Letter to the Editor

The United Water Conservation District plays an important role in managing sustainable water supplies in Ventura County. Mohammed Hasan serves on the Board of Directors for District 3 representing the Ventura area and is on the ballot for re-election in November. He has been an effective voice on United’s board.

I have known Mohammed for more than 30 years and am well aware of his experience as a civil engineer and water system manager. He has designed water system improvements throughout the County and has been applying his considerable knowledge and experience to United. Besides engineering, his generous public service extends to social, environmental, and educational causes.

His engineering voice on the United board provides an important perspective for their planning and deliberations. Voters in Ventura have the opportunity to re-elect Mohammed Hasan to the United board in November, and should do so.

Phil White
105 Layton St
Ojai
805-804-7625

Dear Ventura,

All is not well in VUSD. Ventura Unified faces a swath of teachers and staff angry at an unfair and dishonorable contract offer.

Responding to students’ needs, teachers and school staff have thrown themselves into the social and emotional well-being of Ventura’s young. They have been mentor and counselor to students, an open ear and heart in the face of fire, pandemic, economic inflation, increasing anxiety, social instability and academic recovery. They have worked overtime, online, in person, facing the perils of infection, the fragility of vulnerable students, and the discontent of society at large. The district has failed to treat teachers and school staff with the level of care that teachers and staff have shown students.

Do not believe VUSD’s Facebook posts, intended to paint a picture that all is well. Had the district turned the camera on August 23rd, their post lauding VUSD’s “Celebrate” rally would have painted a different picture: teachers and school staff, dressed in red, carrying signs and banners, chanting and proclaiming their outrage and disappointment at the district’s failure to honor, appreciate, and respect their work.

Speaker and student, Gino Caceres, understood the situation better than the district, ending his story of resilience by thanking teachers and staff for “taking care of us.” His success was their success. The value and the worth of teachers and school staff continue to fall on deaf ears as the district refuses to expedite negotiations for an expired contract.

Teachers and staff of VUSD ask parents and the community to stand up for their kids by standing by their teachers and school staff. Teachers and staff cannot continue to care for the academic, emotional and social needs of students while facing financial insecurity and emotional distress in their own lives.

Sébastien P. DeClerck
Vice President, Ventura Unified Education Association
Teacher, Pacific High School, Ventura

Editor note: We asked the VUSD to respond to this but they didn’t.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
~ Martin Luther King

Mr. Brown,

I was cleaning out my emails and, oh my, I never saw this. My sincere condolences. Breezy was so sweet and helpful to me whenever we interacted. This makes me so sad. Thank you for sharing with me Mr. Brown.

Please take care.

Michelle Michel

Dear Sheldon:

Sending well wishes and peaceful thoughts to you and the Breeze family. Breezy was wonderful.

Lysa Urban

Sheldon:

Thanks for your sponsorship of the 2022 Music Under The Stars Concert Series. The ads helped us sell out the 8 concerts in record time. Thank you for everything.

Kathryn Dippong Lawson- Public Art, Cultural Education & Historic Site Supervisor

Sheldon

Right on about Liz Cheney. Smart, honest and responsible. Exactly what we need in American politics. As for Lindsey Graham and Matt Gaetz, we need them out of office and out of sight.

r.a.lombardi

Our Wooden Pier
The pier is steady below,
For it lifts the high tide.
A pounding of coastal waters,
Against the growl of the sea.

A riptide is stirring below,
While a wooden pier takes on water.
for it holds onto the seashore,
And stables our wooden ship.

All hands-on deck,
“it’s a tempest through.”

by Jeffrey Russell

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
~ Marie Curie

Dear Editor:

I was delighted to read the Breeze’s excellent front page coverage of the USL League two final which unfolded with great excitement following a thrilling come from behind victory by our local soccer heroes,  Ventura County Fusion. 

I was there and it was a thriller– and a wonderful boost for local soccer. Well done Fusion.

  As a longtime player, and sport reporter, who has covered several World Cups for CBS radio I however, would like to slightly nitpick over just one line in an otherwise perfect report.  The unnamed reporter writes: “Marley Edwards doubled the Fusion lead in the 83rd minute.” 

Those of us who seek perfection in soccer reportage, would realize that the Fusion wasn’t actually “leading” at that moment: They were tied 1-1.  So, when Marley scored the crucial winning goal–he didn’t actually “double their lead”—because, well: The Fusion only led when his rocket shop bulged in the back of the net!  The goal that gave them the trophy. 

   Otherwise Ventura Breeze, thanks for such great coverage.

  Ivor Davis, Soccer nitpicker in chief

Ivor: Picky, picky. By the way the Fusion wrote this so blame them. The only time I ever saw a soccer match was in the 1984 Olympics in LA. Maybe I’ll go again in a few years when the Olympics return.

Sheldon

Ursula Britton

Imagine my surprise when a notice appeared in my mailbox informing me of a proposed 350-unit apartment complex, 5-6 stories in height, right across the street in my midtown Ventura neighborhood! Known right now as Maple Court Mixed Use (PROJ-22-0121), it is located on Maple Street just east of Mills Road, a site currently consisting of 4 office buildings.

It is insane to even think of such a large project for this neighborhood. The only site access is from Maple Street, which is a busy feeder street during commute hours. The increased traffic from 350 units would have to spill over onto Mills Road, already a congested nightmare, and where emergency vehicles have difficulty navigating a path to the hospitals.

This project will do nothing to address the housing affordability crisis, as 90% of the units will be market-rate, meaning they are unaffordable to all but the affluent.

And where does the water come from?? Aren’t we in a severe drought?

The project has zero aesthetic value. It looks cheap and generic, no style whatsoever. Nothing about it evokes Ventura. It could be anywhere. It is too tall and too massive for the neighborhood; it looms menacingly over Maple Street and the backyards of Wesley Avenue. It is a bully.

The Los Angeles developer, Skya Ventures, has a track record so far of 1) inflicting a 92-unit 7-story apartment building on a residential side street in East Hollywood; and 2) renovating a 60-unit lower income apartment building in Highland Park and then evicting 57 of the 60 tenants.

We don’t need any more of this garbage-type development in Ventura. If you agree, let the City Council know your concerns ([email protected]), and remember you can vote them out in Districts 1, 4, 5, 6 this November.

Editor note: See page X for a rendering of this project

The power of man’s virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doings.
~ Blaise Pascal

Towards Inclusion of People with Challenges
by Carol Leish, MA

Even though the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 made many changes for the better for people with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination of people with challenges from public accommodations, transportation, and employment, it is impossible to legislate changes of peoples’ attitudes. General attitudes of excluding those with challenges from various activities and places occurs due to fear and lack of awareness of the various types of disabilities.

Lack of awareness of various types of challenges also causes people to avoid what they don’t know. And, sometimes people are not open to change and learning new things, or accepting different types of people, including people with challenges in their faith-based communities.

It is sad for people with disabilities to be excluded from faith-based community congregations. Anxiety of involving those with learning, physical, or emotional challenges is due to a lack of awareness and understanding of these different types of challenges. It is also due to people without limitations not realizing that people with limitations have capabilities, passions and desires too.

I agree that, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference,” as Winston Churchill said. I also believe that it is easier than we think it is to change our attitudes in order to become more inclusive of others, especially in our faith-based communities.

Dear Neighbors and Eco-Friends:

We just received this spectacular notice that the State of California has awarded the Ventura Land Trust $7.2 million to buy 1645 acres of land behind Ventura, from Two Trees west to the Botanical Garden. This adds to the 2100 acres of land conserved in the nearby Harmon Canyon Preserve, also acquired by the Ventura Land Trust.

This has echoes for me and many others of our involvement in local organizations and writing about and arguing for saving this land and trying to get funding for such preservation dating back many years. (That’s a story in itself.) So, a big congratulations to the Ventura Land Trust for pulling it off.

On a personal note, the name Mariano Rancho Preserve likely reflects the use of this land for many years by sheep ranchers in Hall Canyon, mainly by Mariano Erburu, whose residence we bought years ago and historically designated the Mariano Erburu House.

Bob and Paula Chianese

Sheldon,
I am so glad you mentioned taking care of pets in automobiles (Petpage). People sometimes

need to be reminded. Also, good job about plants that are poisonous.

Take Care!
Valerie Bereman SPAN

Editor:

Your last issue had a joke? By Greenberg that I don’t get showing clowns throwing 3.146. Could you explain?

Larry Stern

Larry: Sometimes William gets a little too esoteric. This number represents the math equation PI.

PI is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159 (it used to be thought to be 3.146). The number (shown as π ) appears in many formulas across mathematics and physics. Swiss researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden claimed a new world record for calculating the number of digits of PI – a staggering 62.8 trillion figures. Get it, clowns throwing PI?

Opinions:

In response to the letter from J. Grimont about water use at the Olivas Adobe over July 2-4th, I have a different view.  I am a docent at the Adobe, and on Sunday, July 3rd, I was leading visitors on tours through the house and grounds. Nowhere on the rounds did I encounter any sprinkler on or any damp ground or standing water. Again on July 6th, I was at the Adobe for a general membership meeting. Docents were out on the grounds, but noone noticed wet areas that would have been present if the sprinklers had been running for 48 hours. Another docent was working in the herb garden on Thursday, July 7th, and she said the ground was not saturated with water. As J. Grimont mentioned in the letter to the mailbox, the City Parks Department uses only reclaimed water for its parks. 

Since the purpose of the letter was to criticize the City of wasteful use of water, I am confused about how using reclaimed water would be wasteful.  I would consider it recycling, just as I collect water in my shower as it gets hot, so I can use it for my plants.

Patricia McNeese

OOOPS: In our last issue the name of Vita in the article disappeared. Sorry Vita here it is again:
The winners of the Ventura County Fair poster contest were unveiled by James Lockwood at a presentation at the fairgrounds. First place went to 12-year-old Vita Jolie Vasquez from Fillmore.

I asked my son if he understood the meaning of the word “obey.”
He said “Yeah, it’s a place to go shopping on the internet.”
~ Jay Trachman

Breeze

Dogs are not allowed on most beaches in the city of Ventura, yet every day there are dozens of dogs running loose with no consequences. Even on the few small sections of city owned beach where dogs are allowed, dogs must be on a leash at all times. I’ve contacted State Beach officials and Animal Control and they refuse to take any action in enforcing these laws.  Sometimes lifeguards try to enforce the law, but then get verbally abused by the law breakers.  How bad does this problem have to get before anyone does something about this?  Maybe after a big dog attacks and kills another small dog, or maims a young child?

People are coming from all parts of Ventura and beyond to let their dogs run wild on the beach. And with basically unlimited and unregulated vacation rentals all over Pierpont and the rest of Ventura, we have multitudes of out-of-town tourists also bringing their dogs to the beaches.

This is not just a weekend occurrence, it’s seven days a week, from dawn to sunset. There are no more shore birds from Marina Park to the State Beach, the dogs have chased them all away.  I urge you to take a trip to the Pierpont beaches and see what’s happening for yourself.

It would be great to see signs put up on all the beaches with the rules and fines clearly stated for all to see.  Lifeguards can put them up along the shore in the mornings, and permanent signs can be posted at the end of San Pedro, Seaward, New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard, and Greenock Lanes.  Give people a week to comply, and then start writing tickets and/or impounding animals.

Marc Hoopingarner

Hello Sheldon and Team,

I am reaching out in response to your request in the Opinion/Editorial page in the June 15 to June 28, 2022 issue of the Ventura Breeze for an answer from the Bible regarding its viewpoint on Abortion and Birth control. Please refer to the two attached links where these topics and the Bible principles involved are discussed in detail.

Personally, I love the scripture at Psalms 139:13-16 in which David describes in poetic and beautiful terms how wondrous it was that he was seen by his Creator, when as an embryo in his mothers womb. He had all his parts were down in writing (DNA)! That genetic code is transferred from the parents at conception and thus a new life begins to form. Thank you for the opportunity to share!

Warmest Regards, Mrs. Kristina Kline

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/abortion-in-the-bible/

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=101993123&par=0

To [email protected]

In regards to the following comment I read in the July 13-July 26, 2022 edition of Ventura Breeze, “Pro Life isn’t even Pro Birth at the root, it’s Anti Sex…”, I would agree that loosely held morals is the root cause or the “Elephant in the Room” that very few people want to address. I also believe that careless, or casual sex outside of the sanctuary of ordained marriage has resulted in the millions of abortions that have been executed in our country.

Peggy Sorkoram

Dear Editor,

I am writing to implore the Ventura City Council not to approve a marijuana store near Ventura High School.

I advise the Ventura City Council not to approve any marijuana stores anywhere in the city, but especially not near a school, bus depot, or other sensitive locations that are used by the sober public.

Again, I strongly caution against all members of the Ventura City Council from approving any marijuana store, anywhere in the city. But approving a marijuana store that is so close to Ventura High….well, it would be a shameful legacy that all members of the Council would have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Respectfully,
Nik Schiffmann

Conscience doesn’t stop you from doing what you shouldn’t,
it just stops you from enjoying it.
~ Cleveland Amory

Dear Janet Friedman and Susanne David – 

I tried to figure out how to track you down so that I could formally thank you for your donation to my go fund me. I imagine you saw it in the Breeze and I just want to thank you both so much for acting on it! 

You have now become part of my healing journey and I thank you both again! Have a wonderful summer!

Much love,
Breezy Deena Gledhill 

Editor:

So, the city of Ventura is asking us to voluntarily reduce our water use by 20%? Let’s practice what we preach fellas. Olivas Adobe Park, which is run through the City Parks Dept. uses reclaimed water for irrigation, which isn’t “free”. A very high-powered sprinkler there has been on for 48 hours, nonstop July 2-4th, 2022.

J. Grimont

Dear Editor,

I was excited to see that cannabis dispensaries will soon become reality in Ventura after a long wait. There is a public hearing on the subject July 18 at City Hall. I was further excited to see that an LA based operation called The Artist Tree is contending for a license in Ventura. I have recently been researching The Artist Tree (TAT Ventura LLC) and their partners for a magazine story. They offer several things of great interest to Ventura. They have five successful dispensaries already open in the LA area and several more around California in the planning stage.

The first unique quality is that they are a functioning art gallery. Hence the name. Local artists are showing and selling their work at all their locations. They are already reaching out to the local art community here. They project $150,000 a year to local projects according to local partner Robert Mulder, longtime Ventura businessman and a former police officer. There are several projects in line to be helped like the Ventura Pier project, “Pier into The Future” and “Mission Fish.” This is what we need in Ventura, a caring, professional, community-oriented establishment.

Paul Peterson

Editor;

“Some anti-abortion organizations say they’re unprepared to provide services for those who need them as Texas braces for a surge of births following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.”

So tell me again how this is all about the “sanctity of life” and not a blatant attempt to rein in sexual freedom, and female sexual freedom in particular? Absolutely anything to force that pregnancy to full term and absolutely nothing for the kid after it’s born.

Pro Life isn’t even Pro Birth at the root, it’s Anti Sex and the baby’s nothing more than a bawling Scarlet Letter on the mother’s chest.

The naked hypocrisy is almost comical. Almost.

Alfred J. Lewis
Ventura

When you don’t know what you’re talking about,
it’s hard to know when you’re finished.
~ Tommy Smothers

To publisher

Of course, you are right, but so what? The issue is how to change a culture that has much support and a long history. Not an easy task.

Logic doesn’t prevail with much of society. Also the method of constitutional change supports careful and tedious review. In other words not easy to do…..

Politicians seek re-election not logic, fairness or necessarily good solutions, few of them are smart thinkers or idea people. But we choose a government of the people and for the people . That is how we end up with Trump…….keep at it…..

Robert A Lombardi

Sheldon et al:

Thank you for the schedule and your continuing support of the Ventura Senior Men’s Group. Many, if not most, of the responses we receive from interested prospects mention their notice of Ana Baker’s Ventura Events notice in the Breeze. We are in your debt!

Donald Finch, secretary

How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?
~ Vincent Van Gogh

Breeze:

What are Measures A and B, and why is it so important for County voters to vote “yes” when oil companies are saying vote “no”?

Here’s the answer: Approving Measures A and B will confirm that voters agree that all new oil well development in Ventura County should be subject to the modern environmental standards approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2020. When they approved the 2040 County General Plan, the Supervisors approved policies to encourage continued oil development in Ventura County, but also required that any new drilling comply with modern environmental standards protecting air, water, public health, and disadvantaged communities, and which address climate change.

Then oil companies spent millions hiring signature gatherers to put Measures A and B on the June ballot. A YES vote is for applying the modern environmental standards approved by the Board. A No vote is for going back to the old days when oil companies could escape environmental review and standards that protect air, water, and public health, and which address climate change. Now, oil companies are spending $5.5 million more to scare voters into voting no.

Oil companies are spreading lies and misinformation about Yes on A and B.

They say oil production would be shut down – not true. Supervisors made it clear that oil drilling continues to be encouraged – with modern environmental safeguards.

Oil companies say jobs would be lost – not true. Measures A and B do nothing to stop drilling or cause job losses.

They say that gasoline prices would rise if A and B are approved – not true. Nothing is stopping oil companies from drilling.

Now it is up to Ventura County voters to tell oil companies: YES, you can continue to drill for oil, but we expect you to comply with the reasonable environmental standards the Supervisors have already adopted.

Ventura County voters must vote YES on Measures A and B.

Phil White – Ojai

The writer is a former County Planning Commissioner and Air Pollution Control District
Director who now sits on the County Climate Emergency Council

Breeze readers:

The horror of the school shooting in Texas has left me deeply moved, as I am sure it has with all Americans. Solutions need to be found for this problem, a uniquely American Problem.  In the 1950s  Congress met in the face of a rise in Juvenile delinquency (it seems so tame by todays standards) and held hearings.

They heard from psychologists and so-called experts who blamed comic books for the problem. Such horror comics as “Crypt of Terror” were blamed and banned from the public. (The creators of these comics–changed and started to produce a humor magazine called Mad that had great impact).  A new Congressional hearing need to be held on the causes of these school shootings. Its not comic books now but, I suspect, its violent, bloody videogames.

All of the shooters seemed to have played these games to obsession until the idea of killing becomes ‘normal’ to them so they re-enact the horrors in real life.  TV and movies help to re-enforce the carnage. People are becoming  hardened by these games they play each day to the point where human life is cheapened.  I do not know if video games are the problem, but an investigation is needed. I suspect there isn’t one cause but several. More mental health hospitals do need to be built and manned by trained competent doctors and psychologists.  This deeply troubled young man should never have been permitted to own a firearm–any firearm.  Deeply troubled people need to be helped before they become deadly shooters bent on a high body count.
Richard Senate

Why are we willing to live with this carnage? Where …is our backbone?
~ President Biden

Dear Sheldon,

The Breeze just gets better and more informative.  The May 4 Breeze first page was attractive and compelled me to read the story by Patricia Schallert about “Sobre Las Olas”.  The photos were great!

The Breeze is a gift you have given to Ventura and it just keeps on giving!

Suzanna Ballmer

Ventura 

Thanks Suzanna makes all of the work worth while

Editor:

What are Measures A and B, and why is it so important for County voters to vote “yes” when oil companies are saying vote “no”?

Here’s the answer: Approving Measures A and B will confirm that voters agree that all new oil well development in Ventura County should be subject to the modern environmental standards approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2020. When they approved the 2040 County General Plan, the Supervisors approved policies to encourage continued oil development in Ventura County, but also required that any new drilling comply with modern environmental standards protecting air, water, public health, and disadvantaged communities, and which address climate change.

Then oil companies spent millions hiring signature gatherers to put Measures A and B on the

June ballot. A YES vote is for applying the modern environmental standards approved by the Board. A No vote is for going back to the old days when oil companies could escape environmental review and standards that protect air, water, and public health, and which address climate change. Now, oil companies are spending $5.5 million more to scare voters into voting no.

Oil companies are spreading lies and misinformation about Yes on A and B.

They say oil production would be shut down – not true. Supervisors made it clear that oil drilling continues to be encouraged – with modern environmental safeguards.

Oil companies say jobs would be lost – not true. Measures A and B do nothing to stop drilling or cause job losses.

They say that gasoline prices would rise if A and B are approved – not true. Nothing is stopping oil companies from drilling.

Now it is up to Ventura County voters to tell oil companies: YES, you can continue to drill for oil, but we expect you to comply with the reasonable environmental standards the Supervisors have already adopted.

Ventura County voters must vote YES on Measures A and B.

Phil White – Ojai

The writer is a former County Planning Commissioner and Air Pollution Control District

Director who now sits on the County Climate Emergency Council

Ocean Promises

It’s an unseen promise for all generations,
A warm beach that extends to the horizon,
Its word of honor is a Pacific sunrise.
In pursuit of hope; to turn the tide.

The westerly swell brings us a Ventura picture,
When nature’s beauty reaches us at high tide.
Let us quietly listen to these ocean sounds.
For their stories remind us someone has gone before us.

By Jeff Russell

Are you an amateur cartoonist? Send your cartoon to [email protected].

It’s not hard to understand modern art. If it hangs on a wall it’s a painting, and if you can walk around it, it’s a sculpture.
~ Simon Updike

Hi there!,
 I read the article about the owls and just to inform you about the return of them. They “were” there last year and Olivia the owl actually had a broad of three! I was fortunate enough to take pics of them over a three month period.
This is my screen saver in my phone. Anyway, hope you enjoy! If you would like anymore pics or know someone else that does, just let me know!

Best,
Kori Ventura

Editor:

Show Big Oil they cannot spend millions to buy elections in Ventura County.

In 2020, in the interest of public health and safety, our duly elected Board of Supervisors voted to require antiquated oil leaseholders to review the environmental impacts new drilling or fracking could cause to surrounding communities and our resources.

Not taking “NO” for an answer, Big Oil has spent millions on fancy signature collectors, fancy mailers, and fancy yard signs to convince VC voters that oil companies need not consider the damage that new drilling or fracking on these old leases (3000 in the county) would cause.

Let’s show Big Oil what their obscene profits cannot buy here. Let’s show them some VC grassroots determination. Grab your kids or grandkids, grab some poster board and crayons, and let’s show them some not-so-fancy “YES on A & B – FOR OUR KIDS” car-window and yard signs.

You can’t drink oil – protect our water, protect our environment, and protect our kids.

Big Oil might not know it, but YES WE CAN defeat them.

On June 7, vote YES on Measures A & B – for our kids.

Diane Underhill

Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.
~ Bill Watterson