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Thank you Tyler for bringing this info to those of us who could not attend the meeting. I am glad to see the priority of developing an enviromental plan at the top of this list.
I would love to see the Ojai Valley begin by banning plastic bags as the city of San Francisco did!

Amazing all that was accomplished from those dedicated people. Ojai is back on track. I'm excited about the expanded Trolley service and a comprehensive Recreation Program that will be more inclusive, more available to our youth.I'm just blown away by all this great news.

None of these topics come anywhere near the real problem facing our valley which have to do with questions such as patriarchic politics and class expropriations of money. Discussions such as this do more harm than good because they give the false illusion that something important is being accomplished when that is not the case.

Dennis -

What has been important with the Ojai Valley Wide Discussions are that people are coming together and talking, meeting one another and building the community at a grassroots level.

Those who participated feel a sense of efficacy, and see that elected officials (in this case, Steve Bennett and his office) are engaged and listening.

To say that nothing is being accomplished, just because its not your particular agenda is absurd. That only you know the "real problem" and that there are no other ones facing the Ojai Valley that can be addressed by the community is myopic.

For example, if the community gives the mandate that establishing a community-wide disaster preparedness and CERT program is important, and that happens, how is that harmful?

Keep fighting the good fight, and speak truth to power, Dennis, but why undermine efforts by people to come together and make a difference?

Respectfully,
Tyler

My husband and I just finished our CERT training. It is very helpful and I recommend it for all for the safety of your own household and the safety of your neighborhood. Regardless of politics we need to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.

glad to see the revisions, Kenley! I was beginning to get the impression that too many lollipops had been given out to promote these 'intellectual' gatherings ...

but seriously, if Steve's office changes the number one priority to: "Develop the policies allowing the Ojai Valley to be a green sustainable community" --

then there would be grammatical as well as ethical sense.

[obviously one cannot become a 'more sustainable' community. either we are sustainable, or we are not.]

sadly I note, #4, that there is NO concern displayed for the safety of the children and elders and pedestrians and bicyclists and equestrians of the valley!

every person of heart whom we interact with in the Valley knows the frightening situation of the roads without shoulders, without bike lanes, without slow signs, without bicycles and pedestrians have right of way signs --

just try and bicycle from Lake Casitas to Oak Grove School one day, any day of the week!

we take our lives in our hands every day when we bicycle anywhere in the Valley, with the normal speeding traffic, not to mention the out-of-town truckers, or evening drinkers and spurned lovers burning rubber and highway.

hard to believe that no one in Steve's office, and no one at any of the meetings, displayed any heart, any care at all for the children and living breathing people of this Valley?

more than a shopper's mecca, let us tell the world that Goddess Moon is a community of love and respect ...

of heart, not warfare.

Millennium Twain

Dear Millennium -

Steve Bennett's office merely acted as the vessel upon which the Ojai community set sail.

The data presented is the result of individuals working in small groups and elevating priorities.

Thus, the results you see, and the resulting priorities are based upon aggregate information, not any sort of directive from Steve Bennett's office.

Dennis, I'm trying to find a way to respond positively to your comments above. Your efforts for the community, for the most part, have been positive and have highlighted many important issues. But, I must say I am very disappointed and sorry that you wrote what you wrote above. That you would make the effort to possibly insult over 200 area residents who spent over 6 hours on two Sunday afternoons to talk about our Valley.

During these gatherings I was able to make new connections and hear what others perceived as the important issues for our Valley. As Tyler mentions above, Supervisor Bennett merely acted as a vessel and the Ojai Valley Residents came up with the list. I can't say that these topics represent all viewpoints (because they do not), but of those 200 people present, this is what we came up with.

Supervisor Bennett did recommend criteria for topics. They were (1) how easily it would win valleywide support (2) how much it encourages valleywide cooperation, and (3) how great of a positive impact it would have on the valley.

Though it was a bit contrived and controlled, this was a positive experience. I did not waste my time. I did not do "more harm than good" by participating. A question we might ask is, how often does a political representative make considerable effort to coordinate and hear directly from the community?

We, the Ojai Valley Residents, have one more meeting scheduled in November and maybe more residents will come and participate and/or listen.

Well, I for one would like to thank all who participated. It sounds like a worthy exercise. Of the list of issues above, #1, #4, #8, and #9 strike me as the most important. I'd even go so far as to say the #1 issue above actually encompasses #4, #8 and #9 because it is so broad. To me, making the Ojai valley sustainable and environmentally benign requires that something be done about about traffic (#4 & #9) and that the open space in the valley continues to be protected. Additionally, I would think that the valley needs to consider it's own power usage and efforts for conservation. Possibly even renewable generation of a large percentage of the power used here. If this were done it would seriously help in the event of an emergency where the valley could potentially have it's own power if the grid goes down (#2 & #3).

One issue that is completely missing and that I think is very important is the economic dimension. The valley needs to devise a plan for the recruitment, possibly through some type of incentives program, of green, sustainable businesses that might like to move into the Ojai Valley and employ residents. Business like that could employ many people and if they were located in the valley they would cut down on traffic and commuting region-wide. High-tech companies like Lynda.com that had very little or no negative environmental impact and that employed many local residents in relatively high paying jobs with benefits. Those are the types of businesses the valley needs, not formula retail and restaurant businesses that have high turnover, low wage jobs with no benefits.

Hey Sean -

The valley needs to devise a plan for the recruitment, possibly through some type of incentives program, of green, sustainable businesses that might like to move into the Ojai Valley and employ residents.

I just wanted to reinforce my support for this idea, something I've talked about in the past, offline at least. This is an idea that could go hand-in-hand with Carol Smith signing the Mayor's Climate Agreement, which enacts the Kyoto Protocol on a local level. (FYI, Carol is the third successive mayor that has not signed on the initiative that has support from mayors in over 200 other cities nationwide)

She DIDN'T sign the agreement? You've got to be kidding. I didn't even hear about this one, though it is not surprising in the least. There should just be a general recall because none of the council seems to be responsive to their constituents. Oops! Did I just say that out loud?

I like Sean's last paragraph as well. Also of another type of recruitment, that I wonder how one would go about, is bringing in more families with children.

Seeing the gentrification of Ojai over the years, She has lost some vigor and sparkle as She gotten older. Maybe with some brainstorming on the next set of meetings or possibly on the next venue after present goals are gained, could ideas be developed.

The goals the VWD came up with are great and will take allot of work and will payoff in many ways to affect generations to come.

A history teacher of mine at Nordhoff would always say "The Roots of the Present are Deep in the Past". The roots to germinate by the efforts of those present today will bring limbs of shade for many generations to come.Let's support those who are there doing all this work and be thankful they are there.

Tyler and Kenley,

You disagree with my remarks above about the valleywide discussion. I welcome your comments because they create the kind of openness and creative friction so sorely needed here in Ojai.

I was at the first discussion and found it mostly a waste of time. You have your experience and I have mine. I am presuming we share the need to save Ojai which is facing grave danger. I am attempting to prioritize values and degrees of danger, sort of like the ranking system that goes on at the valleywide discussions.

The problem I have is that the number one problem and value is completely ignored. The community is coming up with the list, as you say. In posting my comments, I am telling the community that it is missing the main danger facing Ojai. The community can do better than fiddle around with minor issues while Rome/Ojai burns. If any member of the community has a different idea, they can express it as you have done.

If people choose to feel insulted, disappointed, sorry and undermined because of my comments, that is their response but I choose not to be drawn into a guilt trip laid upon me.

I happen to believe that people shying away from the real problem of politics is a real problem for Ojai. To label my belief as absurd, myopic or harmful does not serve the cause of saving Ojai in my opinion.

I need to express myself truthfully on all issues that pertain to the good of Ojai. I also need to hear what the community thinks and feels. I hear that my remarks hurt you, and if they hurt you, they probably hurt many others also. What did I say that was so hurtful, if it was?
Was it that "nothing is being accomplished" and "meetings such as this do more harm than good"?

Do you feel betrayed, let down, unsupported for all the good you do?

I put my guess about your feelings into the overall context of my remarks. I was prioritizing just like you at the meeting. To be more precise, I could have said it better, like "in my sense of priorities regarding the dangers facing Ojai, something is being acccomplished but it is relatively unimportant in relation to the political problem the Ojai valley has, and that by missing the main point, you may be doing some good but you are also harming the Ojai valley by neglecting those things that are of first and urgent priority."

I'm afraid there is no way to avoid hurt when it comes to speaking truth to power, as one of you stated, although it can be softened by sensitive communication.

I hurt because the valley is being destroyed by money interests. There is no easy way to say that.

As you point out, I have my own agenda, but isn't that true with each one of us? Building community comes from each individual in the community speaking their truth. I speak mine and you speak yours. Fair enough?

I was at the Oakgrove Earthday event. Didn't recieve an invitation and I wonder who else would have liked to be there. Our Valley is small enough to travel around in a more efficent way.Being a Mother of a Special needs child,(Autism) ,he will not ride the bus to school ,Mira Monte.I live in the Meiners Oaks neighborhood, my 10 year old rides the bus to and from school. I would really like people to think about increasing the number of buses.Many parents complain that it takes too long for their child to get home sometimes a 2-hrs bus ride.There should be money put into the school district to support more buses and bus drivers.I am so frustrated whith the amount of traffic at the schools,people block the main roads and do not follow rules.And just to throw into the mix, And I know this will freak people out. I think that the driving age should be taking up to the age 18. and only the students who have jobs after school should be allowed to drive to school.That is my view on traffic. On the enviroment. As you may or may not know I am a direct decendant of many villages in the valley . I pains me to see people moving into the valley and destroying perfectly good homes and building these Mc mansions ,and removing the heritage of this valley.And in the process of all this construction artifacts and perhaps burials are destroyed , because private land is exempted from the migigation process.And for distasters such as weather,flood or fire. When we were blocked on all sides and couldn't leave the valley ,it made me wonder,just who are the people who would feed us ? where would we get our milk and bread and eggs and produce .where would we be able to barter with people . When the roads opened it took 3 hours to get out of the valley and I wondered who REEEALLY need to go out at that time.I worked many, many years inretail here in the vally and one of the issues up for discussion was .I need to shop Ventura because I can't afford the stores in Ojai , I have children where can I buy there clothes? What can be done in this valley to keep the private store owners in business when the roads are closed and we have no tourism.Just a short story to tell you how beautiful the people are in this valley: Going into Ojai one day I stopped a wachters to buy cat food. At the counter I realized I had forgotten my wallet , Lori looked at me and smiled ,she posted a receipt on the board and said "See Ya Tomorrow".That's Ojai. Now for my pet peeve Maybe it's age , but when I am driving through town I am so annoyed at the people who cut you off and who take the left hand turn into Ojai Ave. from Montgomery Street and then smile and wave at you like " Thank-you for letting me in" Like! did I have a choice ! LIKE ! go back to L.A.! Thank- you for listening. All my relations.Julie

On priority #2. Most of us thinking about this probably imagine all these men and women doing all the planning, preparation and execution.

As youngsters, I and my brother Larry and a bunch of our neighbours/friends came up with a way for us help in an emergency/disaster. We created The Ojai Valley Junior Search and Rescue Team. We were small, and I personally never saw action, but Larry and most of the others did. We didn't stay together long, for we were growing into other responsibilities and directions.

We were just kids having fun, looking for action and really wanting to help in the process. It was supposed to be wanting to help first then get a rush from the action in that order. Teenage boys always put action first-don't ever forget that.

Maybe in the development phase of this priority #2, Teenagers could be brought into the process with some good mentors.

Julie -

It is a blessing to have one of our most respected community elders participate on The Ojai Post. Don't be a stranger!

Warmest regards,
Tyler

haku Julie!

all our relations, singing!

Millennium & Megumi

I remember Julie and her brother Pat from when we were kids in Ojai, and have to my pleasure crossed paths since. Most of us at the time were aware of the Chumash's presence in the valley's early history. I still remember her and Pat's mention, with pride their heritage back then. I was grateful even then as young kid that they shared that with me and others. To know that Chumash were still here, albeit in smaller numbers, was inspiring, to have through them, a living linkage to Ojai's and to a greater extent, California's past.

Julie, as this post works on the present Ojai and her future, I for one would be interested in learning more through you and Pat of her ancient times. ?Have you thought of being an author here on this topic?

awesome, Dana!

if even a leaf of the medicine which Julie shares in every conversation ...

if but every week or few weeks Julie found a few moments to post a story of community strengthening, maintaining, building, protecting ...

of a Chumash language lesson ...

of the ways of spirit, of loving relationship with wind and water and willow ...

what a blessing that would be!

kiwanon,

Millennium

Thanks, Julie. I want to reread your piece a number of times. Thanks for teaching my son this last summmer. Hope you can do it again.

You mentioned Indian sites, and I think your brother in somehow involved in this. Did you know that the developer is already digging holes at Mallory Way? Could this possibly be an Indian site? There is some reason to believe it was a dumping site. There is a city sign at the entrance which prohibits dumping. I think it would be useful if the developer would call in someone like your brother to make sure this was not an Indian site. Perhaps there's something in the law that would require him to do that.

By the way, all the city would have to do is declare Mallory a landmark and the project could be stopped, thus preseving an historic site and low cost rental housing. The city is banker-developer biased so it turns a deaf ear and doesn't seem to mind violating the law about preserving historic resources. But let any poor person violate one of the codes and they'll take swift action.

It feels so good to have an activist with your credentials in the community.

Hi dennis and all, The archaeologist, Bob Lopez, stated that it(Mallory) should be monitored if there was to be any digging.I do not like the term dump site . It doesn't mean the same as our dump sites . I don't know when he did a ground surface survey on mallory , but the city should have a report from him where he states that. I had a convesation with him (Bob) So if someone can check on that. I will try to post some more information, but you know I so enjoy sharing with all of you my culture on an oral tradition, face to face, heart to heart, soul to soul and spirit to spirit .It isn't the same writting here as it is talking to you in person to hear the voice ,feel the emotion in my being as I am passionate about this ancestoral world of mine .So perhaps we can come together soon . I have been thinking about what I posted yesterday and I forgot to mention a few things , but one that stood out was the issue on gangs, As a community I think it is our right to know who the gang members are .I want to see their faces I want to recognize them when I walk or drive about .I want to recognize them to know if they are in my neighborhood. I feel that they have given up the right to be incognito when the safety of our families are at risk and we are all at risk as long as they are allowed to be here.And in a village it is up to the people to care for one another and to say we will not have this and we tell one another,as long as these people feel safe they will be.Julie

haku again Julie,

just got off the phone with you -- and yes, I too am sorry to see that no one here has responded to your comment about the need for buses, and for limiting the issuance of drivers licenses to those who do not or cannot drive slowly, safely, as loving family.

equally sorry to see that no one here cares for the bicyclists or pedestrians of the valley, the children and those who walk the sacred path.

sad comment on the Ojai Valley population -- servile cattle gathering at the feeding trough -- far yet from human ...

I appreciate the concerns for public safety as it relates to pedestrians. I also appreciate the concern for public transportation. As a daily user of community/alternative transportation, I was happy to see the following two items on the final list above.

4. Decrease car use within the valley by expanding the trolley/public and use of other transportation alternatives.

9. Improve public transit in and out of the valley.

Not one to sit back and just do nothing, I will be working to move these ideas forward at the next OVWD in November (if not before).

At the meeting, it was mentioned that an express bus will be running from Ojai to Ventura Government Center, a second attempt by SCAT to make this work for the Valley. However, in my experience as a commuter, people are unwilling to give up some of their freedom to share rides. Sadly, this is the inconvenient truth.

Nice reference Kenley. Inconvenient truth, hahahaha!. But how 'bout an express bus to the Ventura train station and the Metrolink station. I've tried to get the SCAT(unfortunate acronym) people to respond to me on this issue several times over the years. Never a single call or email returned. Seems like an express with maybe 4-5 stops between Ojai and either train location would be a great help.

Thank you, Tyler, for your report.

The City of Ojai is only 4 square miles of the entire Ojai Valley, so it is important to recognize all of the people who have taken the time to participate in the Valleywide Discussions hosted by Supervisor Bennett. Two down, one to go, with important outcomes anticipated.

Thinking, planning and acting together as a region is key to the sustainability of the Valley.

More accurately: thank you Kenley Neufeld for the VWD report.