ojai news at The Ojai Post :: blog, newspaper, events in Ojai, California

Regarding the efforts and publicity
on the recently formed green coalition and
participating agencies, it truly is an opportunuty to
demonstrate our willingness to stand out with
sustainable community values. However the city of Ojai
and decision makers have much remaining work to do
do demonstrate their part, because the only shade of
green they show can be found from developers with lots
of cash navigating the process of planning, then a
final nod from city council for the on-going projects
we are seeing here now. Bryant Street Industrial Plan
is one of numerous examples of the non-green building
of Ojai not living up to its reputation that the mayor
so proudly points out. Without protection of the small
town quality of life that is deminishing at an
alarming rate, the promises being planned for and made
to not carry much substance behind them.

Pete LaFollette
Ojai

As with many areas in life, it's important to celebrate and find the untiy in diversity. We all have expertise in different disciplines. Education can be a slow process. Developers don't always know about "green" alternatives and building practices or what an eco-logical footprint is. I believe things get accomplished by creating relationships and pooling resources and knowledge. This can occur in our town as well.

Dennis:

Enough already! Once again your rhetoric goes too far. Please stop assuming that you have knowledge of (or represent) "the values of one third of Ojai's voters". People voted (or didn't vote) for many reasons and with a variety of issues in mind.

And to state: "That LA [Los Arboles] got compliments only confirms that two thirds of Ojaians are relatively unenlightened social beings" is an OUTRAGEOUS thing to say. It is inflammatory and insulting - and very far from "enlightened". You once said that you were embarrassed by much of what you write - in this instance you should be ashamed as well.

Yes, I, too was put off by being called unenlightened. Sounds like Mr. Leary is the one who could use some enlightening.

Mr. Leary is very "unenlightened" as he fully doesn't understand the positive correlation between the location of this development and the revenue the City receives from the homeowners who contribute to the community.

I'm just not quite sure I understand how the people who live at Los Arboles are negatively impacting the local economic base in the city. With 23 homeowner's forking out over $10k plus per year in property taxes ($230,000)plus the increase in sales tax generated from the many sales that they generate at local businesses in town, I'm having a difficult time seeing how this negatively impacts the City. Can Mr. Leary explain from a financial perspective how two or three Evergreen cottages can do more for the economy than the 23 homeowners who contribute heavily to the local economic base and revenue stream of the city?

Also, I didn't realize that the individuals that Mr. Leary mentioned lived at the old Evergreen cottages and were kicked out by the property owner that developed Los Arboles. Maybe Mr. Leary should do his due diligence before making inaccurate assertions. While I too find it very troubling that the cost of housing is prohibitive for young families, Los Arboles or the people who live there are not responsible for these issues. Who's to say that they even wanted to pay a million dollars for a home??? You are just making wild assumptions without any concrete facts to support or substantiate your assertions.

By the way, there are many homes that do not cost $1 million dollars and while home prices are high, interest rates are still the lowest they have been in almost 40 years. There are plenty of older homes in need of TLC that would be make a nice investment for first time homebuyers. In fact, my first home was a fixer and was a way to get started. I didn't have some wild expectation that my first home had to be nice and new.

Some people have been fortunate to work hard and have ample home equity from many years of prior homeownership. Ms. Oxley nor anyone else for that matter should be criticized for working hard to achieve the successes that she has achieved. Maybe you should look to her and other people like her as a role model for hard work and achievement instead of expecting the government to subsidize everything! Stop bashing those enlightened beings for the successes they have achieved. Remember, this is a capitalist society and as Ms. Oxley so eloquently stated, a VERY FREE COUNTRY. Get over it Mr. Leary.

This kind of high density development in the village center is a good example of smart growth and prevents urban sprawl. And just a few streets over is a great example of a single family affordable housing development within walking distance of services and transportation.

Los Arboles is "smart growth"?

Our self-righteous Los Arboles resident is "a role model for hard work and achievement instead of expecting the government to subsidize everything"?

I am sorry to say it, but Lisa Snyder, Ms. Oxley and "Ojai Gal" are parodies of "enlightenment." Please.

Keep it up Dennis. This town can use the harsh light of truth every now and then. And for those who champion Los Arboles - what are you doing in Ojai? If it is such a free country, can't one town in Southern California be free of your self-righteous, chain store-condominium-crappy taste-oversized SUV-cable TV reality? Let me not be the first to break it to you, but sitting on your ass while your home value rose was not "earning" a damn thing. It certainly didn't earn you the right to ruin this town or this valley.

Anonymous: I also abhor the thought of chains and more condo complexes invading our town. But - is it really the fault of the people who now live in Los Arboles?? Is it not the developers and the city council who should be on the receiving end of your wrath and our collective activism?

I've seen several of these residents - sweet elderly widows - around town (i.e. supporting local businesses) laughing, smiling, enjoying life (in other words - being pleasant citizens who are great to have in our community). I don't begrudge them anything.

And as for "sitting on your ass while your home value rose", to me that is simply called "making your money work for you" and is a great gig if you can get it. That doesn't mean that years of hard work and extreme sacrifice weren't involved.

As for Dennis: if he does continue with all the emotional hyperbole and unnecessary sneering at some Ojai citizens that he's been displaying of late, he is going to continue to alienate much if not most of the valley. And what good does that do? In my opinion he is hurting (rather than helping) this newly found alliance that seems to be thankfully gaining ground.

Anonymous: Why do you put chain stores and condos in the same sentence? I would venture to say that not all people who live in a condo in Ojai want chain stores in Ojai. Maybe the condo fits their life style choice.

I think that chain stores would be very detrimental to small, locally owned businesses. However, I don't think that the people who do live at Los Arboles or any other condo complex are the ones who control such issues. As Long Time Ojai resident mentioned, maybe you are directing your anger at the wrong people.

Well, I see that I have stirred up a hornet's nest. If you think the wasps are mad, wait til you see this morning's Ojai Valley News. The editor made a typo in my letter to the editor, the same one that leads this thread. He or she changed my words "...Los Arboles (LA for hereon) McMansions..." to "Los Arboles (L.A. for heroin) McMansions...".

I wrote him just now, asking for a correction. His version sounds like I think Los Arboles is a haven for drug dealers and addicts, which I definitely do not. I meant to use LA as an abbreviation for Los Arboles "hereon in," meaning for the rest of the article. I have nothing against the residents, but like the present Ojai council, they are caught in a crossfire of value systems. I ask the residents, as I have often asked the incumbents, not to take things personally. I am out to uncover hidden values and agendas so that I can become more enlightened about what is going on.

I must admit that when I first read the above comments, I felt a flush of embarrassment and shame, along with a self judgement that I had indeed gone too far in my rhetoric. My background and personality pushes me in the direction of passivity, hiding out, not saying anything, and submitting to authority. However, something else is also at work, and that something else keeps speaking up, despite my best efforts to suppress it.

It is true that I am unenlightened, which is why I can recognize it in society. I like this kind of controversy because it moves me along the path of enlightenment. Our founding fathers came out of the period of enlightenment, but they were just a stage in a movement towards greater enlightenment.

Generally speaking, enlightenment moves from emotion to reason, and from private good to universal good. It is good that controversies come to light because that is what enlightenment is about. So I welcome being called outrageous, inflammatory, insulting, and unenlightened. It's true but not the whole truth. There's information in the emotional charges, and enlightenment resides within those emotional energy charges (that is where the real juice is).

I will answer to the information and questions raised, while honoring the emotions expressed, in time. I have made notes and will get around to it, but not all at once. For now, I wish to address the idea that there is an alliance of people who want change because they sense a serious danger in present governmental policies and societal conditions, and that I may be alienating the majority. That kind of counsel may be politically correct, but it doesn't sit well with my idea of truth and justice. I have some serious work ahead, in analyzing just what is going on in Ojai and in the world at large. Counter analyses and reactions to what I say here are "grist for the mill."

The Ojai Post is one of the very few remaining real free presses, that is not afraid of airing basic issues, and has the ability and the resources to do so. If I continue to be outrageous, inflammatory, insulting, and unenlightened, I may end up talking to myself, but that is the point of a free press within a free country. No one has to listen or to agree. And private property rights are not threatened, because the Ojai Post owner(s) can always refuse to accept my submissions, as dangerous to the stability of the community, or some such cover. I don't believe I have to fear the fate of Socrates for corrupting the youth of Athens, but the way national politics is going, it is not inconceivable that hemlock may be a desirable alternative. My harping on symbols like Los Arboles may accomplish nothing other than provide therapeutic value for my shame and embarrassment issues, or my unenlightened ego problems. The Ojai Post seems to provide many services, political and therapeutic being two of many. Thanks to the gods of freedom for that.

From the post above: "If it is such a free country, can't one town in Southern California be free of your self-righteous, chain store-condominium-crappy taste-oversized SUV-cable TV reality?"

A little bit harsh perhaps. But also right on. Isn't the essence of freedom that we can have some diversity in this world? The "sweet elderly widows" of Los Arboles (is that what Los Arboles residents are?) notwithstanding, wasn't Ojai at one time an alternative to the breathe, consume and hoard money school of value on this planet? More to the point: does the money and comfort of 20 sweet elderly widows make up for the contribution of 2 families of artists/poets/freaks who would be attracted to rundown, small, simple cottages next to the park? As a more concrete example: Los Arboles residents have complained about music at the Libbey Bowl, and would shut it down. No offense to smiling sweet elderly widows, but is their sweet good cheer worth the loss of music and festivals at the Libbey Bowl? Which contributes more to Ojai's character and ultimate sustainability?

Ojai needs to be open to all sorts. If we keep welcoming the shallow values money set that are attracted to a Los Arboles, the result will be that Ojai will only be open to them. That's the insidious nature of bringing these condoes and McMansions into town. It is population replacement. While Old Time Resident focuses on the city council and the developers - who are perfectly prepared to take that heat and stay on track - the people who value what has kept Old Time resident and the rest of us here all these years gradually leave. The sweet old widows who replace them are nice people and spend money - but are they actively contributing to what makes Ojai special? Will an Ojai domninated by sweet old widows be the Ojai OTR wants to live in? OTR can rest assured that among the sweet old widows of Los Arboles are a few who sure would like a convenient Wal-Mart down at the Y. After welcoming Los Arboles and all it represents, would we deny them their Wal-Mart? What a bait and switch. Wouldn't be fair. (And as the recent election results show, would be futile anyway - the Wal-Mart lovers at that point would outvote the rest of us, leaving us to cry in our puddle.)

Meanwhile, as long as those Los Arboles-dwelling "sweet old widows" feel like Ojai is changing into their sort of town and keep coming here, the city council and the developers will keep catering to them, no matter how much OTR fights them. Its supply and demand. Why not focus on making Ojai attractive to young artists, musicians, families and freaks as it traditionally has been? Then the demand will call for a supply of small attractive cottages, independent, funky businesses, etc. etc. And then perhaps instead of fighting city hall, maybe city hall will start to actually cater to that population. Still possible? Or too late?

Anonymous: No of course I didn't mean to imply that Los Arboles was mostly comprised of little old ladies. Actually, somebody has corrected me: the group that I am talking about consists of one or two owners and their very gregarious friends around Ojai. By the way, one of these women is another long time Ojai resident who moved there after her husband died because a condo was easier to upkeep and held less painful memories than her much larger house. (So there's at least one example of a resident not fitting the stereotype that some feel free to conjure up.)

Which begs the question: Why is it ok to lump all of Los Arboles residents into one group and then charactarize them at will? The labels that you and Dennis so easily use - "shallow values money set", "her class", etc. and the assumptions that you draw from them are (to me) just as embarrassing and illogical as an elderly relative I have who would naturally assume that any "artist/poet/freak" is a "marijuana-smoking, draft-dodging, Commie bastard". Both mindsets are intellectually, linguistically and morally outdated, don't you think.

My point is simply this: why pummel these people who (most probably) bought their property innocently thinking they were going to settle in and enjoy life in their new home (which, geez - is'nt that their right to do??) Yes, fight them on their objections to the music in the park; fight them on other things in which you feel they (through their own actions) negatively impact the town, but why torture them for something they had / have no control over? (I for one wouldn't want to be the type of person to do that to these people, and I'd like to think that my fellow townspeople would resist the urge as well.) Anyway, what good will it do now? I'm a woman but I can take a damn good guess at what it feels like pissing in the wind. And I strongly disagree with your assertion that it's useless to take a stand with the council and the developers. Quite the contrary I'd like to think.

So, in answer to your question - no, it's not too late. But in my humble opinion, the right tactics are the key to success.

I was wondering where some folks got the information that many Los Arboles residents were against the music in Libbey Park? I hontestly do not know where that information came from. Is it just assumed? I honestly do not know how that got started.
I personally know almost everyone here in this neighborhood and most Los Arboles residents cannot even hear the music, except for faintly while outside. Those of us closer to the park
that can hear it a tiny bit indoors and well outside, have commented on how they enjoy it! I go outside to do yard work whenever the band on stage is playing songs I like! Then I go indoors if there is music I do not care for. We have eaten BBQ dinners outside and been entertained by the Nordoff band. They are great! I have not heard ONE negative comment on the concerts from anyone. I've seen many of our residents participate in or enjoy the activities in the park. The Memorial Day event was wonderful and so well planned.
There was a local man who lives on the opposite side of Libbey Park from us that came around our Los Arboles neighborhood with a petition which was against the concerts taking place and it also stated that they wanted the concerts to end on time. I find it doubtful that he got many signatures here in our neighborhood. Everyone I have spoken with here knew there would be music and events in Libbey Park before they moved in and now that they live here, they enjoy many of the events themselves, as do I. I hear nothing but praises for the park, the nearby shops, restaurants and mostly positives about the people of Ojai.
What a diverse and interesting place to live.
I find most folks in Ojai are down to earth and open minded and feel lucky and happy to live in such a gorgeous place as the Ojai Valley.
POSTED BY: "LARs" = Los Arboles Resident

I would like to thank Mr. Leary for recognizing that he has a lot of work to do in terms of truly understanding the myriad issues facing Ojai today. That is a very big task! And also for speaking up for what he believes in. It is not always an easy thing to do.

Upon reading the many posts here, it makes me sad to see people generalizing the residents in our Los Arboles development. I personally despise the Wal-Marts, Starbucks, and other big chain stores of the world and have no interest whatsoever to support them. I would gladly stand beside you to fight any attempt to bring a Wal-Mart to town. One of the things I love the most about Ojai is the small, independently owned businesses. It always makes me feel good to support our local merchants and restaurants, many of which are neighbors and friends. Chain stores in Ojai are not a good thing as it takes away business from those who put their heart and soul into their independently owned business.

I challenge all of the posters and viewers to go out and support independently owned Ojai businesses. I know that as of today, all of my holiday gifts have been purchased locally and I plan on finishing the rest of my holiday shopping at locally owned businesses in Ojai. I refuse to get in my car to drive to some over crowded shopping mall when I can get the most precious and one of kind gifts in my own community. Additionally, I always make the effort to shop local. This includes the gas for my car (Chevron on Ojai Ave.), groceries (Starr Market), home decor and furnishings (too many places to list!), food for my animals (Wachters), clothes (Rains, Kindred Spirit, etc.), morning coffee (Ojai Coffee Roasting Co)-the list goes on. I hope you can say the same!

We might have different perspectives on political issues, however, I sense that we all treasure and want to protect this gem of a community that we all call home. We should all work together to develop positive, workable solutions to the difficult issues we face today. This can only be done if we respect each others differences and put our judgements of others aside.

Well said Los Arboles Resident and Ms. Otto.

It is great to see that with open dialogue and communication, rumors and stereotypes crumble and truth and tolerance (even enlightenment perhaps?) may just start to prevail. Welcome to Ojai and to The Ojai Post!

Leary barely got 10% of vote. Huge rejection of his fringe element positions.

Anonymous - better go re-review the "Math Safari" and "Math Anxiety" posted by Todd Miller a few posts down. Dennis and his "fringe positions" have very strong support - and that is without any real campaign, no campaign committee, not a single campaign sign... more important, what he represents is the best of Ojai. If its a dwindling "fringe" position, all the worse for Ojai.