Ken ZimmetSanta PaulaCitizens have spokenTo the Editor:The citizens of Santa Paula have spoken, and I congratulate Fred Robinson and Jim Tovias on their election. I had the opportunity to spend a fair amount of time with both Fred and Jim and feel certain that they will work hard to make our beautiful town a better place.As a community, it is time to unite and work together in areas where we agree for the benefit of everyone who calls Santa Paula their home and move toward our bright future.My special thanks go the individuals who most helped me through the campaign process: John Procter, Gabino Aguirre, Kay Wilson-Bolton, Mary Ann Krause, JoAnn Guilin, Liz Stage, Rick Cook, Laura Espinosa, Joyce and Ernest Carlson and Carl and Cathy Barringer, and my husband Craig Rudolph. You have been dedicated, understanding, patient with me, and hard working.I also thank my friends and supporters, many of whom are union families; I am sorry that I will not be your voice on the Council, but I thank you for your generous support.Jennifer MatosSanta PaulaThank you, too!To the Editor:Thank you Mr. Castañeda for your letter of November 7, 2008. The letter “Get back to the basics” was so good and so true.You were answering a letter of October 24, 2008, by Luzmaria Espinoza. I want to say two things: 1) I could not understand nor make sense of that letter, and 2) Santa Paula is not a “pueblito”. Santa Paula is a small town situated in a lovely valley in the United States of America.Alex VillaSanta PaulaMy ThanksTo the Editor:The 2008 Election is over, and the results for the Santa Paula City Council race have been officially confirmed - finally. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who voted for me, and I promise to work hard to represent all the citizens of Santa Paula as I assume a seat on the City Council.Many people contributed to my successful campaign. It would be impossible to list everyone in this short letter, however, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who supported me with your contributions, hard work, endorsements, letters, and encouragement. I would like to single out a few people for their contributions.I would like to thank Ray Luna and John Procter for their eight years of service on the city council. Both served with distinction, and their legacy of service will be long remembered. I would like to thank Jennifer Matos for her enthusiastic campaign. Democracy is not well served when a campaign is without a professional dialogue on the issues. You gave the people of Santa Paula that opportunity, and although it made my job a lot harder, I thank you for stepping forward. I extend my best to you and my high school classmate, Dr. Craig Rudolph. I would like to congratulate my running mate, James Tovias, on his successful campaign. Your encouragement throughout the campaign inspired me to work harder. Your father would be proud of you. I look forward to working together these next four years. I would like to thank former Mayor Bob Gonzales and our new Mayor Ralph Fernandez, for your endorsement, advice, wisdom, and support throughout the campaign. You’ve led the City in a new direction these past two years and we’re now postioned to accomplish great things for Santa Paula. I look forward to working with you to make that happen. I would like to thank everyone who served on our campaign advisory committe - again too many to name. I thank you for your efforts on everything from raising money, setting up signs, marketing, advertising, walking, phone banks, and most of all encouragement. It was a grueling campaign and you kept us focused. I would like to offer a very special thanks to the Santa Paula Police Officers and Firefighters Associations. Public safety will always be my first priority. Thank you for making our city a safe and comfortable place to live. I must extend a very special thank you to my campaign manager, Orval Garrison. You did it all for me, everything from the FPPC filings, signs, cruise night, all that walking, and much, much more. And I must thank Katy Garrison for allowing me to interrupt your lives for a couple of months. You are very special people, and Santa Paula is fortunate to have you amongst us. I extend a very sincere appreciation to the love of my life, my wife Sharon. You’ve supported me for over forty years, and you very quietly give so much back to the community while I stand in the public spotlight. It is you who should be the one honored. In closing, I promise to represent all of the citizens of this great community to the best of my ability. I ask for your thoughts and prayers as we move forward. Together, we can make Santa Paula a very special place.Fred W. RobinsonSanta Paula
Letters to the Editor
December 05, 2008
Opinion
Parade thanks
To the Editor:On behalf of the Santa Paula Optimist Club, I would like to thank the following people for helping to make this year’s Christmas Parade such a success: the Police Department and the Santa Paula Public Works for the traffic control; A.W. Coulter Trucking for the flatbed trailer; the Santa Paula Fire Department; the Santa Paula Times; Gil Segovia for contacting Santa Claus; and H. Bolton Co. for the car signs.The City of Santa Paula co-sponsored the Christmas Parade again and this helped to make the parade a huge success. An advertisement announcing the parade appeared in the Santa Paula Times. Time Warner filmed the parade and it will be aired throughout Ventura County. These efforts brought spectators to our town and our town will be presented to the rest of the County. Thank you to the City of Santa Paula for your greatly appreciated support.A special thanks to Peggy Kelly for announcing the parade and providing the Christmas music. Peggy did a great job and she really got everyone into the right mood.Thank you to the judges who had to make the hard decisions, Bill Grant, Bernie Pulido, and from the Santa Paula City staff Cliff Finley, Tiffany Leon, and Karen Berry.Thanks to Rey Frutos for providing a convertible.Jojo Leon and Erin Hicks, both graduates of Santa Paula Union High School, were the announcers on the cable TV program. Thanks.To all those who took part in this year’s parade we thank you for all your time and effort which made the parade a great success. Without you our parade would not be possible.To those that came out and watched the parade we appreciate your support. It made it worthwhile for us who put on the parade for you.The theme this year was “Christmas Toyland” and I hope that everyone gets the toys they wish for. We all had a great time and this is what makes Santa Paula a great place.The Santa Paula Optimist Club is “The Friend of Youth.” If you are interested in getting involved in youth projects and possible membership in our club, please call me at 525-9439 or write me at P.O. Box 507, Santa Paula CA 93061-0507.Merry Christmas and Happy New YearRon Merson, ChairmanSanta Paula Christmas ParadeA wonderful storeTo the Editor:This Christmas I hope the women of Santa Paula and their husbands and boyfriends will shop at our wonderful downtown Merle Norman cosmetics store and keep it open. The Luxiva makeup and skin care is the best I have ever used. The key on the makeup is to make an appointment with the owner who will choose perfect colors and write everything down in case you want to buy a few things at a time. Recently I went into a famous high end makeup store, for the first time, in L.A. I was rather shocked. The prices were much higher, the inventory was a mess, and the atmosphere was like a warehouse. Our own Merle Norman store is so much nicer. Also, I’ve found the price of Merle Norman makeup is similar to drug store cosmetics over time because I don’t buy any mistakes that have to be put in a drawer and replaced.Men, this is the perfect gift certificate. Let’s encourage this shopkeeper and all of our local store owners.Rita GrahamSanta PaulaWell deserved thanksTo the Editor: Let’s say a sincere word of thanks to Councilmen Ray Luna and John Procter. We have not always been in agreement but I have enormous respect for both. Ray Luna did an outstanding job bringing our community together as mayor following the 2006 election. And I agree with Councilman Bob Gonzalez who said that John Procter has a great heart. He certainly does, and he has done much for the people of this community. These fine men deserve out thanks.Delton Lee JohnsonSanta PaulaA good crewTo the Editor:We campaigned and won the vote for the two council members everyone wanted in the first place. We must have done something right. I think the Cabrillo company used up all the crying towels as did the “No on 8” group.It was a great swearing in day for Jimmie and Fred that was well accepted by our two new council members, as was the big attendance on Monday eve. They know what the city’s needs are. They listen and talk with every citizen and give back a positive answer. They have a good knowledge of the city and know most citizens’ wants. It is to get the things done that it will take to upgrade every need that has been put off for years.Everyone is positive now about the new council. It has been great for what Ralph and Bob and Ray have done and now we have help from two positive Santa Paula native citizens.“Congratulations” also to the new Mayor of River City. You have many friends and followers as Bobbie had as mayor. There are so many locals now saying they will now get more involved. A big positive. Happy citizens.The two council retirees John Procter and Ray Luna will always be friends to everyone and John, like myself, enjoys volunteering for good causes.
