Dear Editor,

As a homeowner in Oxnard, I understand the challenges of maintaining a property while ensuring it remains affordable for renters. Proposition 33 might seem like a quick fix, but in reality, it would create more problems for both renters and homeowners like me.

Expanding rent control to single-family homes would discourage homeowners from renting out their properties, reducing the already limited supply of rental homes. This means higher competition and rising prices for the few homes left available. Additionally, strict rent caps would make it difficult for homeowners to keep up with rising repair, maintenance, and tax costs. If we can’t cover these costs, properties will fall into disrepair, leaving fewer options for renters. We need real solutions that address the housing shortage, not policies that push homeowners out of the rental market

Sincerely,

Janet Sprissler

Building a Safer Ventura Together: An Open Letter from the Deputy Director of Ventura Land Trust”

My name is Daniel Hulst and I am fortunate to serve as Deputy Director for Ventura Land Trust (VLT). I have grown concerned about some misinformation swirling during this year’s local City Council election and wanted to address it directly with facts.

VLT takes annual defensible space clearance very seriously and manages over 1.5 miles of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) where fuel clearance is required. We work in conjunction with all public fire agencies and quickly remedy any issues that arise. VLT regularly invites Fire Personnel out to the field to confer and brainstorm on best practices to keep our preserves and neighbors safe. In one notable example, multiple fire agencies now have locks on the gates to our properties to provide access whenever needed for safety, something that did not exist in the past.

In addition to our work on annual fuel clearance, VLT has worked to reduce fire risk to adjacent residential neighbors by removing flammable eucalyptus trees and partnering with the Ventura County Fire Department to reinstate and maintain a fire road along a section of the property boundary impacted by the Thomas Fire. VLT has also partnered with fire agencies to graze areas of Harmon Canyon to reduce fire risk and utilized our properties for specialized Fire personnel training.

As an entity with nearly 100 residential neighbors, VLT regularly interacts with neighboring landowners. Any neighboring landowner that reaches out to VLT about fuel clearance receives a prompt response from VLT staff, and frequently, a prompt solution to the fuel clearance issue they have raised. The notion that VLT has not communicated with neighbors, whether about fuel clearance or other plans, is simply not true. We understand that a few members of our community remain unhappy with our plans to open Mariano Rancho Preserve to the public. VLT has hosted five informational community meetings focused on developing plans for Mariano Rancho Preserve. Three of these meetings were recorded and are available on our website. The latest meeting was a roundtable discussion format, in which community members could choose the topics they most wanted to weigh in on, with their input recorded by a facilitator and forms, with feedback provided directly to VLT staff and board. Additionally, VLT has met one-on-one in person and by phone with many of our preserve neighbors.

Ventura Land Trust is here for the long term as owners and stewards of our large properties. VLT is a great neighbor but we also need our community to work together in good faith recognizing that these permanently protected preserves are of benefit to all of us.

For anyone with further questions about our work, I encourage you to visit our website, particularly our Frequently Asked Questions page at www.venturalandtrust.org/mariano-faqs  where you can even submit a question. You can connect with me directly at [email protected].

“I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color.”
~ Wednesday

Breeze:

Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum’s as their president.This marks two milestones. She is the first female president in Mexico’s history and also the first with Jewish heritage (Jews are less than 1% of the Mexican population). If Mexico can do this America is certainly ready to elect our first female president.

Sheldon Brown

Ventura Breeze

So happy that you continue to print positive local news and the calendar of events. How fortunate we Venturans are to have the Ventura Breeze.

Joanne Kaplan

“I always cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.”
~ W.C. Fields

Ventura’s $531 Million Budget Includes $13.3 Million for Road Repairs Amidst Resident Frustrations

Congrats to the Ventura CC for adopting the $531 million dollar budget. But the HIGHLIGHT of it all was bringing the total budget for road repairs in 2024-2025 to $13.3 million. We lost our home in the Thomas Fire back in 2017. So did 60 other homeowners just on my street Colina Vista. To date the same street has never been re patched, oiled, stripped. At a transportation meeting last year with the city, I was told that my street is not on their roadway repair list and we should plan not see anything positive in future repairs/improvements for 10 years. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? Hey Bill Ayub, I will not live that long. Currently every Saturday night I mix up a hot batch of quick drying cement and repair in front of my, and my neighbors houses with a slurry of mix. One day my mail person truck dropped into a hole so sharp and deep that it broke the vehicles front axle and blew the tire. Finally, please stop sending the city’s street sweeper up and around the Ondulando area every 2 weeks. All that gets accomplished is tearing up old, cracked wore out, broken asphalt which has cracked my wife’s car windshield on 2 separate occasions. Have to run to Lowes and pick up tonight’s cement to patch once again.

Chris Dryden, Ventura

“Our favorite holding period is forever.”
~ Warren Buffet

Main Street Moves – Put to a Vote?

I believe the citizens of Ventura need to be given an opportunity to vote on continuing to close off Main Street downtown. I supported the effort to protect our business community during the pandemic; however, I do not believe the community intended for these mismatched blockades and the garage sale ambience that has lingered far too long to continue indefinitely.

Has the City Council inspected the access to E.P. Foster Library? Library patrons have been understanding and inconvenienced far too long. The vehicle exit requires patrons to go the wrong way up a steep incline over large, neglected potholes. Additionally, with the closure of Main Street the downtown is severely limited for the handicapped.

It seems long past time that we be given an opportunity to vote on reopening Main Street. Prioritizing a long term investment in a well-planned, architecturally pleasing renovation of the downtown commercial area would require that we also consider the poor condition of our roads and the backlog of infrastructure projects that would benefit all areas of our city.

Marianne Coffey
Ventura, CA

CELEBRATIONS AND SAFETY

Americans sport the red, white and blue in summer at parks, beaches, and ball games.  Keep festivities fun and safe.

Notice the increase of DUI arrests in the last two years of the Fourth of July weekend:  for 2022, the California Highway Patrol made 998 DUI arrests on the Fourth of July weekend.  In 2023, ABC10 News in Sacramento reported 1,224 DUI arrests were made in California that weekend.
I am puzzled with the stats. Why can’t drinkers learn to remain sober if driving?  A drunken driver hit me when I was 16 in 1992.  After 30-plus years I can walk okay, but my hearing is damaged, and I have a deep tone to my voice.  My life changed personally, physically, and socially.

Taking Ventura Freeway to and from a gathering? Think before you drink. People will drink, but it is illegal if you drive drunk.  Don’t take chances: have a sober driver transport you if you had one too many. Save lives and your reputation: Don’t drive drunk.

Lori Martin
Tracy, California

Dear Editor,

As a Ventura resident, I was happy to read the Ventura Breeze article, “First Annual Government and Disability Summit in Ventura,” by Carol Leish and appreciate that it gave enough advance notice for people to get this important 4-day event on their calendars.  Also, awareness about disabilities and how they can affect a person from birth, during crucial developing years and throughout their lives is desperately needed.  However, it was disconcerting to see the article in the “Senior” section of the newspaper.  It is true that some aging people develop disabilities late in life and need help managing them.  Yet, disabilities are varied and widespread in all age groups.  Young people with disabilities frequently struggle in schools lacking supportive resources.  Well-qualified adults with disabilities often have difficulty getting hired due to cultural assumptions and biases about disabled people.  Consequently, it seems placing this article in the newspaper intended to engage the general population and not just one age group would have been much more appropriate.  Perhaps this oversight is a good example of how important this summit is in bringing awareness to businesses, government agencies and the general population if we want a more humane and just community for all people with disabilities.

Best regards, Mary O. Kerrigan
Ventura

Answer:

Hi Mary,

Thanks for writing to share your knowledge and help educate us. Glad we could bring some exposure to the importance of this event, and, of course, you are correct. The article shouldn’t have run in our senior section. We look forward to covering the Summit more as it draws closer to support greater awareness.

Editor

Sheldon,

Well, a belated congratulations! I’m glad you have found capable hands to pass the torch to. We so appreciate all you have done with the Breeze and for the community. You have been a great support to CAPS and KPPQ for these many years.

Elizabeth Rodeno
KPPQ 104.1FM Radio Station Manager
CAPS Project Manager

Breeze:

As a relatively new Venturan (I moved here in 2017, weeks before the Thomas Fire!), I’ve really enjoyed the Breeze as a way to understand my new home,  learn about what’s going on and to connect to the community here. Although sad to see Sheldon go, I’m very happy for him and sure his retirement is well deserved.
Thank you so much for your service to our community!  I look forward to continue picking up The Breeze downtown, where I live.

Best,
Ed Terpening
EdTerpening.com

Sheldon:

Congratulations, Sheldon. Glad to know that The Breeze will continue—and that you will still be involved to some extent. Your experience and connections will assure the continued success of the enterprise.

Lots to be proud of—I don’t think there has ever been a Ventura publication quite like your newspaper.  Here’s to many more years of success!

Mike Tracy

Oh Sheldon! Thank you for letting me know and Congratulations on your retirement!  Although it sounds like you will still be very busy!

I want to thank you for being so dedicated to telling the story of Ventura and weathering all the good and bad times.  You are right the Breeze is loved by so many in our community so thank you for all you have given!

Marieanne Quiroz, Director of Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO)Ventura Unified School District

Big Hugs, Sheldon

Congratulations on 17 years with VENTURA BREEZE, Sheldon Brown!  You are an amazing person. In the many years you believed in my writings with the rock music scene (local and national).  You let me run through many ideas. I always believed that in a local rock scene; it’s okay to push boundaries and try different areas of writing.

When there was music news that I could blend in with local news together, we covered lots of ground. Featuring some high profile rock interviews. My favorite one was ROB HALFORD.

We featured Rob Halford in the Ventura Breeze back in 2010. Rob’s band had just won their first Grammy after 30 years of recording music and was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. And as of this writing, they are currently on tour supporting their 19th studio album.

In addition, Rob Halford is also featured on a duet with Dolly Parton on her new rock album.  Wonderful track called, “Bygones.”

Thank you for giving me the opportunity, Ventura Breeze, to interview him in July 2010.  And, thanks for the hard work you put in, Sheldon. And hugs to Pam @Venturarocks.com for keeping our scene going in marketing, radio and publishing.

Big hugs, Sheldon. Thank you for being you and everything you have done in every way!

Michael Kohli (aka DJ KOHLI ROCKS)

Sheldon,

I see that you are retiring from your position and want to say thanks for all the time and effort you have devoted to promoting what is a valuable news resource for Venturans.  Having been retired for over ten years now, I can highly recommend it!  And, I’m sure you, as I have, will find others ways to support our beloved Ventura.

Thanks
Russell Richardson

Insanity

Since when do politicians, judges and now Justices of the Supreme Court make medical decisions regarding abortion care? It was bad enough when the above outlawed abortions for rape and incest victims, as well as for a woman’s personal decision!

Now, the above (mostly men), and none with medical degrees are arguing about how much bleeding should a woman endure, or how septic and how high a fever before a woman can get needed medical care.  Or, require a woman to carry a non-viable, or dead fetus that may prevent future pregnancies!

Women are suffering in hospital parking lots waiting to bleed more or become more septic before doctors can save their lives!

How evil and how dare these politicians and judges treat women so cruelly!

Have we become a Third World Country or are we really The United States of America where all people are supposed to have freedoms over their medical decisions.

Judith A. Beay, RN

Opinion

By Ivor Davis (Rambunctious Old Geezer)

As a 45-year resident of Ventura– I would like to go on a short rant.

My moan is about our Post Office Service—specifically what has happened to the once proud customer service at the main post office in downtown Ventura on Santa Clara.

They used to be an icon of good, efficient service. But now it has become yet another ordeal in life.

In my opinion—it has deteriorated beyond belief.

Today in the year 2024–should you happen to take package to mail—expect a wait in line for up to 30 minutes!

I am not, (repeat not,) complaining about PO Veterans like James and Bill, who still valiantly toils behind the counter as he has for many decades. Singlehandedly he does a brilliant job—but he has little help. I mean, who wants to admire those outstanding wall murals for half an hour for what was once a simple in and out purchase of stamps, or mail parcels?

When I checked, here’s what I was told: All the delivery persons have been moved to Oxnard Post Office so that today the cavernous sorting area in the back of the post office, is empty–now a ghost warehouse!

As a result of that move, the Post office—without a thought for its warm body clients– has severely cut back on its counter staff. This is the sorriest state of affairs I have ever seen in my 40 plus years of using that once dominant downtown post office.

Today, for example a couple came in to purchase a money order and spent 15 minutes at the counter, paying for their very large cashier’s check with one-dollar bills.

A patient client finally shouted, “Pleeeze—send in the cavalry!”

So: Can someone in the postal service—particularly Postmaster General Louise DeJoy–please inform me how we can bring some joy back to the Ventura postal system. And whether the good old efficient days of a visit to the post office will ever come back?

Sheldon:

We loved the alien sending his vacation picture from Marina Park! Thank him for showing us what’s in that fortress-thing. Did you translate the Breeze into Marspeak for him?

Jill Forman

Jill: We tried to translate it into Marspeak but Word didn’t have that option. Hopefully when he returned home they have that ability. Would you like to deliver there if they want to start reading every issue?

At last came the golden month of the wild folk– honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.
~ Samuel Scoville Jr., Wild Folk

“How Long?”

Wiliiam Gohlke

Tom Watson, eight-time golf major champion said,  “A great golf course both frees and challenges a golfer’s mind.”

The City of Ventura is fortunate to have two such golf courses (Buenaventura and Olivas Links) that not only provide recreation but are revenue generating assets.

Unfortunately, Buenaventura suffered severe damage in 2023 from flooding during the winter rainstorms. At present, it appears to be on track to being repaired as only a nine-hole course. However, nine holes will impact revenue by 75% according to the City’s own Golf Administrative Report dated 2017.

Olivas Links was redesigned by Forrest Richardson and reopened in 2007. It was immediately recognized as one of the “Top Ten Municipal Courses” by Golfweek. The city directed Mr. Richardson to make the course a “destination venue for golfers,” not only county residents, but for non-resident golfers. According to 2022-2023 Parks and Recreation data the course has admirably accomplished this goal with 30% of rounds played by non-residents who pay higher green fees than residents. Unfortunately, Olivas is not able to realize its full revenue potential due to unsightly dilapidated temporary trailers that are 17 years old.

Harry Vardon, a six-time British Open Champion golfer said, “More matches are lost through carelessness at the beginning than any other cause.”

This is certainly true when we become aware of how much money has been expended to rent these trailers. That amount is approximately 3 million dollars according to a reliable source. If a decent clubhouse and cart storage structure had originally been built, both structures would now be paid off and additional revenue generated from food and merchandise sales.

How long before our current Ventura Mayor and City Council members recognize the need to improve this infrastructure? This investment will not only enhance revenue lost to Buenaventura downsizing but will maintain the course as a “destination venue for golfers.” The National Golf Foundation indicates that 26 million people play golf in the United States. Most importantly, our junior golfers and future golfers of tomorrow have expanded by 40%. Golf is growing and Olivas requires first class infrastructure facilities.

Dear Sheldon,

I’m writing on behalf of everyone working at New Art City Theatre – the Advisory Board, the volunteers, the artists, and Kirby and myself – to thank you for the article about our upcoming Festival ’24! We’re grateful for the shout out, especially since Festival ’24 is FREE! We hope to be an addition to the already rich cultural scene, but we can’t achieve that goal unless folks know what we’re doing.

You do incredible work in our community. You keep people abreast of what’s happening (and what isn’t). The Breeze is vitally important to all of us in our beautiful town, and you’re providing such a wonderful service to the residents of Ventura.  So thank you, again.

Warmly,

Bev Ward
Co-Founder/Co-Producing Artistic Director
New Art City Theatre

Opinion:

Maybe at one time the Albinger Archaeological Museum (On Main across from the County Museum) was something to see and explore. But now it is just a large wasted space. Perhaps a good location for a much needed downtown parking structure.

William Bray

Breeze:

The employees at Olivas Links do an outstanding job, but faced with these antiquated trailers their efforts are marginalized.

William Gohlke