pass to the public pool, why not turn this essential summer pastime into a workout! Instead of lounging on the edge of the water, jump in! If you have kids, play Marco Polo or judge a handstand contest. If not, grab a buddy and work up a sweat racing laps or even doing water aerobics! Bonus points if there’s a water slide – all that walking up stairs is a great workout for your legs.

3. Family field day
This is a fun, active way to celebrate a summer birthday or family reunion. Take the focus off the treats and concentrate on good old-fashioned competition instead! Kids and adults can participate in a backyard games, making this a good activity for the whole family. Burlap sack races, water balloon fights, basketball and hula hooping are activities that will get your hearts pumping. Don’t forget to drink water! The hardest part will be deciding who will be on each team!

4. Volunteer
Feel good and do good – what could be better? There are thousands of outdoor volunteer opportunities across the country. Pick an active one, like rebuilding hiking trails, picking up trash at a local beach, planting trees or building a house for the less fortunate. Even if you only have one open weekend to commit, chances are there’s a need to fill in your community.
5. Recreation Leagues
Your city likely has sports leagues for all ages, whether it’s a 20-somethings kickball league, a weekly tennis game or a family softball tournament. You probably won’t even notice the exercise part — you’ll be distracted by the competition and socializing! Don’t forget to walk around, stand or cheer when it’s not your turn to participate. Getting your friends and family involved will help you stay motivated to attend.

Ventura County wildlife expert to discuss how to reduce human-coyote conflicts, June 30

On Thursday, June 30, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will host “Coexisting with Coyotes,” a free open-to- the-public presentation providing information about coyotes, their behaviors and how residents can reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Wildlife biologist David Lee will make a presentation and discuss the recent uptick in urban coyote activity. The presentation, which will take place from 7 – 8 p.m. in the Poinsettia Pavilion’s Canada Larga Room, 3451 Foothill Road, will be followed by a question and answer session.

Known as “song dogs,” coyote nighttime yips and howls are often heard coming from the Ventura hills. Coyotes howl to communicate to other pack members, to coordinate hunts, establish territories and simply to let other coyotes know where they are. All too often coyotes are given a ‘bad rap’ but in reality, they are one of North America’s unique wildlife species.

During California’s ongoing drought, human-coyote interactions have increased. Coyotes on the lookout for food and water are venturing into gardens, backyards, alleyways, parks and open spaces. Favorite non-wild coyote foods include garbage, fruit from landscaped trees, and even the occasional small pet.

Lee, a senior biologist with Davey Resource Group (DRG), will discuss ways homeowners can discourage coyotes from entering their properties and how to react when they encounter a coyote in their neighborhood.

To RSVP, please visit www.venturahillsides.org/events. For more information, call VHC at: 805-643- 8044.

Local National Parks Benefit our Economy

A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2015 shows the economic benefit of Channel Islands National Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to our local economy in supporting 761 jobs with a cumulative benefit to the local economy of nearly 74 million dollars.

324,815 visitors to Channel Islands National Park in 2015 spent over $19 million and 797,217 visitors to the federal land in Santa Monica National Recreation Area spent over $34 million in communities near the parks.

“The NPS has a presence in every community in the United States including ours,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau. “National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the NPS, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”

“The scenic vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains inspire thousands of people to visit each week,” said David Szymanski, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “We are delighted that so many visitors enjoy our park and also that their visits have such a positive impact on the local economy.”

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.

The report shows $16.9 billion of direct spending by 307.2 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 295,000 jobs nationally; 252,000 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $32 billion.

According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).

Report authors this year produced an interactive tool. Users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by- year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse.

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in California and how the National Park Service works with California communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/california.

Breaking the silence among neighbors

Dr. Joseph Attias, neurophysiologist and audiologist from the University of Haifa, will be speaking about breakthroughs in rehabilitating deafness and his work in Israel done in cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Among Dr. Attias’ findings is that the incidence of deafness in Jordanian children is four times greater than for Israeli children. His research also has found that children under 17 months should not have cochlear implants if the deafness is caused by malfunctioning connections between hair cells and the auditory nerve.

Dr. Attias was born in Morocco and has lived in Israel since 1962. He is a full Professor, Department of Communication Disorder, University of Haifa. He has published extensively and is a sought after speaker internationally. He is currently teaching at USC.

The presentation to be held Friday, July 1st, beginning at 6:30 pm, is being sponsored by Congregation Am HaYam, 4839 Market Street, Unit C, and the University of Haifa. Join the congregation for a light supper at 5:30 pm or for more information about Dr. Attias’ presentation, please [email protected] or 232.6442.

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