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Ojai Chamber Coalition Candidate Forum

The “Candidate Forum,” hosted by the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, is to be held at the Soule Park Restaurant on the above referenced date and time. Thank you for participating in what promises to be an informative discussion of issues relevant to local business owners and the community as a whole.

Seven issues/questions have been agreed upon by the committee and a format developed that we believe provides each candidate with an opportunity to prepare for and address specific issues. In order to ensure completion of the agenda and allocate time fairly, responses will be timed and limited to 2 minutes each.

1. 7:15am -7:45am. Continental breakfast available and networking.

2 . 7:45 - 8:45. Moderator (Bob Kemper) begins panel discussion with the following format:

a.Brief introduction by each candidate describing qualifications and why they are running for City Council. (2 minutes per candidate)

b.Next, alternating which candidates responds first, each candidate will respond to the following seven questions, which are listed in the order they will be presented. (2 minutes per candidate per issue/question).

1)Failing Ojai Business Climate: What should the City do to support an effort to re-invigorate a failing business environment in Ojai? Specifically address vacant retail and office space, blight on Ojai Avenue, and how to provide needed products/services to tourists and the community.

2)Ojai’s economy is based on tourism. Therefore, would you support the development and funding of a “Market Ojai” effort, including a Visitor Center.

3)Gravel Trucks: What specific efforts should the City take to ensure that the “Stop the Trucks” movement is successful? Financial, Political, Etc.

4)City Planning & Building Department Issues: Many Ojai developers and business owners continue to express concern about the cost and process associated with trying to build or remodel any commercial facilities within the City. Without destroying the flavor of Ojai, how can the City identify and remedy existing roadblocks and cost concerns to ensure that property upgrades can be economically planned and completed? 5)Maintaining Ojai as an “Arts Center”: Ojai has long prided itself on being a center for the arts. Ventura, Oxnard and other surrounding area local governments are funding the development of new arts facilities and events and Ojai is losing its edge. How would you propose to encourage growth in this area?

6)Chaparral Property: The OUSD is planning on selling or leasing this facility. What do you believe to be the ideal use for this property? Should it be used for some sort of community purpose? Should the City help fund the development of some community based facility?

7)City Budget: There is conflicting information regarding the status of the Budget. Is there a surplus? Are dollars properly being allocated to, and spent on, public works projects such as streets, facilities, and infrastructure maintenance/repair?

3. 8:45 – 9:15. Once each candidate has responded to these items, the audience will be give an opportunity to ask the candidates questions regarding these or other issues.

4. 9:15. Meeting is adjourned. Candidates and guests are encouraged to stay until 10:00 for informal one-on-one discussion(s).

Cost for Member Attendance: $TBD
Cost for Non-member Attendance: $TBD