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© 2006-2008 The Ojai Post
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The views expressed herein are the personal views of each individual author or commenter and are not intended to reflect the views of The Ojai Post or its Authors, Tribal Core or Tyler Suchman as managing editor.

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Guest Editorial: Pete LaFollette

I entered the city council race for reasons somewhat a mystery - the job itself being a long and thankless task with few willing participants. I know now going through the elections process that the community has found it’s voice, or one that I never quite heard before here. I’ve seen the old guard of Ojai awaken, and I’ve seen the newer one sing harmony with not the same old song and dance, but a stirring melody of hope and promise that is every bit as rare and beautiful as this valley surrounded by mountains that filter the light of dawn and dusk.

That this place is like no other, that is the essential message and the only one that really matters. Yes it is threatened here, but no It is not too late to change that - it is neither a lost horizon nor a lost cause.

I won’t be singing the melody from a city council seat but will be humming it as I make the rounds on bicycle and on foot to friends I see walking still quiet streets, still healthy small neighborhoods with trees and views and and still open places with pure streams to see and visit. It is still good to live in this place, to know and value it, to be a part of it. To see and hear this song being sung brings feelings of joy and contentment of what remains in this quiet valley of peace.

Pete LaFollette

Posted by Tyler Suchman on November 10, 2006 12:14 PM | | | Guest Editorial: Pete LaFollette

Comments (2)

Pete,

thanks so much for checking in, post-election. personally, i've always been a bit uncomfortable with candidates' tendencies to disappear (in shame?, which seems to almost be a value espoused by conventional politics) if they are not selected by the people to lead and serve. i'm always glad to know that you still exist and are still passionate about service and community and democracy and peace. your work is elsewhere besides the City Council right now, but your energy remains with us in our community.

great to see you at the Valley-Wide Discussion tonight...thanks for continuing to participate!

Comment #1 Posted by: evan | November 12, 2006 06:17 PM

Thanks for the inspiring message. Progress is being made. I was at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting yesterday. The city manager admitted that a property owner's consent is not required for landmark status, a reversal of his earlier statement at the power point presentation on Frostie. I'll be talking to the council about this tonight. Truth and justice are more important to me than number of votes. The role of minorities is often to keep the majority honest.

Comment #2 Posted by: Dennis Leary | November 14, 2006 10:41 AM

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