Dear Sheldon:

I read with interest your opinion and Christy Weir’s article in the Breeze edition May 9, 2018 and have a few comments. First thank you both for your common sense approach and “calming” influence. Second, Ms. Weir’s warning about not giving cash to panhandlers is supported by experts in mental health and community support activists.

When we started the St. Vincent DePaul chapter at OLA church several years ago we investigated this issue and found out that since we were vetting the families that we could help it would be better to direct those panhandlers to the nonprofit that was already set up. Therefore we reached the conclusion that it is better to donate to the charity of your choice ( in this case the St. Vincent de Paul Society) rather than take a chance that your well-meaning cash would be misused. Instead give the panhandler a card or letter or otherwise notice ( in our case we handed out cards) informing them where to get help. I will leave it to another article to show where they can get help but for now this simple solution should work.

Lou Vigorita Ventura

Sheldon:

Beautiful column in the issue about the homeless issue. I found it both heartfelt and well thought-out. Thank you.

Tom Jacobs Ventura Keys resident
Senior Staff Writer, www.psmag.com

Sheldon :

How can we best address the needs of those in our community who are without proper housing?

Allow me to suggest something that will not appear in cell in a spreadsheet or in an Outcomes-Based Evaluation report.

I am convinced love for others is the key element. and as we are involved with this action and that action it is important that from time to time we check back that love is our primary motivation – that which what leads us.

Mahatma Gandhi said “Love is the strongest force the world possesses and yet it is the humblest imaginable.” –

I say this as I am aware of instances where I shifted from love being the primary to correcting or fixing others or changing others taking the lead. Are there times we can correct others? Certainly – and if in loving others we correct them or assist them in making change where needed that’s fine – but let’s allow love to be the primary.

And I would not limit this love to only those who need assistance/help in addressing their lack of housing. I must be open to extending love to those who may have a drastically different viewpoint on those experiencing homelessness than myself. This would certainly include those who speak before City Council, with a great deal of heartfelt passion related to their personal experiences. For I must not return anger for passion – I must return love, and encourage that passion be channeled in a manner that uplifts our entire community.

And love and appreciation for others certainly includes our City Council and our Police Department.

We should avoid relegating the responsibility to only our City Council or only our Police Department or our community’s homeless service providers but rather recognizing that all us can contribute to concerns raised. Addressing housing needs and ensuring public safety are not contradictory objectives.

John Sanders Jones

The history of the planet is a history of idiocy highlighted by a few morons who stand out as comparative geniuses.
~ William S. Burroughs

Breeze:

Because of the police and ambassador presence on the promenade, the vagrant population on the promenade has all but disappeared. Also, the vegetation on the promenade is being cut away from the ground so there is no place for a vagrant to hide. Additionally, video surveillance cameras are being placed on the condos and Aloha Steakhouse in addition to the surf cam. Commander Tom Higgins was out on the promenade working on the placement of the video surveillance cameras today. Also there was a VPD patrolmen walking the promenade as well as two ambassadors. The City appears to be making a real effort. I am told you can go to the VPD Facebook page to view where the existing video surveillance cameras a focused on.

Murray Robertson

Sheldon:

Your piece on the a Aloha homicide and associated issues is outstanding. Thanks for your fair and thoughtful commentary.

City council member Mike Tracy

Mike:

Thank you very much you are the second city councilmember to complement me. It was the most difficult editorial I’ve written in 10 years. Written and re-written many times. I have written about it again in this issue.

Sheldon

Editor:

I’m not sure if people protesting the recent murder in the way they are are helping Ventura or destroying it. Certainly not helping our image much but this is what our free speech country is all about so I do respect that.

Richard Carlson Ventura

Thanks to Deena Gledhill for sending this photo to us.

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success.
~ Oscar Wilde

What’s up with Ventura Police Dept?

Seems they have become the henchmen for the red county that simply does not want poor and homeless folks living here.

Case in point I had an appointment with a health practitioner in downtown Ventura. I parked on Santa Clara St. When I came back to my tiny home on wheels (a motorhome) there was a ticket in the windshield, for parking an oversize camper in the city limits. Okay, so #1 there are no signs displayed letting people know they cannot park RV’s in downtown Ventura. And #2 I cannot afford the dang fine.

I called the police dept in Ventura to challenge the ticket and even after I explained that I am a senior on a fixed income with health issues, I: e visiting a doctor in Ventura and I cannot afford the $72.00 fine, I was told well you should know the law and the ticket would stand and had to be paid. After which I spoke with a dozen city and county agencies that offered no help in this regard.

Today the citation stands and I still cannot afford a $72.00 fine. If it is illegal to park a small RV in the streets in Ventura—post it!

What’s up with Ventura?

Jay North

Jay: Oversized motorhomes are not allowed to be parked on streets anywhere in Ventura not just Downtown so posting would need to be on every street. So police are just doing their job. If you call 339-4401 you can get permission to park in the street for a limited amount of days. Sorry that this happened to you.

Dear Editor,

No one likes taxes, but we all have to pay them, even people who are working without documentation. Many workers who contribute to the economy can’t access services their tax dollars support. My neighbor Jesus was 27, undocumented, and working long hours at a bakery. His stomach bothered him for months, but he was afraid to go to a hospital, and could only afford a neighborhood cash clinic where they told him he had a virus. When the pain was too great and he went to the emergency room, he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. He died a week later. It’s wrong that we expect people to pay taxes while excluding them from routine and life-saving health programs, paid for with their own tax contributions. Our economy is driven by hard work of people like Jesus, who deserve life-saving access to health care services, no matter where they were born.

Juana Zaragoza-Oxnard

Editor:

Pre-president Trump “We should stay the hell out of Syria. The president must get congressional approval before attacking Syria- big mistake if he does not!”

The first time that I have agreed with him.

Bill Green-Ventura

On March 15th a Ventura ribbon cutting was held for Ventura Cryo, conveniently located inside The Sauna Studio at 3439 Telegraph Road, 380-3737. In our last issue we had their address and phone number wrong. They Provide a holistic body cold immersion modality called Whole Body Cryotherapy which significantly reduces inflammation in the body, eases joint pain, improves sleep, and many more health benefits.Visit their website venturacryo.com to learn more about cryotherapy and its benefits.

I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.
~ Albert Einstein

To opinions

I made the rally and march Saturday and have to say, Venturans’ are the most polite and carefully lead community I have meant in a long time. We stayed off the street and waited for every street crossing light and stop sign. By the time we got back to the park, we were essentially spread out single file. I can’t believe that would get anyone’s attention. I would never advocate for any violence, of any kind. However, making cars stop and staying in a powerful group makes a statement. I was told we didn’t have a permit. Well, we can’t all be arrested. We need to understand civil disobedience and march to be heard.

Chris Rae Ventura

Editor:

I have just one question that perhaps you have already answered in the paper. What happened to Ventura Hardware? I hope you have an answer. They were there one day and gone the next.

Bill Garner

Bill:

They just decided after many years there that it was time to retire and close down. Was a great store because they had one of everything.

Oooops, in our last issue we incorrectly labeled this photo it should have read “Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events”

Many of us spend half of our time wishing for things we could have if we didn’t spend half our time wishing.
~ Alexander Woollcott

Dear Editor,

I’d like to encourage Ventura County residents to become part of a valuable community service by serving on the Ventura County Grand Jury.

The Grand Jury is a civil, investigative panel of 19 volunteers. This watchdog group investigates issues and citizen complaints and then makes recommendations to improve the operation of local government. The Grand Jury may examine all aspects of Ventura County government, its 10 city governments as well as special districts and other agencies funded by tax dollars.

To become a Grand Juror, you must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen and a Ventura County resident for at least a year. A complete list of requirements and other information about Grand Jury service can be found at: http://www.ventura.org/grand-jury/become-a-grand-juror.

Applications are now available for the 2018-2019 Grand Jury at: www.ventura.org/grand-jury/forms. Applications will be accepted until April 6, 2018.

Andrew Ludlum Foreperson
2017-2018 Ventura County Grand Jury
805-477-1600, Ext. 1817

Breeze:

Out of the tragedy of the Thomas Fire, now comes a once in a lifetime opportunity to make our hillside better. The County has done an excellent job clearing the way for those of us who lost our homes to rebuild.

It is now critical for our Planning Department and Community Development Director to find the vision and creativity to take advantage of this opportunity. While I commend them for putting into place an expedited fourteen day approval process for building permits submitted by fire victims, the process is heavily geared toward requiring homeowners to rebuild as close to the original structure as possible. Any home that was previously granted a variance will be excluded from this process if it expands the original building footprint by more than 10%, as will most homes requiring new variances.

The same City Staff that pushed hard to allow an LA developer to totally violate our Hillside Management Program, is now being a bit of a stickler when it comes to allowing individual home owners minor variances to improve their homes and our hillside. The message seems to be, “Either build exactly what you had or get in line and wait with the huge number of fire victims trying to build better.”

I call on our City Council to nudge our Planning Staff in the right direction. City Planning should propose a better process to our Council by which minor variances, that have no real impact on neighboring properties, can bypass the typically, six month long and very expensive process of requiring approval of the Planning Commission. If no neighbors object to a particular variance, the Planning Department or its Director should be empowered and encouraged to approve the building permit.

Instead of rebuilding the hillside exactly as it was, let’s find some vision in our City leadership to allow and encourage us to rebuild it better.

(I note my family’s rebuild project, as currently planned, will not require a variance.)

Nick Bonge- Co founder – Neighbors for the Ventura Hillside

Dear Sheldon:

Many thanks for sending the pictures from the “Six Women’s Epic Swim Around Santa Cruz Island.” I’m so pleased to have them.

Sincerely(your 92-year old reader) Rosena McConica

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.
~ Stephen Hawking

Breeze:

I had just picked up the paper at AAA while waiting to do a registration. I knew that one (contest photo). I really enjoy your paper and sometimes mail a copy to a friend who moved away. I refer to it as the best paper in town for news around town. Thank you for all you do on that. Its hard work. People don’t realize that.
Sincerely,
Karen Spoentgen

Sheldon:

Concerning one of the 859 new laws in California: Schools in low-income communities must provide tampons and other sanitary products to students in grades 6 to 12.

The collection of property taxes determines where low-income people live. The State of California collects those property taxes and now, much to my satisfaction, distributes those school taxes equally to all school districts.

Before, as with most of the 50 states, the communities received back school funds based on their collection. That left low-income communities receiving back the funds based on their collection, which causes a non-equal and inadequate education. Thus, an unequal preparation for those children to give back to society instead of taking from society.

Currently low-income school districts are repairing/building class rooms, hiring more teachers to reduce the number in each class, and purchasing the equipment needed for students to prepare for our digital world.

Oh, and supplying health supplies to all; be they bandages or tampons.

Instead of causing confusion, and possible complaints, to your readers with the above question it might behoove you to answer the question.

There are so many non-readers. Most information people learn is from television or on-line media, or even from the uneducated. Several years ago CA passed the law that if you had to turn on your windshield wipers then you must turn on your lights. It is a difficult issue to ‘ticket’; but not a difficult use of ‘common sense’.

We’ve all forgotten to Read! I enjoy your paper and your personal column.

Diane, Ventura

Diane
Thanks you have answered my question quite well.
Sheldon

Hi Breezy:

Thank you so much for all you did to help us surprise Lynn with the ad( Lynn’s Consignments 1975 E. Main St). And thank you especially for taking the time to go out and deliver copies to her. She — and we — were so grateful. Lynn did tell me that the Grand Opening was wonderful and that she had a steady stream of customers coming in that day and that most of those customers came in with a copy of the Breeze ad in their hands.

Many thanks for all your help, dedication and caring.

Dawn

opinions

There are many a fellow drivers out and about nowadays, more than there are pedestrians at least… In my travels I have had many close calls, however a recent encounter has shook me down to the core. I was heading up Loma Vista in my 1980 piece of car. As soon as Walnut dr. Came into view, I signaled. As I started to enter the middle lane as usual, a car coming from Day rd. Down Loma Vista was also entering the middle lane. WHOA! We were practically kissing bumpers with our cars! If i had not been paying attention(i.e. texting, applying mascara, breastfeeding my twins), we would have collided head on. Thank you anonymous driver for being a good driver. My reason for writing is to bring this potentially hazardous intersection to light. I believe if the right set of eyes read this, there is a good chance the situation could be rectified before someone wrecks or dies.

Laurie Garcia

Open Letter to Mayor Andrews and Ventura Council Members:

We can’t believe the Staff Report recommending Alternative 2 to the Ventura City Council on Monday, February 26, to delay a decision to join Clean Power Alliance.

Staff is basically advising Council to force everyone to continue with the higher Edison bills instead of having a choice for lower bills from the Clean Power Alliance even though that decision forces all to pay extra for the dirtiest energy in the marketplace! It’s incredible.

We recommend that Ventura join the Clean Power Alliance and develop a just and equitable plan that sets the default at 100% renewable energy (currently that rate is 7% higher than Edison’s base tier). We want all rate-payers to know the value of buying 100% renewable energy and know too that they have the option to opt to a cheaper rate. This is particularly important for low-income residents who can also access programs to further reduce their bills.

Venturans want cleaner energy and many, including large commercial ratepayers, would support a small increase for clean energy. Having the default at a high level will result in extra franchise fees for the city to invest. We need funds for climate disaster preparedness, such as flood prevention and battery storage at community facilities to meet neighborhood needs during a blackout. Above all, we want Ventura to be guided by the principles of a Climate Action Plan that highlights a goal for 100% renewable energy.

– Ventura County Climate Hub/ Ventura 350

On Feb.28 the Ventura City Council voted 4-2 to join the Clean Power Alliance of Southern California. City Council Member Christy Weir was enthusiastic about the idea and said “Renewables are the future. This is our chance. Why would we pass it up?”

Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.
~ Albert Camus

Editor:

The fellows at Under the Bed (UTB) want to give a shout-out to Lynn Mikelatos of The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood at the Ventura Harbor, thanking her for her role in collaborating with City Core to donate a piano to UTB, Ventura’s new DL production space for contributing artists to create, share and expand their personal vision through collective action. UTB is affiliated with Art City as an extension of the city’s cultural past, present, and future. Lynn’s kind thoughts and generosity actions are most appreciated.

Sophia Kidd-Ventura

Breeze

The streets, alleys and road markings in the city of Ventura leave something to be desired. It shouldn’t be a, take your life in your own hands kind of experience, each time you get behind the wheel.

Where did all the money go after two recent tax increases on gasoline?

I feel like I’m driving in a third world country, bouncing over ruts that could swallow an old VW. That’s why I drive a truck.

East Main Street between Ventura Avenue and Olive has so many ruts. It causes extreme shaking, rattling your brain and teeth, too.

Some oil companies made billions extracting oil in California only to file bankruptcy, leaving us, the tax-payers, to pick up the tab to clean their messes left behind. The man-made island and the oil wharf up on Highway 1 is one example. So now there’s little money left to take care of our much needed infrastructure repairs.

We can complain about higher gasoline prices in California, while Arizona has cheap gas, about a buck a gallon less. Want to move?

We have to rise up and demand that this sorry situation be remedied.

Begin to restripe the streets. That would be a start.

Bicycles?—don’t get me started. Please obey all traffic laws by riding on the right in single file and at night wear light clothing. Also, add a red blinking light at the rear and a white light up front— a bell helps warn unsuspecting walkers along the roar. The life you save will be your own.

James Francis Gray -Ventura

Hi Sheldon,

I just wanted to reach out and say thanks to you and your staff for running my event listings in the Breeze. I really appreciate that you get the details right and know how to make an events calendar look and sound appealing. As both a senior and an environmentalist I also appreciate the space you give to our concerns and I’m glad you gave David Goldstein’s important column a home.

Best,
Lanny Kaufer HerbWalks.com
www.facebook.com/HerbWalks

The bad news is that in our last issue we spelled her name wrong. It is Maria Castor, not Marcia Castor.

The good news is that her photo has now been in the Breeze two times.

A mistake repeated more than once is a decision.
~ Paulo Coelho

Breeze:

I’m not inspired, not because I think everything’s swell, just because I’ve given up all hope. Actually, I did manage a brief flirtation with optimism a couple of days ago, watching the Space X Falcon Heavy launch. And the Tesla Roadster heading toward Mars is a very groovy touch.

Alfred Lewis

Editor:

I attended the Thomas Fire Benefit concert held at Plaza Park. It was an amazing day, thoroughly enjoyable great music, food and people coming together and showing their love for each other. One thing that bothered me a little was the very long tribute to Kevin Costner’s movies by showing clips from many of his movies. Seemed this was more of a tribute to him then fundraising. I certainly do appreciate his attendance and realize that by him being there many more people attended and helped raise money for this wonderful cause.

Shirley Truddy Ventura

Shirley:

We have heard this comment from others and do understand your feelings. Also some of the scenes and words from the clips were inappropriate for the very young folks that attended the concert with their parents. We understand that he shows movie clips whenever he is in concert but maybe less appropriate when he is appearing at a fund raiser. The concert brought in over $1 million so all is forgiven.

Just my opinion –

It drives me crazy when I can’t find or can’t read a street sign. I know, I could just use GPS, but I really like to see a street sign, especially in residential neighborhoods. You know, for visual memory in case I want to find the street again sometime. Many areas have few street signs, or no light near the signs or low branches covering the signs. I would love to see street signs that light up when it gets dark. How about it, city planners?

Shirley Lorraine

In our last issue we had an article on Notes For Notes titled “Phil Gilley imagined a room full of musical instruments” that was not credited to the writer. The writer is Paul Peterson.

Look closely. The beautiful may be small.
~ Immanuel Kant

In our last issue we had an article about lovely debutantes. Headline said thirteen but there were only seven. Here are their names to salute all of them.

• Miss Sophie Buffo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Buffo. She attends Newbury Park High School.
• Miss Anna Casillas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Casillas. She attends Oak Park High School.
• Miss Hannah George, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James George. She attends Oaks Christian High School.
• Miss Madeline Kelly, daughter of Ms. Suzanne Kelly. She attends La Reina High School.
• Miss Jacqueline King, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph King. She attends Buena High School.
• Miss Sadie McCormick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McCormick. She attends St. Bonaventure High School.
• Miss Lauren Powell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Powell. She attends Ventura High School.

Hi Sheldon:
I want to personally thank your help at the City of Ventura Planning Office. I have been there on own several times over the years trying to make sense of some work previously done on my house. Thank you for helping me get some straightforward answers, and a little bit of clarity on how to move forward. Thank you also for the Ventura Breeze. It’s wonderful having our own hometown newspaper to keep us informed on local events that concern us all.

Once again, many thanks!
Morrie Wills Westside Resident

City of Ventura
Citation Processing Center
P. O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479

RE: Citation No. V060012582

WOW! What a way to spoil a lovely Saturday evening in downtown Ventura by getting a parking ticket at the free parking structure. Yes, 4 Hour Parking is conspicuously posted everywhere, so “my bad”.

But, my friend and I went to the movie and then to dinner. Arrived at 2:50 for a 3:10 movie, exited the movie at 5:30, sat down to dinner at 6:00 (had to wait for a table), then exited the restaurant at 8:10. So, after spending well over $100 in downtown Ventura, we each got a $40 parking ticket.

We had a choice to see the same movie at Riverpark Cinema where there are many restaurants, but we chose downtown. Perhaps next time we will go to Riverpark.

I have paid the parking citation.

Sadly,
Sally Bodine-Ventura

Sally: What a shame perhaps 4-hour free parking is not enough and should possibly be 6-hours.

I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.
~ John Cage

Opinion:

I loved the last Breeze. I kept one for myself and sent one to my mom in Thailand so she could read about the Thomas Fire and all the related community stories! Great job!

Siree Franks, Director

Ventura Music Together

In a previous Mailbox we had a letter that stated in part “In 1999 Councilman Monahan asked Msgr. Patrick O’Brien, pastor of the Old Mission, to be the Grand Marshal for the 1999 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.” Jim has assured us that he did not ask Msgr. O’Brien this.

Breeze:

I want to thank you again so very much for another year of “supporting the support group” – Thanks to the Ventura Breeze, The Venture Parkinson’s Disease Support Group has been able to help many folks in 2017 who would not have found us otherwise. I just got a call this week from a home-health care provider looking for a group for her client who has PD; that is how she found us, in one of your articles!

Yours very truly,

Patty Jenkins Volunteer Coordinator Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

Ooooopsy

Editor :

I was just reading your newspaper and on the front page you have a story about the Winter Warming Shelter and the department providing TB clearance is from Public Health a Division of The Ventura County Health Care Agency and the article says “Environmental Health Dept.”

Johnny Gomez

Sheldon:

Just a quick “thank you” to you and your staff for producing an issue that shows once again why the Breeze is our local “national treasure”.

Heartwarming (and heart-tugging) stories of the fire, plus the always excellent community resources and articles put the Breeze in a class by itself and made this a very special issue.

Thank you,

Kurt Triffet, Triffet Design Group

How I hate those who are dedicated to producing conformity.
~ William S. Burroughs