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

Letter to the editor

Re: Homeless at 81 (article in previous Breeze by Jennifer Tipton)

Edison Electric Company in Ventura offers a medical baseline discount for people like myself. Once approved the bill does go way up the first month- using my oxygen concentrator in the first month. Month 2 the bill is shockingly low, month 3 on Edison provides a very good on going discount.

Thanks, so much Mr. Brown for publishing article. Many Ventura Breeze readers made reservations and attended Gabriel’s house fund raiser. A grateful good thanks to them.

Joan Lucas

Sheldon

Why can’t Carol have her own thoughts instead of lifting it from an article of CNBC? And thank you again Sheldon for considering my feelings. I didn’t realize the Breeze was to be one sided by others. My only hope is that we can agree to disagree and get some work done. If my candidate would have lost, I would have kicked off the dust and been supportive of ideas for all of our greater good.

Let’s hope we can move forward for our Veterans and homeless. Orange County is doing a really good thing in a short amount of time with industrial space to clean up their river trail. Great idea!

Thank you again for all you do. I’m sitting here with my coffee and Breeze now!

Trudy Smith

Trudy:

Carol is, obviously not as brilliant as you, me and Trump. Hope you didn’t spill your coffee on the Breeze.

Sheldon

Editor:

Here he goes again!  Our Commander in Chief who insists he be treated with respect, loudly disrespects highly decorated military heroes.  Didn’t Mr. Trump learn from his debacle of criticizing Senator McCain’s military service because “I like people who didn’t get captured”!

Now he dares criticize Retired Navy Admiral William McGraven because “he didn’t capture Bin Laden sooner”!  And, in the next breath, Mr. Trump boasts how he “supports” our military.  What hypocrisy!

Judith A. Beay Ventura

Dear Folk,

Yippee!  They got him. They got him good — by the cojones!

Cohen has confessed to lying and helping Trump work with the Russians. And the Democrats have the House, so they can Impeach, unless he has that major stroke.

He looks so sick and terrified and the mouth doesn’t stop running. Never in my life have I detested anyone in this fashion. Never knew I could take pleasure in someone else’s pain.

This guy deserves everything that’s coming his way.

Let’s all go out in the middle of street and dance……Yippee Yiippy Ya

Es and Les and Doggies
Ventura, CA

Dear Councilmember:

Those of us that are residents in the Pierpont area are most impacted by STVRs. We were given our chance to voice our position during the STVR working group. I know because I was a participant. The survey that the city is disseminating on STVRs does not in any way shape or form represent what was presented to you as a result of the working group. We clearly and unanimously in writing and discussions voiced our position. We do not want more regulations or enforcement on STVR nuisance. We want an end to STVRs in our neighborhood. We simply want the city of Ventura to strictly enforce the zoning codes as written. That’s it. If there is an R in the zoning then business is prohibited.

The multi- billion dollar vacation rental industry is clearly behind the writing of this sham survey. It doesn’t come close to asking the right questions. I would answer none of the above to virtually every question on it as would a vast majority of residents in the Pierpont neighborhood. Where are the real questions? Like: Do you think grey market, unregulated hotels should be allowed in a residential area despite public opinion. Or how about: Should out of town STVR investors be able to gobble up the available ” executive housing” the city so desperately craves? Or how about: Do you think there should be a nightly rate for the view overlooking the Pierpont Elementary school playground?

We want and will eventually get what Santa Barbara got. An end to the destruction of our coastal neighborhoods and a restoration of true zoning enforcement. Give them a couple of years to unwind. And then give us back our neighborhood!

Thanks

Tim Colavito and family

Breeze:

I decided to run for the Ventura School Board for a few reasons which I was able to bring light to and talk about in open public forums and hopefully get the attention of those parents and elected officials to act on them.

I ran because of social justice issues which affect our community, explicitly kids who are falling under the radar. There is a lack of communication between teachers, school counselors and school psychologists. Part of this missing communication is our staff is overworked to actually identify issues and give attention needed to our students. I also, ran to ensure that the after school program ASES continues to be funded and open to all students who may need the after school help. I know that most of our community are working families and the ASES program is such an asset to our community. I wanted to see our students be encouraged to become engaged in civics at the local level during election time and education of on the importance.

I ran on environmental justice issues that must to be addressed at our schools. Some of our schools are lacking proper recycling programs on campus. All of our schools are utilizing single use plastics and Styrofoam containers, which are either being littered or going straight to the landfill. I wanted to see a city bus voucher program to cut down on pollution and the amount of cars coming on and off campuses. I wanted to see Green Technologies offered at the High School level with a new Green focused vocational and trade school in the future. The Farm to School Program is a great mechanism that we have going at some of our local schools, but I wanted to see that expanded upon; as well as, offering plant based vegetarian options in the cafeterias.

Lastly, it was a non-partisan race, but I let people know that the ideas and principles I was running on were part of the Green Party’s platform. I hope I encouraged others to look into joining the Green party and being part of the true political revolution!

Keep being the change that you want to see

Anthony Krzywicki

ear Editor:

Who likes the Ventura River interface with the city?  Imposing walls of rip rap and long lengths of barren dirt keep people strictly apart from a natural River experience.

Up until now, the Santa Clara River has avoided the same fate.  Its north bank is not artificially channelized, and hundreds of acres have been acquired in anticipation of a future nature and recreation corridor.

Not for long.  The city plans to channelize the Santa Clara River with a levee made of boulders and barren dirt to expand the auto center.  Nevermind that levees as flood protection are a losing battle, the city proposes to make this ill-conceived project part of the Olivas Park Drive Extension and Olivas Park Specific Plan (OPSP).  Heard about it?  Unlikely.   Ventura community development manager has kept public engagement on this project extremely minimal.  Even more disturbing is that, if approved, an OPSP revision will give the community development manager authority to make final project approvals and take away that authority from Planning Commissioners and Design Review Committee members.

On 10/17/18 the project was on the joint planning commission – design review committee agenda.  Panelists expressed a great deal of concern to the community development staff about the levee.  They pointed out the short sightedness of ignoring the River value and the failure to provide public access with just even a bike path along the crest!  Among other things, the commissioners instructed staff to get the word out to the public about the Olivas Park Drive project.

Time to stop repeating history destroying our last natural resources for development!  Sierra Club and Friends of the Santa Clara River want a living Santa Clara River and are working with National Parks Service to produce a concept for a Santa Clara River Loop trail.  Join us.

Thank you,
Nina Danza, PE

Dear Sheldon,

Are playing you devil’s advocate by placing those pro-Trump letters in the Breeze today? I’ll only refute one point in Ms Smith’s letter; the one about Trump not needing money. He’s raking in the dough at his properties, including Mar-a-Lago, which Trump calls the “Winter White House,” (which has doubled its membership fee to $200,000), and Trump International Hotel, (whose managers market it as a destination for diplomats, has raised room rates almost 60 percent).

In amounts large and small, Trump takes in money from political allies, and from the government he leads.

The Republican National Committee rents space in Trump Tower. So does the Pentagon. So does China’s largest bank.

The government of Qatar this spring paid $6.5 million for an apartment in Trump World Tower — joining the governments of Saudi Arabia, India and Afghanistan there.

Trump businesses overseas have gotten foreign government help, too.

China’s government is reportedly lending $500 million for a Trump-linked development project in Indonesia. China has also approved dozens of trademarks for Trump family businesses since he won the presidency.

In two “emoluments clauses,” the Constitution forbids the president from taking money from individual states or from foreign governments

Responding to those restrictions, the Trump organization has pledged to donate profits derived from foreign entities to the U.S. Treasury. In 2017, that donation was $151,000 — less than one-half of 1 percent of the $40 million in hotel income the president reported.

A federal lawsuit filed by Democratic members of Congress and one filed by the governments of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia accuse the president of violating the emoluments clauses.

While those cases await trial, the power of the presidency remains a major financial asset for Trump.

“The stars have all aligned,” Eric Trump said last year. “I think our brand is hotter than it’s ever been.”

Much of this was lifted from an article that I read on CNBC.

Carol Spector

Carol:

Not playing devil’s advocate. Our readers have the same right to express their views as I have. Some folks don’t think that I should have the right.

Sheldon

Greek philosophers’ liar’s paradox “I always tell lies,” a man says. Is he lying or telling the truth?

Editor…..Please stop with the political drivel in your column……..We all know that you are more liberal than Bernie Sanders….but to quote Eugene Robinson?   If Kanya West is an Uncle Tom, then  Eugene is an Auntie Tommie…who can only write stuff that Bezos tells him to write…He has not had an intelligent piece since USA Today started putting him in our local paper……Why does he not start doing something for the Black people?   Because he is already in the top 10% of money makers and

is not interested…..

You have a nice community paper which gives us local happenings….so knock off the political pap that you try to sneak in ……

Richard Pillow, CPA.Ventura

Richard:

Not sure what you mean “try to sneak in” it is not written in code, you managed to find it. I assume “political drivel and pap” is anything that you don’t agree with.

The fact that I can express my opinion and you can express yours is what the freedom of the press is which makes this a great country (they don’t have this in China, North Korea, Russie, etc., etc. I’m sure that you wouldn’t want to live there). So I will continue to “sneak in” my “drivel and pap” and you can continue to criticize it and have it printed in the Breeze.

Sheldon

Here’s why I love Trump!

1. He is the first person in politics, either side, that I have ever been able to understand when he speaks. He’s not censored or pre-rehearsed at all. I think that’s what bothers people. They “can’t handle those ruff words or the truth!”

3. Start by building the wall. We can’t possibly deport those we don’t know are here or logistically can’t. Trump got our attention though by saying that. Children left at the border that we are traumatizing? Really? Where did that start? Seems with their parents. Vetting, placement or sending them back needs to continue. 

Can we go to any other country in the world and just start a life, use all the services for free, and stay for as long as we want or whenever? I think not. 

5. Question……how can we keep paying for all of this. The left thinks, what…..we just keep borrowing money, printing it, or taxing people here who already struggled to pay their own bills?

6. Russia…….I voted, Russia did not influence me on my decision.
This topic is an insult to me. 

8. I love that Trump doesn’t need the money. All the other people do. Who’s he working for? Us! Finally someone that’s calls everyone out right or left. 

9. Oh my and its criminal what was done to Kavanaugh and his family.  Granted something happened to her, but to accuse and try to ruin someone with no evidence or proof and doing it now?

I love that you continue to produce our lovely, informative Breeze in the day and age of skyrocketing costs to produce it. 

Thank you!
Trudy Smith

Some of her points were deleted not editorialized but just because they were too long. That is why there are numbers missing.

Dear Ventura Breeze

How nice to read such a lovely article on Mary Jane Mitchell (in last Breeze issue). Wow – so many years of memories.

I well remember meeting Jane, and her late husband, Jack Tobias, for the very first time. There I was – a young city girl from south Philly, Pennsylvania – and proud of it – being introduced to a new town and way of life, surrounded by farmland. Jane and Jack were among the nicest people I came to know. Jane was always gracious and welcoming. Jack was a real down-to-earth guy (with a very cool hat collection), who spent many a morning at the wonderful Doc and Sandy’s Cafe, in “downtown Saticoy”, enjoying “shooting the breeze” with other country gentlemen like himself. Doc and Sandy went on to a well-deserved retirement, and most – if not all of the original Saticoy Coffee Gang – are now gone, yet they all continue to be remembered fondly.

It’s so good to know that Jane remains in her family home, where – from her front-row seat in a cozy chair- she continues to witness the many changes of years gone by. Bless you, Jane, and………thanks for the memories. Thanks, again. Just love the Ventura Breeze.

Grace Baskin, Ventura

Correction:

In our last issue we had the wrong time for this event. On Nov.8, from 5-7pm, Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) will have an open house.

Also there will be an Art Open House on Tuesday Nov. 27, from 4-7pm which will specifically highlight the over 600 pieces of local and regional art that have been installed in the new hospital. A great opportunity to appreciate our local artists.

We think too much and feel too little.
~ Charlie Chaplin

Editor:

The Clean Power Alliance is made up of 31 jurisdictions and the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura, awarded Calpine Energy Solutions a four-year contract to provide data management and call center services to an initial 1 million customers.

Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks have joined the Clean Power Alliance, which offers an alternative to Southern California Edison and other traditional power companies.

So, how does this affect fire protection / safety if fire fighters have no power or water pressure as we saw during the Thomas Fire?  More generators and pumps on fire trucks?

Is it So Cal Edison’s call over Clean Power Alliance to discontinue service?

Love your coverage and always look forward to reading the Breeze.  Happy Anniversary and Thanks!

Mike Merewether
Ventura

Mike:
Only Andre-Marie Ampere might know.

LOCK YOUR CARS!!!!!!

Lock Your Cars Lock Your Cars Lock Your Cars No matter how many times you see this message, some of you just don’t get it. You complain that people take things out of your car at night, BUT you don’t lock your car!!! People roam around my neighborhood at night, and cars are ransacked due to the fact they are not locked!!! Lock you cars please. Maybe if they find No Unlocked Cars they might stop roaming around!

Sally Fisher

Even if you do lock your car don’t leave anything that you value in it. Amazing the valuables that people leave in their cars.

Juries scare me. I don’t want to put my faith in 12 people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.
~ Monica Piper

Sheldon

Who did the research on Padre Serra? No name is mentioned. It goes to show you how false press is released to the public and how uneducated certain people are. The Padres including Padre Serra helped Native Americans against the abusive and cruel Spanish Soldiers. It was the Spanish military who treated the Indians so badly and, many Native Americans were decimated because of illnesses the Spanish military brought with it.

W. Moyer

Moyer:

First let me explain that none of the comments about Padre Serra were mine. I have nothing against him. My article was about Stanford University removing his name from many of their buildings, so a name was mentioned. Stanford University is hardly uneducated and considered one of the finest colleges in the United States. If you disagree with their decision you should be contacting them. By the way, many other organizations are coming to the same conclusion.

The funny statue was just that and meant no disrespect for the padre.

Thank you for your comments.

Sheldon

District 1 Conflict of Interest

In elections, a conflict of interest, whether legal or the mere perception of conflict will taint the entire process. In Ventura City Council District 1 race, the Executive Director of the Downtown Ventura Partners, Kevin Clerici, is running to represent the downtown and the Avenue area of Ventura.

There is nothing against Mr. Clerici personally. He is a good person and means well. However, just because the FPPC says he can run, his actions, both on the dais and behind the scenes, are open to question, no matter how innocent his intentions might be.

The Downtown Ventura Partners receives 40% of its operations revenue through a special tax. That tax is voted on by downtown property owners. The City of Ventura controls 33% of the downtown properties. When there is a vote within the special property district, the City of Ventura, directed by the City Council, votes as a block and therefore controls the outcome. When only 72% of the property owners vote, the City’s 33% becomes 46%, in effect. That means the City needs another 5% of the downtown property voters to vote yes. Therefore, the City Council has almost total control of the downtown special tax vote.

With the special district tax, the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP) receives $485,186 in annual special taxes. On top of that, the Ventura City Council also awards DVP another $172,000. Of their entire budget, the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP) receives over 52% of its revenue, either directly or indirectly, from votes by the Ventura Council. Therefore, Mr. Clerici would be voting on his own livelihood.

Mr. Clerici receives a salary of $85,000 from the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP). Therefore, even if he recluses himself on downtown issues, the citizens in District 1 will be underrepresented with Mr. Clerici as their representative.

Bob Alviani Ventura

The Breeze asked the Downtown Ventura Partners to respond. Mr. Clerici’s candidate statement is

in this issue.

RE: Alviani Letter to the Editor

Mr. Alviani is confused about the downtown Ventura special district and the non-profit, Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP) that contracts with the city to manage it.

The city’s Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) straddles three of the new city council districts (1,2 and 7) and no single council member will be the exclusive representative.

Mr. Alviani states that “The City of Ventura directed by the City Council, votes as a block and therefore controls the outcome (of the PBID elections).” He bases this on his erroneous assumption that the city owns 33% of the property within the district when the real number is less than 23%. If just 25% of the other property owners voted contrary to the City Council, those owners would prevail.

All future city council votes on the PBID and other DVP programs will be controlled by a permanent majority of council members from the eastside. If either the city or property owners conclude that there isn’t appropriate value for their investment, they may terminate contracts with our non-profit or overturn the PBID at any time.

The DVP board asked its executive director Kevin Clerici to reach out to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) and the City Attorney to provide preliminary advice on potential conflicts prior to Mr. Clerici filing as a city council candidate. If he is elected, there will certainly be votes on which he will have to recuse himself but it does not disqualify him from running or serving.

Meanwhile, DVP will continue to make downtown a clean, safe and vibrant hub for all of Ventura.

David S. Armstrong, President
Downtown Ventura Partners

There is no exquisite beauty without some strangeness in the proportion.
~ Edgar Allan Poe

Hi
I enjoyed your 9/12-9/25 edition including the article on rainwater & greywater harvesting, an important topic for our drought-prone area.
A minor correction needed on Page 8 however:
The URL for more info is misspelled; it should read “greywateraction.org”, not “grewateraction.org”

Thanks!

Gary B.

Oh y did we leave out y?

Publisher:

Just wanted to drop you a thank you note regarding some comments you made about homelessness and a recent 9th Circuit Court ruling.

You comments were, in my opinion, completely spot on and I appreciate your understanding (particularly on the role and constraints on our Police Department).

Thanks again and keep up the great work…I look forward to your paper every new edition.

Regards,

Quinn Fenwick

Does one life matter?
A hungry child or senior that happens to be poor did not choose poverty or going without. All lives do matter and with the aid of a few good people, lives could be enhanced greatly-and yes with charity.
We (those of us) that live in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties can do good works to end hunger right where we live.
Take an example of a woman living in the deep south (southern USA) that worked her whole life to save enough money and create a food share program to feed hungry children. She collects donated food, she prepares meals (300) of them and drives 100 miles a day to make deliveries. Why? Because she feels it is her duty.
Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties are among the most prosperous counties in California and yet there are 1000’s of families that go to bed hungry—something is wrong with this picture and some good-hearted souls will come together and change the outlook for many disadvantaged people. Yes, it will take some organization, planning, and execution, but, this writer will volunteer his time to help organize—
Jay North Ojai

Breeze:

Just wanted to say thank you for running the press release about our free Tai Chi classes for seniors. With your help, they have filled up which always makes the volunteers teaching them feel accomplished, appreciated and like they are making a difference. They truly do. We couldn’t do it without your help.

Thank you.

Marisue

Breeze:

The current administrations acceptance of Neo-Nazi, Fascist, and White Supremacist ideals will never make America great again.

Critical thinking, an informed citizenry, fair and just implementation of law, is what is required to overcome what ails our country. A good start would be to undo Citizens United, including changing the Electoral College to a popular vote system, free access to healthcare and education for all, raising taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals in order to support socially responsible programs and maintain the infrastructure is what will make the country a better place for all.

JB

Readers: The Breeze accepts all opinions as long as they use acceptable language and are not inflammatory. Let’s hear from those who agree or disagree with JB. We don’t usually put in letters with only initials but JB requested that so we did.

We must bring our own light to the darkness.
~ Charles Bukowski