City Council Candidate Forum Tonight
Please come on down and check out the Green Coalition Candidates Environmental Forum this evening at Chaparral Auditorium, 7pm. Listen to all of the City Council Candidates on the major environmental issues and opportunities facing Ojai.
More here...
UPDATE 9:18pm: Thank you to our five City Council Candidates, all of the volunteers, including Chris Foley of Foleypod and Jim and Camilla Becket of Becket Films, and certainly all of the citizens who came out to support the environmental forum. Use this as a discussion thread for now. We will be posting and archiving video in its entirety in the next couple days.
UPDATE 08/29 - 8:42pm: Following the jump are notes on candidate responses from the Forum. Feel free to take a look, and we are still working on archiving the video, which we will post when ready.
Ojai Valley Green Coalition Candidate’s Forum October 27, 2008
#1 Introduction
#2 Most pressing environmental concern…How would you work on this?
Clapp
Water is a major topic. Need to indentify water resources. Need to look at rainwater harvesting and greywater. Need to have a mulching policy and low water landscaping.
Suza
Our environmental issues are all connected, air, water, traffic. We need to implement our Bike/Ped plan.
Rae
2007 was our driest year. We need a water plan. Need to meet with every water agency. We should add a Water Element to our city’s General Plan.
Sue
My concerns are traffic, gravel trucks and water issues. We also need a community study on land use.
Mike
Air quality and water. Dangerous chemicals and pesticides. We need pesticide management.
#3 Arundo vs. Roundup
Clapp
I have talked to the county about the arundo. Bad idea to use pesticides. Not sure how to tackle it.
Suza
We need mediation. Would not use Roundup. My goal is for a pesticide free city. Other cities have fazed out pesticides.
Rae
The city uses Roundup on its properties. Would have to learn more. Not sure.
Sue
We need balance. Need to get rid of the arundo. City is looking at the issue. Not sure
Mike
Cannot add more to discussion. Not sure, but would like to avoid using Roundup.
#4 Graywater permits…How would you make this happen?
Clapp
Residents have a psychological block. The city needs to do public education.
Suza
Graywater should not take a passive position. I saw it utilized in Eugene, OR. We need to encourage it here.
Rae
I support it. I do it at home. We have no guidance for commercial use, but it should be encouraged.
Sue
I support graywater systems, but it can lead to problems. There is nothing prohibiting its installation. We need to get more information
Mike
We had a graywater system when I was growing up. Should be used. Need to get the word out.
# 5. Plastic bags…ban bags, or other approach?
Clapp
We need a change of lifestyle. We need a ban on plastic bags, a ban on Styrofoam, and biodegradable bags are not good either.
Suza
Yes, we need a lifestyle change. No paper bags either. People need to learn, when you go to the store you need to bring cloth bags. Many cities have these bans.
Rae
We need a reusable bag program in the city. The community needs to learn, but now is not the time to ban the bags.
Sue
The city is co-sponsoring A Day Without A Bag so that we can educate the community. We need incentives. I would not support a ban at this time.
Mike
I don’t like plastic bags. We should use biodegradable bags. I hate waste. I was raised to use everything. I would support a ban in favor of biodegradable.
#6 How would you support green building an remodeling, or natural building?
Clapp
There are new modification building codes for CA. Some cities are already doing it. We are long overdue.
Suza
We have reached a critical point. I have spent many hours researching sustainable building. You don’t have to be wealthy to build green. Smaller houses are better…need more outdoor living space. Look at Ventura’s building codes.
Rae
Our planning commission promotes green building. The city held a workshop on the issue and not just new building…also remodeling.
Sue
We don’t have a lot of new homes. We have the Roadmap to guide us. The city staff gives out information.
Mike
Green building used to be more expensive. Now only about 5% higher. Ojai has the Roadmap to promote green building and remodeling.
#7 City paying for Solar upfront and recoup through property tax assessments.
Clapp
We need to think outside of the box. City needs a part time position as a grant writer to get funding for environmental issues. We need a structure for solar panels to run the city.
Suza
State bills are coming to help with solar such as AB811. We need solar installations. As for water it is good to be as independent as possible, but not sure about the infrastructure.
Rae
We need an assessment district. AB811 gives authority to create partners with the county. I encourage the OVGC to engage with MAC.
Sue
Incentives are good like the city of Berkely. The Redevelopment Agency may have some funds for solar. When the economy improves we may have some other opportunities.
Mike
Not sure about the city of Berkeley. It would be good to partner with other agencies. Running our own water district is good, but difficult.
#8. More biking and walking…
Clapp
It is too scary to bike. Bike the plan never implemented. We need to create traffic slowing techniques. Bike racks collecting dust. Need to update the bike plan.
Suza
We live in an auto dominated system. There are almost no bike racks. We are building more parking areas so that driving is more convenient. We need to understand the difference between bike commuting and bike recreation. Everyone should spend one month without a car. Streets are not safe for bike commuters.
Rae
I am a walker and I enjoy biking. The city is extending the bike trail. We have bike events. Need more public education and more street connectors.
Sue
We need more safe routes to school. Need to engage the school district, parents and kids to work together.
Mike
I bike with my children to school. Other parents don’t. We should extend the trolley hours. We need directional signs to bike path. We need volunteer crossing guards and sidewalks.
#9 Identify a goal from the Ojai Roadmap and how you would make changes…?
Clapp
The city needs a morale boost. Needs a master tree plan. We have dying oaks and they need to be replaced.
Suza
Everything is connected. We cut down trees to install asphalt making it too hot to walk. We need bike parking near the entrance of buildings. We need measured goals with deadlines. We need a paradigm shift.
Rae
AB32 will reduce green house emissions. We need to update our General Plan with a sustainability element added.
Sue
Community Design & Development is good. We need to partnership and put into the General Plan. We need to help applicants at the Planning desk to increase energy issues.
Mike
Water conservation and Community Design & Development are important. We need to repair the water infrastructure through grants.
#10 Concluding remarks
Clapp
I was raised in a town like Ojai. It grew too big. Don’t want that to happen here. I believe in relationships.
Suza
I urge a yes vote on Prop 2. I am a vegetarian. I urge everyone to eat less meat. Factory farming is one of the largest polluters. We need gardens, not lawns and sustainable issues. Government should be leading the way. Read the Last Hours of Ancient Sunshine.
Rae
Healthy communities transport senior citizens. We should take our cars on short trips, park and walk. Appreciate the work of OVGC. I have a paperless campaign. Check my web page, ReElectRae.com
Sue
Ojai is a special place. We need to protect what we have. Thank you OVGC. Happy to have you as a partner, raising consciousness. I will work with OVGC. I stand for responsible government.
Mike
I believe in Environmental social consciousness. Avoid creeping toward Fascism. OVGC helps to keep government informed.
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Comments (34)
Knock 'em dead, Suza!!!
Comment #1 Posted by: LTOR | October 27, 2008 03:13 PM
For those that haven't yet voted on the OVN poll, go to there home page and show your support for your candidate.
Comment #2 Posted by: spk | October 27, 2008 04:04 PM
with respect to LTOR, i have a different suggestion: knock 'em ALIVE, Suza! ;)
it turns out i won't make the forum tonight. would someone please ask whether the Planning Commission's annual building awards can be fitted with some actual criteria to include eco-design? (the criteria now literally consists of "whatever building the Commission likes best"). with buildings consuming enormous amounts of materials during construction and then energy and water afterward, and with buildings lasting so very long, it seems to me as though we cannot afford to build ANYTHING without considering the environmental impacts. E'Bello - as an example - should NEVER have been built without meeting criteria such as a certain percentage of recycled construction materials, a water collection and reuse system, renewable energy features, etc.
Comment #3 Posted by: evan austin | October 27, 2008 05:39 PM
Thanks! I needed to laugh!!!
Comment #4 Posted by: To LTOR | October 27, 2008 05:40 PM
Evan, Betsy or I will ask!
Comment #5 Posted by: Suza | October 27, 2008 05:43 PM
Just a few random recollections....
The candidates were asked how they felt about the city using Round-Up, and not a single one of them came out and said they were categorically against it. Each and every one equivocated and said they would rather not use it but it might be necessary in some cases.
There were questions about water use but nothing about agriculture. No mention of Prop. 2. Suza had to raise that on her own in her closing statement.
The candidates were asked if they would consider a ban on plastic bags. This produced one of the few clear-cut differences among them: Suza and Betsy were open to a ban, but Rae and Sue were not.
In their closing statements Betsy said we need to plant more trees for a morale boost in Ojai. Suza said we need a paradigm shift in consciousness to really implement green policies. Sue Horgan said we need balance and a measured approach.
In their opening statements, Mike Lenehan said when he was told about the Green Coalition forum he did not know what it was and had to ask his son. Then when it was explained to him, he thought, oh, that's where everybody wears tie-dyed shirts and smokes pot and has Kucinich bumper stickers.
The whole thing was videotaped, and I assume Tyler will post it so if I have misquoted or mischaracterized anything I hope somebody will correct me.
Comment #6 Posted by: david | October 27, 2008 09:32 PM
great job guys .. all of you ! and thanks to betsy and suza for being ready willing and able to think outside the box .. i know it isn't easy, as we are all too often encumbered by analysis paralysis .. i encourage everyone to read "the last hours of ancient sunlight" .. there will be a discussion of the book this coming monday evening (11/03) at the ojai library .. just in time for the election .....
Comment #7 Posted by: vickie | October 27, 2008 10:04 PM
Correct, david, we'll be posting the video in its entirety, hopefully by Thursday at the latest.
I was very pleased to see that the candidates all spent time preparing and giving environmental issues some serious thought. That said, there were some distinct differences in opinion and approach that I thought really helped clarify the choice for the voters that place a green Ojai as the number one issue.
Comment #8 Posted by: Tyler | October 27, 2008 10:31 PM
Ojai should phase out pesticides, as other cities have done. I hope I made that position clear.
But before I get to RoundUp, do you think the audience was aware that the candidates did not receive the questions beforehand?
If I had known they were going to ask about eradicating arundo and using RoundUp, I would have done major independent research, including interviewing people who live in Matilija Canyon like Patty Pagaling of Pesticide-Free Ojai.
People are getting sick from the spraying and do not want the county spraying on their land.
Even though I know that RoundUp has been linked to numerous environmental and human health problems, I did not feel knowledgeable enough about the arunda problem to give a clear answer.
Comment #9 Posted by: Suza | October 27, 2008 10:33 PM
Thanks, Suza, and yes that is correct - we did not give the candidates the questions.
That was in part because we felt that it creates a too-scripted environment in the forum, and that it doesn't speak to an overall breadth of knowledge necessary to govern Ojai from an environmental standpoint.
Comment #10 Posted by: Tyler | October 27, 2008 10:42 PM
Best line of the night:
Suza called out Sue Horgan who is constantly emphasizing "balance" in deciding all things....
Suza pointed out that for many environmental issues, the world is completely out of balance -- and that fact has to be taken into account in deciding local policy.....
Comment #11 Posted by: david | October 28, 2008 12:53 AM
I would like the council to make a new play ground at libbey park. Also I would like the council to make new banks and parking lots.
Comment #12 Posted by: lollypopman | October 28, 2008 10:09 AM
good morning, Ojai and Council candidates!
i'm in the blogging class at Valley Oak Charter, and i've asked the students (grades 5-9) to respond and direct their environmental concerns to the new City Council. their responses are below...
Comment #13 Posted by: evan austin | October 28, 2008 10:10 AM
Maybe I'm just a little ignorant, but I really haven't noticed anything wrong with the environment here. Except maybe that it is a little dry. But then, I'm only 14 and not incredibly observant, so I could be missing something.
Comment #14 Posted by: Princess Benihime | October 28, 2008 10:12 AM
Personally, (And I know people will hate me for this), I think we have no idea as to how we are affecting the environment one way or another, especially in the matter of global warming. Geographically speaking, we are very close to another Ice Age, and there has always been a warm period before one. On addition, global warming would be constant without our help.
Comment #15 Posted by: Mr. Aristocrat | October 28, 2008 10:17 AM
they need to get rid of the shelters that kill animals
Comment #16 Posted by: Anonymous | October 28, 2008 10:19 AM
Speaking of the candidates, go to the Ojai Valley News homepage today www.ojaivalleynews.com and vote for the candidate you think will best serve the needs of Ojai!! The poll closes today and will go to print tomorrow so get out the vote!!
Comment #17 Posted by: Get out the Vote!! | October 28, 2008 10:40 AM
current tally on Ojai Valley News poll, with 362 votes submitted so far...
Horgan approx. 31 %
Francina approx. 25%
Clapp, Hanstad each approx. 19%
Lenehan approx. 13%
Still time to vote... go to OjaiValleyNews.com and scroll down home page....
(you don't have to be a subscriber or a city resident to vote in this poll!)
Comment #18 Posted by: OVN poll | October 28, 2008 12:35 PM
The Poll on the Ojai Valley News web site is a great opportunity for everyone in the Ojai Valley to Vote!
Even if you live in the East End, Upper Ojai, Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, Oak View -- you can Vote on the Poll for the best qualified Ojai City Council Candidate.
Truth be told, even if you don't live in Ojai but care about what happens here, you can Vote!
http://ojaivalleynews.com/
Comment #19 Posted by: Valley Wide Vote! | October 28, 2008 01:25 PM
As it stands right now, 371 people have voted on the OVN poll. Let's get that number above 500 before they close it off today!
Comment #20 Posted by: keep on voting | October 28, 2008 01:44 PM
i hope Mr. Lenehan and the City's voters all realize together that he has no business on our City Council, with a community-view as paraphrased in Comment #6. the OVN poll seems to be reflecting that, and i'm glad.
Comment #21 Posted by: evan austin | October 28, 2008 05:12 PM
here's how things stand with now over 500 votes.... (still time to vote if you haven't already.... go to OjaiValleyNews.com...)
OVN POLL
Which Ojai City Council candidate is best suited for the job?
Sue Horgan 36.2%
Suza Francina 28.2%
Betsy Clapp 16.7%
Rae Hanstad 11.5%
Michael Lenehan 7.4%
Total votes: 503
Comment #22 Posted by: OVN poll: 503 votes | October 28, 2008 05:41 PM
the votes are pouring in at Ojai Valley News.....
Betsy Clapp 31.7%
Sue Horgan 31.7%
Suza Francina 22.0%
Rae Hanstad 8.9%
Michael Lenehan 5.8%
Total votes: 654
Comment #23 Posted by: latest tally | October 28, 2008 09:47 PM
Dear Anonymous OVN advocate - do we get some stats on how much traffic the Post is sending on over?
Comment #24 Posted by: Tyler | October 28, 2008 10:35 PM
notes from the forum on candidate response have been added to the original post above. full video coming soon.
Comment #25 Posted by: Tyler | October 29, 2008 08:49 PM
Just woke up to write an editorial about all four of the Candidate Forums and found this!
These highlights and the forthcoming video will give the Candidates a chance to view the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Forum through the eyes of the audience...
Thanks for posting this!
www.SuzaForOjai.com
Comment #26 Posted by: Suza | October 30, 2008 04:14 AM
The correct title of the book I recommend in my closing statement is "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight."
"If we don't do the impossible, we shall be faced with the unthinkable."
-- Petra Kelly, founder of the German Green Party
Comment #27 Posted by: Suza | October 30, 2008 05:01 AM
The fact that none of the candidates knew the difference between a pesticide and an aquatic approved herbicide is troubling and certainly telling of the inherent lack of understanding about environmental issues at the local levels of government. How Suza became a spokesperson for environmental issues is beyond my comprehension, but she certainly had a better stab at it than Horgan or Hanstad.
Comment #28 Posted by: Aldo Leopold Jr. | October 30, 2008 12:10 PM
Note to Aldo Leopold Jr.:
Your comment appears to be as ignorant as it is rude and arrogant. According to wikipedia, herbicides are a recognized category of pesticide. See below:
Types of pesticides
There are multiple ways of classifying pesticides.
Algicides or Algaecides for the control of algae
Avicides for the control of birds
Bactericides for the control of bacteria
Fungicides for the control of fungi and oomycetes
Herbicides for the control of weeds
Insecticides for the control of insects - these can be Ovicides (substances that kill eggs), Larvicides (substances that kill larvae) or Adulticides (substances that kill adult insects)
Miticides or Acaricides for the control of mites
Molluscicides for the control of slugs and snails
Nematicides for the control of nematodes
Rodenticides for the control of rodents
Virucides for the control of viruses (e.g. H5N1)
Comment #29 Posted by: david | October 30, 2008 12:29 PM
For me the most difficult question to answer off the top of my head at the Green Forum was #3: One of the more difficult environmental issues facing our valley is the spreading of Arundo grass throughout our watershed. The county has proposed eradicating the weed with the herbicide Roundup to keep this grass from destroying our native plants. Environmental health concerns have been raised from people concerned about putting herbicides into our water and air. Where do you stand on this issue?
I only know that Arundo is a major ecological problem as is it crowding out native plants. This non-native plant needs to be removed with the least toxic and most effective approach. While the use of chemical herbicides is not the best answer, it is the only know method that the County is aware of at this time.
A friend who has done more research on pesticides than I have, told me today that there is a company in Northern California that said it will release a non-toxic herbicide that can be used as a replacement for Roundup. He said we need to monitor the field test of this new product and pray that it is effective as they claim. (The field tests are being done in Northern Ca.)
I understand the concerns of the people living in areas where pesticides are used, especially Matilija Canyon. If I lived up there and the County was spraying on my property, I would probably feel the same way.
These past two months I've been asked over 101 questions. I readilly admit that I need to do alot more research to fully understand the Arundo removal program.
Comment #30 Posted by: Suza | October 30, 2008 05:58 PM
How long does a person, plant or animal need to reside in a given area before it is deemed a native? Arundo has been here how long? Does it not qualify for nativity yet?
Comment #31 Posted by: Non-Native Native | October 30, 2008 11:10 PM
reply to 31:
Arundo donax as an invasive species
It was introduced from the Mediterranean to California in the 1820s for roofing material and erosion control in drainage canals in the Los Angeles area (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). Through spread and subsequent plantings as an ornamental plant, and for use as reeds in woodwind instruments, it has become naturalized throughout warm coastal freshwaters of North America, and its range continues to spread. It has also been planted widely through South America and Australasia (Boose and Holt 1999; Bell 1997).
It is among the fastest growing terrestrial plants in the world (nearly 10 cm/ day; Dudley, 2000). To present knowledge Arundo does not provide any food sources or nesting habitats for wildlife. This results in resources provided by the crowded-out native plants not being replaced by the Arundo (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). For example, it damages California's riparian ecosystems by outcompeting native species, such as willows, for water.
Comment #32 Posted by: Arundo donax | October 31, 2008 06:08 AM
Thanks, Comment #33, Arundo donax.
There are some interesting sites that come up if you Google
"what are non toxic ways to remove arundo."
There have been several previous discussions about pesticides on the Ojai Post, but anyone not familiar with the problem of arundo might find this VC Star article, May 2007, worth reading:
County plans herbicide treatment on giant reeds along 208 acres of Matilija Creek, Ventura River Weed invasion
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/may/20/weed-invasion/
Comment #33 Posted by: Suza | October 31, 2008 06:34 AM
More Arundo donax facts:
- Introduced in California in 1820 as building material.
- Can be traced back 5,000 years as the material used to make the most primitive pipe organ, the Pan pipe or syrinx. Now used to make reeds for woodwind musical instruments.
- Uses massive amounts of water to fuel extraordinary rate of growth. Under optimal conditions, arundo grows more than three inches per day.
- Unlike other plants that photosynthesize only through leaves, arundo's entire stalk can transform light into energy.
- Considered native plant of Mediterranean countries, but origin is most likely India.
Also known as: Giant reed.
Description: A tall, perennial grass that grows from 6 to nearly 30 feet tall. It is considered a weed and grows and spreads rapidly.
Habitat: A native of the Mediterranean area, it is found in damp places near water, such as ditches or rivers, in most of the southwestern U.S.
Problem: It can quickly crowd out other plants and can drastically reduce the water flow in a small stream or irrigation ditch.
Solutions: Weeds can be manually pulled, dabbed with herbicides or burned. Some landowners have even used goats to eat the weeds.
Source: The Nature Conservancy
Comment #34 Posted by: Ms. Arunda Donax | October 31, 2008 06:43 AM