The Ojai Post

Come on inside, you'll get taken for a ride, on the SUBWAY!
hat tip: Curbed LA

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Members of the Stop the Trucks Coalition and our many allies made a strong presentation today in Santa Maria on our case to block gravel trucks from the proposed Diamond Rock Mine in Santa Barbara County. The hearing has been continued until July 11th. More information to follow...

Enclosed below is a document from our environmental attorney that was filed and presented today that vividly lays out our concerns. A report from our enviromental expert was also filed and will be posted separately.

This promises to be a long fight... Please contribute generously to the cause....

CHATTEN-BROWN & CARSTENS
3250 OCEAN PARK BOULEVARD
SUITE 300
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA 90405
www.cbcearthlaw.com

TELEPHONE:(310) 314-8040
FACSIMILE: (310) 314-8050
E-MAIL: JCB@CBCEARTHLAW.COM

May 29, 2007

By hand delivery, and
Facsimile (805) 568-2030, and
email: Cynthia@co.santa/barbara.ca.us

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission
123 East Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2058

Re: Diamond Rock Mine Project; (03CUP-00000-00037 & 03RP-00000-00002; 05EIR- 00000-00001)

Honorable Members:

We write on behalf of the Coalition to Stop the Trucks, which is a Ojai Valley based organization that was created to oppose the "industrialized" use of State Route (SR) 33 and the Ojai Valley by gravel and rock-mine transport trucks embarking from the Los Padres National Forest because of the impacts such trucks would have on the National Forest, recreational users, and the health, safety and environment of the entire Ojai Valley. This letter is preliminary, since we were only very recently retained by the group. We anticipate that we will provide further analysis. Also, this letter should be read in conjunction with the letter of this date from David Magney Environmental Consulting Company, also on behalf of the Coalition to Stop the Trucks, which addresses certain biological, traffic, and air quality impacts.

I. The Project

Clearly, this is a very controversial project. There were at least 300 individual comment letters on the project, and many governmental entities and organizations expressed deep concerns, or outright opposition, to the project. Such opposition is understandable. As described by the EIR, if the project is approved, aggregate would be extracted over a 30-year period from an 84-acre mining area located in the Cuyama River channel along State Route 33, approximately 5.9 miles southeast of its intersection with State Route 166. Material would be excavated from the riverbed using heavy mobile equipment and transported by trucks, scraper or conveyor. The maximum anticipated depth of the mine pit is 90 feet below ground surface. In addition to the mining, there would be at a 14.2-acre Processing Area adjacent to State Route 33.

II. Impacts to the National Forest and the River Corridor’s Biological Resources

This project would thus immediately impact an area with great recreational and biological value. As the United States Forest Service said of this portion of SR 33:

The Chief of the Forest Service in 1995 designated the segment of SR33 through Los Padres National Forest as the "Jacinto Reyes National Forest Scenic Byway." The byway was established because of the highway corridor's outstanding scenic, cultural, historic and interpretive values. This segment of SR33 provides an exceptional motor touring opportunity, offering views and access to four congressionally designated wilderness areas and the Sespe Wild and Scenic River corridor. SR33 serves as a key access point to the national forest for recreationists from Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties; it also attracts visitors from around the world. Additionally, SR33 is a State Scenic Highway. The California Scenic Highway Program serves to preserve and protect scenic highway corridors from changes that would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to highways.

According to the Forest Service, the project would affect people driving for pleasure, camping at Wheeler Gorge, Rose Valley, and Pine Mtn. campgrounds, and people dispersed throughout the forest seeking recreation.

The Department of Fish and Game and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency have submitted extensive comments articulating the level of analysis that is required, but that analysis has not been provided.

III. Air Pollution Impacts

A. Criteria Emissions

Criteria pollutants have been addressed at length by others, so we only wish to make a couple of additional points at this time.

First, the project will contribute significant amounts of NOx to the airshed. According to EPA, NOx:

• is one of the main ingredients involved in the formation of ground-level ozone, which can trigger serious respiratory problems.
• reacts to form nitrate particles, acid aerosols, as well as NO2, which also cause respiratory problems.
• contributes to formation of acid rain.
• contributes to nutrient overload that deteriorates water quality.
• contributes to atmospheric particles, that cause visibility impairment most noticeable in national parks.
• reacts to form toxic chemicals.
• contributes to global warming.
(http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/nox/chf.html)

While the EIR claims that the significant impact from the addition of NOx into the airshed can be mitigated to a less than significant level by limiting the daily truck trips and thereby reducing annual production to 540,000 tons, (3.7-17), the project applicant has indicated its unwillingness to abide by the suggested mitigation measure. (See, comment letter from Troesh.) Indeed, it claims that the mitigation measure “is not feasible and not consistent with the project description.” (Troesh at 14.) Thus, it appears that the project applicant itself plans to object to enforcement of this mitigation measure which will render enforcement more difficult. However, even if the measure were enforced, it appears that the claim that it can be reduced to an insignificant level is supported by sleight of hand mathematics. The EIR assumes 365 days of hauling, which is extremely unlikely, and simply excludes concrete rubble truck trips from the calculation without any justification. (3.7-17.)

Second, the scope of the cumulative impacts analysis is improperly narrow. By focusing only on the cumulative impacts of the Diamond Rock Mine and other mines, it ignores that the cumulative environmental impacts that must be disclosed in the EIR will result from other types of projects. For example, under air quality, the EIR states that major sources of ozone in the County are motor vehicles, the petroleum industry, and use of solvents. 3.7-4. “PM10 is generated by a variety of sources, including windblown dust, grading, agricultural tilling, road dust, and quarries.” 3.7-4. Mining impacts must be considered along with the past, planned, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. (CEQA Guidelines, section 15355.)

Third, the truncated discussion of construction impacts fails to properly inform the public and decisionmakers of potential impacts. It claims that this impact will be less than significant without providing any quantification of the impacts. For example, construction would involve road grading [3.7-6], which the EIR acknowledges is a major source of PM10. [3.7-4.] Yet, it provides no information as to the likely extent of PM10 generated from this aspect of the project. Without justification, the EIR claims that construction impacts will be “adverse, but less than significant.” The EIR’s conclusion that these impacts are not significant because they are “temporary” and “a small fraction of the total County-wide emissions from all point, mobile, and area sources” has no factual or legal basis. Given that the County is already out of attainment for ozone and PM10, it will be critical to know the extent of these pollutants added by the project’s construction. Because the EIR fails to quantify the construction emissions, it does not indicate whether the threshold for significance it identifies (less than 25 tons) will be exceeded. Moreover, it does not state where this threshold is taken from. The EIR must provide more information about construction impacts.

B. Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

Although the EIR acknowledges that climate change is a major environmental concern, as reflected in the state’s passage of AB32, it provides no analysis whatsoever of the project’s contribution to global warming. It states only that “[a]t the present time, there are no specific inventory or control requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions that apply to the project” [3.7-5] and that “there is no evaluation procedure to estimate the effective contribution of a single project towards global warming.” This does not preclude the EIR from disclosing as much as possible about climate change impacts. The increased traffic and internal combustion used in operations will cause emissions of greenhouse gases. These contributions must be quantified and disclosed. If the project impacts are significant, or “cumulatively considerable”, as the Coalition believes they are, then they must be mitigated to the extent feasible.

Climate change will aggravate the project’s adverse impacts. Santa Barbara County is in nonattainment for one hour ozone and likely will be found to be in a state of nonattainment for the eight hour ozone standard when this is established. (3.7-4) NOx is an ozone precursor that will produced by the project in significant quantities. EPA also identifies NOx, which the project will produce in significant amounts, as a greenhouse gas. (See, http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/nox/chf.html)

Global warming will aggravate ozone formation and make it even more difficult to attain the ozone standards in Santa Barbara County.

C. Diesel Emission

This project would generate a large amount of diesel emission from the trucks associated with gravel hauling. Diesel has a profound range of health quality impacts and contains numerous pollutants that are not sufficiently disclosed and analyzed in the EIR. A major study undertaken for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) found “motor vehicles and other mobile sources of air pollution are the predominant source of cancer-causing air pollutants in the Southland.” (MATES II Toxic Air Pollution Study Announcement, p. 1.) This study, known as the Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study (MATES-II) dated March 2000, “found that diesel soot accounted for 71% of the cancer risk” from air pollutants in the Southland. (Id, p. 2.) A copy of the Executive Summary of this study, and the entire study, are available at the SCAQMD website at http://www.aqmd.gov/matesiidf/matestoc.htm and are incorporated by reference. The Natural Resources Defense Council also maintain information sheets about the health effects of diesel pollution on its website at http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/trk0600.asp.

One component of diesel exhaust is PM 2.5 (particulate matter of 2.5 microns in diameter). Although the EIR states that there is not yet enough data to determine the County’s attainment status for PM 2.5 under state or federal standards (FEIR 3.7-4), that does not excuse the EIR from disclosing the project’s contribution of this serious pollutant to the airshed. Diesel engines, which the project would employ in substantial numbers, are a significant source of PM 2.5 pollutant. (68 Federal Register 28327 (May 23, 2003), p. 28343, 28339.) PM 2.5 contributes to a number of serious health problems and thus the extent of the pollutant and its likely impact must be disclosed. (Id.) We incorporate 68 Federal Register 28327 (May 23, 2003), pages 28327-28376 by reference; it is available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/epaprintonly.cgi.

The EIR lists toxic air contaminants potentially associated with the project (FEIR, p. 3.7-3), but it fails to disclose others that are associated with diesel emissions including 1,3 butadiene, benzene, and carbonyls. (MATES II Announcement, p. 2.)

The EIR assumes “that anticipated diesel exhaust control technology will be installed on both new and used pieces of equipment within the project” so considers the impact potentially significant but mitigatable. (FEIR 3.7-21.) However, there must be an analysis of what impacts would be using existing technology since there is no basis for assuming that retrofitting existing equipment is likely, since it is not proposed to be mandatory.

Moreover, the health impact assessment looks only at increase in cancer risk, ignoring increases in asthma and other respiratory ailments that the added pollutants would cause. According to the EPA, “acute or short-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause acute irritation (e.g., eye, throat, bronchial), neurophysiological symptoms (e.g., lightheadedness, nausea), and respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, phlegm). There is also evidence for an immunologic effect such as the exacerbation of allergenic responses to know allergens and asthma-like symptoms.” (68 Federal Register 28327 (May 23, 2003), p. 28343.)

Furthermore, emissions from diesel engines “contribute to regional haze and impaired visibility across the nation, as well as acid deposition, POM deposition, eutrophication and nitrification, all of which are serious environmental welfare problems.” (68 Federal Register 28327 (May 23, 2003), p. 28343, 28336.)
Deposition of nitrogen from diesel engines contributes to elevated nitrogen levels in waterbodies, which results in eutrophophication. “Eutrophication is the accelerated production of organic matter, particularly algae, in a water body. This increased growth can cause numerous adverse ecological effects and economic impacts, including nuisance algal blooms, dieback of underwater plants due to reduced light penetration, and toxic plankton blooms. Algal and plankton blooms can also reduce the level of dissolved oxygen, which can also adversely affect fish and shellfish populations.” (68 Federal Register 28327 (May 23, 2003), p. 28343, 28352.) These potential effects should be analyzed, especially because of the potential impacts on the Cuyama River from diesel exhaust whether through eutrophication or deposition of the toxic air contaminants contained in diesel exhaust mentioned above.

IV. Safety Impacts

Safety impacts are a very serious concern, but they have been addressed adequately by others. Suffice it to say at this point that independent truckers often have trucks that are unsafe, as well as dirty, as was dramatically shown when a truck was involved in a fiery in Oakland, bringing down part of the interchange of 80 and 580, and snarling Bay Area traffic. Considering that SR 33 is extremely narrow and windy, the proposed increase in heavy duty trucks, especially when considered cumulatively, is likely to have deadly consequences. Further, gravel and rocks coming out of aggregate trucks may cause accidents involving the vehicles behind the trucks, even if the trucks are not involved in the accident themselves.

V. Traffic Impacts

According to the FEIR, increased truck traffic along SR 33 is expected to average about 18 trips per day, assuming dispersed delivery patterns as expected and an average production day (28 trips per day for peak production). However, the EIR should also have conducted a worst case. Further, from an air quality standpoint, the summer trips, which are likely to be greater, are more significant, and whether they are clustered around peak hours or are distributed throughout the day is important, and could be regulated as part of a permit. Moreover, according to the Forest Service, the number of truck trips on SR 33, currently at 60 per day in this area, would be doubled.

Water Quality Impacts

A. Surface Water Impacts

The EIR fails to address important water quality issues raised in EPA’s letter to the Army Corps of Engineers and attached to a comment letter for the DEIR. The EPA’s letter identifies numerous potential impacts that the EIR never addresses despite the fact that the comments were before the agency. (It is noteworthy that the EIR’s summary of comment letters mischaracterizes and minimizes EPA’s comments.) Although an adequate EIR must address all of these important issues, in the interest of brevity, we will not repeat all of these comments here, but summarize a few particularly noteworthy concerns that go unanswered in the EIR:

1. The EIR does not analyze how the project will affect water quality objectives or numeric standards outlined in the Basin Plan for the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. (EPA Letter at 4.) EPA states that the proposed project “could result in potentially significant and long-term quality impacts on the Cuyama River.” (Id.) It notes that changes in sedimentation may result in the “hungry water” phenomenon, that activities within the river bed may cause changes in turbidity, and risk potential discharges of oil and grease. (Id.)

2. The EIR does not analyze dissolved oxygen concentrations or temperature impacts of the project that may affect aquatic species. (EPA 4.)

3. The discussion of cumulative water quality impacts is unduly narrow. By focusing exclusively on other mining operations, the EIR fails to consider the project’s impact when combined with the Twitchell Dam and Reservoir. Yet EPA noted the adverse impact this project is already having on unique and sensitive habitats. (EPA at 4-5.)

4. The EIR fails to address specific items listed by EPA as areas requiring analysis. EPA states that, “The CEQA/NEPA document should evaluate the effects of the proposed project on the following:

a. Changes to substrate elevation and bottom contours in the river both upstream and downstream of the project, and anticipated changes to the benthic community;
b. Changes in water circulation and fluctuations related to all aspects of the project including the weir proposed at the Deer Creek confluence. Consideration should be given to water chemistry, salinity, clarity, color, odor, taste, dissolved gas levels, temperature, nutrients, and eutrophication;
c. Changes in suspended particulates and turbidity during normal operations and flood events;
d. Changes in the structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem including aquatic and terrestrial resources;
e. Cumulative impacts to the Cuyama watershed including the operation and maintenance of the existing Twitchell reservoir; and
f. Secondary effects to the Cuyama watershed including adverse effects extending beyond the direct 100-acre footprint of the proposed project.

The EIR also makes the improbable claim that the sediment deficit created by the cumulative effects of the project in combination with the Diamond Rock mine will not have a significant effect because the “in-channel habitats at the mine site are very common in the region, are mostly scoured of vegetation from yearly flows, and do not support a high abundance or variety of wildlife.” (3.1-19.) This claim is made without reference to any supporting material regarding the habitat at the site. Yet, EPA lists a number of aquatic species that could be adversely affected by the project. Moreover, EPA identifies an important and “extremely rare” ecosystem, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dune Complex, which is already adversely impacted by sediment deficits in the Cuyama River caused by the Twitchell Dam. (EPA at 5.) This Dam and ecosystem lie downstream from the project which will surely aggravate the existing sediment deficit threatening the ecosystem.

As EPA commented, the placement of the mining area within the streambed, as opposed to using an alternative upland site, means that it will directly impact 100 acres of water on site, in addition to the other impacts to the river. (EPA at 1.) Given the existence of the GPS mine and the Twitchel dam, an upland alternative must be seriously considered.

B. Groundwater Impacts

The EIR acknowledges that “high groundwater levels would be exposed in a fully excavated mine pit” and that this exposure would “further degrade the exiting groundwater quality which is very poor due to naturally high total dissolved solid levels.” (3.3-3.) Nonetheless, the EIR dismisses this important impact without quantifying the amount of groundwater exposed or the extent of contribution to water quality degradation that the project would contribute. (3.3-3) Moreover, it fails to address how groundwater would cumulatively be impacted by this exposure combined with the expansion of the GPS mine.

Moreover, it appears that exposure will occur long before the mine is fully excavated, as the EIR acknowledges that “the depth to groundwater may be as shallow as 20 to 40 feet below ground surface level in both the Processing Area and mine pit area during periods of high runoff.” (3.3-2.) Thus, groundwater is likely to be exposed long before the mine is fully excavated and that these exposures would occur during periods of high runoff when contaminants would be most likely to be transported into the water system.

Inadequate Response to Comments

The hundreds of pages of comments that were submitted were summarized and responded to in chart format, in just 39 pages. Of the 300 individual comment letters, only one (other than that of the applicant) was directly addressed. The FEIR states that it was not “practical” to respond to all of the comments, so the FEIR responded to the letter from Jennifer Lee, dated January 31, 2007, which was “considered representative of most issues of concern to residents in the Cuyama Valley”. “The remaining letters were all reviewed, and their general concerns and issues are discussed.” (Vol. II, H-1.) This does not comply with CEQA’s mandate to provide a reasoned and fairly particularized response to all comments.

Among the 299 comments that were not answered by the FEIR were the following specific comments (with page number references to the 646 page Volume III of FEIR that includes these comments). It will not be sufficient merely to respond to the comments we note below, since these are only examples of the reasons why specific responses must be made to all of the 299 comment letters in Volume III of the FEIR.

Page 4- raises issues of Miramonte School child safety and air pollution impacts, unstable mountain roads, need for fire evacuation routes shown by Day Fire.

Page 6- trailers producing metallic “boom” (different from other noise impacts from engines and jake brakes.)

Page 8- raises the “impact the trucks will have on the high school and hospital which they will be driving past. “There is also a new 22 unit senior mobile home park just now going in on Maricopa Highway.”

Page 13- time travel restrictions are being violated by the Ozena Valley Graves Mine and will likely be violated with regard to this project.

Page 14- “Two years ago, 3 of the 4 roads connecting the Ojai Valley with the rest of the world closed when extreme winter storms caused mudslides and rivers to undermine, cover and/or collapse on Highways 33 and 150 between Ojai and Santa Paula, Santa Barbara and Maricopa. Highway 150 is a narrow road that winds through mountains in both directions of Ojai. It is prone to collapse and closure during to storms, fire and other natural phenomenon (sic).”

Page 33- “Additionally the gravel trucks are not well identified and to report a chipped windshield or other problem is virtually impossible. I would recommend that each truck have clear ownership logo along with a telephone number and a truck number so that if a problem arises then the truck could be accurately reported.”

Page 34- similar comment to page 33, and concern re Nordhoff High School.

These comments are just examples of issues that individual commenters raise that are distinctly different from any others in the FEIR. We have not reviewed pages 61 through 646 of Volume III, but again, we note that people with specialized knowledge acquired from long familiarity with the area provide insights that are not provided by the agency comments to which the FEIR responded. Responses to each of the 227 comment letters in FEIR Volume III must be prepared.

Furthermore, the summary of the many of the government agencies and organizations do not reflect a fair characterization of the comments, and many of the responses are “non-responsive”. For example, when the Forest Service states that Jake brakes and truck noise would interfere with driving for pleasure, camping at Wheeler Gorge, Rose Valley, and Pine Mtn. campgrounds, and dispersed recreation, the FEIR responds that “In most segments, truck noise is considered less than significant. For the one area where
truck noise may be significant (south of the project site to Lockwood Valley Road), mitigation is identified (Mitigation NS-2).” However, this does not adequately address the impacts at the specific sites referenced. Similarly, Fish and Game contends that the potential effects on coast horned lizard may be significant. The response is: “Although the potential effects on coast horned lizard are not expected to be significant,
mitigation BIO-11 has been modified to include this species along with blunt-nosed
leopard lizard in the survey work prior to construction and mining.” This does not explain how that measure will reduce impacts below the level of significance. The comment by Fish and Game regarding the horned lark was met with a similar vague response.

In response to Fish and Game’s concerns about road kill, the FEIR states:

The EIR does address the potential for roadkill by vehicles operating within the project, and incorporates mitigation measures for this potential impact (mitigation measures BIO-9, BIO-10 and BIO-12). Total project trip generation will be 164 trips on a peak production day (118 on an average day). Existing traffic volumes on the state highways are much greater than this number.

But the number of vehicles is not the point. A greater number of roadkills is going to result from an 18 wheel truck than a compact car, and especially since some of these trips will be at night. And it is entirely unclear whether the FEIR is considering the number of species of special when it finds the roadkill impacts insignificant.

The City of Ojai said that Oja enforcement of traffic conditions will be impossible to monitor unless the applicant pays for code enforcement officer, and the response is that traffic mitigation measure T-1 provides that the County (of Santa Barbara) will inspect records regarding timing of trips and complaints received, without addressing the City’s recommendation or explaining how inspecting records will effectively address the problem. When the City recommended adding a mitigation measure to restrict travel on State Route 33 between 10 pm and 9 am to reduce noise impacts on residents, the FEIR responses “Santa Barbara County staff is working to coordinate mine permit conditions with Ventura County.” This hardly treats the City of Ojai as the interested and independent agency that it deserves to be treated.

The Ventura Air Pollution Control District asked for documentation of ISC modeling sources. The response was: “The project will require an Authority to Construct and a Permit to Operate from the SBAPCD. Modeling with appropriate documentation will be provided, if necessary, at that time.” However, that analysis should have been made part of the EIR, so that the information would be available to the lead agency, and to the public, before the critical land use permit is considered.
And the list of vague and non-responsive replies to comments goes on and go, throughout the 39 page chart that represents the response to comments.

Need for More Effective Mitigation Measures

Comments from many governmental entities and organizations, as well as individuals, have recommended various methods to assure that mitigation measures are effective and enforceable. Unfortunately, many mitigation measures remain inadequate as recommended by staff.

There is one particular mitigation measure that the Coalition to Stop Trucks wishes to address at this time. There has been considerable discussion about prohibiting trucks from going through the Ojai Valley because it is a unique and highly sensitive airshed. We understand that the Ventura APCD believes that the emissions would exceed the 5 pounds per day NOx threshold set by Ventura, but that the staff is now contending that the 5 pounds is not the appropriate level of significance. If this is true, the change of mind comes too late, since the EIR uses that standard throughout, while contending that emissions would be below that standard.

The Coalition believes that the only way to assure that the significant impact is mitigated is to prohibit gravel delivery trucks from Diamond Mine from using the SR 33 through Ojai Valley. This could be done in a condition of the Conditional Use Permit. However, in order for the Coalition and others to know that they can rely on that condition in the future, there would have to be a finding from the County that it was relying on the mitigation measure to reduce the impact below the level of significance. Thus, we recommend a finding along the following lines when and if the EIR is certified:

Based upon information presented by the Ventura County APCD and others, the County finds, despite the contention in the FEIR to the contrary, that there may be a significant adverse air quality impact from NOx emissions in the Ojai Valley, but that this impact can and has been mitigated by a prohibition on gravel delivery trucks from Diamond Mine from using the SR 33 through Ojai Valley.

We realize that this is a very complex matter, and sincerely appreciate your attention to our views.

Sincerely,

Jan Chatten-Brown

______________________________________________________________

To see the full environmental report from David Magney Environmental Consulting that was presenteed on behalf of the Stop the Trucks coalition at the hearing today, click here:

http://www.ojaipost.com/images/DMEC_FEIR_Comment_Letter-29May2007.pdf

Or, if that does not work, go to the first comment below and click there.

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

This image was taken early in the afternoon, before the gazebo and table got crowded!

Today was a beautiful day, and one of the things it saw was the Ojai Peace Coalition's first-ever Peacenic! Borne of a desire among local peace activists to gather occasionally in a lighter, more social context, we came together this afternoon at a generously volunteered home in Meiners Oaks and shared gorgeous sun, soothing breeze, nurturing food, and engaging company.

Our one and main item of business was to discuss the Ojai Peace Coalition's entry in this year's Independence Day parade (our third!), where the theme is "4th of July...Through a Child's Eye". Our participation in the parade has never been about awards or secrecy, and has always been about bringing our values and interpretations to the holiday, so i think it's appropriate to continue that conversation here:

if you have children in your life, please ask them what Independence means to them, and post their responses here (or invite them to post it themselves). you might take the time to preface the question with the fact that the events that the holiday is supposed to commemorate all concerned a new nation coming into existence by the people freeing themselves from oppression and tyranny and asserting their inherent right to create the kind of lives and world that they desired for themselves...and their children. what parallels do we see today? what is our responsibility to respond? topic for discussion: what about INTERdependence? how do Independence and Peace interact or relate?

our first Peacenic was too short; only two hours. but we seemed to part ways happy and full-filled, some with new information in hand, others with new power to wear peace in our community. extra special thanks to Peggy for gracious and generous hosting, to Noel for empowering our sustainability by providing reusable dishes (20 people only generated one grocery sack of mostly-recyclable waste!), and to all attendees for bringing delicious food and contributing mouth-watering ideas!

what are yours?

Posted by evan austin at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (39)

Check out Ojai Orange, where John Wilcock pokes and prods at the absurdities of life. This week's installment is thirty minutes of Ojai via streaming video...

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I overheard a harried mom across the street speaking firmly (by which I mean in a raised voice) to her two boys (both under ten) and their friends:

"Stop calling each other names. Be nice to each other. Take your guns and go outside and play."

Anyone else see the irony?

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 01:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

This coming Sunday, on recommendation from several members, the Ojai Peace Coalition will host our first ever "Peacenic" - a picnic for peace-lovers! - and YOU'RE invited!

Sunday May 27th, 2-4pm • email me for the address • Potluck! • Children welcome!

It seems that we in peace work have a lot to guard against, and we find ourselves most often in each other's company over less-than-savory issues - save this, stop that, end this, mourn that! The Peacenic is an opportunity for peaceful folk to gather in a more casual atmosphere to interact and connect without some heavy agenda. sure we'll have a couple of minor housekeeping items to discuss, and we'll do a little thinking on our participation in this year's Independence Day parade, but mostly we're gonna chat and nibble and sip and enjoy a gorgeous Ojai afternoon, together.

Please join us! Email me for the address.

Posted by evan austin at 07:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. - John Muir (1838 - 1914)

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 07:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Attend the hearing in Santa Maria!!!

Wednesday, May 30th at 9:00am in the "Board of Supervisors Hearing Room",
511 E.Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

The Ojai Valley Board of Realtors is organizing a free bus ride to the meeting. The bus will be departing at 6:30 a.m. Attendants should pack a lunch and are expected to return to Ojai by 8 p.m. that night.

The Diamond Rock final EIR is now available online at:
http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/projects/03CUP-00037/index.cfm

You can access this staff report at:
http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/boards/pc/cpc_documents.cfm?DocID=1967

MORE:

Contrary to recent press stories, there is NO deal in place between Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties regarding the ban of gravel truck traffic on Route 33 from the proposed Diamond Rock Mine in the Cuyama Valley and Ojai.

This alleged deal is nothing more than an attempt to undercut our opposition. What they seek to do is an example of the classic political maneuvers of the “Three D’s:” “Delay,” “Distract” and/or “Deny.” Do not be misled!

They seek to pull attention away from their latest (and substandard) EIR of May 2007 which we will not even dignify by calling it a “Final EIR.” There are logical holes in this EIR that a blind man could drive a fleet of gravel trucks through at night.

But more dangerously, the CUP that they dangle in front of us contains no verification of truck traffic. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “Do not pass any laws you can not enforce because it only breeds disrespect for the law.”

Allowing self-monitoring of truck loads and drivers has already proven to be a disaster in Ventura County where a total failure of our own Planning Department to create CUP’s in 2001 and 2003 that have any verification or enforcement has left us with the 24/7 nightmare we now experience.

Do not be misled. There is no deal. The only way we will win this war is with your total support and dedication.

In the Ojai Valley News, Nao Braverman recently reported that, "The most recent environmental impact report for the new Diamond Rock mine claims that increased traffic from gravel trucks will not significantly impact the quality of life in Ojai... " and "... that there will be no traffic impacts if travel is not allowed during rush hour, there will be no safety impacts regarding school travel, no noise impacts, and no significant impact on air quality in Ventura County..."

"Road safety is just one of the many concerns that committee members have regarding the increasing truck traffic..."

"Michael Shapiro and Howard Smith, two active members of the local Stop the Trucks Coalition stood in front of" a packed Chaparral Auditorium on May 15. "Holding opposite ends of two pieces of rope, they stretched them out for the audience to see. One was measured to the length of two average size, modern day gravel trucks, the other was the exact width of a tunnel along Highway 33." The trucks were wider than the tunnel. “There is no way that two trucks going opposite directions could fit through that tunnel at once without hitting each other.”

Committee members are "also worried about the impact that more diesel trucks would have on the valley’s air quality, student safety, and, in turn, the local economy. Though the project’s draft EIR identifies a significant and unavoidable impact on Ojai’s quality of life, the final EIR states that the quality of life impact will be less than significant.

Committee members disagree...

Shapiro, an active participant to the citizens’ effort to keep out the proposed Weldon Canyon dump site in the early ‘90s, explained that air quality in the valley is at a much more delicate state than planners claim. Pollutants from all over the county accumulate in the valley’s basin and get trapped, he said. Though the air quality impacts from increased truck traffic would be unsuitable for any community, it is a particular concern for Ojai’s growing senior population."

“Pollutants pose a risk for everyone, but they are especially dangerous to young children and people over 60,” he said. “Highway 33 is a terribly inappropriate route for industrialization.”

"Highway 33, so named because it was constructed in 1933, was built at a time that never anticipated the weight and width of gravel trucks today, said Shapiro. The 80,000-pound trucks weighing the equivalent of between 15 and 20 sports utility vehicles each, have already taken a toll on the Arnaz Grade. The lower portion of the grade that was recently rebuilt has already begun to crack under the weight of the trucks, he said."

Rikki Horne, president of the Ojai Unified School District board, said that the despite the EIR claims, the increase truck trips would inevitably have a huge impact on local school travel.

Though the current regulations do not allow trucks to travel during the times the students generally arrive at campus and when they leave, these regulations have not been enforceable and are repeatedly disregarded, she said. Moreover Nordhoff High School, which is located alongside the highway has students coming and going at all hours of the day with some arriving as early as 6 a.m. and leaving as late as midnight. Trucks passing during school hours also interfere with the children’s outdoor education and sports practice. They pose a health and safety risk as well as noise disturbance during indoor class time, she said.

The increased truck traffic has alerted local real estate agents who foresee a huge hindrance to their sales as well as a plunge in the value of local property. Riki Strandfeldt, president of the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors said that if the proposed mine projects are approved, and truck traffic increases, the state mandates that a disclosure statement would be given to every property buyer, notifying them of the potential issue of truck traffic.

Scott Eicher, CEO of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, quoted local citrus rancher Tony Thatcher who said Ojai sits on a three-legged stool: agriculture, education and tourism. “The truck traffic could destroy all if not one of these legs,” he said. “Our avocado and citrus crops will be destroyed by the pollution, no one is going to want to pay money to bring their children to schools if they can’t enjoy the outdoor beauty of the valley because it’s so polluted, and no one is going to want to visit if they can’t see the mountains because the air is brown.”

Though the EIR for the Diamond Rock Mine included a condition that recommends a ban on trucks traveling from the mine through the Ojai Valley, the project could still be approved without granting that condition. The deal is also contingent on Ventura County officials banning Ventura gravel trucks from traveling through Santa Barbara County.

“I think that because of the recommendation, some people in the community might have gotten the impression that the community can relax,” said 1st District Supervisor Steve Bennett. “That would be a mistake, The community needs to keep itself organized and keep raising funds. This EIR alone needs some good analysis by experts. People should not be complacent at this critical time.

The committee, currently deciding on environmental consultants and attorneys, is looking at a war chest budget of $50,000 to $100,000 or more. “We are going to need a great deal of economic support from people in the community,” said Shapiro.

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Is 'She', Elder, Woman, Queen Elizabeth II, more than simply a front
for a World-Spanning-Financial-Family? Rosy-starched face of a Global
Citadel of privacy, power and privilege? Is the Movie, Queen, more than
a play to shift the popularity of 'martyred' Princess Diana to the Queen,
and thus to the future King Charles and all of the Monarchy, the UK and
the Commonwealth?

What does Sir Elton John have to say about all this?
~ ~ ~ Goodbye England's Rose ~ ~ ~

Is the 'evolution', 'expansion', 'solidification' of the power structures of the world --
the UK Monarchy, the JudeoChristian Empire, China, the EU, Hinduism, Islam (?), the
'Seven Families" of Japan, etc. etc. -- is it part of the returning GOOD in the world?

Part of the re-awakening universal nurturing, divine feminine, global consciousness
of respect, heart, mindfulness, love? Of the re-appearance of the transcendent 'now'
where all cultures, all languages, all ancestors and wisdoms are preserved and
protected as seed and sustenance for the golden millennial rebirth?

How is this change reflected, assisted, by movies like "Elizabeth" and "Queen" -- how
did they change you? What will follow? What other media, institutional, and personal
icons, events, experiences should we look to in these next few years of the (our) great 'infolding', unfolding ... ? In Goddess Moon, Echoing HER (World) Tune ...!

Posted by Millennium Twain at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Yesterday I went to visit my friend Martha Locke. So many years have gone by since I last saw her, that I wasn't even sure if she was still alive or where she lived. I first met "Marty" about 30 years ago. She had curly red hair and sang in plays at the Art Center. My son was young, my daughter not yet born, and I was teaching yoga at the Women's Club, the Art Center and the Gables. I was also working as a home-health care provider and had an affinity for older people. Back then anyone over 50 was old. Marty was lively and fun to be with and I knew I could drop in on her anytime. I would bring my various boyfriends up the stairs to the tiny apartment where she and her husband Charlie lived, and we would have tea and toast at a sweetly set table by a window that overlooked what was back then a green field with beautiful oaks. I would return a few days later, by myself, to get the scoop on what they thought of my latest beau. They tried to set me straight but I was in a hormonal coma and only saw what I wanted to see.

The years went by and our pleasant visits continued. Politics, e-mail, writing and selling books had not yet consumed my Life. Marty and Charlie grew older, as we human beings are destined to do. One day I came over and Charlie had died. His body was still resting on his bed, but you could tell right away that it was just a shell, that the breath, the spirit, the life-force, was gone. I was happy to see that Charlie had managed to die at home, that he did not linger for years in one of the local facilities, as so many of us do.

I knew Marty's only son, Johnny, (John Locke) a musician who played with the Ojai group Spirit, also died a few years ago, because I had read it in the OVN's obituary. (I went to school with Randy California, but that is another story) I knew she had to move out of her much-loved upstairs apartment and that there was no way she could afford to rent another one. And that by now she must be in her 90's and no longer living on her own. In the back of my mind was the fear that life's sorrows had become too much to bear and that even if she was still alive she might be all alone tucked away in one of the local nursing homes, no longer able to see or hear or recognize me.

I was so relieved when I found Marty living with a family in Meiners Oaks, in a lovely clean room with her bed right by a large window where you can always see the open sky, without the smell of urine and other odors that are typical of places where elders spend their last days on earth . Marty sat straight in a chair, looking thin, fragile, and much older but very well-cared for. She told me that she had her hair cut a few days ago, and she explained that the beautician had braided her hair before cutting it. At first I did not understand but then she handed me a bag. I opened it and there was her beautiful long silky braid. She explained that her hair was getting thin and becoming too much to take care of. She looked good with short hair framing her face. Her eyesight and hearing semed perfect. I sat cross-legged on her bed and we began telling each other everything that has happened these past years.

She told me how her son had found her this room, had helped her move her things, just before he died. She said, " It is too painful to think about Johnny's death, but I find joy in little things. I can look up at the night sky and see the moon and venus. The neighbors bring me roses. And there are children and cats in the house..."

There is a hummingbird feeder right by the window and as we chatted the sweetest hummingbirds would flit into our vision and linger for a sip. As it came time for me to leave, Marty said, "I would like an easy death, without pain. My only worry is that I might have to leave here before I die. I don't want to go into a nursing home."

There is much more to this story, to be told on another day...As I was leaving Marty gave me one of her poems.

War

My heart still weeps
Although my eyes are dry.
In my awful dreams
I hear young soldiers cry
From the fields of war;
"Am I going to die?"

Rows of coffins lined up
As far as one can see.
In which of them
Can my own child be?
And my heart cries out
"They all belong to me!"

--- Martha Locke, born March 11, 1914

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

i'd venture to guess that not many people know the names or faces of any of the projectionists at any of the corporate movie theaters in this country, even the "local" (read: geographically close) ones like Century. but here in Ojai, our projectionist's name is Glenn Emanuel, and he's got the most gorgeous eyes and warm, ready smile. he's a tall lanky fellow with a curly mop of hair and broad, expressive hands. he's also got lung cancer.

he told me this himself, when i saw him recently at Rainbow Bridge. it was the first thing he said, and he did it with a slight smile on his face. not that it isnt serious, but i strongly suspect that Glenn's got a specific and philosophical constitution that isnt very friendly to depression or sympathy-gathering. i'm told by his partner Cheri Mason that Glen has chosen to forego the traditional toxic therapies for cancer, and is instead focusing on "nutrition, yoga, magnets, and herbs", and in honorable form is treating his cancer in the same way he treats others and the world: peacefullly, with life-affirming practices and natural cures.

come meet the man and enjoy some great music at a donation-driven benefit for him this Friday evening May 25th at the Ojai Playhouse at 10pm, featuring Jim Calire and friends, Brad Bueley, Julie Christensen, and more. interested musicians are encouraged to contact Cheri. there is also an account set up in Glenn's name at Ojai Community Bank.

Posted by evan austin at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

A Travelogue about Nature Writing in the Future

It's been an interesting weekend. I just got back from a thousand mile trek up and down our state in just over 48 hrs. Actually, I got back on Saturday evening, and I spent yesterday recovering from the whirlwind tour. I had to pick up a motorcycle I bought on Ebay. The motorcycle was being garaged at my brother-in-law's house in Sacramento near Folsom, so I rented a car one way from Ventura and drove up Thursday evening. My route took me over the 126 to the 5 North. Most people are familiar with this drive--not a lot for a long ways. I got into Sacramento pretty late and hung out with my in-laws and looked at the new bike.

I won't bore you with the bureaucratic details, but the bike that I intended to ride back to Ojai the next morning seemed to be lacking a license plate. This complicated matters rather a lot and I had to wake up the next morning and get the paperwork squared away at the Folsom DMV. Not a lot of fun. Worse then that, I had to rent a U-Haul and take the bike down to the DMV so they could check the VIN numbers and the serial number, etc. This meant that I got to run around the outskirts of Sacramento and Folsom for most of the day on Friday.

I don't know how many of you have been to Sacramento lately, but like most suburban areas in California it's sprawling out everywhere. There is nothing but chain stores and cars everywhere. No pedestrian traffic anywhere. Big-box stores, fast food joints, Starbucks, and all manner of smaller chain retail places everywhere. All residing in tilt-up, concrete construction, strip malls and retail courts tailor made for cars cars cars. The never ending, four-cornered intersections with two gas stations, a Starbucks and a pick your national brand fast food joint. Often one or more of the gas stations also had a fast food place within, next to the 10W 40 and small paper funnels. Behind these, across great expanses of black asphalt sometimes doted with islands of national sit-down restaurants like Islands or TGI Friday's, sat the giant cubic big-boxes. WalMart, Rite-Aid, Lowe's, Sam's Club, Costco, OSH, and on and on ad infinitum.

I spent my high school years in a suburban setting not unlike this 30 miles East of Los Angeles, so I knew my way around. A few years ago, my wife and I took a road trip through 14 Western and Mid-Western states. That's when we first really noticed it. The great corporate American mono-culture. The only thing that changes is the topography. Even the radio is the same, thanks to giants like Clear Channel. If you squint your eyes and tilt your head just right you can pretend you're in Eugene or Tacoma or Spokane or Boise or Missoula (a 2 WalMart town believe it or not), or Casper or Rapid City or Des Moines or Topeka or Tulsa or Dallas or Houston (where there is actually an intersection with a Starbucks on each corner) or Albuquerque or Phoenix or Barstow or even Santa Clarita (more on Santa Clarita later).

I finally got the bike registered and was handed a new plate at 3:30 p.m. My original intention was to leave in the early morning and ride over the Sierra through Yosemite and down to Mammoth Lakes where some friends were staying. Instead I left at 4:00 p.m. and rode straight up Hwy 50 past Lake Tahoe, over the mountains in the gathering dusk and down into the Nevada side where I hooked up with the 395 South. I nearly ran out of gas some 100 miles North of Mammoth, but was lucky enough to find a station still open. 270 miles on the bike on Friday over the great Sierra Nevada. It was really beautiful, though it got a little cold on the other side of the mountains as night fell. In fact, I was hypothermic by the time I arrived at the condo at 10:30 p.m. Nothing the jacuzzi couldn't cure though.

Saturday, my friends went out fishing and I hoped back on the bike despite the growing pain from the saddle. I drove through Mammoth Lakes and found a bakery. Mammoth still has a lot of independently owned businesses, but it also has a lot of chain businesses so it took me a minute to find a place for breakfast. I started out at 10:30 a.m. and pretty much flew down the 395. The bike and I finally settled on a comfortable 85 mph. Illegal enough to keep me on my toes looking for highway patrol, but slow enough to be able to hold on. If you haven't been on the 395, it's a pretty straight, alternating between two and four lane highway that goes parallel to the majestic Sierra Nevada. From Mammoth Lakes you are normally at about 7000 feet, but then you drop down to about 5000 through the Owens Valley while Mt. Whitney rises to 14,505 feet to the West. Then you drop down into the high desert and the wasteland that is Lancaster and Palmdale on the 14 freeway. Again, nothing but chains and cars.

I remember Valencia when I was a kid going to Magic Mountain. From the atop of the Colossus roller coster you could see forever, and there was nothing but brown, rolling hills. Today it's called Santa Clarita, a mega-burb that's eaten up Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus and much of Castaic. It's now built up beyond belief. Being a "planned" community, the ONLY economy in Santa Clarita is the corporate mono culture. All chains all the time. Money magazine calls Santa Clarita one of the top 100 places to live in the United States. They actually appear to mean it too.

I rode my new bike through Santa Clarita on Saturday afternoon at about 4:45 p.m. I took the long way through the "town" from the 14 rather than going to the 5 interchange and back up North to the 126. I actually got a little lost in all the sameness and my sense of direction was the only thing that got me out. I got back on the 5, then the 126 and on through Fillmore past the new housing development on the flood plane of the Santa Clara River at the East end of town. Until shortly after the beginning of the 20th century, the Santa Clara River was navigable by ocean going vessels as far inland as today's Santa Clarita. The many wells and dams built to support the agricultural boom of the early 1900's lowered the water table, and the river has been shrinking ever since. Now I doubt you could kayak much beyond Oxnard without walking. Maybe in the winter if it rains a lot.

I got back into Ojai at about 5:30 p.m. and peeled myself off the bike. 600 miles in two day is a long way on a motorcycle. After dinner at 8:00 p.m., I went with my wife and my 1.5 year old son to the Ojai Coffee Roasting Company and listened to Jonathan McEuen play. He was amazing as always. He's a natural born performer. I was sitting there listening and I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if a Starbucks or a Pete's Coffee or a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf came to Ojai. Would we lose the OCRC like we lost Stir Crazy in Mira Monte? Do those corporate mono culture coffee places even have live music? At 9:00 p.m. I walked over to Libbey Bowl and listened to perhaps my favorite poet, Gary Snyder read at the Ojai Poetry Festival . It was awesome! I was very glad to be at home in the only town in 1000 miles that had not yet completely succumbed to the chains. I really hope we can keep it this way.

I'll leave you with Gary Snyder's poem In the Santa Clarita Valley which he calls nature poetry for the future:

In the Santa Clarita Valley

Like skinny wildweed flowers sticking up
hexagonal "Denny's" sign
starry "Carl's"
loopy "McDonald's"
eight-petaled yellow "Shell"
blue-and-white "Mobil" with a big red "O"

growing
in the asphalt riparian zone
by the soft roar of the flow
of Interstate 5.

You can hear him read it here, but you'll need the realone player to play it.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

From the VC Star via OjaiNews.com....

Joe De Vito's seat on the Ojai City Council is safe for now. Residents who wanted to recall the six-term councilman have suspended their efforts. "We feel that with the council's vote on the formula-business moratorium, Mr. De Vito has finally begun to represent his constituents on this important issue," recall petitioner Sean Keenan said in a statement released this morning.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I was cruising through the articles on OjaiNews.com, and came across A Spa in Shangri-La in the NY Sun.

First sentence of the article: With its oak tree-studded hills, Ojai is wryly known to travelers as a Wal-Mart-free zone.

Five paragraphs later: But it isn't solely the spa resorts that lend Ojai its air of serenity. The Ojai Valley appears intrinsically at odds with anything resembling fast food or big-box stores.

Get it? Our primary industry, up to 43% of our city's revenues, is based on cultural tourism. "Formula retail establishments" undermine our primary industry. Business wisdom says Subway hurts our bottom line.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

off to the Farmer's Market on this beautiful spring Sunday...

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Sunday morning, starting at the Farmer's Market, I will be joined by two recruiters from the EF Homestay Program to sign up host families for my 34 Vietnamese high school students. They will visit Ojai from July 3 to July 30. if you are interested or know of any families who are interested in hosting an exchange student, please look for me downtown tomorrow morning and afternoon. We will also be in Upper Ojai in the later afternoon knocking on doors.
Anyone who's open to a house call, please drop me an email: demitri@peachtreetheatercompany.org or call 7989-0929.
Thanks!

Posted by Demitri Corbin at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike and Mika were rescued from Beirut, Lebanon. http://animals.beirut.com They are survivors of war. Here are what they have to say:

Laura: Mike and Mika what was war like?

Mike: The hardest part of where I came from was loosing my family and smelling burning flesh. Everything I knew to be safe became dangerous. Peoples’ eyes turn cold and the birds go silent.

Mika: I miss my children and the smell of my Lebanese mom cooking. I miss the smell of the earth and the laughter of my family.

Laura: How did you survive?

Mike: We stayed together mostly and only went out at night when the men with guns could not see us. We knew where pipes were broken so we could have water and sometimes we had to eat things that made us sad.

Mika: We knew not to go near any loud noises. One would sleep when the other would stay awake. We learned to always know a way out and that our bodies could squish into any corner or under any obstacle.

Laura: How did you get rescued?

Mike: I remember smelling shampoo and clean clothes. I told Mika we better go towards that smell because maybe it could show us where our family went. We found a nice woman who was not dirty. Her eyes were soft and I could tell instantly we were safe.

Mika: When there are so many people filled with sorrow and rage, it is easy to trust in the few people that don’t hate.

Laura: How have you adjusted to being in your new home?

Mike: It was very hard at first. I would not know where I was when I woke up and I thought the new dog was going to steal my food. We are able to be in the house and no matter what we do we are loved. Yesterday, I got scared on my first off leash walk. It was hot and I didn’t know where water was. I ran away to find water and I heard a truck and I had to hide because I thought I shouldn’t be in the open during daylight. I heard my mom calling me, but I was scared to go to her. I finally was brave and she kissed me. My new home is very sweet.

Mika: I don’t like seeing dead bodies out of the corner of my eye. I don’t know when that is going to go away. I feel scared that people will hate each other and war will start again. My new family does not have any hate inside of them. That helps me to adjust. My new dog friend says that everything takes time. I wish she were younger so she could play with us. It feels good to feel safe enough to play.

Laura: Is there anything you want to tell people?

Mike: I would like to tell everyone who helped us as well as my new family thank you. I want to tell people to stop and think before you hurt someone, because if you hurt one being you hurt many.

Mika: It’s harder for angels to do their job when you allow your mind to get dirty and the earth smells better when you allow things to grow.

Posted by Laura Stinchfield at 04:13 PM | Permalink

"Paper Tiger, Toothless Dragon"

Contrary to recent press stories, there is NO deal in place between Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties regarding the ban of gravel truck traffic on Route 33 from the proposed Diamond Rock Mine in the Cuyama Valley and Ojai.

This alleged deal is nothing more than an attempt to undercut our opposition. What they seek to do is an example of the classic political maneuvers of the “Three D’s:” “Delay,” “Distract” and/or “Deny.” Do not be misled!

They seek to pull attention away from their latest (and substandard) EIR of May 2007 which we will not even dignify by calling it a “Final EIR.” There are logical holes in this EIR that a blind man could drive a fleet of gravel trucks through at night.

But more dangerously, the CUP that they dangle in front of us contains no verification of truck traffic. It is a “Paper Tiger, a Toothless Dragon.”

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “Do not pass any laws you can not enforce because it only breeds disrespect for the law.”

Allowing self-monitoring of truck loads and drivers has already proven to be a disaster in Ventura County where a total failure of our own Planning Department to create CUP’s in 2001 and 2003 that have any verification or enforcement has left us with the 24/7 nightmare we now experience.

Do not be misled. There is no deal. The only way we will win this war is with your total support and dedication.

Attend the hearing in Santa Maria!!!

Wednesday, May 30th at 9:00am in the "Board of Supervisors Hearing Room",
511 E.Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

The Diamond Rock final EIR is now available online at:
http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/projects/03CUP-00037/index.cfm

You can access this staff report at:
http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/boards/pc/cpc_documents.cfm?DocID=1967

To Donate Online go to: http://www.ojaichamber.org/pages/coc/stop.asp

Or Use our pledge form below:

STOP THE TRUCKS!!

The Stop the Trucks Coalition, comprised of concerned residents of the Ojai Valley, is committed to preventing gravel trucks from traveling to and from the mines up and down Highway 33 past our high school, hospital, the entry to Ojai, through Mira Monte, Oak View and Casitas Springs.

There could be as many as 400 round trips a day! The gravel trucks, which threaten the safety of our streets, the quality of our air, our tourist based economy, and in general our quality of life, must stop. We will use every legal means at our disposal to Stop the Trucks!!

Therefore, I pledge:

$20 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other: $________________

Please provide your contact information

Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________________ State _________ Zip__________________

Phone _______________________________ E-mail _____________________________________

Method of Payment

Check ... I have included my check made payable to: “Stop the Trucks”

Credit Card – Please charge my Visa Master Card Am Ex

Credit Card# ______________________________________________________________

Expiration Date __________ Verification#_________ (Required for added security.*)

*For Visa & MC this is last 3 numbers on the back of the card. For AmEx this is the last 4 numbers on the front of your card.

Full Name on Card ______________________________________________________________

Signature ________________________________________________a_____________

We respect your privacy and will not release your contact information.

You can mail your completed form to:

The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce

P O Box 1134, Ojai, CA 93024

If, at the end of our campaign, we have left over funds they will be donated to The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

For more information, you may also visit us at the Ojai Post Truck Resource Page: http://www.ojaipost.com/stopthetrucks.shtml

or call Therese Hartmann (805) 646-7399 or Dale Hanson (805) 646-7229.

Billing address must match address below, or give us your billing address on the back of this form.

Posted by Howard Smith at 02:27 PM | Permalink

Ernest Salomon, the property owner who invited Subway into Ojai is playing the victim (PDF), attacking the Ojai Valley News, the citizens of Ojai, the Ojai City Council, the Building and Zoning Department and Monte Widders in an official letter to Carol Smith, mayor of Ojai.

He's ticked off because the City Council passed the urgent moratorium, which stopped the permitting process for 45 days. Salomon writes:

We have every reason to believe that the ordinance is legal, but we are also convinced that you and your colleagues acted unethically in the light of what has transpired. Though the ordinance is not legally Ex Post Facto, the result is the same. In essence, you have said that the information given to the public by your city departments cannot be relied on and is worthless! (emphasis Salomon)

What Ernie conveniently ignores is the information provided by the public. This is a government of the people, and in the case of the formula retail initiative, the city council has listened to the people in granting a 45-day moratorium to study the issue. The Subway franchise Salomon invited into Ojai is opposed by a majority of the citizens, and a majority of the business community.

The Ojai Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of its members (PDF), the vast majority of which supports restricting "chain or formula stores within the city limits of Ojai" by a 42 point margin, 71%-29%. The business community also supports the formula retail ban ordinance by a wide margin, believing it will "help the Ojai economy" 63%-37%, and will "help economic opportunities in Ojai" 60%-40%.

In other words, Ernie, we don't want Subway, and we don't want to look like Anytown, USA. The citizens of community oppose Subway and formula retail in general because of our uniqueness and quality of life. The business community opposes Subway and formula retail in general, in large part because it undermines our primary industry, cultural tourism, which draws people to Ojai because of our unique character and lack of chain stores.

In closing, as a student of politics and the host of a public affairs television program here in Santa Barbara for nine years, I must say that this is the type of legislation that has made the list of Americans who distrust their elected officials grow longer.

Salomon says he is speaking as a "student of politics and the host of a public affairs television program". I call bullshit. He is speaking as a property owner who is ticked off he isn't collecting rent. He has no moral authority here - its a calculated business decision on his part. Let's not pretend it's anything it isn't, particularly a studious grassroots media David fighting the Ojai city Goliath. Please.

Where's the distrust here? The property owner lives in Santa Barbara, the franchise owner lives in Simi Valley and Doctors Associates, Inc, parent company of Subway, is in Delaware. Salomon wants to ram a Subway franchise down our throats and has lawyered up in order to do so, according to an Ojai Valley News article. While there is a healthy distrust of elected officials in this country, Ernie Salomon's attempt to deflect criticism of the Subway he invited into Ojai is transparent and disingenuous.

The "victim" concludes:

To say that Subway and we were treated shabbily has to be the biggest understatement uttered so far this year!

To say that a majority of citizens and businesses are unhappy about your decision to invite a Subway into Ojai, and then attempt to shove it down our throats in the face of stiffening opposition trumps your understatement by a mile, Ernie.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

My friend, Matt, and I just interviewed local rockers, Myridian. They released their CD just a couple months ago - think classic rock with a pop twist - and their protest song Gun Shots is currently #4 on Neil Young's website. Not bad for 5 guys in their late-40's working blue-collar day jobs! Look for the full print story in the VC Reporter soon. Meanwhile, check-out the interview and hear the song on Radio Ojai.

After the jump, find out where you can see them live.

Upcoming shows:
May 26, 3pm Downtown Ojai Street Concert
June 3rd, 3pm Ojai Skate Park Festival
June 8th, Ojai Valley Athletic Club Friday Concert Series 6:30pm
June 30th, Lake Casitas Classic Rock Festival
August 18th, Camp Pendleton Marine Base
August 24th, Ojai Valley Athletic Club Friday Concert Series 6:30pm

Posted by Lisa Snider at 08:14 PM | Permalink

Hello readers, I have something for you. Check out the next-generation Ojai news site, the place where you can start your day: announcing the soft launch of OjaiNews.com. In addition to gathering all of the Ojai-related media sources into one location, the site also provides a public archive of City, District, County public records and more. We are doing our own research, and are working with the City of Ojai and Steve Bennett's office to archive and deliver important information to your computer.

There are a number of planned improvements over the next couple months, and I am pleased to tell you we will shortly be announcing an editor who will bring you the latest news wrap-up on OjaiNews.com and The Ojai Post. Feel free to beta test the site, and leave comments, suggestions or throw a tomato or two in the comments. Hope you enjoy it!

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (30)

Thank you to Annika Forester from the Farmer & the Cook newsletter for sending this out. I trust it is okay that I post it here.

Home Grown Economy Conference Proceedings Available Online

Recently, in an effort to address and explore how local foods can be an economic development engine for rural communities, Congressman Collin Peterson sponsored a conference called "The Home Grown Economy: Foods from Local Farms as an Economic Development Tool". The proceedings from this conference are now available online. Presentation materials and videos of parts of the conference are
available to download from www.morris.umn.edu/HomeGrownEconomy

"We're seeing a demand for more locally grown foods available in grocery stores, and also for consumption in restaurants, schools and hospitals," Congressman Collin Peterson told reporters. "There are opportunities to keep our local economy strong by using farmers to supply their neighbors."

Posted by Raymond Powers at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Stop the Trucks Coalition, comprised of concerned residents of the Ojai Valley, is committed to preventing gravel trucks from traveling to and from the mines up and down Highway 33 past our high school, hospital, the entry to Ojai, through Mira Monte, Oak View and Casitas Springs.

There could be as many as 400 round trips a day! The gravel trucks, which threaten the safety of our streets, the quality of our air, our tourist based economy, and in general our quality of life, must stop. We will use every legal means at our disposal to Stop the Trucks!!

PRINT THIS PAGE AND MAIL TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:

Therefore, I pledge:

$20 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other: $________________

Please provide your contact information

Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________________ State _________ Zip__________________

Phone _______________________________ E-mail _____________________________________

Method of Payment

Check ... I have included my check made payable to: "Stop the Trucks"

Credit Card Please charge my: Visa Master Card Am Ex

Credit Card# ______________________________________________________________________

Expiration Date __________ Verification#_________ (Required for added security.*)

*For Visa & MC this is last 3 numbers on the back of the card. For AmEx this is the last 4 numbers on the front of your card.

Full Name on Card ________________________________________________________________

Signature _____________________________________________________________________

We respect your privacy and will not release your contact information.

You can mail your completed form to:

The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce

P O Box 1134, Ojai, CA 93024

Thank you for your donation. If, at the end of our campaign, we have left over funds they will be donated to The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

For more information, you may also visit us at www.ojaipost.com or call

Therese Hartmann (805) 646-7399 or Dale Hanson (805) 646-7229.

Billing address must match address below, or give us your billing address on the back of this form.

Posted by Howard Smith at 06:20 PM | Permalink

I've begun my (re)search for a new/ pre-owned car and it is pretty exciting what lies around the corner in, as early as, late 2008. Hybrids being completely redesigned, diesels running on biofuel being more available, smaller European cars being introduced. Personally I would love to see a hybrid or biodiesel motorcycle. Or better yet how about, finally, the free energy technology coming out into the open without the inventors being assasinated. I know that Millennium would like me to ride my bike (if I still had one and was willing to ride from Matilija Canyon daily to town) ) and Dennis who will admonish new affordable technology being thwarted because of big money interests (which is most likely correct, however, I will, and feel I need to buy some kind of vehicle with a motor in it). Which kind of motor, which manufacturer to support is the fun of the research phase and sort of like Alice down the rabbit hole.

Here is a website I found Green Car Congress that has been teaching me a lot about what is next on the horizon and also what community leaders are doing to create greener cities.

Posted by Raymond Powers at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It was great to see over two hundred people tonight at Chapparal Auditorium for the Stop The Trucks Coalition Meeting. Lots of information to come, leading up to the May 30 meeting in Santa Maria. Stay tuned!

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (30)

Ojai Retreat: Sunday, May 20 at 6pm. Public Welcome!

Today I am thinking of Steve LaRue, who died last week at age 59, only a year older than me. How quickly Life passes! I knew Steve and his parents and sister from my years at Nordhoff High School so it gave me a shock when a friend informed me of his sudden passing. I received the following announcement from Rhonda LaRue with a request to let all his friends know about the memorial service.

The Ojai Retreat is hosting an honoring event for Steve LaRue, starting at 6pm Sunday, May 20 with a tree planting in Steve’s name, followed by a 7pm buffet and informal gathering. All are welcome. The Ojai Retreat is located at 160 Besant Road (behind the Ranch House Restaurant) 805-646-2536

Steve LaRue, a known and regarded member of our Ojai community, died of a heart attack at the age of 59, after a jaw surgery last Wednesday, May 9th.

Steve LaRue is a long-time citizen of Ojai, having settled here with his parents, Blair and Wayne, and sister Leslie in 1954. Steve graduated H.S. from Nordhoff, and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

Steve had an unusually eclectic life and career: After obtaining his MBA and taking himself on a series of exotic world travels in his 20’s, Steve worked as an Ad Agency Executive in Santa Barbara for a short time before becoming deeply interested in spiritual philosophy and taking, what he called, “an early retirement” working for many years as a wine steward at the Ranch House Restaurant while he explored the arts, writing, healing and spiritual philosophies. In the 1990’s Steve met and married Ronda Ackles LaRue (who remains here in Ojai as author and artist), and he became a successful real estate broker and business owner of LaRue & Associates, while he continued to deepen in this study of Consciousness and spiritual philosophies.

Steve’s presence in Ojai has been a vast and deep one. Steve had a great love of the Ojai Valley and respected its sacred charm. Steve was a foundational steward of the Ojai Retreat and an active member of the Board of Directors for over 12 years. All who knew Steve LaRue in business and in personal friendship, respected him for his loyal integrity, generous heart, and deep abiding wisdom.

In the last 2 years, after his divorce from former wife and friend Ronda LaRue, Steve moved up to a natural sanctuary home near Wheeler Gorge. Here he returned to his first passion and began in earnest to realize his true dream and the culmination of his life’s rich experiences and introspection….that of becoming a writer. He spent many hours in nature, contemplating and in his home writing.

Steve had struggled with a heart abnormality since his late 30’s and tried many procedures over the years to heal and correct this dehabilitating illness. He was working on compiling his first manuscript at the time of his death.

Those who have known Steve most closely, know the powerful presence that stood behind this gentle man, and the colorful and odd life experiences and stories that make up this most unique tapestry that we all knew as Steve LaRue. Robert Redford with whom Steve corresponded from time to time, once wrote: “Steve, you’re an odd duck!” Speaking as one who has had the profound privileged to know, love, and live with him for the bulk of my adult life, and speaking too on behalf of all whom he has touched with his magnificent, quirky, intelligent, wise and generous manner, I can only say: “Steve, you have served us each with being who you truly are, and you have given us a remarkable vision of what it is to be vulnerably alive and graciously in faith to that which remains eternal. Blessings Be!”

– Editorial written by Ronda LaRue ronda@rondalarue.com

Ronda LaRue, M.S. - Ceremonial Arts
author: Remembering Who You Really Are
http://www.rondalarue.com
http://www.OjaiSoulArts.com
805-746-1657

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:41 AM | Permalink

that each we gift, our vision's sight

which colours of the rainbow, will I bring?
to joyous epiphany, we now together sing!

not money to be spent, rather love to be invested ...
immeasurable Green splendour harvested!

what is your vision, singular facet of our collective diamond,
that you, yourself, will bring to the WHOLE of our divine creation?

~~~

last year I launched a Nursery Collective, where
we began to nurture a diverse-culture of
semitropical and semidesert fruit trees which
rejoice in our Valley climate.

yesterday picked up another twenty Chokos
(Chayotis) to start -- to spread to homes around
the valley this summer -- producing thousands
of new baby Chokos this autumn -- becoming
tens of thousands as early as next year, or in any
coming years where we will need to feed ourselves
locally.

who wants to start a Valley-wide backyard (and
frontyard) home-gardening program this summer?

what other thousand ways can each of us multiply
our local independence-economy tenfold in the next
year or two before the winding away of the old oil-
consumer economy?

awakening to our million-year-awaited destiny?

Posted by Millennium Twain at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Just so you know, "advance sale" tickets sold on the Ojai Poetry Festival Website come at a five dollar discount from the cost at the door - that's five bucks off every ticket. But ticket sales online will end this Friday at 5PM.

So, all you Post readers that have been putting off buying tickets to the festival that brings some of the nation's top poets into your back yard - now would be a good time to get your tickets and save some money in the process. After all, this event only comes around every two years.

Once again, this season's lineup includes Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Gary Snyder, literary entertainment dynamo Sherman Alexie, Montana's First Poet Laureate Sandra Alcosser, and the poetic rising star María Meléndez. Get your tickets now at a great price.

Posted by Robert Peake at 08:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"The total cost of the Iraq war may reach $456 billion in September, according to the National Priorities Project, an organization that tracks public spending." Boston.com explored a number of alternate scenarios in which $456 billion was spent on something, well, productive, including the following:

According to World Bank estimates, $54 billion a year would eliminate starvation and malnutrition globally by 2015, while $30 billion would provide a year of primary education for every child on earth. At the upper range of those estimates, the $456 billion cost of the war could have fed and educated the world's poor for five and a half years.

The impact of this war, this president, his enablers and his supporters are absolutely catastrophic on a global scale.

UPDATE: The Iraq occupation has cost the Ojai Valley, home to approximately 29,000 people, over $43 million. What could the Ojai Valley do with $43 million? Who's going to repay the money? Our kids, our grandkids, their grandkids.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 05:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Happy Mother's Day! Here are the origins of Mother's Day:

In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic",
proposed an annual Mother's Day for Peace. Committed to abolishing war, Howe
wrote: "Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage... Our sons
shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them
of charity, mercy and patience. We women of one country will be too tender of
those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs".

(Thank you to Clive Leeman for sending this.)

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Thank you Ken, Steve, Tyler et al for the inspiring afternoon at the Ojai Green Coalition conference. Hunter Lovins is brilliant, heartfilled, practical and beyond dedicated. I was honored to be present today.

On the heels of this days event here is the latest green car and transportaion news from one of my favorite websites. http://www.treehugger.com/cars_transportation/

Posted by Raymond Powers at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

It has been one busy spring at my office. Seems like everyone in Ojai (and surrounding areas) is doing some kind of Spring Cleansing or Detox. So I took the liberty of writing up a few guidelines for healthy cleansing in case there is anyone out there who hasn't done it yet, and posting it at OjaiHealing. I'd love to see you all comment there about your experiences, thoughts, goals, etc!

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 05:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I invite you to speak from a place deep inside where you are who you really are. Not a role, persona or mask, but the essence of who you are. Let this be a place without good or bad, black or white, blame or consequence. Let others be who they are, and allow that to come into alignment with who you are. Let yourself feel beyond ego and justification and being right. Allow yourself to be.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)

Click To Play

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Spiritual? By Ojai Valley Standards!

What is to be done about this?

http://ojaivalleynews.blogspot.com/2007/05/bicyclist-critical-after-collision.html

Why does the Ojai Valley News, the local CHP, Sheriff, Police and political institutions believe it is "OK" to smash bicyclists, even kill, with their cars and trucks? To do the same to children, pedestrians, equestrians?

Posted by Millennium Twain at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (56)

It appears that Subway may not be coming to Ojai. The two Subway signs are gone from the store front and there is now a For Lease sign in the window. Were we able to stem this current incursion into our small town? In calling around today, nobody knows what happened and I haven't had the guts to call Ernie Salomon to confirm. There is a chance that Subway was able to back out of their 10-year lease due to the change in circumstance (i.e.- 45-day moratorium). If you know anything, please post here.

Irregardless of the Subway status, we will continue to collect signatures for the Formula Retail Business Initiative so this doesn't happen again in the future.

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

A couple notes from the OV Green Coalition-sponsored Environmental Summit on Saturday, May 12...

Harrison Industries will be providing computer waste pick-up at the Summit next Saturday. Plan on dropping off your computer waste so that it can be recycled. Have you tried to recycle that stuff? It's expensive and hard to find a place that will accept it, so come on down Saturday!

Low-power consumption CHL bulbs will be available and handed out at NO COST, compliments of Steve Bennett's office, and Southern California Edison.

The event is free, starts at 10am at Matilija Auditorium, and features a keynote address by Hunter Lovins, the Time Magazine "Hero Of The Planet". Come on down!

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

In 1861, Julia Ward Howe wrote a poem (at the request of a party clergyman from the North) which was set to the tune of the war song it was replacing, called "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". It's the "Mine eyes have seen the glory" and "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah" one that loves to be sung in Christian churches.

then in 1870, as a protest against the carnage of the unCivil War, she wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation, which calls on women of the world to reject war and convene a "congress of women" to discuss the "great and general interests of peace."

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday May 13th. Will YOU stand for peace?

StandingWomen.org is an Ohio-based group which will stand in peace-full silence on Sunday at 1pm local time, and they invite the women of the world to join them. their statement in full:
"We are standing for the world's childen and grandchildren, and for the seven generations beyond them.
We dream of a world where all of our children have safe drinking water, clean air to breathe, and enough food to eat,
A world where they have access to a basic education to develop their minds and healthcare to nurture their growing bodies,
A world where they have a warm, safe, and loving place to call home,
A world where they dont live in fear of violence - in their home, in their neighborhood, in their school, or in their world.
This is the world of which we dream.
This is the cause for which we stand."

Some women in Ojai have already signed up to stand in Libbey Park, near the fountain. Join them if you wish, or stand anywhere you're able.

Posted by evan austin at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)

I asked Rebecca Whitnall of the VC Star's YourHub.com to share what the new site is all about with the Ojai Post:

YourHub.com is the Star’s community journalism Web site, though to us, it’s more than just another Web site – it’s a philosophy.

Citizen journalism, also known as participatory, community or democratic journalism, is where community members play an active role in the process of collecting and reporting news and information.

It isn’t a large news outfit controlling what community members see. It doesn’t attempt to dictate what should be important to you. YourHub.com is for the community. It’s a town square where families can meet to tell stories that are important to them. Mary had a lemonade sale for a fundraiser? Write about it. John made the honor roll at school? Write about it.

YourHub.com is a place neighbors can discuss what happened at the last city council meeting, organize for the next one or set up events for garage sales, birthday parties and bake sales. It’s a place where anyone can create an ad for a lamp that’s been sitting in the garage, or for a litter of kittens who need a loving home.

And it’s growning, striving to be whatever the community wants it to be. The site is all about giving the community the opportunity to decide what “the news” is because as soon as you hit the “publish” button on the site, your news is there for everyone to see. (Having said that, I should note we do screen for obscenities and objectionable content; however, in our entire time hosting YourHub.com, we haven’t had to remove a single story.)

Also, each week, the YourHub.com staff selects a “best of” collection of postings to publish in a special section of the Tuesday Ventura County Star.

I hope this helps, Lisa. I’m in the process of trying to schedule an Ojai YourHub 101 community meeting, where we meet with interested folks in the community and discuss community journalism, YourHub.com and give some article writing tips. I’ll let you know when we get that all arranged.

If you or your contacts have any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail [rwhitnall@venturacountystar.com] or give me a call at 437-0297.

Thank you,

Rebecca

It's easy to get started. Just go to www.YourHub.com, select your state, then your community, then your neighborhood. Ojaians should choose Ventura, because there is no hub (yet) for Ojai. You can sign-up by clicking "register" in the red circle in the top left corner.

Posted by Lisa Snider at 08:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

update from Ojai F.L.O.W. organizer Kathy Couturie ...

Dear supporters of Ojai F.L.O.W. (Friends of Locally Owned Water):

Tomorrow night, Tuesday May 8th, please join us at 7:30PM at the Ojai City Council’s meeting, which will take place at 401 S. Ventura St. in Ojai. If you come early you may fill out a card that will enable you to address the Council. The City needs to hear from us – the more folks that let them know we’d like to learn more about a publicly owned water company, the better. We will ask the Council to undertake an independent analysis of the following three options:
1. The City of Ojai condemns their contract with Golden State Water and starts a new water company.
2. The City of Ojai condemns their contract with Golden State Water and merges with an existing water company (such as Casitas).
3. The City of Ojai condemns their contract with Golden State Water and forms a new County water district.

If you can’t attend the meeting, then please email our Mayor, the City Council members, and our City Manager Jere Kersnar at the following email addresses:
-Mayor Carol Smith <smith@ci.ojai.ca.us>
-Mayor Pro Tem Joe DeVito <devito@ci.ojai.ca.us>
-Sue Horgan <horgan@ci.ojai.ca.us>
-Rae Hanstad <hanstad@ci.ojai.ca.us>
-Steve Olsen <olsen@ci.ojai.ca.us>
-Jere A. Kersnar <jkersnar@ci.ojai.ca.us>

Today I picked up reports from Golden State Water Co. that represent the basis of their rate application currently before the CA Public Utilities Commission. It is not two banker’s boxes worth of material, but there is a lot to read through. Please let me know if you would like to review these reports.

Updates on Ojai F.L.O.W.’s progress may be found at the Ojai Post. If you visit www.ojaipost.com, look to the right under “Resource Pages” and click on “Ojai Water Issues” to read current posts. I don’t know about you, but the Ojai Post was virtually my only source of current information during the recent Day Fire. The folks there are doing an excellent job keeping our community up to date on many important issues, and I am very thankful to them. (thanks, Kathy! - ed.)

Our first F.L.O.W. meeting has generated a lot of positive feedback, and some excellent questions. I will keep you posted and let you know when we will hold a second meeting. The first meeting cost over $1,000., including sound system/projection rentals, auditorium rental, the Ojai F.L.O.W. banner, ads in the OV News, poster/flyer duplication costs and refreshments. Everyone involved donated their time. We would be delighted to accept any donations that may come our way, to help us reimburse these expenses and cover the costs of future F.L.O.W. meetings.

Thursday May 10 is the community meeting with the CA Public Utilities Commission regarding Golden State Water Co.’s application for a 43.95% rate increase in 2008. The meeting will be from 7:00P-10:00P at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave. I will send a reminder email closer to the date, but we urge you to not only attend but bring statements in writing for the PUC. Everything that is submitted to the PUC at this meeting will go on the official record for this rate application case.

Thank you,
Kathy Couturie
Ojai F.L.O.W. - Friends of Locally Owned Water

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ojai group fights plan for trucks

Bill Lascher
Staff Writer
4/27/2007
(Due to a production problem at press time, the version of this story in the print edition of the Business Times differs slightly from the online version)

Galvanized by the possibility of increased truck traffic on the winding, mountainous highway, a coalition of business people, residents, activists and local government officials known as “Stop the Trucks,” will meet May 15 in Ojai to prepare for public hearings planned later that month regarding two gravel mining operations up for review in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

The fight is shaping up to be the biggest controversy in the Ojai Valley since a dump in Weldon Canyon was rejected in 1993.

“The community at Ojai is not opposed to gravel mining, what they are opposed to is enormous numbers of trucks that will pollute the valley and create enormous noise,” said Howard Smith, a member of the coalition and the chair of the Ventura County Economic Development Association. “It’s very un-conducive to our economy, which is based heavily on tourism.”

Smith and his allies argue that increased truck traffic would overburden the Depression-era Route 33 and endanger residents of the Ojai Valley. In one case, they have even linked raids at gun shops in Oak View and Compton accused of illegally arming gang members to one of the mining companies. The proposal has pitted the interests of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties against each other.

Backers of the projects, meanwhile, insist that opponents have adopted a not-in-my-backyard approach that could be risky if an earthquake or other crisis strains demand for already limited aggregate supplies. They claim that opponents are not being realistic about a resource essential for repairing Southern California highways and other infrastructure.

“I don’t think people understand the significance of the severe lack of aggregate materials,” said Cherisse Troesh, the general manager of Santa Maria-based Troesh Materials Inc., whose proposed Diamond Rock Mining and Reclamation project the Cuyama Valley will be the subject of a special Santa Barbara County Planning Commission hearing May 30.

If approved, Troesh’s project would supply gravel and concrete aggregate primarily to construction sites in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties using state Route 166, but it could also supply projects in Ventura County via Route 33 if demand arises.

“Because there’s such a shortage of construction grade aggregate we have to plan to keep the option open to travel south if need be to meet a demand,” Troesh said. “If there’s no demand, we won’t be sending materials that direction. Economically, if it’s not feasible for us to send any trucks that way, we won’t. It’s not going to be a standard business practice.”

Meanwhile, Ozena Valley Ranch Sand & Gravel plans to expand its operations in the northern reaches of Ventura County. That plan could be approved as early as May 24 when the Ventura County Planning Commission votes on the proposal.

The mine has operated the mine since 1997. It is seeking to extend its permit to 2011, open a 15-acre excavation pond and increase truck trips from 66 average trips a day to 132 (it currently is allowed a maximum of 100 trips and seeks a maximum of 200 a day). Ale Virgilio, the wife of Ozena Valley Ranch Sand & Gravel Owner Anthony Virgilio, said the mine has already made moves to work with the community. The mine used to begin operations at 3:30 A.M. Now it complies with a blackout time and trucks do not leave the facility until 5 A.M.

Virgilio said that Ozena bears the brunt of anger toward trucks from the Lima Gypsuma and GPS River Rock Services mines that she said are traveling outside of the blackout.

“They’re complaining about all the trucks in general, but it’s really hard to separate them,” Virgilio said. “It’s falling on us because we’re the ones up for a permit.”

Meanwhile, opponents of the Ozena project are expressing concern that two gun shops raided in March by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms--Boulevard Sales and Service in Compton and American Hay and Mercantile in Oak View--are owned by the same family in charge of the Ozena mine.

The Los Angeles Times reported March 23 that the stores allegedly sold guns linked to hundreds of crimes over the past five years. Both are owned by Ann and Mike Virgilio, the applicant listed on the proposals before Ventura County planners for the Ozena project. Stephen Patrick Virgilio, the couple’s 36-year-old son, was arrested during the raids.

“According to the ATF affidavit, we have a situation where a gun shop has been selling under the table to felons,” Smith said. “You obviously have a character that has demonstrated an ability to wink at the law for decades.”

Mike and Ann Virgilio were not arrested and no charges have been filed against them. Ale Virgilio said that although Mike Virgilio -- Anthony’s brother -- owns the land, her husband runs the mine.

“Those are two separate businesses, two separate deals, but we are family,” Virgilio said. “They may be owned by the same people but they’re not the same.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To the Editor: (published in the PCBT 5/4/07)

In his article, “Ojai Group Fights Plan For Trucks,” Bill Lascher left readers with the impression that the Ojai “Stop the Trucks” coalition has accused Mike Virgilio, owner of both Boulevard Sales & Service guns stores and the Ozena Valley Ranch gravel mines of criminal behavior.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

When Federal ATF Agents raided Mr. Virgilio’s stores in Compton and in the Ojai Valley they arrested his son, Stephen Patrick Virgilio and store employee, Carlos Rodriguez Castellanos. No charges were made against Mike or his wife, Ann Virgilio.

According to an affidavit filed in that case, during a five-year period, 897 firearms linked to a crime or illegally possessed were traced back to Boulevard Sales & Service. Of these traced guns, at least 29 were connected to murder investigations.

The search and arrest warrants stem from an undercover investigation into Boulevard Sales’ illegal sales of firearms and ammunition to known felons and prohibited persons. According to the affidavit, Stephen Virgilio and Castellanos both willingly sold firearms and ammunition through straw buyers to the informants, despite being told that the informants were convicted felons barred by law from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition.

If the allegations made by Federal agents are in fact true, and Mike Virgilio knew nothing of these activities, then the worst that can be said of Mike Virgilio, is that he was perhaps incompetent in totally failing to exercise reasonable oversight and management of his employees by allowing the these alleged felonies to take place.

It is Mike Virgilio’s apparent lack of oversight and management skills that should be of greater concern to Ventura County authorities.

Given the complaints citizens of the Ojai Valley voiced at City Council and in letters to the Ventura and Santa Barbara County Planning departments about gravel and trucking operations, the “Stop the Trucks,” coalition believe that county authorities need to exercise the utmost diligence and oversight not only in reviewing Mr. Virgilio’s application, but the ongoing operation of Ozena.

Last week critics of Mr. Virgilio scored a victory, forcing Ozena and the county to perform a full EIR analysis of the potential impacts of expanding the mine's operations.

Going forward we not only believe that Mr. Virgilio’s mining operations need to be held up to the highest standards of scrutiny to insure adherence to the existing CUP guidelines, we are also considering asking the county to either stop mining operations altogether while the new EIR is undertaken or, at the very least, burden Mr. Virgilio mine with the full cost of 24/7 independent monitoring of Ozena during the application process.

STOP THE TRUCKS!
COMMUNITY RALLY, MAY 15TH, 7:00pm
CHAPARRAL AUDITORIUM
414 E. Ojai Avenue

http://www.ojaipost.com/stopthetrucks.shtml

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:29 PM | Permalink

A few years ago, when I was mayor of our small town, I wrote an editorial for the Ojai Valley News called "Transforming politics - a new paradigm." It was a time not unlike the present, when some of the council members looked upon the people that appeared behind the podium as "fringe element." I both flinched and smiled when I heard that term bandied about, knowing that most change in society starts with the "fringe." I can remember a time when I was branded a quack by the medical establishment for writing about the health benefits of organically grown food, natural childbirth, alternative medicine and yoga. So when some were not ready to turn Ojai into a model sustainable car-free community where pedestrians are king, I generally took it in stride, confident that I was ahead of my time! My bible when I was on the council, was a book called Spiritual Politics: Changing the world from the Inside Out, (with a Foreword by the Dalai Lama) written by a couple who frequently led conferences at Meditation Mount, Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson. Here is the editorial, exactly as it appeared in 1999.

Spiritual Politics
Transforming politics - a new paradigm

Politics is really the art of governance, a science that synthesizes opposing views into a higher level of understanding. Spiritual politics responds not just to competing interests and demands for rights, but, rather focuses on the next evolutionary step in growth for each individual and group.

---from the book, Spiritual Politics, Changing the World from the Inside Out by Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson

Elected officials, myself included, have been known to use the disclaimer, "I'm not a politician," as if being a politician is a greedy, corrupt and dishonorable occupation. What many of us mean when we say "politics" is "partisan power struggle" or "pursuit of power," and this has given politics a bum rap.

But politics is really the art of governance, a science that synthesizes opposing views into a higher level of understanding. Politics is usually the last frontier in the process of cultural transformation. The concepts of "spiritual politics," "transformational politics," and "green politics" are gradually making their way into the mainstream.

These emerging paradigms promotes a more wholistic approach to the art of governance, which then promote a symbiosis between personal and social change.The new paradigms recognize the sacred interconnection of all life. New paradigms in politics, like the new paradigms in medicine, recognize the link between body, mind and spirit. In fact, many of the new ways of thinking about personal health apply to the health of society and the planet, as well. Transformational politics recognizes that changing the world comes from the inside out, and that personal health and planetary health are intimately connected. The process of healing the self and healing the planet is profoundly linked.

This new political paradigm is being developed by a wide range of people, including well-known political figures such as the Dalai Lama, Tom Hayden, Jerry Brown, and writers Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson, authors of the book "Spiritual Politics - Changing the World from the Inside Out." A key principle of the new spiritual, transformational paradigm is that "the personal is political and the political is personal." This involves a philosophy of moral accountability, where private lives must be lived in accordance with publicly stated principles. It begins with the simple, but difficult, recognition that if we want to transform the world into a kinder, more harmonious place, we must transform ourselves.

This perspective holds that everything we think, say and do has political implications-from making green, cruelty-free, less polluting consumer choices to our occupational and lifestyle choices. California State Senator Tom Hayden summed it up nicely when he said, "I stand with Henry David Thoreau, who said that if you are going to vote, you should vote not with a mere strip of paper, but with your whole life - in my own experience, one's soul is no safer from oppression or corruption than one's lungs are safe from pollution and exploitation." The old political paradigms were based on the concept of economic growth, in which societies were thought to be doing well if they were at peace and growing economically. But the new political paradigm is a post-materialistic one, based on the image of healthy human growth.

A successful society is one that places the physical, social and spiritual health of the people above all else. This is reflected in the ancient philosophy of the Chinese, whose word for "governing" was actually the same as for "healing." A good politician is a healer of collective ills. Those creating the concept of spiritual, transformational politics are exploring the deeper causes behind problems with the hope of finding solutions that are long-term and sustainable, not just "quick fixes" that may have a high price tomorrow.

Here are some of the key principles on which this new political paradigm is based:

· Respecting the interconnection of all life
· Creating a synthesis out of adversarial positions
· Transcending old definitions of "left" and "right"
· Matching rights with responsibilities
· Promoting government initiatives to develop self-reliance
· Searching for common ground for the good of the whole
· Thinking in whole systems
· Creating nonviolent, win/win solutions to problems
· Building cooperative relationships that respect the highest in each person
· Learning to truly listen to other points of view
· Examining the psychological roots of problems
· Enhancing self-esteem
· Using intuition and "attunement" in decision making
· Shifting from a mechanistic toward a spiritual, value-oriented perspective.

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (41)

I am delighted to share an update from Rob Buckley, former Ojai resident on his project and progress in Nepal, where he has developed a sustainable healing center called Himalayan Healers, that supports the "untouchable" caste via the instruction of touch therapies. I am always inspired by people willing to walk the walk. Read on the see what Rob is up to...

This past year has witnessed amazing growth on our part, and we truly have accomplished a great deal:

* We have trained 30 students of profound need and are currently employing 28 full-time.
* We have established 2 self-sustaining spa boutiques (Hotel Ambassador, Club Himalaya) and have used the profits generated from these centers to help fund the outfitting of our First Phase Training Center.
* We have opened 4 more spa boutiques on May 1st, 2007, (The Last Resort, Tibet Border; Mike’s Breakfast, Pokhara; New Orleans Café, Bouddha; Aroma Hotel, Nepalgunj), with 2 more spa boutiques in the development phase for July/August, 2007, (Godavari Resort, Kathmandu; secondary branch, Nagarkot).
* We now have 6 spa boutiques and 1 independent training center established in Nepal.
* We received our first official financial support from an INGO: The Asia Foundation. With their provision of 20% funding, we were able to launch and complete a training for 20 Nepali women of profound need, and are currently employing them within our spa boutique operations.
* We received a visit from Joanne Bruce, Founder of Biossentials. As a result she has hired 1 of our students for employment at training at on of her spas in Malaysia, with pro bono training also provided at the Pacific Spa Academy. The visa is in process, and has been approved by the Malaysian government.
* We received a visit from Nick Scott, Owner of Ojai School of Massage. As a result we have refined our management and organizational structure, and he has also provided in-depth skill transfer with a focus on training of trainers with our teaching staff.
* We received a visit from film-maker Beth Coutier of Acazia Studios (www.AcaziaStudios.com) and she filmed the first portions of her documentary on our project.
* We have been featured in several international spa magazines as a result of Vanessa Gay and Erica Yeats efforts at Spa Careers, including: Spa Asia Magazine, NZ Beauty Magazine, XL Foundation Magazine, and Spa Business Magazine.
* We just launched our initial efforts to establish Himalayan Healer’s branches outside of Nepal via Peace Corps Volunteer assistance.
* We will be opening our first international Himalayan Healer’s branch in my hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado, this August.

I am hoping to visit Ojai this Summer with the love of my life, Olivia Anson, to meet old friends, reconnect with Ojai, and pursue the potential of job placements for our graduate students. Also, we would like to explore the possibility of a small-scale, grass-roots, Himalayan Healer’s branch in Ojai, with right-minded local partners. If you know of anyone who would be a good fit and interested please feel free to pass our information on to them.

Also, we are currently short-listed for a proposal to fund the construction of our Healing Arts School and Eco-Retreat! We are the only project from Nepal recommended this year for the potential funding. Here’s hoping!

Listed below is a portion of our proposal for that funding:

“We are the first and best non-profit healing arts school in Nepal, and our focus is upon providing an avenue of positive, meaningful, effective empowerment within the Nepali community.

Himalayan Healers is an innovative, pioneering project – the first of it’s kind in the world. We are the only project that is directly addressing the issues of “Untouchability” via the instruction of Touch Therapies. This provides a level of healing on a personal and community level, in a peaceful, that is immeasurable. Your assistance in helping us to build the first professional Healing Arts School in Nepal, coupled with the parallel efforts to establish and sustain that School as a financially viable and self-sustaining non-profit Eco Retreat, would be equally immeasurable.

Our approach to this process is a simple, Phased Approach, with each phase interrelated and inter-supportive of the other:

1. Purchase of land for construction, and for future development efforts: $19,500. The more funds available, the more land and nature we will be able to purchase and preserve for the retreat. With extremely credible local contacts and connections, and a very respected reputation within the community, an economical local price can be arranged for land purchase. This amount of funds would allow between 17,000 and 34,000 sq. ft. of land to be purchased.

A unit of land in Nepal is measured in ropani’s. 1 ropani is equal to 2,916 square feet. At a local rate, in the village, 1 ropani can be purchased for $1,500. 13 ropanis of land would be ample space to ensure the entire project will eventually be constructed in an inter-connected location, the nature of the area would be preserved, and encroachment from other buildings or operations would be prevented.

13 ropanis of land at $1,500 per ropani would equal 38,782 square feet for $19,500 total.

2. Construction of our Healing Arts School, Youth Hostel, and Sanitation Facilities: $25,250. The construction process will consist of 3 buildings: 1 “L”-shaped, 2 level, with an adaptable architecture for multiple usage as Training Center, Therapy Rooms, Office, Kitchen, and main Community Hall; 1 rectangular building, 2 level, for Student and Staff Housing; and 1 rectangular building, 1 level, for Sanitation Facilities.

Techniques of construction will involve local traditional methods of adobe (raato-maato), stone, and bamboo. These materials are culturally appropriate, locally feasible, supportive of the environment, marketable as a tourist destination, and extremely economical. By using local construction techniques funds will be used in the most cost-effective manner possible, appropriate to the local skill-set and environmental conditions. Furthermore, the use of these techniques will provide a more marketable location and environment as the eco-retreat for tourists, volunteers, and guests.

The main “L” shaped building will use the ground floor of one wing as an adaptable training center with movable partitions, folding massage tables, and ample storage. Above this hall will be 4 – 5 treatment rooms, available to tourists, guests, and volunteers at a discounted rate; this will provide experience to our students living on-site, as well sustainability and income to the overall project, and encouragement for tourists and guests to stay on-site. The second wing of the main building will use the opposite ground floor hallway as an office space, kitchen, and main meeting hall for the community.

This “L” shaped main facility would be 4,000 square feet in size, and $15,000 to construct.

The student and staff housing will allow our student to live on-site, providing a level of training, community experience, and personal growth far beyond any training services that may be provided within the capital city.

This facility would be 1,600 square feet in size, and $6,000 to construct.

The sanitation facilities will be a simple approach to individual stalls of shower and toilet facilities, providing privacy, security, and usage appropriate to a large group of people.

This facility would be 1,125 square feet in size, and $4,250 to construct.

(Attached are several photos that provide examples of the traditional Nepali architecture that will be used in our construction methods).

Furthermore, the focus of the overall Eco Retreat will place an emphasis upon installing and implementing eco-friendly and self-sustaining efforts. This will include solar power, micro-hydro power, bio-gas, and water catchment systems, to be implemented in the following phase via funds self-generated by the project.

3. Future phases of these efforts include the construction of simple bungalow housing, huts, and caves as options for tourists, volunteers, and guests for long-term and short-term stays.

4. The Eco-Retreat will provide training to students of profound need; the best therapy and services to guests available in Nepal; cultural exchange experiences; and community service projects for the surrounding community.

With Sister School status established with Ojai School of Massage, consistent, professional student-teacher exchange efforts will be a supporting aspect of our overall efforts.

With multiple streams of income and support generated through Himalayan Healer’s social entrepreneurship activities, the sustainability and growth of the further phases of our efforts will be attained, with a fluid time-frame in mind. Each of our current 6 Spa Boutiques will provide a portion of each month’s profits towards these efforts, as will our fundraising efforts, and the actual income generated from the school via training and it’s establishment as an Eco-Retreat for the general public.

As the only project in the world with our focus and efforts; a proven track record of innovation, service, and commitment; and an extremely viable model and phased approach towards sustainable success, your support of these efforts will be put to an extremely effective, meaningful, positive use.”

Health, Happiness, and Peace,

Rob

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

After almost 10 years of marriage, Eric and I hooked up the Television. I have been able to avoid caring about Sports for a long time now, but it's NBA Playoff Season, and the games are Live in my living room. And when something comes this close, you have almost no choice but to allow a relationship to develop. The trick is to start to learn the details. Understanding the strengths of the individual players' games, knowing the strategies and preferences of the different coaches, and getting the scoop on the team's management turns Basketball into a dramatic and entertaining piece of theatre.

Yet I am noticing that it is much easier to be interested and engaged when you have a favorite player, coach or team. Otherwise there is no emotional juice to draw you towards it. Trying to stay an intellectual observer is too boring and does not imprint the experience in the mind. But as soon as you allow yourself preferences, the experience becomes personal and relevant and you literally See the Game differently.

The shots and plays from your preferred team color start to become "good events" and the same moves from the other team either go unnoticed or become "bad". You can feel yourself willing the shot clock to slow down, getting frustrated when an opportunity to tie the score is missed, and depressed when your star player gets injured. Your team actually starts to glow brighter, and you almost believe that they deserve to win.

Most spiritual traditions refer to the practice of "non-attachment" as an important skill. We are warned that being ruled by our likes (ragas) and dislikes (dvesha) is confusing and dangerous and will only lead to suffering. But on this journey to know Love, I am discovering that the practice of Attachment is vital. We need the power of the Emotion to burn through the deep layers of conditioning. A purely mental understanding of Freedom will not provide the keys.

It is our preferences that wire us into the beings we are. The more I attach to the way Peace, Love, and Happiness Feel, the more familiar I become with these feelings, the more they become my reference point. Then, and only after I am firmly hooked into these Feelings, the practice of "non- attachment" can be added to the mix. Usually, the first step is to relax and loosen the details and circumstances that have been relied on to create those feelings. And maybe even start to notice that you are the Source of your own Joy.

The quarter finals are just over. The Houston Rockets just lost in Game 7 to the Utah Jazz. I feel a little sad because it turns out that Jeff Van Gundy is my favorite coach. Yet I am thrilled about Barron Davis and the Golden State Warriors history making defeat of the Dallas Mavericks. And I love to watch the formidable Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

This vivid discovery of becoming a Fan is fascinating to me. And because I am still enough of an outsider with very little to lose, I have the luxury of experimenting with my preferences as the Games are being played. Unfortunately for me, this phenomenon is not what Eric wants to talk about while watching the game, so we are still working those kinks out.

Posted by Kira Ryder at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

'City' Councilman? Or distraught Citizen?

In this case, neither, simply the herald of Summer ... adolescent
rattle snake making her way back to these fields of plenty.

A reminder to all, that "all our relations" expect the same mindfulness,
respect, love -- that we require in OUR journeying through the world.

This gentle friend appeared in our garden yesterday to visit, and
we scooped her up with a shovel, and put her in a big covered bucket,
and took her down the road a mile or so to the wilderness where
she might live out a longer, happier, life.

So ephemeral the lives, of these our siblings who look to us for
their futures ...

Posted by Millennium Twain at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

In his April 27 editorial, OVN Editor Bret Bradigan commented on the revival of Ojai’s activism, acknowledging the sudden critical mass of citizen-led political activity. These include anti-chain ballot initiatives (two to-date), recall petitions, packed houses for gravel truck permit hearings, and a movement to take back Ojai’s water. As Mr. Bradigan acknowledges, Ojai’s citizens are becoming fully engaged in their local government, but why the sudden surge in activism?

Part of the answer is certainly a reaction to perceived threats to Ojai’s charm and special nature. However, the deeper answer lies in City Council’s reaction to its citizens’ calls for action regarding some real problems facing the City.

In recent months, reactions from City Council to efforts from citizens imploring their government to act have ranged from inaction to ridicule to litigation. Examples include Sue Horgan’s infamous “crackpot” comment to describe the “10 or 12” citizens resisting the destruction of Ojai’s beloved O-Hi Frostie, as well as the SLAPP suit against Jeff Furchtenicht for having the temerity to press Council to act to discourage chain stores and develop affordable housing. Most recently, in response to the effort to recall Councilman Joe DeVito, Mr. DeVito dismissed it as nothing more than “sour grapes” from the three challengers he defeated in the last election.

In my business, when a client expresses dissatisfaction with my product, my immediate reaction is to talk to the client, find out why they are unhappy, and do my best to fix the problem. If my reaction to complaints was to ridicule or sue my clients, it is unlikely I would have any clients. Mr. DeVito retained his seat with a spread of only 35 votes. This hardly constitutes a mandate. For a group of citizens to be so discontent with a Councilperson’s performance as to take the extreme step of initiating a recall, a responsive politician would infer that something might be seriously wrong. That politician would be well advised to talk to his constituents, find out why they are unhappy, and do their best to fix the problem. As was the case with Ojai’s costly and destructive litigation against Mr. Furchtenicht, the odds are good that a meeting might well have mitigated the situation, achieved a constructive resolution, and saved a bundle of money in the process.

This speaks to the fundamental problem with Council’s relationship with its concerned citizens: communication. Concerned citizens are talking, they’re writing, they’re blogging, they’re advancing initiatives. Yet Council does not appear to be listening. Council’s response is: inaction, ridicule, even litigation. In the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Council appears to assume that all this citizen action is the result of a handful of “crackpots,” or “sour grapes.” This is a remarkable misread of Ojai’s current political environment and the level of discontent among a substantial number of citizens.

The initiatives advanced by Kenley Neufeld and Jeff Furchtenicht, the effort by Ojai FLOW to resist the 44% water rate hike, and the effort to recall Councilman DeVito are symptoms of this disconnect between our government and its constituents. A large and growing number of citizens are impatient with Council’s inaction on important issues, and they find Council’s ridicule offensive. Finding the mainstream process of working issues through Council to be futile, these citizens are attempting to fill a vacuum of leadership in order to protect and preserve what is special about Ojai. Counter to spin that these people are a handful of “newbies” or “hippies,” in reality, this group is comprised of a diverse mix of citizens, both newbies and tenured from a variety of backgrounds and professions. As demonstrated by the vote count for Lenny Klaif in the last election, as well as recent OVN polls on chain stores and water, the number of citizens discontent with the status quo is considerably greater than a handful. Many of these citizens have never before been active in politics, but have been stirred out of complacency by recent events and Council’s response to their concerns. Though Council has chosen to dismiss them, it may well have performed its greatest service to the City by waking them up.

Posted by Todd Miller at 06:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)

Check out the Ojai F.L.O.W (Friends of Locally Owned Water) community meeting tonight at Chapparal Auditorium at 7pm. Adam Scow from foodandwaterwatch.org is giving a talk about the privatization of water and how Ojai might make it a public utility. Also, we'll be showing the documentary Thirst about the privatization of water worldwide after the Q&A. If you are affected by the Golden State Water rate hike, or are just interested in the subject, come on down. Download the flyer (PDF)

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Hi Ojai - lots to talk about! A couple notes - I encourage you to sign the petition, and help out Kenley if you can. What a beautiful gift we can leave future generations of Ojaians with this gesture.

Also, on behalf of The Ojai Post, I joined the Natural Building Network, a non-profit located in Eugene, Oregon, with Ojai connections. Jack and the team are doing great things with natural and sustainable building, and I encourage you to check them out and support them if it resonates with you.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Can you give one hour to save Ojai from too many chain stores? I know we are mostly busy people. We live in a busy society where many won’t even take 30-seconds to sign a petition. Let me offer you a scenario. I work sixty hours a week, drive a van pool to Santa Barbara, have two small children, exercise and meditate daily, and generally have a pretty busy life. I took 45 minutes after work on Wednesday to stand in front of Starr Market and was able to collect nine signatures. If 20 people volunteered to spend one hour and they each got 10 signatures, we would have our petition ready to submit in no time.

Will you commit to one hour, in the next week, to help Ojai?

Pick a block to go door-to-door. Stand in front of Vons, Starr Market, Westridge, Rainbow, Farmers Market, or the Ojai Playhouse. Ask your friends. We can do this together with very little time from each person. Just one hour, that is all I ask.

Complete this form (only I will see it) and I will bring you the materials. Please note, you must live in the City Limits of Ojai and be a registered voter to collect signatures or to sign the petition.

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Community Rally Planned for Ojai on May 15th, 7:00pm at Chaparral Auditorium

Dear Scott Ellison, (Ventura County Planning Division, 654-2495, Scott.Ellison@ventura.org )

In my response yesterday to your email, I was remiss in not addressing one critical issue that you raised, that of hours of operation of Ozena.

The original CUP #5170 for Ozena from July 19, 2001, item #25 lists the Days and Hours of Operation. Specifically "Processing," "Trucks Entering of Departing," and "Trucks Traveling on 33 between Casitas Springs and the City of Ojai," are all restricted to Monday thru Saturday, with hours limited from 6:00am to 5:00pm.

Travel for trucks between Casitas Springs & Ojai is even more limited from 6:00am to 7:00am and 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Yet in your letter below you talk about hours as early as 2:00am! And those of us on the ground know that in fact trucks are running 24/7 in number far exceeding the original 66. (see Ellison letter below)

So our question is this: Who opened the floodgates? Who changed the conditions under which Ozena is now operating?

Was it you, Scott Ellison?

Since your are the "Project Manager," we can only assume that this loosening of the hours to those that have made life intolerable in the Ojai Valley started with you!

Please correct us if we have the facts wrong. And if it is true...

We would appreciate an explanation as to how this happened and who made that decision. We want to know on what basis decisions were made to increase these hours. We want to know why it is that Ozena seems to be - and correct me if I am wrong - getting a free pass on the original conditions while they go for an EIR on new standards that have zero chance of getting eventual approval. Did any one in Planning actually review Ozena's truck records to see if they were even compliant with past conditions before you loosened the flood gates?

Your reply in writing would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Howard Smith

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Ellison"
To: "Howard Smith" " Nao Braverman"
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:00 AM
Subject: Re: Ojai Valley News: EIR Request Seen As Victory by "Stop the Trucks" campaign

As the project case planner for the Ozena mine, I would like to correct a couple of things in the following release:

1. The current permit only allows 66 daily truck trips (ADT), not the 132 ADT cited in the release. The applicant is ASKING for an additional 66 ADT or a total of 132 ADT for existing and new trips.

2. The existing 66 ADT are unrestricted as to what route they take (although they are restricted as to the time of day they can travel through the Ojai Valley). As such, all 66 ADT can travel through the Ojai now if customer demand justifies it.

3. NONE of the proposed additional 66 trips would be allowed to travel through the Ojai at any time. The project description in the MND explicitly limits those trips to only going north. That means that even if the project is approved as proposed by the operator, there would be NO increase in the allowable trips through the Ojai Valley.

As an additional piece of information:

4. Since the operator can start loading trucks at 3:00 am now, empty trucks can be running north through the Ojai at 2:00 am and loaded trucks can be coming back through the Ojai by 4:00 am. The proposed project would move the start time to 4:30 am which shifts the empty trucks to 3:30 am and the full trucks to no earlier than 5:30. While the new start time is still early, it is later than the existing allowed time * we assume later is better than earlier.

Without the reader having the above information, the release clearly implies that approval of the Ozena mine would result in many additional truck trips through the Ojai than already exists. However, that is not true. I hope this clarifies what the actual project description is. If you have any questions on this issue please feel free to contact me.

Scott L. Ellison
Ventura County Planning Division
(805) 654-2495 fax 2509
Scott.Ellison@ventura.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The Stop the Trucks Coalition is organizing a community rally in Ojai for Tuesday, May 15 at Chaparral Auditorium at 7:00pm. Come learn more about what we’re doing to reduce excessive truck traffic and how you can help.

The coalition is fighting various Gravel Mine applications that could potentially put up to 400 trucks a day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week thru Ojai and Route 33 to Cuyama. That's one truck every five minutes around the clock.

The group is also concerned about the economic, environmental and safety impact on our community. Instead of an industrial route for trucks, we want to preserve it for the original intention: public use, accessing national forest. It runs past Nordhoff High School, past Ojai Hospital, Villanova [Prepatory School], Miramonte Elementary. We’d like to get it closed down completely. We do not believe trucks should be using that route.”

Scheduled meeting speakers include Supervisor Steve Bennett, Howard Smith, Ojai Mayor Carol Smith, Ojai Chamber CEO Scott Eicher, Ojai Unified School District Supervisor Tim Baird and Forest Watch Executive Director Jeff Kuyper.

2. Victory! Ventura County Reverses Course, Decides to Prepare Full EIR for Ozena Mine

In a stunning victory today, the Ozena Valley Gravel Mine operation caved into public pressure created by your letters, emails and press articles and agreed to have the Ventura County Planning Department oversee a full Environmental Impact Report before approving the Ozena proposal. This move sets the project back several months, and means that the public hearing scheduled for May has been postponed – quite possibly for several months or years.

The Ozena Mine was permitted to send as many as 100 truck trips per day along Scenic Highway 33. Last year, the permit for the mine expired, and the mine operator submitted an application to Ventura County to double the number of trucks and to continue mining there for another five years.

But before Ventura County could approve the expansion, it first had to conduct environmental studies required by the California Environmental Quality Act. These studies were of the utmost importance, analyzing the effects of mining on air quality, groundwater supplies, rare plants and animals, and quality of life. However, instead of analyzing these impacts in a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the County instead decided to prepare a less-detailed Negative Declaration.

The County’s draft Negative Declaration concluded – with little supporting evidence – that the mine expansion would not cause any significant impacts. Several agencies and organizations, including Los Padres ForestWatch, the Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council, Concerned Residents of Lockwood Valley, Concerned Cuyama Valley Citizens, Cuyama Unified School District, California Department of Fish and Game, City of Ojai, County of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, along with many residents, wrote letters to the County identifying deficiencies in the report and requesting a full EIR.

Today, we received word that the County has agreed to scrap the Negative Declaration and prepare a full EIR! This will have the immediate effect of postponing any mine expansion until at least next year. Most importantly, it will ensure that the County improves its environmental study, and will give local residents additional opportunities to voice their concerns.

The County had planned a public hearing next month before the Ventura County Planning Commission. At this hearing, the commission could have approved the expansion of the Ozena mine. Many of us have spent the last several months collecting information and conducting our own investigation into the matter, and we were prepared to appeal any Planning Commission approval that relied on a faulty environmental report.

We’re hopeful that the County will use this opportunity to better protect our forest and towns from excessive truck traffic. Thanks to everyone who wrote letters and worked behind the scenes on this issue – your voices were heard loud and clear!

3. Mark Your Calendars - Public Hearing for Diamond Rock Mine Scheduled for May 30 in Santa Maria

Despite today’s victory, our work on this issue is far from over. The proposed Diamond Rock Sand and Gravel Mine and Processing Facility could be approved by the Santa Barbara Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 30, at a public hearing in Santa Maria. The hearing will begin promptly at 9:00am.

Several buses and carpools will depart Ojai and the Cuyama Valley. Even though the location of this hearing is inconvenient for many of us, it’s extremely important that we pack the hearing room! We need to send a message loud and clear that we won’t stand for excessive truck traffic through our forest and towns. Stay tuned for more details as the day gets closer.

The Diamond Rock mine is slated for several miles downstream of the Ozena Mine, and would add as many as 138 truck trips per day through our forest and towns during peak production. The proposed mining site is located in Santa Barbara County, just over the Ventura County line.

Santa Barbara County prepared a draft EIR for the Diamond Rock mine, and in January, more than 300 concerned citizens wrote letters to the County voicing their concerns about excessive truck traffic on Highway 33. The final EIR is scheduled to be released to the public sometime during the next few days.

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Our View of the Full Moon Rising

Last night I was honored to attend a tradtional full moon ceremony with Chumash Elder, Julie Tummamait and Shinto Priest, Hiroji Sekiguchi. The ancient future was present as we listened prayerfully to the synergistic blend of East and West. A reminder that peace IS possible and the Earth IS the only home we have, so lets keep our house clean.

More photos on next page

Posted by Raymond Powers at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Jock Doubleday was suspended as an author in October 2008. Despite his claims of censorship, none of his posts have been removed.

1. Ware -- War for profit.

2. Governmeant -- What the U.S. government was designed to be before a small group of wealthy men turned it into a domestic extortionist and a foreign terror.

3. Foreign fallacy -- The idea that some people are foreign and need to be dealt with through policy.

4. Sodiers -- Buried soldiers.

5. Gravery -- Fatal bravery.

6. Boyalty -- Innocent loyalty.

7. Kablaughter -- The laughter of children just before they are bombed to death.

8. Bhush -- The silencing of dissent.

9. AID$ -- A global industry whose profits are generated by inducing fear of a virus that has never been isolated and by claiming epidemic-proportion deaths from a disease that has never been shown to exist.

10. Vaccinotion -- The notion that vaccines work.

11. Medicide -- Death by medicine.

12. Advertaser -- A gun built into TV sets of the future giving viewers an electric shock if they don't purchase a certain percentage of advertised products within a certain time period.

13. Yogo -- A car in which people drive up to two hours, often through heavy traffic, to get to and from a 50-minute yoga class.

14. Clerice -- A priest dressed in women's clothing.

15. Cemecherry -- The final resting place of virgins.

16. Terrytery -- The final resting place of people named Terry.

17. Slovery -- The institution of marriage.

18. Spinking -- A spanking given by a feminist man.

19. Feminit -- A person who believes that a job as a janitor, miner, driller, mechanic, or 99% of other jobs that men have traditionally performed (including advertising executive), is more fulfilling or important than motherhood.

20. Cupod -- A matchmaker who plays your song even if it changes.

* * *

Sincerely,
Jock Doubleday
Active AIDS factualist, vaccine factualist, and 9-11 factualist
Director
Natural Woman, Natural Man, Inc.
A California 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation
http://www.SpontaneousCreation.org
director@spontaneouscreation.org

Jock Doubleday is the author of
"Spontaneous Creation:
101 Reasons Not to Have Your Baby in a Hospital, Vol 1:
A Book about Natural Childbirth and the Birth of Wisdom and Power in Childbearing Women"

Posted by Jock Doubleday at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

The Ojai Post is pleased to be a member organization of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, dedicated to transforming Ojai into a model green community. Founded by Ojai local Ken Wright, the OVGC's first event is a FREE day long Environmental Summit on Saturday May 12, open to the first 250 people. The keynote speaker is Hunter Lovins, Time Magazine’s “Hero for the Planet”.

Click the image to enlarge, download the flyer and please send it on to anyone who would be interested. More information after the jump.

Go Green Ojai
The children of the future need our help NOW !!!

Ojai Valley Green Coalition Presents:
A SUMMIT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

Join hundreds of like-minded Ojai residents on May 12th to learn how we can transform Ojai into a model green community, and then challenge others to do the same. Together, we can change the planet.

Keynote speaker HUNTER LOVINS
Internationally recognized environmentalist, educator, commissioner, U.N. delegate.
Appearances: 60 Minutes, Bill Moyers, U.S Congress, E.P.A., Pentagon, U.N.
Author of 9 best selling books
Expertise: Energy, green real estate development, community economic development, natural capitalism, green business development, water, sustainability

This day-long Environmental Summit also features speakers, films, exhibits, public discussion, music, food and inspiration.

Where: Matillija Jr. High School Auditorium
When: Saturday, May 12th Time: 10am - 4:30 pm
Member organizations: City of Ojai, Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, Ojai Unified School District, Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ojai Foundation, Oak Grove School, The Ojai Post, Design+Vision, Pure Body Institute

For more information: go to www.ojaigreencoalition.com

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Just got home from the Special Ojai City Council meeting where they unanimously passed a 45-day moratorium on issuing permits to formula restaurant and retail businesses in the City Limits of Ojai. But the meeting started off with some negativity with the first "public" comment from Sue Horgan attacking the Joe DeVito recall effort and finishing with Joe DeVito's 6-minute "public" comment defending himself. Despite the opening public comments, it felt good to have the Council take a stand on chain stores in Ojai. All comments from the public spoke in favor of the moratorium. We will continue to collect signatures for the Ballot Initiative. Are there other experiences of the meeting?

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Three points of interest...

Chain Store Ordinance Petition Signing will be at Lavender Inn tonight from 5-7pm, in conjunction with Local Computer Heroes - come on down to get free computer, internet and online business advice. Or just pop in to sign the petition if you are an Ojai resident.

Yes, there's a new look to The Ojai Post homepage. I wanted to move to a three-column layout to accommodate more information. I'll be tweaking it over the next week or two, and then rolling it out to the rest of the site. I'm going to soften and narrow the color palette a bit. Any thoughts are welcome in the comments.

Don't forget the 8th annual Village of Tales Storytelling Festival is coming to town! I hear great things in particular about the adult event.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

John Kertis, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Venice (California), will be reading at Bart's Books this Friday following an open mic portion of the evening starting at 7PM. The theme of the evening is, "Poetry as the Voice of the Earth", in harmony with the theme of this season's Ojai Poetry Festival.

For those of you looking to get your regular fix of poetry each month, note that the Outlaw Poets will convene on the first Friday of every month at 7PM from now on (or, at least until it gets cold again).

Posted by Robert Peake at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I got work...so I will travel; that seems to be my motto! I'm back in Ojai after a great week of travel to the "big" city...Manhattan, New York.

Sitting here overlooking my yard, and further southwest toward Ventura, I'm amazed at how beautiful it is. Just yesterday afternoon, I spent some time watching the "parent birds" in our back yard bringing "take out" back for the chirping chicks inside their nest.

Reflecting back on my week of travels, I have just a few observations and stories to share...

First off, we left Ojai 2 days after the east coast endured yet another amazing rainstorm. Flooding ensued, and we were left wondering, "What do we pack?" So, with rain jackets, rain boots, and even hand-gloves in tow, we made our way east. Little did we know within 96 hours the climate would so dramatically change!

On the subway, as we changed from the L line to the (northbound) 6 line, Jodi and I were quietly chatting about our day. Suddenly, a woman sat next to me and said, "I saw you and have to sit here. I think you were my history teacher at Nordhoff High School!" Instantly, Maria and I were engaged in a quick "what are you doing...what are YOU doing" conversation. Yes, in a city of 17 million people, it's still possible to connect on a real level...when I'm willing and open to doing that! (Maria was in two history classes I taught some 10 years ago here in Ojai!)

On the way to walking to Earth Day celebrations at Grand Central, I asked Jodi to take this picture. This is one of my favorite places on earth...once I step inside it just makes me want to learn!

The "business" part of the trip to New York was great. (More about that on my own blog...) We got to visit with friends, and then stayed with family in White Plains...eventually, we made our way back to Ojai.

I got into town just in time to meet up with my mom, who was visiting from Northern California. (She imports wine from France, and has just started making select cases available to Ojai restaurants and wineries. If you're interested in finding out where, and if you're looking for some great, new wine recommendations, visit their site, or e-mail her directly!)

We had a great visit, and one day, as a surprise before dinner, I brought her up to "the Ojai sign" (as I call it). She smiled, and talked about it the rest of the trip, "Oh, your Ojai is such a small town!" she said.

I'm signing off, I've got a lunch to go to with a friend in about an hour. In the meantime, I'm going to go into the backyard, eat a tangerine, and watch my nuthatches grow...

Posted by Jason Womack at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Last Tuesday, April 24, Ojai city councilman Joe DeVito was notified that a recall petition had been submitted by Ojai citizen Sean Keenan.

DeVito issued a statement on Thursday, appearing in the OVN, which read as follows: "It is alleged that I have not properly represented the people of Ojai. That should be news to the Ojai voters who have elected me to the City Council in each of my six campaigns … nothing has occurred to warrant a recall; therefore I intend to energetically account for my record on the Council and to fight the recall which was signed and supported by three 'sour grapes' candidates who lost to me in the last election."

Mahatma Gandhi once said: "A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers."

Joe DeVito's use of the phrase "sour grapes" to dismiss the recall petition against him are telling words, words that are perhaps an 'exact reflection of the character' of the councilman himself. By association, DeVito insultingly dismisses the thousands of Ojai residents that voted for any one of the three candidates, not just the candidates themselves. In his formal statement, he willingly creates an atmosphere of division amongst Ojai residents.

There were thirty signatures submitted (full disclosure: I was one of the thirty signatories), and three of those signatures were from the candidates who ran for one of three open seats on the council, Leonard Klaif, Dennis Leary and Pete Lafollette. The reason that those three men ran for the council was because they felt that the council was not representing the interests of the Ojai community, and they brought numerous examples to the table in their individual campaigns to win a seat.

Election night, as the early results rolled in, all members of the community, from Joe DeVito and Sue Horgan to Leland Hammerschmitt and Nathaniel Wolper, were invited to a beer bash at the Ojai Art Center. This event was sponsored by Len Klaif, and was presented in a gesture of conciliation and democracy at work. There were no "sour grapes" in Klaif's gesture, rather it was one of community and openness.

Weeks later the official results were tallied, and DeVito escaped with a 35 vote victory over Klaif, the nearest competitor. Hardly a mandate. In fact, four years previous, DeVito beat Klaif by 812 votes. In a town of 4,500 registered voters, DeVito's support from the Ojai community has dropped precipitously in a mere four years.

In an interesting related sidenote, most citizens will recall the ballot initiatives that were filed by Jeff Furchtenicht resulted in a lawsuit initiated by City Attorney Monte Widders, and were supported by the City Council, including Joe DeVito. In the October 27, 2006 issue (PDF) of the Ojai Valley News, a letter to the editor appeared from Carl O. Greenfield, defending Monte Widders, in which Greenfield writes:

It appears that a few of the City Council candidates unable to get their way are waging a sour grapes campaign against the city attorney and hardworking council members. Are they trying to poison our beautiful city with their politically inspired charges? Or is it a political gimmick to get publicity for their candidacy? An attack on my good friend is an oblique attack on me, and I resent it. I have lived in Ojai for more than 50 years and will challenge any of the dissidents to match my record in civic improvement, religion and military service.

Does DeVito have a ghostwriter? How telling that DeVito is using the same rhetoric - he attempts to dismiss and marginalize his critics with a meaningless phrase of "sour grapes," with no more substance than "support the troops", "we are making progress" or "defeatocrats".

DeVito appears unwilling to acknowledge that there is serious widespread dissatisfaction with Ojai's elected (and appointed) leadership that goes far beyond three city council candidates, and with twenty years on the city council, he is the figurehead, emblematic of this discontent. His very use of the phrase "sour grapes" and invocation of the election shows that he is looking backwards and not forwards - it makes me doubt his abilities to find positive solutions to the pressing issues that face Ojai today, not twenty years ago.

In the 2006 election, DeVito was content to rest on his laurels as an incumbent - view his two campaign ads (here and here), neither of which contain a single testimonial, endorsement or actual accomplishment on behalf of Ojai.

I look forward to Joe DeVito "energetically accounting for his record on the Council." I trust that it will contain far more substance than his campaign ads or campaign appearances. I also trust that it will appropriately reflect his work on behalf of his constituents, the residents of Ojai. He has, after all, had twenty years to build up a record.

Joe DeVito's defeat of the urgent moratorium against chain stores was not the sole reason for the initiation of the recall, but it is a telling reason. Might I remind Councilman DeVito that the entities that most benefited from his decision were NOT his constituents: property owner and Santa Barbara resident Ernest Salomon, Subway franchisee and Simi Valley resident David Ditomaso, and Subway parent company, Delaware-based Doctors Associates, Inc.

Councilman DeVito is invited and welcome to post an editorial on The Ojai Post - he need merely get in touch with me. Even better, let's talk at a town hall meeting, where Joe DeVito can come face to face with the thousands of citizens of this community that he offhandedly dismisses as guilty of "sour grapes".

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 01:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)