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

When my son was attacked, I spoke with the police chief after one of his men insulted my son. My son is the kind of kid who comes back home at 23 to help his Mom out of a financial crunch. He works hard every day and at times worked extra jobs to cover bills at our house. He was at work when I found out about the store video catching the attack. I called the police and then they told me my son didn't want to prosecute. I knew that wasn't true, but the officer who showed up at the crime scene had written that down. My son had so much bruising from blows to his head, we thought his cheekbone was broken at the time and he was dazed when he got home, which he did on his own steam. You would think they would insist on driving a victim who had suffered numerous blows to the head and not let him behind the wheel. No follow-up at all.

Liam drove by the police station 2 days later to find out what was happening and they said nothing until the officer who had 3 days off was back on duty. Sorry for getting sidetracked here but I get so angry just thinking about it. Liam called the station after I told him what they told me and what does the officer say to him? "How old are you? Do you always have your mother make phone for you?" What a rude thing to say to someone who was just victimized! And what do the police say in the paper? Liam has no known gang affiliations. It immediately puts suspicion on my son in the paper. When Liam gets home from work, he's so tired he usually falls asleep on the couch. He had never seen any of the gang members before let alone know any of them. He had simply stopped at the gas station for gas and was washing his windshield. He was ready to prosecute until 4 days after the attack when the police finally called back and told him it would be a misdemeanor and the attackers would get a citation. Why should Liam put his family in danger for that?

Those attackers would have his name and our address. We live on Fulton-a block away from most of the gang problems in Ojai. I talked again with Police Chief Norris and I feel he does nothing more than placate and talk the talk. He does not take action. We saw the video at the gas station. One guy hit my son with the hilt of his knife. We were told it was not considered a weapon because the blade wasn't open. The guy used the hilt to increase the power of his blows on my son. Another one, used the squeegee to hit my son. Sorry. Not a weapon. He and the boy from the gas station waited ten minutes after the fight was over in the locked store before a police car showed up...no lights and no siren. But our friend who had an outstanding late fee on a ticket she had paid two years ago gets hauled into jail for a night. It's ludicrous. And for her - it took two police cars with lights flashing. She told us the cops acted like it was a game. She heard the one who handcuffed her so tightly that she lost feeling in her fingers talk to some pal over the radio. "What'd you get?! What'd you get?!" Easy to arrest a single girl who is clueless to why they even followed them home with two cop cars, but do they do anything about safety in the valley? I don't see it.

They make no effort. They are not interested in follow ups or reports on robberies. You can't even get them to show up when there's one in progress--"We don't usually drive out that far." Shady Lane is too far out? I feel like Ojai Valley is an assignment for police who are ready for retirement and not interested in paperwork or chasing anyone down. Whole lot of show after a shooting happens, but God forbid they show up in time to actually do anything. They're not interested. Captain Norris told me there is a lot the police do that the public never sees. Fine. What the public remembers is their own interaction with had. I haven't heard one positive experience yet where they actually caught somebody or cared enough to help a girl working alone that's being stalked. That tells me right there they could care less. So, sorry for the long version, but don't bother sending the letter on to Norris.

Would I ever call the police in Ojai if I was in danger? No way! You're on your own. That message has come across loud and clear. But, it there is money to be made, they're there in pairs! Our police are nothing more than revenuers. They have absolutely no regard for our safety, and they make sure they get to a crime scene after the danger is past.

Off to San Francisco on a driving trip in a couple weeks. Anyone have any restaurant suggestions? Preferably healthy, affordable, fun, not all raw.

On a slighty heavier note, I just want to remind the concerned citizens of Ojai that we are on the brink of "developing" our way into a totally different town. I was just watching the Ojai planning commision meeting on public access where a developer by the name of Ron Polito was discussing how chains stores could be benifical to the town of Ojai but more importantly, complained that the recent "talk" of eliminating chain stores could crush the developers incentive to build...

Well, of course I say that this is the best way to stop development... I could care less if people like Ron get hit on their profit margins because they are not takeing into account the changes in social, economic and geographical dynamics when they decide to build. This issue needs to become entrenched in every conscious Ojai citizen immediaetly otherwise, I gaurantee, we will see this town change permantely within the next two years!!!

Duffy McPherson

Ron,
You can't go wrong with sea food around Morro Bay!

Brian

We all know about the demise of O-HI Frostie. Gift Galleria when it was on Main Street anyone?

I've only heard one side of the story, so will be prudent by not spreading information recklessly, but if the facts are as I think they are, that particular situation truly speaks to the moral and professional character of this man.

Anyone out there know the facts? Or know about other business dealings and transactions with this particular landlord/developer?

All the more reason to get an ordinance preventing chains in Ojai proper. Keep out the developers!

On another note, concerning the ongoing lawsuit brought by Monte Widders and the City against Jeff F. for his attempt at getting some initiatives on the ballot, now is the time for any concerned citizens to lobby and write our City Council to not only stop defending the wrong-doings of their attorney, Widders, but also to get a new attorney that will work with the community rather than against it, as Widders has done with his lawsuit. Why should we pay for his screw ups???

I agree with Duffy's remarks above about development in Ojai. The idea of development is the source of many evils.

We are so brainwashed by the myth of development that we don't see its dangers.

Nature is about development and "invelopment," for lack of a better word. Things grow and they die.

We don't like the idea of dying so we focus on endless development.

The stock market is an example of where money must develop. There must be a profit.

Most religious and philosophical ideas subscribe to a linear line of development rather than a circular nondeveloping balance.

Patriarchical ideas promote increasing property values. They destroyed the female nature based ones which were cyclical.

Darwinian evolutionary theory joined with industrialization to promote the idea of endless progress.

Science and technology have become a religion based on the worship of progress.

Speculation is possible because of developing prices which are driven and manipulated by the big players.

The stock market and other investment scams are mostly wealth transference schemes. The stock market is 99% non-productive. It is a giant gambling casino.

The result of these hidden, ingrained ideas is that the Beckers and Politos of this world make money by using other people's money through the banks. This speculation drives prices up and poorer people out.

Development causes the class discrimination we have nowadays with respect to money. The system is rigged and supported with myths (a fancy way to say lies).

People who are indoctrinated by the development scam will say, "what? how can you be against development?" Everyone is tied to it. If you have a bank account, you're probably supporting war profiteers and child labor somewhere.

Development promises a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. That's a fine fantasy but the deadly aspect is that it sucks energy from the present where reality resides.

Politics and religion both make promises based on development. Support us and you'll be happy. Hasn't happened yet but keep dreaming.

Somewhere between development and undevelopment there is a happy medium, like accepting our limits.

Overdevelopment or unsustainable development is a cancer which eventually kills if not kept within acceptable limits.

Ojai is a beautiful place to live but cancer is trying to take hold in the name of development.

Just ask, who is going to make money on this development? The poor?
The bankers?

Greed, avarice, class warfare, war, suffering and misery have their roots in development that develops past natural limits.

Most Ojaians want Ojai to stay small and properly understood, undeveloped. However, there are always selfish cancer cells that want to agressively promote their growth.

They don't call it that of course. They probably don't even know what they are doing to the body as a whole.

I see things a whole lot differently than Polito, Becker and people like them. They see Ojai in terms of money. I try to see Ojai in terms of what people could be if they weren't brainwashed with speculative development ideas.

I'd like to respond to Sue Williamson's comment above which is largely political. My comments contine my thoughts about development above.

Ojai politics is like an enigma wrapped in a mystery, to borrow a phrase.

The actions of the citizens and their representatives don't make sense to me.

Everyone seems to want to preserve Ojai but nobody in power will do anything to achieve that goal.

The people vote in those who prove again and again by their actions that they're in bed with the big developers and bankers.

Think of Frostie, Mallory Way and the slapped initiatives. Look deeply enough and you'll see the triumvirate of developer, banker and councilmember.

Words and actions contradict each other. But everyone says they don't.

Ojai is about as schizophrenic as you can get. Ojai is mentally deranged while pretending all is well.

What is the key to unraveling this hyprocrisy?

I think you can say it in one word, "money," or maybe two, if you include "power."

Talking about money is taboo. You might be able to discuss a person's religion or sex life but don't ask how much money they have. That is sacred and taboo.

The only explanation that makes sense of the way the city sued a citizen for presenting initiatives is money. The so called improper form is an excuse.

The initiative on housing would have curtailed Mallory Way. Those who expect to make money from it, would have lost out. Hence, it was slapped down before the election.

The intiative on small business would have curtailed Jersey Mikes types from getting a foothold, and money would have been lost. Hence, it was slapped down.

Of course, how this happened is hidden in mystery.

Joe DeVito gets very upset when any suggestion of developer bias on the part of the council is mentioned, and says if anyone has proof of such, he or she should see the district attorney.

Methinks he protests too much. Of course, there is no "proof." Who is going to be stupid enough to provide proof?

In the absence of reasonable motives for the city's actions, we are free to speculate.

It is reasonable to assume that money is the motivator.

Money is the motivator for the citizens at large, not just politicians and their appointees.

Most people, unkindly called sheeple, are not politically active unless their money is affected.

The city is continually reassuring people that there is money in the bank and all will be well.

The issues of population displacement, wealth discrimination and fairness to poorer people never comes up in public discussion...

...unless it's brought up by activists who are labeled "fringe" by the protectors of the purse.

Chain stores and affordable housing would never have been put on the agenda if it were not forced by activists.

Jeff F. offered twice to settle the lawsuit if the initiatives were put on an agenda. The council declined.

Eventually, the initiatives were put on the agenda in January, long after the election. The money had been protected.

What was the result? Nothing. True to form, the council could do nothing, well, almost nothing. They would refer it to housing element, due in July, 2008.

All the signs point to one thing. The council wants money in the bank, and developers can best do that.

Poor people don't have much money and so they are ignored.

The bottom line is money.

Money is the bottom of the moral barrel and the cream at the top which the elites skim off.

The elites can live in Ojai or Washington. The game is the same. It's the numbers that are different.

I'm sure the moneyists have a different point of view. I'd be happy to entertain their reasons. If they call me names, well, I have better things to do than exchange ad hominems.

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE...........

...............IT ISN'T.

WTH DL...TMI!

Touche Dennis:

LOL! I think that actually might just be the cleverest thing you've said thus far! Was that really you?!?!

//TMI from STOR (Short Time Ojai Resident)//
_______________________________

Damn. I know it's TMI. But what can I do? I'm a word addict.

My style is evolving. I used to write long paragraphs. Now I write many short ones.

I hoped it synched with short attention spans and bite type minds but apparently not.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Some have said they like what I write.

I don't only write for information but to make an impression. Do you do what I do? Scroll down to the name on the bottom first?

I like these open threads. It fits my scatterbrain, poetic M.O. Dare I say open mind?

I am on a search for truth, and as Ken Wilbur said, I need a community of competent fellow seekers or I end up with mental masturbation.

Even if no one is listening out there is cyberspace, I find value in talking to myself and practicing thinking on my seat while typing with my fingers.

I think we do need a thinking community here in Ojai. A think tank at the Ojai Post, sort of like a watering place.

I thought Ojai was an intellectual oasis but...well, the well looks pretty dry at times, at least when it comes to tapping into deep water.

Sorry to be egotistically offensive but that's the way I feel about the level of public discourse. At the private level, it really does get deep in the circles I run in. Either that, or over the top.

By the way, if you like this kind of open anything goes dialogue, come to John Nasse's free Wednesday night discussions at 7:30, 308 W. Aliso St. Usually has a metaphysical, spiritual aspect, plus free popcorn and orange juice.

Forgot what the subject was. Oh, yah, this is an open thread. Anything goes.

I'd just like to acknowledge the first post in this thread. I hadn't heard anything about this situation before I read this post (possibly because I rarely read the OVN, possibly because it wasn't reported). I am disgusted by the lack of police response/responsibility and a little surprised at the lack of response from our neighbors here in Ojai and on the Post.

When a member of my family was present for a violent act alleged to be gang-related, the police were extremely slow to respond (they showed up at least 10 minutes after the first call to the station).

My best to Liam.

Duff said it, man. Polito is venomous. He needs to go. What a snake. Early in the AM smashing down Ojai landmarks with his shameless shovel? What a dude!