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Kenley - based on your knowledge and conversations with City officials, is there anything we can do to stop this Subway from coming into Ernest Salomon's Matilija Avenue location in Ojai?

Kenley, you are demonstrating the kind of leadership that Ojai badly needs and is sadly absent from our City Counsel.

Preview of tomorrow's special meeting:

Councilmember Hansted: "I'm so distraught over this Subway. Nobody in town saw this coming. Who could have predicted it? We have tried so hard to really move on this. Is there anything we can do? How about a moratorium? Staff?"

City Attorney Widders: "We don't dare. These are private property rights. If we even utter a peep, we might get sued. This meeting violates the Brown Act. None of you can even discuss it."

City Manager Kersnar: "The Planning Commission is considering an ordinance. Let's let that process work its way through. We have a plan to consider an ordinance in 2008. I agree with the city attorney we need to be really careful here."

Councilmember DeVito: "I remember when Wendy's wanted to come in, and we had a big lawsuit. I think we lost. Or did we win? Can anyone remember? It reminds me of when ...."

Councilmember Olson: "I like Subway. Especially the meatball sandwiches. Real spongy."

Councilmember Horgan:"I agree with Steve. What's wrong with Subway? We need a place where the poor people can afford to go out and eat and have a night out with the kids. Maybe they'll be a big success there. I believe in free enterprise. Its only a tiny radical fringe element that's against chain stores anyway. I don't support the fringe element."

Councilmember Smith: "I think its just terrible. You know, I voted against the lawsuit on the chains initiative after I voted for it. We just really have to do something. Look, can we pack this in? I've got a big day at work tomorrow."

Horgan: "Seconded."

Hansted: "Well, I feel better now that we're really taking action."

We lose credibility with stuff like this!

I was referring to 6:57, not Kenley, go Kenley!

Anonymous - perfect, except you left out Kersnar's PowerPoint.

I like posting anonymously but I can't stand being confused with any other Anonymouser.

Ha ha ha ha ha! That was great whoever posted it. I hope the "we lose credibility" person was kidding too. We're definitely going to need a sense of humor.

Tyler - I was told the council was consulting with the City Attorney on options for stopping the Subway from going into Ojai. My feeling is there is little ground (legally) for the City to stand on since a lease has probably already been signed. However, a public campaign to the owner of Subway may be one option we have as a community. Perhaps a letter writing campaign to the franchisee? Picket his current location in Miramonte? Maybe get him to change his mind?

We'll see what happens tonight when the council meets.

Thanks for the update, Kenley. Picketing one of his 17 current locations might be the best way to impact his wallet and show him that his decision to place a franchise in Ojai has ramifications for his other franchises, and that Ojai's citizens do not take his decision lightly.

The following is an excerpt from April 5, 2006, one year ago, when I reported on Jersey Mike's moving into Ojai:

Visitors fall in love with Ojai because of its uniqueness, not because they can buy a pair of Nike's or a half-caff double-shot low-foam non-dairy hazelnut Venti latte at Starbucks. Ask yourself, what makes Ojai special? How can we promote ourselves as a "cultural tourism destination" with a downtown that has been homogenized by the likes of Taco Bell and Timberland?

So ultimately, the decision to allow Jersey Mike's, and potentially open a floodgate of chain stores, rests on the shoulders of Rolland and Barbara Fitzgerald, the owners/landlords of 423 E. Ojai Ave., aka Fitzgerald Plaza.

Lest you think that one small little sandwich shop with a good reputation is no big deal, consider this: I also found out that Subway is looking to place a franchise in Ojai city limits. Chew on that processed, agri-business sandwich for a while.

I applaud your efforts to take this on. I found this very informative web site that lists the various communities that have already adopted such ordinances and legal implications (if any). The City of Arcata (Calif.) has an interesting one that counts the number of chain stores that exist already and they will only allow another if one of the existing chains closes. This could very well be an approach in Ojai, since there are already a number of chain stores that have been in place for a number of years. Anyhow, here is the link:

http://www.newrules.org/retail/formula.html

The site is called the Hometown Advantate, Reviving Locally Owned Businesses.

This site highlights the steps other communities have taken to limit chains in their small towns while developing legally viable ordinances. These could easily serve as role models for Ojai. How about contacting the City Managers at these respective cities to obtain copies of their ordinances and find out how they are working in their communities? Maybe they can provide feedback on the legalities of such ordinances. This is what our city leaders should be doing but instead they keep fighting the very people who have elected them into office (and pay their salaries!).

Received some coverage in the Ventura County Star. You can read the article Ojai debates chain retailers Officials to consider 45-day moratorium by Kevin Clerici (the new staff writer covering Ojai).

We should know by Tuesday whether a title and summary has been prepared by Monte Widders, the Ojai City Attorney.