Council asked to approve additional Korean War vets Hwy 126 signage

December 14, 2001
Santa Paula City Council

Veterans asked that the City Council consider giving their approval to dedicating more of Highway 126 to those who served in the Korean War.

The request was made at the Nov. 19 meeting where questions of Santa Paula losing its identity was questioned by the mayor.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesVeterans asked that the City Council consider giving their approval to dedicating more of Highway 126 to those who served in the Korean War.The request was made at the Nov. 19 meeting where questions of Santa Paula losing its identity was questioned by the mayor.E. Everett Baca of Santa Paula, the Secretary of Chapter 56 of the Korean War Veterans’ Association, to the council that the organization is trying to “finish the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway signs. . .we want to go all the way to the 101,” freeway connection.A letter from KWVA Chapter 56 Commander David Lopez sent to Senator Jack O’Connell in December 1999 noted that the group had requested signage be placed along Highway 126 from Interstate 5 to the 101. Only the stretch from Interstate 5 to Santa Paula city limits at Hallock Drive was approved and eight signs dedicated.
Baca told the council that approval must be given by the city councils of Santa Paula and Ventura for the rest of the signs to be placed.“The issue for me hasn’t changed from last time,” said Mayor Don Johnson. “. . .we’ve lost the signage that said Santa Paula. I don’t want to lose the Santa Paula designation,” completely.Baca said the name of the highway will not be changed but Johnson said Lopez’s correspondence stated a name change. “Yes, it did [change the name],” Johnson noted. “I think Korean War vets are the greatest people in the world but I don’t want to lose our identity.” Caltrans had already changed signage designating Santa Paula on the Highway 126 signs, “. . .taking our identity away. . .”The Korean War Veterans’ Association and VFW Mercer-Prieto Post #2043 raised the funds for the first series of eight signs along a 28-mile stretch of Highway 126.There is confusion about the name of Highway 126: a copy of the resolution passed in 1994 noted that the portion of highway between Interstate 5 and Hallock Drive be designated for the Korean War veterans. MapQuest, an Internet map service, lists the veterans portion of highway and the Santa Paula Freeway.



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