Letters to the Editor
Opinion
Published: October 26, 2012
An absurd statement - No reason for fear
To the Editor:
Unfortunately for the public, this is the time in political campaigns when last minute smears and foolishness runs rampant. Ms. Kolbeck’s and Mr. Cadman’s undocumented statement, “Independent research has shown that in most unified districts, 70 percent of the budget goes to the high schools...” is that sort of nonsense.
The real issue is “Would something like that happen in Santa Paula?” Of course not! Do the math - there are 9 grades in the elementary district and 4 in the high school. In a new District with a $46 million budget, why would a newly elected school board spend $32 million dollars for 1700 high school students and only $14 million on twice as many elementary school students?
They won’t! Clearly, such spending would be absurd...and would not be tolerated by the public or a responsible school board. In a small town like Santa Paula, we are fortunate to know the candidates running for the new Unified School Board and can we hold them accountable.
If Unification is approved, voters should choose candidates to serve on the new Santa Paula Unified School Board who support Unification and are committed to work together to provide the best possible pre-K to Grade 12 education for all of Santa Paula’s kids.
Don’t be swayed by last minute scare tactics and misleading information. Unification is good for Santa Paula and good for all our kids. We urge you to vote Yes on Measure M.
Unification Group
Rob Corley, Ginger Gherardi, Marcia Edwards
A winning proposition
To the Editor:
As a Briggs School graduate who cares a great deal about protecting and perpetuating the Briggs School community, I see Unification as a winning proposition for families who live in the Briggs School District.
This proposal ensures Briggs’ independence, protects its traditions and history, and maintains the district as a strong and caring community. In addition, because Unification will increase funding for the high school, it will enhance opportunities to do more for our kids at the high school.
I urge you to vote for candidates for the new Unified School Board who will use limited resources wisely and who are committed to working together for all of Santa Paula’s kids.
Vote Yes for Unification and Measure M.
Suzanne Teague Pidduck
Santa Paula
A case for school unification
To the Editor:
Common sense would tell you that having two school districts as opposed to one would create duplicate costs and create waste, and that is exactly the case in Santa Paula. The savings from avoiding unnecessary duplicative administrative fees can go directly to teachers and benefit the schools and students in direct ways. During these times of tight budgets that have forced teacher layoffs and reduction of critical school functions, it is important that we get as efficient as we can, and use the money that we do have wisely. To operate effectively, we must unify our school districts. If we don’t our students will suffer, and so will the whole community. When companies consider locating to a city, one of the top priorities for selecting a location is the quality of schools. This just makes sense. Unification could bring jobs to Santa Paula; unification is the right thing to do. It is in the best interest of the kids and all of Santa Paula, and it needs to be done quickly before it’s too late. Please consider voting in favor of unification.
Larry S. Sagely
Ventura
Re: City Council Candidates Forum
To the Editor:
In the selection of city council members one should focus closely on candidates that use the populace angle in securing votes. Most of the candidates spoke of “transparency” but at least Tovias and Robinson listed “fiscal responsibility” as their top priority. Transparency is political rhetoric when used in campaigns especially if the candidates are not the incumbents and they have little to offer. For example there is a writer in the S.P. Times whose column “Inquiring minds want to know...” who is (or has) allegedly worked in the past as the financial guru of Martin Hernandez. This same writer has questioned past decisions of the city council on the water treatment plant, yes the same wastewater treatment plant and the rubbish disposal outsourcing which are now the political footballs that both Ashby and Hernandez will attempt to capitalize on with the uninformed and the easily influenced voters. We have high water and sewage monthly bills because of the new waste treatment plant debt. The cost and burden of the treatment plant has been placed on the shoulders of the present users because of the long delay in the necessary sewage infrastructure upgrades over the years, plain and simple. This situation is much the same as the national “fiscal day of reckoning” that awaits the American people because of the lack of leadership. The final decision to outsource the city rubbish was also a good decision. My last Crown Disposal refuse bill for September & October 2012 was $50.30, comparing the similar two months charged by the City of Santa Paula rubbish disposal fees for 2009 was $55 and recyclables and “green” were picked up on alternating weeks, I’m now paying less and getting more. Besides being against the privatizing of the rubbish service and the sale of city assets, Hernandez alleged at the forum that the present city council had concocted a “mythical” deficit to fit their reasoning for awarding the refuse contract to Crown Disposal, Inc. Hernandez speaking like a true demagogue assumed this idea even though at that point in time the city council had not even voted to privatize and therefore there was no information of the eventual rubbish disposal proposals. Apparently, Hernandez doesn’t believe the city was in the “red”, by these types of assumptions Hernandez probably doesn’t believe California is close to insolvency or the U.S. is in debt above $16 trillion, maybe he needs to work on integrity before he masters transparency!
Andrew F. Castaneda
Santa Paula
Our Santa Paula City Council
To the Editor:
They work together as a team! As I see it, they have one goal, to do their very best for all of Santa Paula residents. I think we are blessed to have to them working for us in these economically troubling times, I know that they have no hidden agenda. Please let us keep this team together. I support the re-election of Jim Tovias and Fred Robinson on November the sixth!
David Kaiser
Santa Paula
Martin Hernandez for City Council
To the Editor:
I am e-mailing this to recommend Martin Hernandez in his bid for Santa Paula City Council. I am a real estate broker and I have been active in land sales in Ventura County. I met Martin during several civic meetings and I observed that he was willing to invest his time, energy and resources to facilitate the successful conclusion of the issues presented. He is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has a winning personality.
Joe Cornell
Sherman Oaks
Homecoming
To the Editor:
I was brought to tears last Friday Nigh at Homecoming. As we stood for the National Anthem, sung by Mike Johnson and Pam Thomson, it was absolutely wonderful.
The Homecoming Parade was one of the best celebrated, the spirit was fun to watch, and of course there are no words for our band. The choice for Grand Marshal couldn’t have been better.
After 51 years as an alumnus of Santa Paula High School, it brings pride, and the greatest of memories.
Also, game time brings fun with all the parents, grandparents, and friends as the bleachers fill to the brim.
Thank you for all who worked on the program, halftime celebration, parade, and congrats to the royal court.
Janet Grant
Santa Paula
Thanks “Yes on Measure M Team”
To the Editor:
A round of applause is due to the three industrious and talented people who researched and orchestrated Measure M.
Over three years ago when I chaired the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Ginger Gherardi, Marcia Edwards and Rob Corley formed a subcommittee, part of a larger Chamber Education Committee to study unification of the two major Santa Paula School Districts. The larger Chamber Education Committee was composed of approximately 20 community citizens who studied issues involving the Santa Paula elementary schools and high schools. Superintendents, teachers, coaches, principals, and educational consultants presented information to this committee over a two-year time period. It was a great learning experience for all of us. Bottom line: Santa Paula schools are outstanding in academic and sports arenas.
The majority of The Chamber Education Committee felt SP schools could become even stronger by being unified into one district. (Santa Paula is presently surrounded by other cities who have been unified for a number of years.) In the past weeks there have been a number of public comments outlining the advantages of unification. My husband (Dr. Richard Tushla) and I both support a “Yes vote on Measure M.”
However, the main purpose of this letter is to thank Ginger, Marcia and Rob who gave countless hours of volunteer time doing research and copious amounts of works to bring Measure M to a public vote. These people are certainly among the brightest, and most talented people that I’ve had the pleasure to know. If we had hired consultants to research unification we would have expended a very large amount of money to do the same job that they did for free!
In my humble opinion these three are extremely caring, knowledgeable, experienced and conscientious. They firmly believe that unification well be advantageous for both districts.
So, once again, a major thank you to three outstanding community citizens.
How blessed SP would be to have 100 more just like them!
Connie Tushla
Past Chair, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce
Santa Paula
Yes on M
To the Editor:
Your Yes vote on Measure M will help to streamline Santa Paula Elementary and High School systems by coordinating school calendars and curriculum, decreasing administrative costs and eliminating duplicate spending. Please join me in supporting this important measure.
Jennifer Heighton
Santa Paula
Re: 6 months suspension of sewer surcharge increase
To the Editor:
This new sewage plant has been quite an issue lately, not that it’s leaking any raw sewage but rather the hot air (and aroma) emanating out of the controversy. We now have some grandstanding going on in front of council meetings and in my opinion it is entirely politically motivated. A local resident, Mary Doll described this scenario at best that it could be explained in her 10/19/2012 article, so there is no need for further elaboration. But I’m surprised that this much energy was never spent questioning the city council on the need for waste treatment infrastructure when Mary Ann Krause was a member. As of lately, Krause has been a ferocious critic of the present council but I’d like to know where her leadership was during her tenure on the council during the years 2002 to 2006? Imagine, had the new sewer plant had an earlier construction start date rather than years later how much cheaper it would have been for everyone. Maybe, just maybe if she had used her leadership towards the much needed infrastructure instead of “kicking the can down the road” for others to figure out the rest of the MacKinnon harem wouldn’t be caring out this phony charade in front of the city council meetings. I don’t expect this movement to quite down anytime soon, the election results may release some steam but the vendetta will continue until the degenerative symptoms of old age overrides their zealous behavior.
Andrew F. Castaneda
Santa Paula
A candidate who understands
To the Editor:
Martin F. Hernandez has enormous support in Santa Paula as a candidate for City Council. His character is well known in the community, and he has helped many Santa Paulans over the last 11+ years through his work in the office of Supervisor Kathy Long. He could be elected on these credentials alone.
What makes Martin the superior candidate is his up-to-date knowledge and recent experience with local, regional and statewide issues that impact the quality of life in Santa Paula. Martin has been working on regional water issues, and understands the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us. Martin has been working on small business and employment issues because he knows that having a job is critical to family self-sufficiency, and having a vibrant local economy is critical to community self-sufficiency. Martin has worked on housing issues because he knows that having a permanent residence with a place to study is essential for long-term success in school.
Martin has worked with families that are torn apart by alcohol and drug addictions, and knows that undiagnosed and untreated mental health problems are a frequent cause of homelessness. Martin worked with youth during his time as director of the Santa Paula Family Resource Center, and continues his work with youth both as a Board member of Interface and an advisor to the Boys and Girls Club, because Martin knows that youth are the future of our community. Vote for a candidate who understands our community. As Martin says, “Let’s Make It Better Together!”
Mary Ann Krause
Santa Paula
Local Santa Paula election issues
To the Editor:
I respect the views of every person. Here are mine. Our current City Council is a vast improvement over a previous council which attempted to force the excessive Fagan Canyon development upon us and even did all in its power to prevent citizens from voting on it.
I want to offer two constructive suggestions. (1) I see a need to use great caution before selling additional public property and/or enterprises. Such sales bring immediate income, but then we no longer own the property. (2) I urge a quiet, careful evaluation of the city manager. Was it wise to fire our two most competent department heads (Finley and MacKinnon)? I don’t need to know, but council members do.
Fred Robinson deserves re-election because of his openness and ethics.
For me, it’s a toss-up among the other three. I’ve sometimes been disappointed in Mr. Tovias but at least he and other council members had the good sense to demand lower density and improved quality in the previously excessive Cabrillo project. It’s vastly improved and even the developer knows it. This project offers an example of minimum standards that should apply to all development. Santa Paula desperately need improved quality but we will get it only when we demand it. Even though I have some reservations, I feel that any of the other three (Tovias, Ashby, or Hernandez) would be OK. It’s a toss-up.
Delton Lee Johnson
Santa Paula
John Procter endorses Martin Hernandez
To the Editor:
I’ve become disenchanted with editorial letters from local self-appointed political experts who seem to confuse quantity of words with quality of message. Let’s cut to the chase.
My name is John Procter. As a former Mayor and proud 4th generation resident of Santa Paula, I whole-heartedly endorse Martin F. Hernandez for Santa Paula City Council.
I had the great privilege to work alongside Martin to help reopen the Santa Paula Hospital. I gained respect for Martin from that experience, a respect that has grown over time as he continues to demonstrate his depth of knowledge of regional issues and funding opportunities for Santa Paula. These skills of experience and commitment are what matters when serving in the position of a City Council member.
Greater than anything, I’ve been impressed with Martin Hernandez’s character, integrity and sense of fairness. I’ve witnessed Martin treating victims of domestic violence with the same dignity and respect as powerful politicians and business leaders. Martin is a quality, caring human being who does the right thing, even when no one is looking to offer praise. I have no doubt he will do the right thing as our Santa Paula City Council member while he invites us to join him in his vision: “Let’s make it better together”.
Please get out and vote on November 6th, join me in supporting Martin F. Hernandez for Santa Paula City Council… “I’m John Procter and I approve this candidate”.
John Procter
Santa Paula
26th Congressional District
To the Editor:
I was recently stopped by a fellow Santa Paulan at the market and they asked me how I felt about the 26th Congressional District race. They wanted to know who I was going to support and why.
I shared with them that as far back as I can remember we from Santa Paula have had the good fortune to have had a very positive relationship with our friend and former Congressman Bob Lagomarsino and current Congressman Elton Gallegly represent us. They have always been there for the people of Santa Paula.
I shared with my friends in the market that in the most recent 15-20 years or so I was always comfortable in calling Congressman Gallegly’s office to help the city with grants or issues that involved the City of Santa Paula. Most recently Congressman Gallegly helped the city in obtaining support and funding to clear out the Santa Paula Creek riverbed and to help us with a grant to help repair the Santa Paula Airport Runaway. He was also instrumental in helping us obtain a multi-million dollar grant for Public Safety, year after year. It has not been uncommon for any Santa Paulan to stop by in his Ventura County Office and meet with him and staff or even in his Washington, D.C. office to meet with him and ask for his help. Congressman Lagomarsino was very much the same way, always there to help us.
Now to the question that was asked of me and my point. I have known Tony Strickland for many years and while he was in Sacramento as an Assembly Member and/or as a State Senator I felt comfortable in calling him or his staff and setting up meetings to ask for assistance on matters that affected Santa Paula. Assemblyman and/or Senator Strickland has always been there for Santa Paula in the past and he has assured me he would continue to help us in the future if elected to represent us in the 26th Congressional District.
I feel comfortable that when Tony Strickland becomes our Congressman we would have the same relationship with him we as Santa Paulans have had with Congressman Lagomarsino and Congressman Gallegly before him.
The community members that approached me said that my reasoning sounded good to them and said they were going to vote for Tony Strickland. I urge you, my fellow Santa Paulans to do the same and vote for Tony Strickland to Congress and keep someone who we know and has proven himself to us in Santa Paula in the past, to represent us in Washington, D.C.
Bob Gonzales
Santa Paula
New light shed on issue
To the Editor:
Recent information from Rick Cadman, former principal and now elementary school board member and Michelle Kolbeck also a board member, sheds and entirely new light on the proposed unification of our schools. According to Mr. Cadman, unification will result in more not less administration costs if the schools are unified. In the October 19, Santa Paula Times, Mr. Cadman also disputes the proponents’ claim of the amount of state money that it would bring to our schools.
According to Mr. Cadman and Ms. Kolbeck’s October 21 Ventura Star article, unification will not bring coordinated curricula, the state is in charge of it, including texts. As I said in an earlier letter, unification does nothing to increase student achievement or improve teacher performance, so where should we go?
I don’t believe that unification proponents deliberately provided incorrect information, and I admire them for their interest to improve our schools. It is unfortunate that more attention was not given to provide more comprehensively researched information.
Robert Borrego
Santa Paula
Propositions, College Board, State Offices, and Congress
To the Editor:
The following are the recommendations of a fallible human being. I hope they will be helpful.
Prop. 30. Yes. This is the governor’s temporary tax proposal. Per pupil spending in California is now 47th in the nation. Good schools and colleges are essential to economic prosperity and human well-being.
Prop. 31. No. This is a catchall containing some very good and some very dangerous items. The Star recommends No and I agree.
Prop. 32. Strong No. This is sponsored by giant corporations falsely claiming that it would eliminate political money from both unions and corporations. It would severely limit worker rights while doing nothing to control the corporations funding it.
Prop. 33. No. This is sponsored by insurance companies. Tricky, but it would result in large premium increases for many drivers.
Prop. 34. Yes. This would replace the death penalty with life in prison without possibility of parole. The current system is a failure. After a lifetime of expensive litigation, they are dying of old age.
Prop 35. No. The Star recommends No and I agree. We already have harsh penalties for human trafficking and any changes should be made by the legislature.
Prop. 36. Yes. Changes 3-strikes law to require life sentence only when the latest crime is serious.
Prop. 37. Yes. Requires labeling on genetically modified foods.
Prop. 38. No. Sounds good but it conflicts with Prop. 30 which is far better.
Prop. 39. Yes. Charges taxes on multi-state corporations to fund clean energy.
Prop 40. Yes. Approves new state senate district boundaries. They are a real improvement.
Prop. 41. Yes. (My idea. Too bad it’s not on the ballot.) Would require continual automatic legislative review with up or down vote on all laws every five years after passage because we have far too many laws, and many are obsolete.
College Board: Larry Miller, Incumbent
State Senate: Hannah-Beth Jackson
State Assembly: Das Williams
Congress: Julia Brownley. Mrs. Brownley has been endorsed by the LA Times as “The Far Better Choice.” Her opponent claims to be “a Moderate”. When pigs fly Tony.
Delton Lee Johnson
Santa Paula
Robinson/Tovias support
To the Editor:
I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim Tovias and Fred Robinson for many years in a number of capacities.
Over the last four years I have had the pleasure of working with Jim and Fred as they have served as members of your city council. I have had the experience of working with them through some tough times and have faced some difficult issues that have affected our community, the town we all care about. I have served along with them and have seen firsthand how they approach problems and admire the fact that they do not have a personal agenda and are very ethical, and beyond reproach when it comes to making their decision. The decisions they make or have made have always been on what is best for the community of Santa Paula, even if they are questioned by the community because it was not the popular position to take or vote. We have not always agreed on the outcome in the final vote, but I can assure you they have voted on what they thought is in the best interest for the citizens and the City of Santa Paula for today and for the future of Santa Paula.
Their personal and professional experience, and now with four years of experience on the city council, it makes them the best and most qualified candidates to take Santa Paula and continue to move us forward.
I support and encourage you to support and vote for Fred Robinson and Jim Tovias and re-elect them to the Santa Paula City Council on November 6, 2012.
Bob Gonzales
Santa Paula
Seriously Outta Luck
To the Editor:
That is what we would be: Seriously Outta Luck if we don’t vote Yes on Measure “U” to Save Our Library. What could be better than to cast your vote for something that does not seek new taxes, but ensures the continuance of our valuable library services for the entire community.
Another voice (vote) you are provided is for the election of three new members to the Board of Trustees, which is the sole authority for the operation of our uniquely independent library.
As a participant in the recent Blanchard Library Renovation effort, I witnessed the need for strong participation on this Board to update, modernize, and expand these very vital services to our community. Our Library hasn’t been remodeled in nearly 20 years, and it shows. The restrooms are outdated and inefficient, costing valuable funds for frequent emergency repairs. The shelving and storage is antiquated, inadequate and cumbersome in our limited space. The computers and Internet access are in need of upgrading.
Yet, in spite of these obstacles, the Director and staff continue to provide outstanding customer service. The literacy programs, including the Summer Reading Program for Young Adults, the weekly Children’s Story Hour, and the school classroom visits are well attended and vital learning tools. The various family programs alone are attended by hundreds of our community.
As a member of the Santa Paula Society of the Arts, I am especially grateful for the accommodations offered for our huge Annual Art Show, which draws hundreds of exhibits, hopefuls, and art lovers. The ongoing art exhibits on the west wall provide valuable exposure for local artists and viewers.
I have been especially impressed with three of the candidates for the Board of Trustees. Their combined strengths and resources encompass experience in finance, education, and management skills. They are Linda Spink, Lisa Sorensen and Maureen Coughlin, all frequent users and knowledgeable of the Library needs.
Jan Shepherd
Santa Paula
Joining the chorus
To the Editor:
My husband and I gladly join the chorus of voices urging a Yes vote on Measure M. A continuous stream of Letters to the Editor advocating support have already been printed each of which clearly put forth arguments for your support. Rather than reiterate them, we prefer to keep our words of endorsement short and to the point. Vote Yes on Measure M.
Oh, and we also urge approval of Measure U. It provides previously voter-approved funding to continue our Blanchard Library’s operations.
Mary Alice & Joe Henderson
Santa Paula
Kennedy for College District
To the Editor:
Ventura County Community College District Candidate Larry Kennedy has my support to represent our area (area 3) on the Ventura County Community College Board.
I have known Larry Kennedy for over 20 years while he was employed by the College District and while I was a member of the Board of Trustees. Larry has proven himself over the years to be very qualified in the classroom in the area of Business Administration and Economics and as a leader in education, and has asked for the opportunity to continue to serve in the position of a Trustee.
In my conversation with Larry, I shared with him my concerns and the need to keep the Ventura College “Santa Paula Center” open for the members of the Santa Clara Valley and he agrees with me. With the shrinking dollar and faced with today’s economy I feel confident that Larry Kennedy is the right person to represent us and has assured me he will do everything he can to keep the center open and also improve on what we currently have in place for our community members.
Bob Gonzales
Santa Paula
Decisions to make
To the Editor:
Here we are in the final weeks of the election not only in our city but also as a nation!
We all have decisions to make concerning the future of “Our Nation” but also of “Our City”! We have a City Council that has obviously worked together and taken “pride” in our city to accomplish very difficult tasks! Some were not popular but necessary, but they kept this city solvent. We are now able to move forward, that is the foresight that our city council had in the decisions that were made. They agree to disagree but all of them had only one agenda on their mind. “What is best for the city as a whole”!
We have a candidate, Martin Hernandez, who is employed by Kathy Long and running for City Council, how does that work? When the Aviary was going to be torn down, it was the citizens of Santa Paula that got together and saved it, with hard work and dedication! There were over 20 jobs pulled from the City of Santa Paula, by the county, why? Did we know? We have one of the highest unemployment rates in this county. The Transit system, Kathy Long wants to go with Gold Coast, Oxnard will dictate the scheduling? Expensive?! How much influence is Kathy Long going to have on our city affairs? Just a question!
Vote! It is a privilege! Jim Tovias and Fred Robinson along with the rest of the City Council have tackled serious problems and have done a good job! Let us keep this City Council in tact!!
Maiya Herrera
Santa Paula
Gas prices must rise
To the Editor:
Why? President Obama needs energy prices to go up until his green energy idea of using wind and solar are competitive with today’s existing energy sources of like coal, gas, oil, nuclear and hydro electric. Our president has been promoting at taxpayers expense many solar companies, unfortunately all of them so far have failed. These failures have not deterred his determination to force Americans to use green energy. Obama’s efforts to stop the keystone pipe from being built that could bring inexpensive oil form Canada and would provide twenty thousand new good paying jobs in America is on hold. Obama is fighting efforts to issue drilling permits to companies to drill for oil and gas on Federal lands, on shore and off shore. Obama is fighting hard to stop coal mining operations which would put many coal miners out of work in six states. He is also with holding drilling permits which could provide thousands of good paying jobs! Is this the way to put America back top work?
America needs to move in a new direction. Please join me and vote for Mitt Romney.
David Kaiser
Santa Paula
Spink for Library Board
To the Editor:
When my child was in Jr. High School, she had Mrs. Spink as her teacher. She was teaching history. I know history can be a boring subject. Mrs. Spink was a really good teacher, she kept my kid excited about history all year long. I personally spoke to Mrs. Spink several times, and she was always upbeat and happy. I always thought she was a really good teacher. I heard Mrs. Spink has retired. I know Mrs. Spink is running for the library board. I think Mrs. Spink would do really well on the library board.
I do not know anything about the other two people running.
Cindy Martin
Saticoy
President/Vice President
To the Editor:
On domestic affairs Mr. Romney talks nicely on four sides of every issue, but do we really want to go back to the policies of Bush/Cheney with enormous tax benefits for the very rich, and two wars charged entirely to our credit card? Or do we want to continue with the President’s moderate, steady course toward recovery? Detroit is again profitable; housing prices are rising; unemployment is falling; and our economy is improving every month. And where is Osama bin Laden?
As a veteran, I was especially interested in the third (foreign policy) debate. The president demonstrated a competent, comprehensive command of international relations and the needs of a modern military, while his opponent seemed more than a bit out of touch. I’m proud to support President Obama.
Delton Lee Johnson
Santa Paula
Best Kept Secret in Town
To the Editor:
What is it? Our Blanchard Community Library! We are so fortunate in having such a learning center just minutes away from home where students and the general public can find what they need for class and home projects, where they can study in pleasant surroundings, use computers for research, and all generations enjoy a treasure trove of books available for borrowing. Events like storytelling, book sales, and art shows make our library truly a multicultural center and fun place to meet friends.
This year we have an opportunity to express our support for the library Board by voting for three candidates for the Board of Trustees. I have met Maureen Coughlin, Lisa Sorensen, and Linda Spink and am impressed with their commitment, intelligence, and energy. They understand the library’s importance to our community. They value what the library has to offer currently, they value staff and volunteers alike, and are eager to seek new technology and opportunities that will enhance what the library provides. They support all current programs and want to see the library offer additional services where possible. We all stand to gain by electing them to the Blanchard Community Board of Trustees. They deserve your vote and the library deserves them!
Additionally, remember to vote Yes on Measure U which simply approves the amount of spending the library is due to receive. The money is already allocated; it does not mean an increase in taxes or fees. Let’s show our pride in our library by voting Yes on U and for the three highly qualified candidates for Board of Trustees, Maureen Coughlin, Lisa Sorensen, and Linda Spink!
Audrey Vincent
Santa Paula
A New Measure M
To the Editor:
The debate on the controversial Measure M has brought to light data mined by Rick Cadman, former Santa Paula Elementary Board President. They show that unification of elementary schools, especially in low income populations, is too often counterproductive. Studies by educational researchers show that bigger is not always better. Is this surprising?
Consider: There are 50 states, each with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Unification under the federal government would mean 50 redundancies eliminated, staff and services stream-lined, coherent laws--especially tax laws--established, and government services better coordinated. Unification would save billions of tax-dollars during a time of crushing debt and taxes. Isn’t it just common sense to unify?
Consider: SP elementary school districts Mupu, Briggs, and Santa Clara have 11 Board members serving 703 students. (SPESD has 5 for 3600.) Unifying them would reduce the number of school sites, administrators, and staff; stream-line operations; allow for a coherent K-12 curriculum, smoother transitions to SPUHS, and a common calendar for everyone. A reduction of 16 Board members, not just 5, would mean a considerable increase of funds for classrooms. Isn’t it just common sense to unify?
Bigger is not always better. Cadman’s data shows there are excellent reasons not to unify SPESD. If Measure M is “common sense” for SPESD, a new “Measure M” will arise proposing to swallow up the three remaining districts. Will these districts resist unification? Will the supporters of Measure M labor as vigorously for it? Will the local corporation and land-developer paying for the present massive and expensive campaign do so again? Fortunately, many of the campaign materials can be reused. The arguments will be no different. Only the letter M will change.
Vote against “bigger”. Vote against Measure M. Vote against any future ones.
Kevin Kolbeck
Santa Paula
Support Martin Hernandez
To the Editor:
There is no doubt in any crucial decisions in our lives there are questions we ask of ourselves to placate our own conscience. The most profound question that has served me the best in all levels of my personal life has been “ Do you really want what you have?” At the moment the city of Santa Paula I believe has to ask itself a version of this question, “ Do we want what we have in city hall?” Our moment of clarity has to be brought on by a process of rigorous honesty and open mind ness.
For me this is not an easy decision because like anyone else I’m susceptible to the varying daily emotions. My personal challenge in making my election choice is that I know all four candidates running for City Council and each is a fine individual with a caring and compassionate attitude. I certainly could readily sense this by their insightful responses at The Candidates Forum I attended. We in Santa Paula are very fortunate to have these four individuals who have and are willing to be trusted stewards of our community.
Now, after all this being said and done, who is my choice for City Council? I wholeheartedly endorse Martin Hernandez ! You know, years ago I once heard that “sometimes the good can be worst enemy of the best!”. I truly believe that Martin is the best for all of Santa Paula. He has the experience, strength of integrity and sense of hope that is needed in city hall. He is suitably disposed to arouse reactions that I know will lead this community in the right direction. Martin Hernandez is that genuine human being who is approachable by anyone and immediately makes you feel you too can be included in the solution, We need that kind of representative who not only listens to his constituency, but voices their concerns with passion and “ganas”!.
Change has and is taking place in our town, we can never return to being 1962 no matter how hard we try. Martin understands this and that this community has a wonderful and some times untapped resource - its residents!! He will strive to be inclusive and lead a resurgence of Santa Paula pride and spirit. At times we’ve had some some fair to good results at city hall, but unfortunately at other times we end up with pettiness and desultory attitudes like the tumultuous fiasco in the ousting of our former Chief of Police, So, if you believe we need someone with a clear vision and a love for the all the people of Santa Paula, please give your utmost consideration to Martin Hernandez for city council!
My family has resided in this community for over a hundred years and therefore I have a very vested interest in the general welfare of Santa Paula.
Joe Torres
Santa Paula
Support Beverly Mueller for Library Board
To the Editor:
Anyone who has grown up in Santa Paula, and had children in Santa Paula knows we have a wonderful library. It’s a bright, cheerful center that provides books, films and computer access for the whole community. We can be grateful to the members of the Library Board of Trustees, who not only have kept the library afloat during this period of shrinking funding, but have been truly “hands-on” for the library. They work at the book sales, process books and pitch in wherever help is needed. Thank you to Brenda de Jamaer and Suzi Skutley, who will continue to be on the Board, and Beverly Somdahl Mueller, Ed Geis and Ninette Reyes.
Beverly Somdahl Mueller is running for re-election, and we hope to have the continued benefit of her wisdom and experience for many years to come. Bev is the only candidate who has actually worked in libraries. She was with the Ventura County Library system for several years, and worked a similar number of years here at our wonderful library. She also helped set up the library at the Ventura Veterans Home, and goes in regularly to maintain it. She has an insider’s solid working knowledge of library needs, and has proven to be a sound fiscal steward of the shrinking library funds.
Bev is a native of Santa Paula, and has a long record of community service. She is currently President of Altrusa International of San Buenaventura, a group that performs community service projects for various organizations around the county. Altrusa members organized two book-mending workshops at the Blanchard Library last year, and are planning another this month.
Ed and Ninette have decided to conclude their service to the Board. We are sorry to see them go, but as others have said, this does provide an excellent opportunity for two new members who can contribute their own ideas and support. I believe that Beverly Somdahl Mueller has served the library very well and feel she has the sound knowledge, experience, dedication and passion needed for our library and our community. With Bev’s continued service as a board member, we can look forward to an exciting future at the Blanchard Library.
Karen Heath-Karayan,
Santa Paula
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