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

Thanks for the post. It can't be said enough: support local business. The general populace needs education on this point. I, too, try to do all my shopping here. I'm annoyed by the mentality that plops in a car and wastes gas to drive to the big boxes in Ventura-Oxnard to shop, eat out, seek entertainment, etc. The other side of the problem is the eroding of character that saps the energy of starting local businesses in the first place. Our materialistic, ignorant, self indulgent culture is in real trouble. Subway is just a symptom of subconscious substitution of moneytown for peopletown.

I've gotten about 40 signatures for the limit chainstores initiative but I've laid off for the past couple of weeks. I've been busy with other things but I'm also getting a sinking feeling about the city's competing strategy which is sucking my energy. What's going on? I hear the city is drafting their own, probably based on Kenley's. Is all this going to be in vain? The city's general MO has been to marginalize, co-opt and sue if necessary; anything to undercut power transfer to the people. I fear the worst.

I think we'll know more after the upcoming council meeting on June 12 when the moratorium comes up for extension or termination. Mr. Salomon is vocal and articulate; and from what he and Subway have been hinting about a lawsuit if the city stands its ground, the city could cave in by crafting a plan to neutralize Kenley's initiative; like divide the city into an "historic" vs. "open for business as usual" district. Anyway, without a moratorium, Subway is "in with Flynn," and money business will once again have shown the monkey people who is boss. Interesting town. Interesting times.

I'm anxious as well concerning the City's belated efforts on the Chain Store issue. Correct me if I'm wrong here. Even if the City Council drafts an impotent measure and makes it law, won't the initiative, if enough signatures are gathered, then voted into law by the Citizens, make the City's draft inoperative? I'm still hoping they don't screw up the intent of this effort, but in fact they come up with something good.
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There are many businesses that I've supported, the Donut Hole included. I've done some work for them as well.

One business that I personally didn't want to engage for myself, for along time to come, was, Clausen's Funeral Home. I don't think an explanation is needed here. My family has used their expert services through the years. I'm sorry to see them go. I wish there was some way to make it work for them to keep their Parlor open. ?Where will locals go when Clausen's closes? This is going to prove to be a huge hardship for many in Ojai. I believe they are the only Funeral Director in all of the Ojai Valley. Do we now make our arrangements in Ventura, and make all the necessary trips that are involved in these stressful times, to a place that is not home to us, to see our loved ones, our friends, before services and during such. One of the things I associated with Clausen's Funeral, was that you would run into others at viewings, and talk, comfort and laugh/cry together. Being that we all live so close makes the trips more likely, more often, helping reduce stress. Keeping a local service in Ojai should be looked into for the betterment of Ojai's eventual bereaved, who are, you and me.