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Here is a copy of the letter Scott Eicher sent to Gary Kaiser and was publish in the Ojai Valley News on January 3rd.

January 9, 2007

Dear Gary Kaiser,

As the CEO of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, I must protest the EIR review of the Troesh Ready-Mix proposal as conducted by agencies in Santa Barbara County. Undoubtedly you have received many communications from Ojai valley residents expressing their displeasure with the potential increase in gravel truck traffic through our community. I am adding my voice, and the voice of our 300 members, representing over 5,000 employees, to this expression.

Traffic through the Ojai Valley via Highway 33 is at an almost constant level year-round. This level has earned a Caltrans traffic efficiency grade of D during non-peak times and an F during peak commuting times. The previous addition of these large capacity trucks with trailers to the stream served only to increase the amount of traffic, the duration of rush hour times, and the potential for fatal and near fatal traffic accidents. Increasing the number and frequency of gravel truck trips will exacerbate an already dangerous situation.

The trucks are too large for the upper section of Highway 33, which is considered a Scenic Highway by the State of California. As they work their way down from the Lockwood Valley, the trucks are continuously crossing over the center line encroaching on already narrow lanes of the opposing uphill traffic. The noise and fumes generated are noxious and disturbing. From the many personal reports from Matilija Canyon residents, these trucks do not follow the guidelines for times to travel on Highway 33. They will continue to ignore these limitations because there is no oversight and there is no apparent penalty for non-compliance.

Ojai's economy is tourist driven. Much of what attracts visitors to this valley are the natural recreational facilities surrounding us. Predominate among them is the Los Padres National Forest, and specifically the Sespe Wilderness area. As tales of gravel truck near misses increase, the number of visitors coming to the Ojai to camp and hike in the Sespe will drop. Local usage of the area has already been adversely affected. A decrease in overall tourism will have an adverse impact on our local businesses to continue to make a profit, whether they are in hospitality, retail or food and beverage service.

I urge upon you for your consideration that you rethink your decision to permit an increase in gravel truck trips through the Ojai Valley area along Highway 33. If you were to route these trucks through your county, particularly through Montecito or Carpinteria along Highway 192, you would be hearing from your voting constituents at an even more vocal level than you will be hearing from those of us in Ojai. Santa Barbara County is receiving the profit from this permit; I suggest they take the responsibility for the traffic and pollution as well.

Scott Eicher is the chief executive officer of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce and a longtime resident of Ojai.

----- Original Message -----
From: SupervisorCarbajal
To: Howard Smith
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 9:30 PM
Subject: Increasing Gravel Truck Traffic on Route 33 Ignores Danger

Dear Howard,

Thanks you for sharing your views about this matter with me.

I will keep your concerns in mind if and/or when this matter comes before the Board.

I appreciate your taking the item to contact me.

Salud Carbajal, Supervisor
Santa Barbara County

Mr. Kaiser:

I implore you to reconsider your decision to accept the proposal by Troesh Ready-Mix to increase their truck traffic on Route 33. Anyone with any knowledge of the area and this road could not possibly agree with the findings of the EIR that this increase in traffic can be mitigated in any way. Route 33 is a narrow scenic highway through the Sespe Wilderness with severe curves, steep grades and no shoulders in most areas. It is rated as dangerous under normal low usage conditions. Route 33 then progresses into the Ojai Valley and passes as a two-lane, high traffic road that Caltrans already rates as very congressed.

Troesh should be made to route its truck traffic to Route 166 and Route 101 as these highways are more suitable to accomodate these types of vehicles and amount of traffic they will represent.

Sincerely,

A. Michael Weaver
Weaver Research & Consulting Group
P.O. Box 1312
Ojai, CA 93024
805.646.4745
www.weavergroup.org

Howard:

I'm really grateful that you are taking the initiative to do what you can to stop this. I'm traveling (as usual!) until the 19th so really can't get too involved, I just want to wish you well. If you'd like to use my name as a "concerned citizen", be my guest. You've got my proxy.

All the best,
Rinaldo