Dear Editor,

Re: March 26th edition

I agree with your recent correspondent, XXXXX XXX. She does sound hyperbolic and hysterical.  True. Her statements that Trump views Putin, Kim Jung Un and Xi Jinping as his heroes while happily desiring to destroy them with nuclear weapons defies any logic.

Trump clearly has no desire to wage nuclear war. So XXXXX can dream happily, under her bed, about that.

Trump has also not hampered the Mueller investigation. That is clearly evident by the fact that Mueller has spent two years and about 40 million dollars trying to figure out how to get Trump indicted. He couldn’t.

Now the Democrats will defy the Constitution by trying to force attorney general Barr to provide information that is prevented by established law.

Lastly, I am a Trump supporter.  I don’t feel greed-hungry. I’m just a working guy supporting my family. But I am happy that America is doing much better with Donald Trump as our president.

Robert Parham

Ojai

This is a typical letter that we get from Trump supporters that just criticize and ridicule those who oppose Trump and make statements like “America is doing much better with Donald Trump as our president” never explain what he is doing that makes them make such a claim.

Dear Amy (Ventura writer),

We are so incredibly grateful for the beautiful article about Festival of Talent and VEPGrants. Thank you!

We are a small organization, often under the radar, so it feels so good to have you share our work with the Breeze’s readers. We love our hometown paper and thank all of you for your efforts on our community’s behalf.

Madhu Bajaj
President, Ventura Education Partnership

Breeze:

Why can’t our elected representatives do their job and work together to amend our laws to find a proper balance with more judges, monitor and track visas and immigrants, walls or other surveillance in strategic locations…  our law enforcement and court system, schools, medical providers, water and housing needs are already stretched beyond limits, yet we need willing and able workers if is done in a lawful way and people need to live in safety in their own country.   Surely there are plenty of jobs to build a better world if we all work together in a positive way

Also,  Sharon Troll is leaving our fair city after 25+ years of service to our community to join her family near Shaver Lake.   Isn’t there another street we can name for her (like James Monahan Way to Jim Monahan after his many years of service or key to the city we can give her in appreciation as she leaves)

Sharon supported Police Activities League, Westside Community Council, largely responsible for formation of Westside Community Development Corporation, helped with tattoo removal for kids who wanted out of gangs, to name a few that I know of.  Thanks, Sharon for all you have done to make our city and especially the Westside even better

Mike Merewether

Hi everyone

I spoke with my colleagues and we want to present Sharon a certificate of recognition and a key to the City at a council meeting. She deserves it. I’ll make sure we coordinate scheduling with Sharon.

Mayor Matt LaVere

We received an email from Joseph Richardson, Production supervisor City of Ventura water 1985-1992 that starts out “I am writing this and sharing it as widely as I can. My hope is to inform as many people about the false claims and faulty planning by the City of Ventura Water Dept staff.”

We are waiting to get a response from the Water Department to include with this. Will publish once we have their response.

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
~ Herman Melville

Breeze:

President Donald Trump said his father, Fred Trump, was born in “a very wonderful place in Germany.” But Fred Trump was actually born in New York City. “My father is German, was German. Born in a very wonderful place in Germany,” Trump said of his father while meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

If Trump doesn’t even know where his father was born how does he know where Obama was born?

Larry Ruddy Ojai

Hi Gov:

When I was in Madison at U. Wisconsin 70 years ago I drove out west of town in the forest to see the designed Frank Lloyd Wright Unitarian Church.

The minister invited me in for a chat. He said he was an atheist. First time this agnostic met a minister who didn’t believe in all that nutty XXXX in religions.

He asked me if I had any questions. “what will it be like after you die?”

“What was it like before you were born?
“That’s what it will be like when you die.”

I never forgot that after 70 years.

Name withheld

Readers:

We should acknowledge that Trump and Co. are slicker and more vicious than any current Democrat office holder or liberal commentator can imagine. What it looks like to me is a slow-moving ad-hoc coup, with Trump-selected A.G. Barr making a decision about obstruction of justice he has no reason to make, though his pal Mueller left it open for him. They have discovered how to subvert everything as they have proceeded with anger and stealth. Remember, it started with Comey wrecking Hillary’s election chances.

Now Trump will pardon most of those sentenced by Mueller and go after Democrats who they now argue set up this witch hunt. A scoundrel like Sen. Lindsey Graham wants an investigation of Hillary and certain elected Democrats with a new Special Council. This is retribution and the consequence of right wing political scheming over the last 24 months.

Robert Chianese Ventura

To Ventura Residents

Ventura is on a track to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to convert sewage water into drinking water. Estimated project costs keep escalating. Proponents have not provided adequate information and disclosure. There are many examples of big projects that did not work out as expected. Consider the high speed rail project — or Oxnard’s great (water recycling) project. When big projects go badly, millions of dollars are lost. The consequences ultimately fall on the poor. We citizens must pay more attention to large multi-million-dollar project proposals.

At first, we were told that treated sewage water is processed to be 97% pure – (prior to its release into the ocean). Recycling advocates insisted that the cost to remove the remaining 3% would be minimal. However, as it turns out, the project will be very expensive — many hundreds of millions of dollars. Also, Ventura will incur significant expenditures for annual operating costs.

Ventura has prepared a draft environmental impact report (EIR). If you would like to comment on the EIR, you must do so prior to April 22, 2019. For details and instructions, please direct your browser to the following web address:

https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1470/Ventura-Water-Pure

Should Ventura allow the project to proceed past the point of no-return OR wait until DPR has a proven track record? There are various possibilities for phasing in DPR and/or reducing wastewater going to the estuary. In all scenarios — involving either wastewater use or disposal — a pipeline into the ocean will be required. Thus, shouldn’t Ventura build this (outfall/brine) pipeline first?

It seems likely many residents will not drink the recycled water. Those that have the money will drink only bottled water – or they will install expensive equipment to filter the water before it enters their homes. Some may decide to boil the water before drinking it.

Charles Spraggins [email protected]

[email protected]

You could claim that anything’s real if the only basis for believing in it is that nobody’s proved it doesn’t exist.
~ J.K. Rowling

Dear Editor:

Is it possible? Are there some Republicans in Congress that can see the real Trump. The bigot. The crooked bigot. The least educated; the least read person ever to have sat in that chair in the Oval Office.

Are some of those Republicans beginning to see the danger, and the damage, this, illegally elected, President is bringing down on all of us?

We once had a Democracy. A country led by the people. We are now being led — by the nose — by a cruel, heartless, airhead.

Where are the sane and sensible and clear thinking Republicans, I once had respect for?

Hope they start showing up —

Sincerely,

Esther Cole

Ventura Breeze 

I believe that Trump is one of our greatest presidents. His decisions including supreme court nominee has been superb (hopefully he gets another supreme court justice). 

His main problem is that the democrats, and even a few republicans won’t let him accomplish what he is trying to accomplish. Let him build the wall. 

He is a great negotiator and is making great progress with North Korea.  He also understands that “global warming” is nonsense. Look at the extreme cold weather even this time of the year.

 Thanks 

Jim Yashidi Ventura (I still read the Breeze)

Hello, Sheldon

I really like your piece/discourse with Mike Mislinay. You refuted his comments and beliefs with facts. Of course, that’s assuming his beliefs aren’t based on alternative facts. In that case, it’s hopeless! Keep up the good work!

I’ve said for 2+ years, the problem is not Trump; it’s the mullions who voted for him. They are our neighbors and relatives. He gave a voice to their racism and bigotry. I can’t reconcile that 7 out of 10 “religious right” people who call themselves Christians support him! What happened to the common Golden Rule found in all religions; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Judith A. Beay Ventura

I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
~ Albert Einstein
Oh sure, we should all have his “no special talents.”

Opinions:

I read in the LA Times (can I say that?) that Pope Francis warned bishops he wants “concrete measures” to stamp out sex abuse in the church. He handed out 21 proposals for cracking down on predator priests.

Seems to me the only proposal necessary should be to let them get married (to a male or female, just not 12-year olds).

Larry Dote- on online reader from Las Vegas

Editor:

The battle to indict Trump is turning into a Civil War. Them — the Trump Followers vs. the anti-Trumpers.

Trump is surrounding himself with a battery of anti-Constitution followers, determined to turn this U.S. of A from a Republic, into a Dictatorship, with Trump at the top. A la his hero Putin, and the other owners of countries like The Saudis and China. And North Korea

I know this sounds hyperbolic and hysterical. But that’s Trump and what he’s willing to do, along with his Republican followers, to buy himself a country.

He builds walls of people he puts into important positions like the Supreme Court and others who can hamper the Mueller investigation.

He won’t go quietly — not his style. He’ll happily lead us into a nuclear confrontation with North Korea and/or Russia, as readily as a spoiled child having a temper tantrum.

And the greed-hungry Republican followers will follow him to hell.

Hope all of you are still limber enough to curl up and hide under the bed.

Sweet dreams…Esther Cole

Breeze:
This is a song inspired by the recent rains in Ventura. Sung to the tune of “Amazing Grace” .
By Hope Botwinski

Amazing Rain
Amazing rain! How sweet the smell,
That saved a drought like this!
We once were dry, but now are wet!
Was parched, but now relief!

Through many days, weeks, months, and years.
The rain barely would come down.
Tis rain that turns the grass so green.
And rain helps flowers bloom.

The rivers rise where formerly dry,
Displacing homeless from their “homes.”
And causing mudslides – destruction in its path.
But we will not complain.

And with the rain, comes the snowpack
To give water later on.
With natural rainfall, plants grow the best.
The farmers will rejoice.

The Lord has promised good to me:
A rainbow in the sky.
Always the sun rise; always the moon set.
All signs of His Providence.

Amazing rain! How sweet the sound!
See flash of lightning then – hear thunder roar.
The earth sighs Ahh! In grate-ful response!
The streams bubbling along!

What we imagine is order is merely the prevailing form of chaos.
~ Kerry Thornley

To Sheldon

Re: Trump supporters. 

Sheldon, your comments on the Electoral College are well supported. As any student of Constitution Law will see there are many clauses from 1787 that do not apply today. That is why scholars opine that the Constitution is a living document that creates and expands and yes even contracts through our history to better deal with human frailties.

Women did not have the right to vote for over 100 years plus. Breathe out. Slavery abolished. Breathe out.  Nazis allowed to March in Skokie,  Illinois. Breathe in. Citizen’s United. Breathe in. When one group feels like we should not breathe any longer that is contrary to what our founding fathers attempted to design. These are simple basic ideas (TRUTHS ) designed to absorb the trials, tribulations, and vicissitudes anticipated by these founders after long considering the failures of past governments such as the Roman Empire.

Lou Vigorita

Dear Sheldon,I would like to commend yourself and The Ventura Breeze for taking a stand to comment on the lame decision-making by our current President.  Isn’t that what a free press is about?  He is an unfortunate and dangerous politician because he puts His businesses ahead of The People. We see evidence of this daily. I just hope the investigations trying to uncover the truth about who he is and what he has been doing are released to All the American electorate. Then let them judge.  A Democracy is only as good as the People. 

Suzanna Ballmer, Ventura 

Suzanna:
Who am I to disagree with a smart person like you?
Sheldon

Editor:

I’m wondering how long it will be before CalTrans corrects their mistake on the NB Main Street exit from the US101 and CA126?

After the repaving work, the re-striping of the off ramp did not include the original limit line but did include the crosswalk. The sensors to trip the signal have been moved to past the original limit line. This causes vehicles to go all the way to the crosswalk and can’t see the traffic signal above them.

When I went to the CalTrans website to report this issue, the robot recognized that an issue had been previously reported at this location.

Maybe CalTrans will get around to fixing it someday. In the meantime drivers will be craning their neck to see the traffic signal. Or stop before the main sensor and wait forever.

Tim Hansen
Ventura

Sheldon:

In response to a reader, you wrote on February 13th: “Don’t you think whoever gets the most votes should win?” and followed with arguments against the Electoral College.

You ask how something passed in 1787 could have any application today, citing population changes. Every provision of the Constitution, as amended and interpreted, has applied to every legal precept in the United States throughout the intervening 232 years. The justification for the Electoral College is founded on principles, not population.

You offer the standard argument against the College, which is that it is inequitable, with the votes in some states “meaning more” or being “more important” than those in another. This is true and the Founders were well aware of it, but adopted the provision for many good reasons. You’ll note that there is no mention of “democracy” anywhere in the Declaration or the Constitution, for good reason: the Founders intended to establish a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy. They did not want the floating whims of a majority to jeopardize the rights of every other person, nor a perpetual floating tally of who determines, interprets or implements the Law of the Land.

Bear in mind that this is the United States of America, drawing its claim to sovereignty from each and all of the colonies (later states). The structure of the Electoral College is a direct result of the guarantee of equality “among the states”, with each having exactly two votes in the U.S. Senate. The Constitution might have never been adopted otherwise. The Electoral College is simply determined by adding the number of representatives and senators for each state. That is the fairest way to have equity in both the general population and all of the states in determining the presidency.

Bill Westmiller

Bill: Thank you for your explanation but I still don’t like it. Keep your comments coming please, what our country is all about.
Sheldon

The first pull on the cord will always send the drapes the wrong way.
~ Charles P. Boyle

Dear Sheldon

Thank you for running the article in the Breeze about Circle of Friends now accepting new members. It was a hit! Ten women showed up at our February 6 luncheon with an interest in becoming members. Fantastic success and definitely because the Breeze is so well read!

Marion Phalan

Breeze:

I know that a temporary homeless shelter is opened in Oxnard that is to serve Oxnard and Ventura. I think this is good to a point. How is someone from Ventura supposed to get to Oxnard to stay in the shelter? Getting there for people in Oxnard is difficult enough.

I think Ventura will have a permanent shelter open by the end of the year I certainly hope so. As a caring society certainly, we must provide some shelter for the homeless specially when it is 30-40° out and raining.

I have friends that say they are just a bunch of bums that like living that life without working. I say to them ”why don’t you spend a night out sleeping in 40° weather in the rain and then let me know if that would be a lifestyle that anyone would really choose to live. Going through trash cans is not a way to make a living and some homeless are hoping to find food in the trash cans.

I read this in the VC Star (is it okay if I say VC Star?) ” The shelter is currently seeking donations of men’s and women’s clothing of all sizes (sweat shirts and pants, T-shirts, socks, shoe laces, flip-flops and underwear); personal care items (tooth brush, hair brush, nail clippers) and disposable dining ware (bowls, plates and cups). Those who are interested in donating should call the shelter at 805-612-7381 to set a drop-off time. For more information about volunteering at the homeless shelter, call 805-247-0335.”

Serra Bell (living in a nice warm house in Ventura)

Serra

Thanks for your kind concerns and it is okay if you say the VC Star as long as you don’t call it the Star Free Press which it hasn’t been called for a very long time but folks still call it that.

to editor

Regarding the recent article about the city paying Harbor Church such a large sum of money for their land in the buyout-to-stop-adult- feeding-services: perhaps using their Christian ethic, the church members will take all excess funds they received (beyond reasonable payment for the facilities) and “donate in-kind” services establishing homeless programming in an area that is appropriate and obtain proper permitting to ensure health/safety/environmental standards of service and for the benefit of the homeless. Templates include Project Understanding’s programs and those similar.

Thanks

Laura Flores

The work of art is above all a process of creation,
it is never experienced as a mere product.
~ Paul Klee

Oooops:

In our last issue we had an article on the March for Justice but we failed to mention a few dignitaries who were there that we should have. Our new Deputy Mayor Sofia Rubalcava (she’s in the photo) and new Council Member Lorrie Brown was also there. And all four of Ventura’s women council members spoke.

Also in attendance was State Assembly Member Monique Limon and, with great speeches were Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and Representative Julia Brownley.

Dear Editor,

I’m writing to you in regards to a vile and disrespectful “cartoon” you published in your Jan. 16-29th edition. 

I was appalled at the tasteless and unpatriotic smear of our current President. What so many seem to forget or have just decided they don’t care, half of the population voted for and supports this President who was elected into office by the American citizens of this great country. 

Allowing such a hate filled and biased piece to be in this newspaper was mind blowing to me and my family. We will no longer be reading your once appreciated paper. 

Beth Brokken

Beth:

Thank you for your thoughts. A difference in opinion is what makes America great (not great again we have always been great). Being able to express different views is vitally important to a democracy so keep your thoughts coming. Hope that you will give us another chance and continue to read the Breeze.

And for the record there are about 200 million eligible voters in the USA and Trump received about 63 million or 31% (not half)and Hillary received over 2miilion more votes than Trump.

Breeze

Breeze:

Well, well, well, it appears as though not everyone shares my opinion regarding Patagonia… 

Ah the difference of opinion; a key cornerstone in what Made America Great.

Freedom of choice is an inherent value in a democratic society.  You can choose to give charitable contributions and you can choose not to.  You can donate 1% of your annual sales to help the climate concerns, and do this quietly; or you can choose to boast of a charitable sum of $10M for the purposes of marketing your brand.  Believe me I get it; broadcast to the country that you oppose the President and watch the sales revenue climb.  Conversely endorse the President and watch your revenue slip away.  Sadly, It’s today’s economics 101.  

My point; which I’m allowed to express ( thank you Sheldon) is that; great I dig efforts to help in any manner in which one chooses, but why tie it to politics.  Some of this countries greatest philanthropists are never known, they chose to donate to a cause for the simple reason that they felt compelled to, versus trying to drive revenue.

Describing a marketing campaign as a charitable contribution is disappointing.  Again I say shame on Patagonia.

Hector Borrego

Editor:

I live south Oxnard as do my friends and I would like to share our concerns. We feel south Oxnard has the most crime in the city, my neighbors and I are uncomfortable in our own community. We feel there are not enough quality stores, restaurants and places to shop in the south area. The vagrants are extremely aggressive and are increasing.

The stores that are located in our area are run down, inundated with homeless individuals, crime and the quality of the items being sold is usually sub par. Vagrants scour the parking lot at Ralphs accosting people as they load groceries in their cars and the parking lot is full of potholes. My neighbors refuse to shop there so we get in our cars and drive to Camarillo or Ventura to shop.

There are no decent restaurants in our area so what do my neighbors and I do when we feel like eating out? Same. Same for all shopping needs because we are afraid of having our cars broken into or worse. Crime is a huge problem in our area, there is usually a shooting or stabbing every weekend and every several days, someone is arrested for driving with a loaded gun. Drunk drivers and hit and runs are common. This past weekend a drunk crashed into a backyard on Pleasant Valley Road. Vagrant standing on the median kick cars that are stopped at the light. There is a homeless encampment behind Oxnard College. My retired neighbor wants to move out but the value on his five bedroom home with a huge backyard is won’t pay for a condo in another city because the property values are so low. South Oxnard is in need of an overhaul.

Jose Medina Oxnard

Editor:

I, and many others, have waited for over two years for President Trump to release his tax returns. Why has he refused to do this? What is he hiding? Let’s hope the House of Representatives make this a top priority!

Judith A. Beay Ventura

Editor:

Regarding the announcement in the Star that “Time Out” will be reduced to a single page highlighting just 10 local events each week, all I can say (to quote Donald Trump) is:  SAD!

I’ve been a Ventura resident for over 20 years, and in that time, I’ve watched the sad decline of the Ventura County Star from a truly vibrant local newspaper devoted to providing full coverage of local news (with a complete section unto itself totally devoted to local events, local nonprofits, clubs and societies, local issues, etc.) to a mere slip of a rag that simply reprints USA Today, along with local crime reports and obituaries.

I belong to a local nonprofit that hosts a local show each year—a nonprofit that primarily depends on that show for its operating income.  Years ago, before being purchased by USA Today, we could count on the Ventura County Star to give us a full article—often times on the front page of the Local news section—to help promote our show.   All was good and well with the world.  Well, that section of the paper totally evaporated, but we thanked our stars (so to speak) that “Time Out” still persisted and still provided at least a modicum of coverage with a tiny 1-inch space in the calendar section.

Now:  Poof!  That, too, is gone in this day-and-age of Donald Trump and the sad, sad, sad dissolution of local news reporting.

And you have the gall to spring it on us at a moment’s notice!  Nice going!  At this rate, I’ll be cancelling my subscription and just getting a free copy of USA Today at a local hotel.

One unhappy long-time Star subscriber,

Jim Brace-Thompson

And putting your information in and reading the Ventura Breeze of course.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Breeze:

For another example of the Thomas Fire rebuild process consider my experience.
A week after losing everything I started looking at floor plans.
A month after the fire hired an architect, met with a builder, developed some house specs.
The city says they’ll review building permit applications within 14 working days.
Though it’s known to take a couple tries to get through that it’s still reasonable.

But, it’s misleading as before you’re allowed to apply for a permit you have to go through a number of expensive and time-consuming tasks. That’s taken an entire year so far. Then there’s the Grading Permit. It starts with having your lot surveyed. Surveyor was hired inMarch and finished in May adding delay to the city-required geotech investigation. That took from March to July.

The house will be about 2000 “habitable” square-feet, the footprint a little over 3000 due to changing from two story to one. The larger footprint requires structural, electrical, and plumbing engineers, each adding some time to the process.

As built in the hillside area in the 1970’s as mine was, they didn’t do much to prepare the lot. The geotech investigation confirms this so now the city requires a “grading plan” and permit. This plan requires an engineer specializing in that. He started in September and completed in December then it got stuck in plan check at the city Land Development Section. An example of things that happened there: Land Development plan check contractor asked my geotech investigation firm for clarification of something in their report. I got to pay the geotech outfit $680 to answer the question but at least the geotech engineer has given my lot a clean bill of health, but that still does not seem to be good enough. The grading permit has been stuck in Land Development for three months.

The building permit is approved but not the grading permit. Nothing can take place until both are granted. After 13 months not a shovelful of dirt has been moved. Cost so far: $48289.

I now have an empty lot and no permission to build on it. The time and stress makes me wonder if it’s all worthwhile. It will be another year until I have a home. Two of my four neighbors are not rebuilding. I think they made the better decision. If you can find a suitable existing house, buy it.

Steve Noll

It should be noted that even though some building permits are being held up waiting for grading and soil report approvals several people have moved into their new homes already and many are now under construction so not everyone has had these problems. Sorry that Steve (and others) are having problems.

Breeze

To publisher

You are not being fair. When Clinton had his affairs he was President and Governor. Trump was a private citizen. You don’t see that difference? Both men are pathetic to do that to their wives but one was in public service while he did it.

Mike Mislinay

Editor:

It’s a sad day when a donation of any kind is not appreciated. It’s called a choice. I wonder how much Hector has donated to a cause, didn’t he choose that? People aren’t entitled to Patagonia’s money, Hector. Thank you to them for paying the business taxes and choosing our city to do business! It’s called America, not what Hector wants!

Trudy Smith

Hector’s opinion in part from a previous issue:

Yet when I saw the kudos to Patagonia I was bothered.  I’d read the news in the LA times earlier in the day and heard it on KVTA, then saw your kudos.

All day I had been wondering why a firm headquartered in Ventura; which has a significant homeless population/problem, many residence still struggling from the Thomas fires and a city that would benefit greatly from cultural philanthropic donations (Botanical gardens, as example); why would Patagonia donate to a global cause instead of putting that $10M into our city?

The truth is more important than the facts.
~ Frank Lloyd Wright

[email protected]

The difference between Clinton and Trump lying about affairs that when Clinton did it he committed purgery (perjury), then the press said it’s no big deal. So it’s no big deal, particularly when Trump didn’t commit purgery.

Samuel Goodin

Samuel:
So Trump having affairs is okay as long as he didn’t commit perjury? Wonder if his wife agrees?
Thanks for writing.

Breeze:

Perhaps we need some special events that would be unique in California. Such events that could attract people from all over California and the west to come here and spend their money and stay in Ventura and enjoy all we have to offer. At this time of year it’s a good time to speculate on new ways to put Ventura on the Map. I have a few ideas but you might be able to come up with some others ideas.

1. Hutash (the 29th of September) a Chumash Holiday–their new year with dances and feasts. The Spanish Missionaries discovered the date fell on Saint Michael’s Day and had fiestas, parties, special mass and horse races on that day. It became a day celebrated by both the Europeans and Native Americans. We could do a procession, Pow wow and dances. Ring all the historic bells at the Mission–etc. Maybe even have a rodeo in the fairgrounds? It could show cultural unity as well as focus on the positives of our history in Ventura. Maybe a parade?

2. The Squidfest Our Marina catches most of the squid consumed in the west. So a calamari festival should be held at the marina. With calamari tacos, ice cream, etc. The Mascot of the event “Carmen Calamari” a dancing squid with a Carmen Miranda hat and Cuban accent. Music of the islands, Blessing of the fishing boats. Everything squid would mark this day. Maybe a parade of boats? Boat races in the Marina? Chumash canoes (yes they were great fishermen).

3. Founders Day (April 10, ) The day the city was incorporated by the state as a city. Then it had only 350 residents. We could have a historic plays, parades, street fairs, Special events. A special fiesta could be held in the downtown with a dance (as they did long ago). A special tour of all we are as a city. New museum display on the history of the town and an art contest on those artists who pain images depicting the colorful story of the state.

4. Horrorfest (October) A special holiday to focus on our ghostly legends and accounts in Ventura. Special screenings of horror films like “Homicidal” filmed in Ventura. A William Castle film made in 1961. A low budget production that even impressed Alfred Hitchcock! Maybe this movie could be screened? Special tours, a Paranormal Conference could bring in all the people who love ghost hunting–the fastest growing hobby in America.

A few ideas to consider.

Richard Senate, Ventura

Editor

Regarding the resignation of David Creswell as VUSD superintendent, some argue that it should be Creswell’s behavior that is relevant, not his words spoken outside of his job.

I initially thought the same thing after Creswell apologized and met with some LGBT students. My reasoning is that I don’t want us to be the thought police, and that as long as Creswell treated all students with respect going forward, I would be okay with his staying.

Then I saw a post that changed my mind.

Let’s pretend that VUSD had a different superintendent, one who was a secret white supremacist, and he made disparaging remarks about Latinos and blacks in a speech to his supremacist group. Let’s say the “cutest couple” in the yearbook was a mixed race couple and he made an insulting comment about them. Let’s say he got caught and apologized and promised to be supportive of all students in the future.

Would we all be okay with his staying on as superintendent? No way. We would be clamoring for his head.

So why are all of us not outraged about what Creswell said? Because his comments were directed at LGBT students, and many believe that being LGBT is a choice; ergo, if they did not want insulting comments made about them, they just should not choose to be LGBT.

VUSD expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity or expression. LGBT students are just as protected as students of any race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, etc. That’s the bottom line here.

So Creswell’s verbal discrimination against LGBT students is just as offensive and intolerable as the racist comments of our pretend white supremacist superintendent. Creswell demonstrated he is not the right person for the job.

Alison Carlson Ventura

To publisher

We, the Auxiliary volunteers of CMH are so grateful to the Ventura Breeze, Ventura County and Auxiliary volunteers for all of their services rendered to us in 2018. All of you have been so helpful so often and been a gift that kept on giving.

Let the countdown to a memorable year begin. We at CMH auxiliary volunteer department wish each of you 365 chances to laugh love and live your best year yet.

Please remember that we still need male and female junior and senior volunteers. Pick up application at the front desk.

Lorraine Hirschey

Dear Editor,

How Insane must a president of the U.S. be to be declared unfit for office?
How much danger does he have to represent?
How many people must he kill or be responsible for killing?
How many criminal laws must he break?
How many walls does he need to build?
How insane must a citizen of the U.S. be to tolerate such behavior?
How much longer?

Sincerely, Esther Cole

to opinions

Here is another use of $10 million tax cut dollars Patagonia is giving away.

A jump start fund to build a desalination plant (where they didn’t want the college) designed to keep the lake filled.

Solves our drought problem.

Tim Hansen  Ventura

If opposites attract, the North Pole and the South Pole
would be married and living happily at the equator.
~ Gene Perret

Editor:

I was saddened to read that the Ventura Unified School District Superintendent resigned due to the actions of a single school board member.  She was upset after reading about a sermon he delivered years ago in another city.  He happens to be an ordained minister, as well as an education professional.  Today, many pastors are bi-vocational for a variety of reasons, including financial. His sermon was Biblically based and not mean spirited.  Christianity teaches us to hate the sin, but love the sinner.

I urge the Superintendent to withdraw his resignation.  This type of modern day anti-Christian persecution should not be allowed to stand.  It is my hope that pastors and Christians in our community will come along side this wonderful man and give him your support.  If we fail to stop this kind of mean-spirited madness, what will it lead to?

Bill Bays

Hello Sheldon,

Read the new issue (Dec.5) from front cover to back cover, every word.
Very Nicely Done, Sir !!!
Your best issue of your illustrious history.

Mark “Ping Pong” Stienecker

Mark: If you play ping pong you must be very intelligent which explains why you loved the issue. I understand that there might be some very important ping pong news coming to our attention soon.

Hi Sheldon!

I left Art City the week after Bad Exhibition: Value in Art closed.

I have taken a position as Associate Research Fellow at Sichuan University, and am enjoying my first real job and salary with benefits in this lifetime. Being a Bohemian is fun and all, but it’s not too good for the teeth and body, long term. This is a really good chance to round out my resume and help me find a way to apply my skills, both academic and creative, as a professional once I return.

I will be back in Ventura for both winter and summer vacations, and am focusing my energy on finding an academic position in Southern California once my three year contract here is completed.

How are you doing? How’s Ventura? I do so appreciate all the support you and the Breeze gave to both myself and to Art City while I was curator there.

Sophia Kidd

Sophia was a Breeze writer for many years prior to living in China and obtaining her PhD from Sichuan University. Very exciting that she has obtained this position. We wish her well. Perhaps she could launch a Sichuan Breeze.

Breeze:

I don’t write to offer opinion; ever.

Yet when I saw the kudos to Patagonia I was bothered.  I’d read the news in the LA times earlier in the day and heard it on KVTA, then saw your kudos.

All day I had been wondering why a firm headquartered in Ventura; which has a significant homeless population/problem, many residence still struggling from the Thomas fires and a city that would benefit greatly from cultural philanthropic donations (Botanical gardens, as example); why would Patagonia donate to a global cause instead of putting that $10M into our city?

Can you image what $10M would do for those struggling in this City or even in the County (Borderline families)?

Instead of helping it’s community further, they chose to make a political statement and what is as unsettling is you Sheldon applauding them versus calling them out.

Are you telling me you would rather they donate $10M on something that may or may not be proven in our lifetime versus helping the people of a city that need it now, and with the holiday season upon us what a gift that would have been to those impacted to receive a portion of such a generous donation.

Seems to me you were being PC with your kudos, I’m disappointed in you.

What is our priority as a community, fighting with our Presidents view or help a community that has been ravished and struggled over the past year?

Instead of kudos I say shame on Patagonia for choosing to express their political views versus further helping a community that has helped make them who they are.

Hector  Borrego

PS: I’ll bet there are a few Patagonia employees that sure could have used some of that ten mil!

Hector:

You can never say this again. “I don’t write to offer opinion; ever.”

Your points are very well taken, thanks and maybe you will offer other opinions in the future now that you have broken the ice.

The folks who know the truth aren’t talking…The ones who don’t have a clue, you can’t shut up!
~ Tom Waits