Santa Clara Valley Legal AidSanta Paulans fortunateTo the Editor:The residents of Santa Paula are very fortunate to have a Council that chose PERC to build the new sewer plant under a design, build, operate and finance regime, rather than the “custom designed” plant previously considered. Santa Paula’s new facility will be a model for more plants and will put Santa Paula in a very good light, which we need in these difficult times. Fillmore’s plant, for 1//2 the population of Santa Paula, is costing at least as much as Santa Paula’s, or more. Now, they don’t want to admit that over there, and you can see why that is. Forget about “extra piping” and all that. That’s part of their plant, and so it’s part of the legitimate cost, and Fillmore residents are paying for it, not Santa Claus. Why is it cities have been paying too much for projects?Because historically, cities, counties, virtually all governments have contracted with outside “experts” to design plants or facilities on a one for one basis, each project or building being a “new design,” custom crafted to the customers’ perceived needs or desires, and paid for at a high price, just for that privilege. The old boy network prospers under such procurement standards: lots of designers, engineers, consultants, draftsmen, accountants and lawyers get well financially under this “gold plated hammer” way of doing things. But the DBOF method that is being employed here in Santa Paula, and it is one of the first, if not the first, in the country where a sewer plant has been so built and financed, goes in a better direction. It is known as “performance”, or “outcome based” contracting. This means that instead of paying all the above named experts to design and build a plant, the buyer simply issues ironclad performance specifications based upon the desired “outcome” rather than trying to reinvent the wheel each time right out of the box. To do that, as an example, the agency merely requests that the proposed facility deliver certain results for a specific price, and that performance and price is guaranteed by a credentials check along with appropriate warranties and performance bonds. It’s that simple. All the rest is smoke and mirrors. Why anyone in Santa Paula, who opposed this new approach, is still singing that old, inefficient and expensive song of “consultants know best” - is truly mind-boggling. Certain people will never acknowledge the truth, but let’s face it, the proof is in the pudding. Soon everyone will know this to be true. The Council deserves praise for what they have done, and the two new members, Fred Robinson and Jim Tovias, will be welcome additions.Ray Luna and John Procter both voted as they thought best and leave with their heads high; they are owed a debt for their hard work as well.Richard MainSanta PaulaSupport Boys & Girls ClubTo the Editor:The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley has started it’s annual “It Just Takes One” Campaign which garners support from individuals and businesses who see the importance of investing in causes that demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness in transforming donations into positive changes in the lives of children.Many of you have received the Club’s Holiday Appeal letter in the mail. I would implore you to consider giving to the Boys & Girls Club right now when their need is the greatest it has ever been.The Boys & Girls Club Movement’s impact on youth, families, and communities is profound. In a Harris Survey, 57% of former Club members surveyed said that a Club saved their life. The Mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to inspire and enable the healthy growth & development of all youth in a supportive and safe environment throughout the Santa Clara Valley. In short, the Club “prepares youth to do life.”Kids who are members of the Boys & Girls Clubs are enriched and enlightened by a variety of nationally proven programs executed by professionally trained staff members. The staff’s main role is to nurtured positive relationships that inspire a sense of hope and opportunity and guide them to develop the attitudes and behaviors they need to succeed in school, become economically self sufficient, and develop healthy family and community relationships.A recent study by the Florida Tax Water Research Institute, a nonprofit, non-partisan watchdog group examined the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs in Florida were having throughout that state. The findings reveal that Club members had: lower high school dropout rates than those of non-club kids; greater overall learning gains in reading and math; lower rates of absenteeism at all grade levels; and lower rates of criminal offenses.Even more impressive were the economic benefits of the study findings: high school graduates earn $6,935 per year more than dropouts; the State of Florida saves $13,920 in Medicaid and uninsured insurance coverage cost over each high school graduate’s lifetime; and the State of Florida saves $11,463 in educational cost for every school-age child who does not become involved in the criminal justice system.The Florida TaxWatch study, Florida Boys & Girls Clubs: A Comparative Analysis of Student Performance is available at www.FloridaTaxWatch.org or calling (850)222-5052.The study by Jamshid Damooei, chairman of California Lutheran University’s Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting which just came out last month also proved that the Boys & Girls Club is a money saving investment. The study of the economic impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme revealed that for every $1 spent at the club’s center and after school sites, $4 is saved by the communities they serve. The club’s overall cost savings to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme was over $37 million annually. The article that reported this study’s findings can be found at: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/nov/21/boys-girls-clubs-study-cites-benefitsThe Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley, like most non-profit organizations, is currently suffering from a reduction in revenues from all sources and has had to make difficult cuts in staffing. The club is at a point now that unless more revenue is generated the next cuts will be in the programs that the kids depend on.If you feel like I do, that the Boys & Girls Clubs Santa Clara Valley is a vital investment that we need to make in our youth and in our community, then please support them by sending a donation to: Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley, P.O. Box 152,Santa Paula, CA 93061.Mike MobleyImmediate Past PresidentBoys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley
Letters to the Editor
December 19, 2008
Opinion
Being there for youth
To the Editor:Why I support the Boys and Girls Club#1. As you all know, the decisions kids make during their adolescence dramatically alter the rest of their lives. It’s often easier to make the wrong decisions due to several factors including peer pressure. While parents are the prime caregivers for children, work schedules and life do not allow children to be supervised all the time. So any supplemental guidance and mentoring can really make the difference.#2. The mentoring received at the Boys and Girls Club can make a difference. Our well trained, dedicated yet underpaid staff are positive role models for so many of our valley’s children. I know in my life, one or two mentors really helped me chose the right direction just when I needed it.#3. The Boys and Girls Club is time tested. For the past 75 years, clubs through out the country have been there for the youth of America performing their duties in a quiet humble manner.Before I came on the Board, I thought substantial support came from the United Way and the national organization. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We need support from the communities we serve to cover our operating costs. I assure you, every dollar is spent wisely. Please send your donations to P. O. Box 152, Santa Paula or call 525-7910.Mike HauseSanta PaulaThank you Santa Paula!To the Editor: Thank you for the support and votes which I received this past election for the Santa Paula Union High School Board. Needless to say, there were not sufficient votes for the 2 possible seats but not bad for essentially conducting no campaign, no advertising and a $500.00 budget. I am however very satisfied of the two worthy and competent choices who were elected.My biggest gratitude to Santa Paula however is the election of Jim Tovias and Fred Robinson as the newly elected council members. We now have four council members who will potentially be agreeing on many issues that will come before the city council. And most importantly, the consensus will be for the good of the community. I can’t say it better nor describe it any better than to state we will have a “Government of the People, for the People, and by the People”. Certainly, this is not to rule out disagreements on certain particulars but I state with little reservation that the major issues that will impact the future quality growth and the future of quality life in Santa Paula will not be compromised by ideology or selfish pressure groups. The future of Santa Paula will be dependent on increasing the City’s revenues. I trust these two new council members along with Mr. Bob Gonzales and Mr. Ralph Fernandez have that vision in mind. This was an amazing feat that the majority accomplished in Santa Paula this last election. I thank Ray Luna for his contributions as councilman and as mayor. Perhaps his earlier years on the council were frustrating years. After all when one makes the continuous descending vote, it can be very wearisome. Knowing Ray for many years and observing many decisions previous council made, he may not have voted with the majority. Nevertheless, he at least experienced his last 2 years voting with the majority which were triumphant years.Now if the State of California and our country, the United States could only follow our example, perhaps we could rid ourselves of these big government spenders such as the Banking King & Queen also known as Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank. The latest word for miracles has become synonymous with government bailouts. Bailouts unquestionably are yet another disdain that’s taking responsibility away from people. What a shame that the U.S. citizens at large have prostituted themselves by electing these corrupt legislators all for the sake of government’s handouts. These elected officials continuously earmarking and allocating funds for their district has ensured their re-election. It’s too bad that we as a whole cannot sensibly understand that money foolishly spent cannot be replaced with money earned by hardworking men and women; you and I! There are no free lunches but just as the Nigerian scam continues to find new takers, so do these corrupt legislators continue the seduction of their constituency. Andrew F. CastanedaSanta PaulaHelp warm a childTo the Editor:To my Ventura County Friends: The sounds of footsteps, clatter and laughter scatter in the single file line. The kids are waiting to see Santa. There are more in this line than in years past. My seven year old looks with awe and curiosity. I tell him that many children are not getting presents this year because mothers and fathers have lost their jobs; they have lost their homes or there just isn’t anything extra to buy presents. That in this line where they stand exposed to the late afternoon chill for their one toy it will be their only Christmas present. He goes quiet. With saucer eyes he indignantly asks: “Mom, why won’t Santa give presents to those kids?” Please join Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid’s second annual Winter Coat Drive. On December 22 we will be giving away brand-new warm winter coats to needy children of the Santa Clara Valley who are standing outside in line in Fillmore to receive their gift (from the toy drive) from Santa. Please donate either brand new coats or cash. There are no “administrative” costs. You send the checks and I go and buy the coats. Or, if you are in Fillmore please drop by with a donation of a new coat. Last year due to the generosity of the community we gave away over 200 brand new coats with hoods. We all feel the effects of this economy and know that there are very financially challenged families who cannot provide warmth for their kids this winter. If you would like to join this community of generosity you can send checks to: Winter Coat Fund, c/o Laura Bartels, 540 Sespe Avenue, Suite #2, Fillmore, CA 93015, or to Winter Coat Fund at the Santa Clara Valley Bank, 527 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015 Account #002-112027. As Marion Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund says: “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”A warm coat makes a big difference.Thank You.Laura Bartels, Director
