April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Ventura Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies statewide stopping drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law.

During the month of April, additional police officers will be on patrol looking specifically for drivers on their phones.

Distracted driving is dangerous, especially when it involves a cell phone. According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 66 people were killed and more than 6,500 injured in 2017 from distracted driving-related crashes.

“Cell phones remain one of the top distractions for drivers,” said Corporal Al Gomez. “Like any bad habit, it can be hard to break, but this habit can have life-altering consequences.”

A 2018 observational survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on driver cell phone use found about 4.5 percent of drivers are still using their cell phone illegally, a nearly 27 percent increase from 2016.

“That text or phone call will never be worth losing a life over,” said Sergeant Mike Brown. “That is why curbing distracted driving is high on our priority list.”

Under the most recent cell phone law that went into effect in 2017, drivers are prohibited from having a phone in their hand for any reason and can only use their phone in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine.

If you need to make a call or text someone, pull over and park at a safe location. Struggling to stay off the phone while driving? Put your phone in a place you can’t reach, like the backseat or trunk.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Chancellor Greg Gillespie is pleased to announce that after a nationwide search, five finalists will move forward in the Ventura College President search process.

Listed below are candidates and campus forums information. College faculty, staff, administration, and community members are invited to attend.

Ventura College President Finalist Forum
Monday, April 15, 2019
2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road

2 p.m.	Damon Bell, Ed.D.
2:40 p.m.	Krista Johns, J.D.
3:20 p.m.	Scott Thayer, Ed.D.
4 p.m.	Kimberly Hoffmans, Ed.D.
4:40 p.m.	Wei Zhou, Ph.D.

“The forums are an important part of the search process. They provide an opportunity for students, campus constituents, and the community to meet and hear from the candidates,” stated Gillespie. Final interviews will take place the following day.

The next Ventura College president will fill the position vacated by Chancellor Gillespie when he was appointed VCCCD Chancellor in 2017. Two interims have filled the position since that time. “We are excited to meet the finalists and look forward to working and collaborating with the new Ventura College president to ensure student success. The Ventura College Classified Senate appreciates being part of this process,” offered Sebastian Szczebiot, Ventura College Classified Senate President.

The forums are organized through the Ventura College Academic Senate. ” Finalists will address the campus community and answer questions on important campus concerns,” stated Lydia Morales, Ventura College Academic Senate President. “We are hoping for a great turn out and we are looking forward to hearing from our prospective new college president” added Morales.

The candidates:

• Damon Bell -Dr. Bell currently serves as Ventura College Interim President
• Kim Hoffmans-Dr. Hoffmans is the Ventura College Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Krista Johns-Ms. Johns currently serves as Guided Pathways Regional Coordinator, Bay Area with the State Chancellor’s Office.
• Scott Thayer-Dr. Thayer has more than 20 years of experience in higher education in the California Community College system.
• Wei Zhou- Dr. Zhou is a graduate of the California Community College CEO Leadership Academy and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin specializing in community college education and leadership.

Seven of Ventura County’s beaches were voted to be removed from the impaired water body list, also known as the 303(d) list by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LA-RWQCB). The beaches, which consistently met water-quality objectives for indicator bacteria, have shown to have a significant improvement in water quality through results below the levels of concern for beach users’ health.

The beaches that were previously identified as being impaired for bacteria included Point Mugu, Ormond, Port Hueneme Beach Park, Peninsula, San Buenaventura, Surfer’s Point at Seaside, and Rincon Parkway.

Data from the weekly beach water quality testing performed by the Ventura County Environmental Health Department was used to show the improvement. Monitoring of these beaches will continue to keep the public informed of beach water quality.

On the forefront of taking action to improve water quality is the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program, a coalition of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, the County of Ventura, and the ten cities within Ventura County. Together, they have worked to build infrastructure and raise awareness of pollution.

Examples of their efforts to help reduce pollutants from entering the storm drain system range from physical solutions to prevent runoff from reaching the beach including diverting storm drain runoff to sanitary sewers or capturing and infiltrating runoff through green streets projects designed to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater; and working with the public to prevent pollution at the source.

“Efforts by the public are a huge part of this success. Little things like picking up after pets, not littering, and watering only plants and not the gutter helped,” said Arne Anselm, Deputy Director of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District. “We are proud the State acknowledge these improvements and of our efforts and those by the people of Ventura County. The cities and County of Ventura are committed to improving water quality and protecting everyone who enjoy our beautiful Ventura County beaches.”

For more information about the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program please visit www.vcstormwater.org and Ventura County’s Community for A Clean Watershed www.cleanwatershed.org.

An opinion by Venturans for Responsible and Efficient Government (VREG)

Let’s dispel a myth. The City of Ventura has plenty of water. We have almost ten times the water we need annually in reserves. So, the City of Ventura’s insistence to conserve drinking water because we don’t have enough is untrue. There are many good reasons to save, but not having enough drinking water is not one of them.

Between Foster and Mound Basins alone, there are 141,600 to 184,600 AF of water. Assuming zero replenishing and not counting on Casitas, Santa Paula, Oxnard Basin or State Water (a combined amount of 12,072 AF more per year)—Ventura has almost ten times the water it needs annually in reserves.

For over 30 years, Ventura has averaged 21,000 acre-feet of drinkable water annually. With conservation, Venturan’s have reduced water usage to 15,000 acre-feet per year. So, regardless of doom and gloom declarations by the State of California, or whatever Ventura Water tells us, Ventura has enough water.

Ventura’s real problem is a legal Consent Decree, agreed to by the Ventura City Council in 2012. That Consent Decree mandates Ventura stop dumping treated sewage into the Santa Clara River. One panel of experts says Ventura must divert as much as 90% (about 4,685 AF per year) from the estuary.

To comply with the Consent Decree, Ventura Water conceived that Ventura would inject treated sewage directly into our water system and call it VenturaWaterPure. For six years, City leaders allowed Ventura Water to move ahead making sewage water drinkable. Using “because we need the water” as a primary reason for Direct Potable Reuse (DPR), citizens never knew about the 2012 Consent Decree. With that false justification of needing more drinkable water, the City committed to spending over $500,000,000 for DPR to abide by the Consent Decree.

Costing over $500,000,000 is not the only issue. The more significant issue is that the City Council assumed DPR water was safe to drink. It is not safe. The State Water Resources Control Board determined that DPR is feasible. They reported that except for two remote areas on the earth (Namibia and in Big Springs, Texas), DPR water is not suitable for human consumption.

There are no regulations in place anywhere in the United States, or the State of California, permitting or governing that use. It is highly improbable that this will occur by the December 31, 2025 Consent Decree deadline.

In June 2018, the City Council directed Ventura Water to make State Water the top priority. While that pipeline project is in motion, Ventura Water plans to work on DPR as they work on the State Water pipeline.

While Ventura must abide by the Consent Decree, the compliance deadline of December 31, 2025 may be unattainable.

However, the Consent Decree says the court can extend the time limit in the event of construction constraints, financing problems, or an emergency. It requires Ventura to petition the court requesting an extension, or an agreement with the plaintiff and their lawyers. That has not happened.

It seems clear that Ventura should petition to the US District Court for a 5-year extension. There’s only one thing standing in the way of requesting that extension — our lawyers.

Our City Attorney is taking a huge risk with our $500 million. It is clear that he doesn’t intend to pursue an extension with his “keeping it in his back pocket” explanation.

In the meantime, we spend millions in the next six years.

Daily lifeguard service will be provided at Ventura Harbor beaches off Spinnaker Drive this summer.

In a unanimous vote on Wednesday, March 20, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized the General Manager of Ventura Harbor to contract with State Parks to provide the service from mid-May through Labor Day 2019 at Harbor Cove and Surfers Knoll beaches. The $88,682 cost represents a 1 percent increase over last year, primarily because of added personnel and the added option of continuing services, as available, through Dec. 31.

“The Ventura Harbor Patrol and the District believe this investment in public safety is important,” stated Ventura Port District Harbormaster John Higgins. “A third lifeguard tower has also been added this summer season to the Ventura Harbor beaches to better assist with visitor safety”

For over 60 years, State Parks has provided professional lifeguarding services along California’s coastline. The State Park Lifeguard service is certified by the United States Lifesaving Association and is recognized as one of the highest-ranking training academies in the world.

The Ventura Port District took the lead in securing summer lifeguards at the Harbor after the city of Ventura stopped its services in 2011. The state lifeguards and the Ventura Harbor Patrol have formed a strong and effective partnership in providing public safety on land and in the waters along Ventura’s coast.

Ventura Harbor and its beaches have become among the most popular summer destinations in the city. Parking and restrooms are available at both beach parking lots and street parking is available on Spinnaker Drive.

In addition to the beaches’ safety and convenience, annual Harbor dredging results in some of the best sand on the local coast. Also, the location affords a variety of healthy outdoor summer activities and close access to the Harbor Village and its many amenities.

“Ventura Harbor is one of the few locations in Ventura County that provides a complete user experience,” Harbormaster Higgins said. “Our harbor, beaches, merchants, restaurants, national park headquarters, sport fishing boats, dive boats and Island Packers give the visitor tremendous value and entertainment in one intimate location.”

For questions on lifeguard times, call the State Lifeguards Dispatch at 805-648-3321.

The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) has received over $65,000 in funds through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to administer HACSB’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. HACSB’s FSS Program is a service provided to residents and participants in Public Housing & Housing Choice Voucher programs to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on public assistance and rental subsidies.

The FSS program is designed to assist families and individuals become financially independent and welfare free. Participation in the program is voluntary and requires a personal commitment by each individual. In exchange, participants receive case management services and the opportunity to establish an escrow savings account. The FSS escrow account can be established based on increases in the family’s earned income during the term of the FSS contract. The FSS program is 5 years in length and upon successful completion, participants can receive what is in their escrow account and use for any purpose, including debt reduction, educational expenses, or a down payment on a home.

HACSB’s Chief Executive Officer Denise Wise said, “The Housing Authority has been working with our participants to ease reliance on public assistance programs and achieve financial sustainability as families. While it is challenging in the area to make the jump off of public assistance programs, we have dedicated families who are reaching their goals every day.”

The latest graduate to complete their FSS commitment received an escrow check for over $34,000 toward their goal of homeownership. HACSB plans to continue administering this successful program, assisting participants in achieving their financial goals.

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, with 376 public housing units, more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers, and over 450 non-profit affordable rental units. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents throughout the City of Ventura.

As of February 7, 2019, Ventura County has seen 5 influenza-related deaths this flu season. To give some perspective, at this point in 2018, the county had seen 40 deaths resulting from complications from the influenza virus. Many deaths seen during a flu season occur in people who have multiple health issues, such as diabetes, dementia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“In these people the acquisition of the flu tips the balance against them. It is likely that another severe respiratory illness at another time of year may have had a similar outcome,” said Ventura County Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin. “Last year’s influenza virus, H3N2, was a particularly difficult strain,” he added, noting that this year the county is seeing H1N1, which is also known as the ‘bird flu influenza,’ and was last seen in 2010.

Patients who are at higher risk for complications include:

• Persons aged 65 years and older

• Children 5 years of age and younger, with those 2 years of age and younger particularly vulnerable

• Persons with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular (except hypertension alone), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), and metabolic disorders or neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions

• People with immunosuppression, including those caused by medications or by HIV infection

• Women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery)

• People aged younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• American Indians/Alaska Natives

• People with extreme obesity (i.e., body-mass index is equal to or greater than 40)

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities

“However, the H1N1 strain which we see circulating this year is notorious for its disproportionate severity in people in the prime of life, from childhood through 60 years of age,” said Dr. Levin.

It is not too late to get immunized. Public Health recommends immunization of all persons 6 months and older. While last year’s vaccine effectiveness was limited, there is every indication that the vaccine this year is significantly more effective. Immunization can reduce the severity of illness, hospitalization and death due to influenza. It can also, of course, prevent getting the flu altogether. As a reminder, children younger than 9 years of age who have never received influenza vaccine, require 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart during their first season.

Flu vaccine can still be found at many individual doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies and can be received for low or no cost at the two public health clinics and at the ambulatory clinics referenced at: www.vchca.org/ph

In 2018, Part I Crimes in the City of Ventura totaled 3,959, representing an overall decrease of 155 Part I Crimes or 3.77 percent from 2017. The Per Capita Crime Index decreased slightly to 35.6 crimes per thousand residents, compared to 37.7 in 2017, 38.04 in 2016, and 39.2 in 2015.

Ventura’s Violent Crime decreased by 3.26 percent with 15 fewer crimes reported than the previous year. Aggravated Assaults represented the most notable reduction in violent crime in 2018, with 12 fewer reported cases, and rapes decreased by nine from 63 to 54. Robberies represented the lone increase in Violent Crime increasing from 111 in 2017, to 117 in 2018. There were two homicides in 2018, equal to the previous year.

In comparison to 2017, reported Part I Property Crimes in 2018 for the City of Ventura decreased by 140 crimes or 3.8 percent. Residential burglaries accounted for the most significant reduction, a decrease of

25.95 percent or 75 total cases, while non-residential burglaries dropped by 29 reported cases from 296 to

267. Auto thefts remained relatively steady with 334 reported in 2018. Arsons doubled from 16 in 2017, to 32 in 2018. Although there was an overall reduction in Part 1 Property Crimes, Ventura experienced a 21.7 percent increase in thefts from vehicles which jumped from 1013 in 2017 to 1233 in 2018. Many of these were crimes of opportunity, the result of property left in plain view or vehicles left unlocked. The property loss value from Part I Property Crimes totaled $6.2 million.

Ventura Police Officers arrested 6554 persons in 2018 and the Ventura Police Department handled approximately 98,652 calls for service compared to 93,242 calls from the previous year. The most common arrests were Narcotics related offenses, followed by Misdemeanor Bench Warrants, Drunk in Public, Probation Violations, and Drunk Driving.

The complete press release, including suspect description, can be viewed online at www.venturapd.org.