Hi Sheldon,

Thank you for the Thomas Fire coverage about the Ventura Botanical Gardens. There was so much loss in our City. The stories you shared about VBG generated an outpouring of support. Right now, the Gardens are closed; we’re assessing the damage and developing our next steps plan. The trails and plantings look recoverable but hydroseeding before the rains come, is our top priority. Erosion is a major concern. And, as our community learns of this critical need, many have turned to our website or Facebook to donate funds for assisting with that process. This support is very encouraging. Together, we’ll make the Gardens grow.

Barbara Brown
Ventura Botanical Gardens, President
www.venturabotanicalgardens.com

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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. Msgr. kept refusing because it just wasn’t his “thing”. However, he finally gave in to the request on the one condition that the “pig” not be used any more. Msgr. explained that the pig is a negative symbol to the Irish. Mr. Monahan agreed. However, it is evident he went back on his word!!

The day of Msgr. O’Brien ‘s funeral, going to the cemetery, it just happened that I was assigned to the same car with the then mayor of Ventura. (Sorry, I don’t remember his name.) Somehow, the topic of the pig came up. I spoke up and told the others in the car about the promise made to Msgr. O’Brien when he agreed to be the Grand Marshall. To my surprise, the mayor spoke up and said it was true. He was there when Mr. Monahan made this promise!!!

I’m celebrating the demise of that pig as I’m sure Msgr. O’Brien is doing from heaven!

Kath Wurts

Kath
Don’t celebrate for too long the pig shall return. (And, by the way these facts have not been verified.)

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Where was the water when we needed it most?

by Nick Bonge Co-founder Neighbors for the Ventura Hillside

Amid many reports of fire hydrants running dry as hillside homes burned and much speculation about what happened, I had a conversation with Kevin Brown, Ventura Water General Manager. Those of you who know me know that I am not always completely supportive of City staff. However, to my surprise, I was very impressed with Mr. Brown’s technical background and his grasp of the problems with our Water Department. He was hired about 4 months ago and, based on this conversation, I believe we have the right person in the job.

Mr. Brown acknowledged that large parts of the City’s pumping system, that replenishes hillside tanks, went down due to the power outage, seriously impeding our firefighters’ ability to save homes. He said that the City has 23 pumping stations, only a few of which have back-up generators.

When I asked if he believed that we should install back-up generators at all stations, he stated that even after the City got portable generators to the pumps, they could not replenish the tanks adequately, in part because the fire took out numerous home irrigation systems causing a major hemorrhage of water.

Teams of technicians were deployed to manually shut off more than 100 valves before any real progress could be made in refilling our tanks. That took 2 days. In short, he stated that we have an old water system that has grown in a piecemeal fashion with City development. The system has become non-centralized with overly complicated interconnections. Fixing it will require a monumental effort which must be based on a well thought out plan which could be modeled on one of many possible approaches. For that, Mr. Brown had several fascinating ideas and was open to additional ideas and input from the public.

I came away with the opinion that this was not really a matter of someone being asleep at the switch but, that the City has never seriously considered this kind of disaster scenario and was totally unprepared at all levels. Avoiding this kind of situation in the future will take real leadership and a tremendous amount of commitment, ingenuity, time and cash.

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Sheldon,

Let me try to enlighten you on how designated districts would help the under represented in this city.

First you have to admit there are under represented areas. At least looking at the possibility , would be a start. Thats usually referred to as having an open mind.

For years I’ve noticed the Ventura Avenue area as a run down area, with a largely hispanic community living there. Most people that reside in Ventura would agree that for years, this was the poor part of town, and looked it. It was an overlooked area with not a lot of voice.

Though promised a pool years ago, the west side still does not have one. The east end does. Starting to get the picture ? Getting a new very limited west side park doesn’t make up for some of these forgotten real issues.

Concerns of affordable housing that fits the need, and more useful and contemporary facilities , are just a couple of west side area concerns.

Having a resident from that district might help matters with that areas personal needs. ( living midtown with an oceanview should not qualify as an Avenue area representative). Each area is very unique and should be treated as such.

The fact that you personally have not noticed any bias does not mean it doesn’t exist.

How can a person living in an area that doesn’t concern them, not be bias ? Missing or not giving importance to local district issues is not a rarity.

Being disconnected is a very prominent condition under our current leadership.

It’s time to take those rose colored glasses off.

Mike Art

Mike: Researching the pool item but most of Ventura doesn’t have a pool. Jim Monahan has always been concerned about the “Avenue” so we can only wait and see how districting works. See the approved district map in this issue. Voting for District1 ( the Avenue) will be this year. And, by the way if my mind was more open a bird could fly threw it (I’m such a good straight man).

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Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
~ Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–68)

Dear Mayor Andrews, Deputy Mayor LaVere, Chief Corney and Council Members:

My home is on Brodiea Ave., my neighbor’s also on Brodiea Ave., and a home on Lupin around the corner from us were looted during the mandatory fire evacuation. We also had no electrical power at the time we were ordered to evacuate so we could not set our burglar alarm. I am told there are other looted homes as well but I have not personally spoken to other homeowners.

I read where you were going to be working on future disaster planning so I thought I would share our experience for future consideration.

At our home the thieves broke over the back fence and smashed in the door to our garden house. They were unsuccessful kicking in the side garage door so they threw a large concrete block through our back sliding glass door. It was double paned glass and this caused an explosion of shattered glass throughout the kitchen and dining area as well as glass tracked throughout the house. They took our TV and all our family jewelry and keepsakes. When they left, they left the front door open which caused ash from the fire to blow into our house throughout the night. In the morning the open door is what caused someone to alert Ventura Police. Officer Anthony Reginato called us home and took our report as well as those of our neighbors.

It is too late for us, and I realize so many others have lost so much more. However, fire sometimes cannot be stopped, but looting can be prevented

When you call for a future mandatory evacuation you should have in place a cadre of police personnel, cadets, and police volunteers to block off and restrict all access points to evacuated areas. They should be checking identifications of anyone entering or exiting the area.

Public safety is the number one priority in any community and I realize this fire disaster was greater than any emergency we have ever faced. Moreover, I have the utmost praise for all of our police and fire personnel. I will be forever grateful for their help. Heroes all.

However, I respectfully ask that each of you and Chief Corney develop a plan to protect neighborhoods from looters during future disaster evacuations. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Marianne Coffey

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Dear Breeze:

At our North Ventura Avenue business, the loss of electricity and internet was worse than evacuating from the fire. Our insects and biological pest control products are shipped by UPS who came every day during the ordeal. We wrote waybills by hand. With a gas-fired generator, air filters, respirators, battery lights and headlamps we kept perishable inventory refrigerated and coworkers safe to do what was needed in production and shipping. However, customers and vendors could not reach us for four business days–a sales setback at year-end.

Our decision this year to switch to a phone system that depends on internet now seems like bad one. We pay for support from the phone service provider, but they are based in Ventura, also without power and connectivity.

We need more resilient systems from energy, broadband and VOIP phone providers so negative economic impacts are less widespread and prolonged. One positive step: Ventura County Supervisors and Ventura City Council are discussing joining Los Angeles Community Choice Energy (LACCE). Besides cheaper, cleaner electricity, profits will eventually be invested in the participating jurisdictions rather than going to shareholders and the inefficiencies of scale of a monopoly investor owned utility. We will have input about the type and siting of projects in a transparent, democratic planning process. For example, locally distributed solar generation including battery storage and eventually wind-wave support can be designed to be more reliable as well as more economical than the current grid. Local interconnected distributed generation facilities may sustain damage, but would not be affected from power lines going down many miles away. They will be designed with work-arounds when a microgrid is damaged.

If the Governor is right about this being the new normal, we appreciate leaders with the foresight to take more control over our energy to assure resilience.

Jan Dietrick, President Rincon-Vitova Insectaries

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Hi. The spread of the fire is not yet over… It can blow up again. It takes just small blowing hot glowing cinder to glow up and burn down more vegetation. Why does Ventura not construct “water masts”, 150ft. high that have a sprinkling system, much the same as sprinkling systems used in agriculture. Such masts can jetison water around in a very wide perimeter as natural rain does. The “fire prevention masts” can use salt water from the ocean, mixed with fresh water. Salt does not harm the earth or vegetation. I wonder if the manner by which the fire department combats fire by hosing water directly into it at ground level, is not as effective as it would be if the firemen aimed their hoses upwards and let the water come down as rain down does, instead. The construction of a “water mast sprinkling” system might be something to consider… to protect homes.

Ventura has a lot of future potential. One thing for sure Ventura needs is a “desalination and filtration” plant. Creating a desalination system does not require huge expenditure, if small desalination plant entities are constructed, as on Santa Catalina Island where such a plant was constructed for only $3 million. One such plant serves hundreds if not thousands of homes and businesses, desalinating thousands of gallons salt water every day. Why not invest and buy a used desalinating system from a decommissioned cruise or large military ship. Those systems are able to produce thousands of gallons of fresh water.

Frank Reyna (Sweden)

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I see with ever great clarity that our spiritual well-being depends not on religion, but on our innate human nature.
~ Tenzin Gyatso Dalai Lama

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Ventura Breeze

Visiting our daughter in Ventura I picked up a copy of the Breeze. What caught my attention was the above the fold front page coverage of the pending City council vote on changing from “at large” to “district” voting of your council member. I commend the paper for notifying your readers of the upcoming public hearings. I respectfully disagree with the Editorial statement on page 4 that the state has mandated this pending change. What is driving this effort to create more diversity is an attorney from Malibu who is threatening cities throughout the state. It is not a mandate of the CA Voting Rights Act.

In Mission Viejo, where we live, we had 2 of the 5 council members serving together from 2000 through 2008. They were members of the “protected class,” which only represents 17% of our 95,000 residents. Between them John Paul Ledesma and Gail Reavis campaigned five times and won every time. In fact they were each selected by their non-Latino council peers to serve as mayor and mayor pro tem while they were in office. We do not have a Bario in our city nor do we engage in any form of racism.

Larry Gilbert Mission Viejo

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Editor, Ventura Breeze

I’ve been an admirer of yours for having started Ventura’s own Newspaper.

But what you printed in your last editorial about dropping the National Anthem at football games lost me.

The National Anthem is played and our Pledge of Allegiance is recited to remind us Americans how fortunate it is that we live in this great Country of ours. To capitulate to those who wish to promote their personal issues by minimizing our pride in our country is an action that one should not support. We should all be appreciative of being citizens of this great Country and be able to express it by all means possible.

Yours truly,

CDR Ronald Wong USN (ret)

CDR Wong: Thank you very much for this response and for serving our great country. I completely agree with you about why the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance is important to us. I’m just not sure why sporting events are the venue to recite them. I certainly do respect those that don’t agree with this.

Sheldon

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Editor:

In regards to the City Council limiting marijuana….

What I don’t get is why, after the voters of the county passed this by 64%, are we not having a discussion about what to do with the millions of dollars in tax revenue the city is throwing away?

Why didn’t Eric N. or Matt L. come to the December 2016 city council meeting with a spending plan?

The city claims to have no money.

The state, and voters, is/are allowing cities and counties to print money by allowing retail business.

Watch what happens in Port Hueneme…..

Tim Hansen

Ventura

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In a recent issue we had the following opinion. We decided to follow up with this and found that Sarah was completely correct. Ticket them or remove them.

Breeze:

Something that really bugs me is pedestrians completely ignoring the red “don’t cross” signals that are downtown. Pedestrians ignoring them is the same as cars going through red lights. I assume that they are for safety but are actually very dangerous for pedestrians and drivers. Drivers making right turns assuming there is no one in the crosswalk(see photo that I took) very dangerous and lots of yelling (and other things)at each other.

The city should either “remove” them or start writing tickets for breaking the law. Would bring in lots of money and keep people from doing this.

Thanks Sarah Blum Ventura

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The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.
~ Albert Einstein

Ventura Breeze:

This will be our last regular concert in the Poinsettia Pavilion (on Dec.3). We will take the band “on the road” for 2018; and I will not be requesting monthly announcements for that period. All of us at the Old-Time Country Music Association want to thank you for your advertising support during this past year.

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Brown

I do enjoy and appreciate your local news–However, in the last issue, I take exception to your last two personal observations, to wit:

First, as to the 2nd. amendment, back in 1791, if one were guilty of a capital offense, they were executed, and it did not take over 20 years which is the norm today, if at all…..In this day, one needs more than a one shot weapon to defend oneself, but I will certainly agree that no one needs an assault weapon…

Secondly, as to Pros protesting—–they can protest until doomsday, but, they do not have any right to do so on the job. No employer has to condone this behavior in their business…You would not allow any of your employees to answer your phone or mail, etc. with any kind of protest…you would fire them immediately.

Let’s face it…the Pros are either phony or cheapskates—-it does not cost a dime to kneel or raise a fist, so why don’t these overly paid athletes use some of their money, time, or influence to help set up programs in the crime ridden neighborhoods, or appear on the many talk shows to voice their issues? The real reason is that they just do not care enough….

And, they certainly do not fool me with their useless actions….

Richard Pillow, Ventura

Richard: Thank you very much for your comments. Read my column regarding those who disagree with me. And, by the way many-many professional athletes do contribute their time and money helping their neighborhoods and society. Sheldon

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Ventura Breeze:

Working with Sheldon and Breezy at this fine, local newspaper has been a great pleasure! Basically, they’ll bend over backwards to make your idea happen and smile the entire time!!! In all seriousness, this newspaper is an important part of the West Ventura County community fabric. The Ventura Breeze fills a void left by the daily papers and provides an authentic view into the people and businesses who call this part of the world home. Thank you so much for all you do and for being the quintessential hometown newspaper!

Mark Andrizzi Community Outreach Director Treacy Villa

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Life is trying things to see if they work.
~ Ray Bradbury

 

Breeze:

I recently took the train to San Diego (nice trip by the way) but was shocked to see the amount of graffiti that the train passed as we went through Ventura. What an awful introduction to Ventura. Can’t something be done to get rid of it?

Sharon Gold

Sharon: This is a tough one because this is on private property and on Union Pacific easement the City graffiti removal department can’t do anything about it. The property owners can be sited and made to remove it but that just never happens and requires permission, etc. from Union Pacific. When you see graffiti on public property call the City of Ventura’s Graffiti Removal Hotline number at 654-7805, they are very good at taking care of it quickly.

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Breeze:

I have many, but here’s a good one – I don’t think the stores should put out Christmas stuff in October, why can’t we just enjoy one holiday at a time?!?!?

Alfred Lewis

Opinions:

Some stores had Christmas up in September. How about a year-round Christmas store so the other stores could focus on the present holiday? It’s hard enough to find Thanksgiving things among the costumes and lit trees.

Fall decor went on clearance after what seemed like just a few weeks. I protest!

Shirley Lorraine

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Ooops, this photo was in our last issue and credit was given to the wrong photographer it was taken by Bernie Goldstein, sorry Bernie.

 

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Editor:

My opinion is that opinions are very opinionated.

Kenneth May

Kenneth: How esoteric. You are a great thinker.

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Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied.
~ Dale Carnegie

Editor:

In this very confusing and hectic morning. The news coming from Las Vegas about major loss of life is heart breaking; as a result, the Ventura County Green Party Council would like to extend our love to victims and their family. We would like to remind everyone that mental illness is not an excuse for violence but if you know someone showing signs of instability, violent or not please seek help. National number 1-800-273-TALK

Local calls 211 to seek resources. And always 911 in a time of emergencies.

Love and Peace from Ventura GP to all.

Anthony Krzywicki

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Sheldon:

Thank you Sheldon for a wonderful contribution to our community “THE VENTURA BREEZE “
10 years Wow outstanding !!

Sincerely,

Yolanda Bundy
Chief Building Official City of Ventura

Breeze:

Something that really bugs me is pedestrians completely ignoring the red “don’t cross” signals that are downtown. Pedestrians ignoring them is the same as cars going through red lights. I assume that they are for safety but are actually very dangerous for pedestrians and drivers. Drivers making right turns assuming there is no one in the crosswalk (see photo that I took) very dangerous and lots of yelling (and other things)at each other.

The city should either “remove” them or start writing tickets for breaking the law. Would bring in lots of money and keep people from doing this.

Thanks Sarah Blum Ventura

 

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Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
~ Leo Tolstoy

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Sheldon

You thought the three-strike law (sic) prevents this scenario? Really? An editor who can’t distinguish between arrests and convictions?

Fred Pierce

Fred: Worse even I’m the publisher-editor. Thanks for the clarification. That is what you were doing correct?

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Dear Editor:

I have something I must say… Why don’t people call or talk to each other anymore? There are many folks these days that appear to be so attached to their devices that social skills have fallen by the wayside! Between social media and texting there is an apparent disconnect of humankind. I have called friends only to get a text message back and others have told me they only text and won’t answer their phone or return voice mails. It seems so impersonal and robotic. I asked one friend (in a text) – “why don’t people talk to each other anymore?” (hint hint) and she responded with yet another text so long she could probably have published it as a short novel. Texting contains no inflection of the words sent, therefore interpretation is up to the recipient. I have observed entire families dining out and instead of talking with one another, they are each on their individual devices, except for the young ones who appear so lonely and lost, the eyes pleading for human interaction. It’s so sad!

Jennifer Tipton Ventura

Jennifer: Couldn’t agree more. Recently I was having lunch and a couple was sitting next to me with 2 teen age kids and all 4 staring at their phones the entire time while eating. How sad for the lack of communicating.

Sheldon

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The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
~ Bertrand Russell

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Congratulations to the Ventura Breeze

I want to thank all of these folks for the kind words celebrating our ten years. Congratulations certainly need to include all of the wonderful Breeze staff over the years who made this all possible.

Sheldon

If there is anything worth noting in town Sheldon is there with his signature blue cap and camera. The Breeze is the go to paper for what’s happening in town- thank you Sheldon!!! Happy Birthday!

Michael and Angela- Very Ventura

Very Ventura

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Sheldon is . . .

Approachable, but prefers not to approach.

One who speaks his mind.

A lover of writing, responding and conversing.

The last one to leave a conversation.

Dedicated and softly determined.

Proof of the impact one person can have on a community.

Thank you Sheldon!

Debbie Fox Fox -Fine Jewelry

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Hearty and heartfelt congratulations on 10 years of publishing the Ventura Breeze! The Breeze has truly become a treasure to the city of Ventura. It wouldn’t be possible without your wonderful dedication, guidance, and caring for the audience you serve so well. To you and all your staff, congratulations and keep up the great work!

Your friends at Cypress Place Senior Living

Mike Macke -Senior Director of Sales & Marketing

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Wow. Ten years already? Congrats Sheldon! You and the Breeze newspaper are part of what makes Ventura a great community.

Best regards,

Lysa Urban

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Have always loved reading the Breeze. The local coverage is so important to our community. Let’s us all keep up on what is going on in Ventura!

Cheryl Heitmann -Ventura City Council

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I am so grateful to have The Breeze in our community. I look forward to reading it cover to cover every couple weeks. Thank you Sheldon and Breezy for bringing us the best newspaper in Ventura!

Ashley Pope -SpiceTopia

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Congratulations Sheldon and thank you Ventura Breeze for 10 years of reporting on important local issues and fostering a stronger community through information that is accessible to all citizens.

Mark Watkins -Ventura City Manager

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I can’t believe it’s been 10 years! The Ventura Breeze is the perfect Hometown Newspaper! Grateful for you Sheldon and the Breeze team.

Adela Trainor- Berkshire Hathaway

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Golden Future Expos sends a huge congratulations to the Ventura Breeze Newspaper on their 10 years of success! You are a tremendous asset and source of information to the community … here’s to 10 more!”

Toyia Moore- Event Director

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When my husband and I moved to Ventura years ago, the Ventura Breeze was my go-to paper to discover the ins and outs of this sweet town. We’ve come to love this beachside gem and the wonderful people who live here! Thank you Sheldon for making us feel so quickly part of this awesome community.

Teryn Bonime -Keller Williams Realty

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I want to say Congratulations to the Breeze on 10 years. Your information and entertainment is essential to Ventura. We love the Breeze!

Christine Cardoso-Moore- RE Broker KW West Ventura County

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I love the Breeze not only as a reader to catch up on lighthearted local news, but also as an advertiser, it represents what Ventura is… a friendly, small town with a heart.

Melody O’Leary-Namikas -Berkshire Hathaway

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Thank you for the shout outs that help our nonprofit spay and neuter hundreds of animals. Your pet page is a big hit! I was reading it long before we started placing ads with Breezy. You keep us informed on what is happening in Ventura. Big Thanks!

Valerie Bereman – SPAN Thrift Store

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The Breeze is the most honored Newspaper. Not because it reports, but it reports for others!

The Breeze is a Great Local Newspaper. It networks for all local shoppers!

Susie Lamey -Heritage Honey

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I can’t believe it has been 10 years that you have been published! I am so incredibly proud of you. What an accomplishment!! Who would have thought that with the help of your “wonderful daughter”, your idea would manifest into an essential platform for this community!

I thank the staff that has continuously supported you and many thanks to the community who “loves” and supports the Ventura Breeze! It just goes to show, that if anyone has an idea-go for it!

Staci Brown- Publisher Emeritus and “wonderful daughter”

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! We all love the Breeze newspaper!!!!

Cherryl Connally -Island Packers

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I can’t believe it has already been 10 years since the Breeze has published its 1st paper. From the moment I met you, I was impressed with your vision, tenacity and passion for the City of Ventura. The Breeze has proven to be Ventura’s hometown paper. From the beginning, you were determine to get Ventura news in our homes and that is exactly what has happened. Because of you, we can celebrate the happenings taking place in our city. You include the items that are important to us and for this I am very grateful. I could not image the city of Ventura without The Breeze. Thank you for your incredible contribution to our community.

Blessings,

Pastor Jim Duran

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Happy 10th Birthday Ventura Breeze!! 10 years is pretty miraculous for any paper – especially one that is free! I am extremely grateful to be a part of this unique, local paper. This is a community effort and I’d like to express my gratitude to all our supporters, advertisers, readers, everybody involved in the making of each issue, as there are so many, and of course Scamp (RIP), Sheldon and Diane. You’re making history!

Breezy Gledhill -Senior Account Executive

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We smaller clubs and organizations thank you for always posting local activities, speakers, and continuing growth programs available to our community. Our American Contract Bridge League Unit offers games and classes for every level of bridge enthusiast. Sheldon, maybe we can get you to the tables soon !! Thank you as always.

Susan Lang

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Sheldon’s sense of humor always puts me in a better mood-never know

what he is going to do or say like a box of chocolate, never know what you’re going to get 🙂

Connie De La Rosa- Contributing Writer

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Congratulations Sheldon on achieving this significant milestone! In the past ten years, you have done a wonderful job growing your organization and covering the news in our community. It is always such a pleasure reading the Breeze and getting up-to-date on the who-what-when-where and why of Ventura. I also want to thank you for your community support of the non-profits here. Your generous coverage makes a big difference. Here’s to the next ten years!

Warmest regards,

Barbara Brown -BBM&D Strategic Branding,

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Wow ten years of pure excellence! Happy Anniversary Sheldon. Thanks for your commitment to provide excellence in your articles about our community. I am humbled by your dedication to the nonprofit community as you continue to report the importance of each.

Congratulations my friend and here’s is too another ten!

Be kind to one another

Jann Huling

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Happy 10th Anniversary Ventura Breeze! Thank you for your coverage of local events and happenings. A special thank you for always including some news about the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival. Congratulations to Sheldon and staff for all of your efforts. I am looking forward to the next 10 years!

Barbara Hinton -Founder and Director Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival

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My wife, Trisha and I were having lunch with friends at Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company on Thompson in Ventura way back then. We were reading the first issue of the Ventura Breeze newspaper. Congratulations on giving us a great local newspaper. Wow, ten years, where did the time go? Hats off for you and Staci. Your wife has to be a Saint, too.

Sincerely,

James Francis Gray -Contributing Writer

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The comment I hear the most about The Ventura Breeze is that it’s truly Our Hometown Newspaper. I always answer back, “The very Soul of Ventura”.

Karen Helen- Distribution

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When I first heard about the Breeze, I said, That dude is crazy!

And I was right, but that’s not a bad thing.

The Breeze is a joy to read, and a real hometown paper.

Sheldon is even crazy enough to let me write for him occasionally, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Jill Forman -Contributing Writer

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Congratulations to you and the entire Ventura Breeze team — 10 years is an incredible run! Thanks for your service to this community in covering local news, big and small, and for making sure important issues were covered in a fair and impartial manner. I always look forward to picking up my copy of the Breeze and seeing what’s on the Publisher’s mind!

Matt LaVere -Ventura City Council

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The Breeze is truly a hometown newspaper. Sheldon and his team have a pulse on what is important to Venturans and they produce a publication that speaks to us as locals; even if for some, we haven’t been here for generations.

Jeffrey Lambert, AICP -Ventura Community Development Director

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Sheldon Brown is handsome, wonderful and brilliant. I love drawing for the Breeze for 10 years.

Bill Green- editorial cartoonist (remember I’m being funny about handsome, wonderful and brilliant)

Sheldon is amazing and wonderful and a joy to work with, he is much too old to be doing this.

Richard Lieberman- rather old himself Contributing Writer

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10 years is a wow! Sheldon is amazing and a joy to work for…! But in my own words: So proud to be a part of the Ventura Breeze! As a registered nurse for many years, being given the opportunity to explore new horizons and to pursue a passion for writing combined with my passion for people and my hometown? Priceless! Happy 10th anniversary Sheldon! It’s been such a privilege-best boss ever!

Jennifer Tipton –contributing writer

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Bob Barker had just retired and the O.C. and the Sopranos had just ended. Unfortunately for all, Keeping up with the Kardashians had just premiered and Donald Trump and Vince McMahon were going head-to-head on WWE’s WrestleMania 23 “The Battle of the Billionaires”. Media was a shambles, thus 2007 was known as the “great void”. Sheldon knew he had to do something to fill it…thus the Ventura Breeze was born. Instantly his enterprise was named Small Business of the Year. And the great void was filled. Amen.

Murray Robertson

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Sheldon Brown is the quintessential Man About Town, keeping local Venturans informed on what is happening politically, socially, and culturally. He is at every event in town, keeping tabs on the pulse of VTA, and happy to engage with anyone who approaches him. Thank you for your excellent journalism and for offering us a free paper! One more quick note of appreciation: your unabashed opinion section that is infused with hearty doses of Sheldon humor! Keep it coming!

Beth Morris -(who wishes she could beat Sheldon on the tennis court)

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I’ve been reading the Breeze since it was an infant, a toddler and now a precocious pre-teen, which means ‘talented’, ‘articulate’, and “having mature qualities at an unusually early age.”

All this and more from a talented, articulate and mature senior named Sheldon. Can hardly wait what the Breeze will be like as a smartphoned, pierced and tattooed teenager.

John Hankins- journalist

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In this age of digital media and shrinking community news, it’s been a pleasure having the Breeze in Ventura the past decade. Happy anniversary, and please keep the ink flowing.

Erik Nasarenko -Ventura Mayor

Breeze:

Paul Petersonhas offered wonderful suggestions for perhaps a new perspective for the Ventura County Museum. To include art within its confines or to house it in the historic First National Bank building is a well-thought out idea that could propel the Museum towards its lofty goals.

The story of Ventura, both past and present, can be vividly and dynamically told to the people who live here as well as to those who visit through art. There are plenty of reasons to love Ventura. Including art in the Museum as envisioned by Mr. Peterson will go a long way towards enhancing and articulating this affection.

Charlotte O’Brien

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Dear friends of Ventura:

The Building Industry Association (BIA) continues to wage war against the residents of the City of Ventura. A little over one year ago, in the mist of severe water shortages, Ventura passed its Water Net Zero ordinance which required developers to pay their fair share for the costs of new potable water supplies – supplies which are required because of new housing developments.

Because new developments generate a need for costly additional water supplies, Ventura passed the Net Zero ordinance, an ordinance giving developers the option of either: 1) creating no net new water demand (net zero) or; 2) paying an in-lieu fee.

Since the Building industry is accustomed to free-riding on the backs of taxpayers, it objected to the new ordinance and filed a lawsuit against Ventura. The lawsuit, filed in Ventura County Superior Court in August 2016 seeks to overturn Ventura’s Net Zero ordinance.

This past year, Ventura residents have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees to respond to the BIA lawsuit. Ventura’s attorneys have demurred to the lawsuit, a legal argument which suggests that BIA does not have a legal case. On August 18, 2017 Judge Glen Reiser ordered the BIA to submit a new “red lined” version of their brief to be filed before September 1, 2017. However, the lawsuit is likely to continue for years.

Current residents gain nothing from new developments. However, residents are asked to pay for the escalating costs of public services, escalating costs triggered by overpopulation, overdevelopment and overshoot.

Let’s halt all new developments in Ventura until the BIA ceases its attacks on Ventura residents.

Charles Spraggins
www.Saveourwaterventura.org

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Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.
~ William S. Burroughs

Breeze:

“Age and Citizenship requirements – US Constitution, Article II, Section 1. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident …”

So how did we end up with a 16-year old president?
Nate Spencer-Ventura

Nate:
The 16-year olds that read the Breeze are going to be very offended.

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Breeze:

The Ventura County Museum recently received new funding and a six-month window to produce results Venturans can see and enjoy. It’s a lot to ask in a short period. Perhaps it requires a new perspective, outside the box.

The current building could be re-imagined as the Ventura County Art Museum. It’s perfect for that purpose both by design and layout. More importantly the art community says the county needs an art museum. Most current displays are already art more than objects. Then use the new wing as a place for all current VC artists to show their best work.. and there could be artists present doing their work for people to see and buy. Then it becomes the center for art in the county and creates a steady traffic flow to the building for two purposes. Art history and current art side by side in the complex but separate.

Then walk down Main Street to the iconic intersection of Main Street and California and see a truly historic building on the southwest corner…once the First National Bank (home to six banks over the years and currently has no occupants) and looks like it would be perfect as the Ventura County History Museum.

It is historic all by itself, built in 1926 and designated a historic landmark in 1978! Step inside and you could walk through dramatic displays of Ventura history from Chumash to Serra to surfing, unfolding before you. Then you walk upstairs and see the room where an iconic literary and television character was created known around the world, Perry Mason, by author Erle Stanley Gardener. Be in the room where it happened.

And next to that a display about favorite son Kevin Costner, also of interest to locals and tourists and then a Johnny Cash exhibit. There is no place in town to pay homage to Johnny cash or our other sons and daughters of note, adopted and otherwise. The VC History Museum could become that place as well. With this kind of marketable appeal these places can become active attractions and cash positives rather than drains on the city’s coffers. All Venturans could benefit, enjoy art and celebrate our history, and for tourists, it’s just a short walk from the beach.

Paul Peterson

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Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe
that something inside them was superior to circumstances.
~ John Barton

Sheldon:

Thank you again dear Sheldon & all of your crew that works so hard on our fabulous hometown paper, the Ventura Breeze!

For the second time this year you helped a lot of folks find our PD Support Group meeting including a wonderful lady from Sacramento who was visiting Ventura. She told us that she had picked up a Ventura Breeze, was so impressed to find our detailed article in print and decided to see how our support group worked as she coordinates one in Sacramento. We also had the second largest number of attendees this year with just over 60 folks. So thank you again for the generous space and support you give the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group! 🙂 We love the Ventura Breeze!!

Yours truly, Patty Jenkins
Volunteer Coordinator
Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

Patty:
And we love you.

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Dear Sheldon,

I’m not sure I formally thanked you for our Kids’ Arts coverage in the Breeze. Soooo, thank you for the 4th of July & Surf Rodeo articles & pictures. We appreciate what you do to keep Ventura informed & in the know.

Lynne Thurston

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In our last issue we had the article “Disaffected seniors are fighting for their mobile homes” by Jared Brewer. Some of the article got cut off. Computer’s fault I’m sure. Here is the rest of the article.

It’s not pretty for a bunch of seniors to be going down the street pushing shopping carts. But I’ve seen them out there. And government affordable housing is closed for 10 years. We’ll all be dead by then.”

Many disgruntled residents have turned to political activism to voice their concerns. Hence, the foundation of the Ventura Manufactured-Home Residents Council (VMRC), which assembles delegates from nine of the dozen or so mobile homes in the city of Ventura to confront salient issues. The council coordinates with the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League (GSMOL), a statewide volunteer organization that promotes resident rights primarily through legislative advocacy. The VMRC convenes the third Wednesday of each month (barring August) at one of the nine mobile home parks. For more information, including the location of next month’s meeting, contact President Craig Hull at 223-5635.

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You must push yourself beyond you limits, all the time.
~ Carlos Castaneda