Mrs. Johnson heard Council member Garfield say the word “evil” then took the liberty of writing her comments without reviewing what was actually stated.This is equivalent to yelling, “Fire!”, then dashing out of the movie theater.As difficult as it may be at times to maintain one’s composure, I am confident that I have conducted myself in a professional and courteous manner. This, however, has not always been reciprocated.I have endured spit in my face as one council member angrily shouted at me in the council hallway, threatened and chastised for expressing views not in line with the council majority.Even with the above cited behaviors, I hold no ill will towards any other council member, nor Mrs. Johnson.Laura Flores EspinosaCouncil WomanSanta PaulaL.A.F.C.O. hearingTo the Editor:On Saturday January 15, 2000 at 2 p.m. at St. Sebastian Church classroom #1, an informational meeting regarding the City of Santa Paula Sphere of Influence application will be held. It is open to the public. The original Citizens LAFCO Committee has broadened to include neighbors and experts concerned with the city’s plans to quadruple the size of existing boundaries and expand into areas of agriculture and open space.The application was unanimously turned down over a year ago as to Adams Canyon, the area allowing predominately high-end estates, with few dwellings affordable to the average working family currently living in Santa Paula. The Local Agency Formation Commission sent the application back to the city to address the numerous concerns of water availability, flooding, drainage, traffic, fire and geologic hazards and a more balanced housing mix.In order to meet approval in a reconsideration hearing, the city must offer “new and compelling evidence. The city’s “White Paper” does a woeful job of addressing the significant issues requested by the commissioners. There is no “new and compelling” information as required, only promises to study. There is no specific information as to how additional services will be provided, especially in light of the city’s economic situation and the defeat of the utility tax. Even the city’s plan for additional revenue through its fee study is no longer being touted so loudly because its projections cannot be substantiated. Promises that developers will pay the costs for all needed infrastructure does not give the whole picture. Who will continue to maintain the needed services?The requirements under Cortese-Knox for consideration are the present and planned uses which should specifically address agricultural and open space lands, the present and projected needs for public services and facilities within the area, the present capacity and adequacy of public services, the existence of any social and economic communities of interest.L.A.F.C.O. Executive Director, former Santa Paula City Manager, Arnold Dowdy, has played a heavy hand in influencing an approval by suddenly thrusting an updated revision of the Commissioner’s Handbook as a recent agenda item. The rewording and elimination of key elements would lead one to wonder why have any guidelines at all. Mr. Dowdy states that the current handbook had never been officially adopted. This prompted his predecessor to correct him. All of this effort to circumvent the criteria will be for naught as the latest revisions to Cortese Knox will be presented to the legislature on January 20th with several inconsistencies with the new handbook which will have to be revised. Few may be aware, several years ago Mr. Dowdy, the city attorney, and other key officials were whisked away to the Arizona resort of the largest Adams Canyon property owner. Finally, Mr. Dowdy is planning to retire this Spring, he has nothing to lose by promoting a deficient report, he’ll be long gone. Don’t these actions warrant closer scrutiny?I urge you all to become more informed about how the city’s mega-growth plan will affect you and your family. Attend the workshop this Saturday afternoon, then you decide whether to support or oppose this plan before L.A.F.C.O. on January 19th. For more information, please call me or “525-LISA”.Laura Flores EspinosaCouncil WomanSanta PaulaStatements challengedTo the Editor:Huguette Johnson, in the January 7 Santa Paula Times, wrote that if you are tired of watching television you should attend city council meetings. She then proceeded to state several things about Laura Espinosa that I want to challenge.There have been requests by citizens to televise the city council meetings, so that those who cannot attend would have the opportunity to keep up with city business. Of course the requests were never implemented. If the majority of council members had really thought that televising the meetings would show the community just how unreasonable Mrs. Espinosa acted, they would have funded it in a heartbeat.The truth is the opposite. It would have clearly shown the shenanigans that the majority engage in at most meetings. There would be clear evidence of what took place. Now it is touch and go, as almost nothing is written and the tapes are unreliable as some people do not speak into the microphones. It also cost money to purchase tapes. The television would be free and available for viewing at different times.Mrs. Espinosa does ask serious questions of staff. Mrs. Espinosa does her homework and can discuss items on the agenda in an intelligent manner. Mrs. Espinosa does state her opinion on matters before the council. She NEVER mumbles; on each tape I have, she is clearly audible.The specific example that was used (“she called the rest of the council evil”) is an example of not hearing what was said. Her words described her opinion that the council’s attitude and decisions (not individual councilmembers) regarding the issue of housing for low income families were deplorable and evil. She DID NOT state the councilmembers were evil.If Huguette Johnson and her friends want the community to know what really goes on in council meetings, they should be in the forefront in the push for televising the meetings. I won’t be holding my breath for that to happen.Many people consider Santa Paula the laughingstock of the county and it is NOT due to the actions of Mrs. Espinosa!Martha K. HarrisSanta Paula
Letters to the Editor
January 14, 2000
Opinion
Open letter to LAFCO
To the Editor:This is an open letter to Kathy Long and the LAFCO Commissioners:On January 19, 2000 LAFCO will meet to vote on Santa Paula’s Sphere of Influence application. I would like to urge all the commissioners to vote yes to this application for the following reasons.The increased sphere would benefit all the children of Santa Paula who will have the opportunity of more parks and ball fields, if we can seek good projects that will include them.Our police and firefighters will benefit by an increased tax base that will provide ongoing funding for their departments and much needed raises.The merchants of Santa Paula will benefit by bringing in people who have more discretionary income to spend at their stores.The school districts will get higher property taxes from new houses not subject to Prop 13 lock-in low tax rates.The people of Santa Paula expect their County Supervisor to use her good offices to enlighten her fellow LAFCO commissioners about these benefits so that Santa Paula may be allowed to gently grow its way out of poverty.Mary DeinesSanta PaulaRegards to SPMHTo the Editor:To Pat Novak, Santa Paula Memorial HospitalDear Pat,The weekend before Christmas found me in your facility and even though it was not expected, it was certainly a pleasant experience. From the staff who assisted me in the ER through the two days of floor nurses, aides and Pink Ladies, everyone and everything could not have been more perfect. While I wish I could remember the name of each person who worked with me, I hope this can be posted in a prominent spot for all to read.Though I have been in Community Hospital, and found it certainly adequate, my stay at Santa Paula was far superior for all around performance, attitude and comfort. How fortunate we are to have such a modern facility staffed by such an army of caring, friendly and cheerful individuals. Although I certainly do not wish to return, if it is ever necessary I shall not dread another stay. Even the food was delicious!Wishing you and the hospital staff a very happy New Year.With warmest regards,Mary Alice Orcutt HendersonA say about trashTo the Editor:Hillview Estates is responding to statements in an article written in the Santa Paula Times indicating approval of the City Council to encompass Hillview Estates into city trash collection.We are presently a recycling community of 50% or more, which the article indicated was one of the reasons for Hillview Estates to be included in city garbage collection.Hillview Estates feels we should have our say into how our trash is handled. We take pride in our community and we are very satisfied with our present trash system. We are asking for our time to appear before the City Council so that they may be more aware of Hillview Estates’ needs and commitments.HIllview Estates Home Owners Assoc.Judy Irwin, PresidentStraight factsTo the Editor:I must set the facts straight regarding Mrs. Huguette Johnson’s letter of January 7, 2000 “Council meetings beat TV”.I never called any council member “evil” as Mrs. Johnson accuses.One may obtain a tape of the December 20, 1999 council meeting from the city clerk’s office for further verification.
