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Stop The Trucks Resource Page

Stop the Trucks: Expert cites problems in Ventura County's Resource Mangement Agency & Planning Division (April 10, 2008) - On Tuesday afternoon, April 8th, members of "Stop the Trucks" coalition successfully testified before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors at their regular weekly meeting after a presentation by consultant Tom Berg, who had been hired to assess issues and problems at the county's Resource Management Agency which includes the Planning Division.

STOP THE TRUCKS: Gravel Truck Owners Suing Ventura County (March 30, 2008) - In a news story written by Nao Braverman in Friday's Ojai Valley News, "owners of the Ozena Valley Sand and Gravel Mine and the Virgilio Family Trust filed a lawsuit against Ventura County last week, for allegedly changing the scope of their permitted operations without prior notice, hearing or environmental review, according to the lawsuit.

Stop the Trucks: Lost Horizon (March 21, 2008) - When is a truck not a truck? When it's a-wanderin'. Sometimes they get lost and take the scenic route through Ojai.

Stop the Trucks: The Damage Done (March 10, 2008) - In July of 2007, as reported in the Ojai Valley News, Caltrans District 7 investigators concluded in a now controversial traffic study that State Route 33 is maintained to provide safe travel for all motorists, and is designed to accommodate large trucks. In February of 2008 a portion of Route 33 collapsed into the river.

Stop the Trucks: Collapse of Route 33 (February 24, 2008) - In this Sunday's edition of the Ventura County Star, we see barracades divert traffic around a section of Maricopa Highway - Route 33 - about 10 miles north of Ojai that has collapsed into the North Fork of Matilija Creek.

Stop the Trucks: Highway 33 Bridge Collapses! (February 23, 2008) - A bridge support beam failure caused 130 to 150 feet of embankment along south-bound Highway 33 above Ojai to slide into the North Fork of Matilija Creek on Friday evening, authorities said...the CHP expects a long-term closure of the highway between Lockwood Valley Road to the north and Matilija Road to the south.

Stop The Trucks: Complaint Against Ozena (February 14, 2008) - On February 1, 2008 "Stop the Trucks," filed the following formal complaint against the Ozena Mine with the head of the Ventura County Planning Division, Kim Rodriguez...

Stop The Trucks: Ozena Mine Seek Expanded Routes & Hours (February 13, 2008) - A new story by Nao Braverman of the Ojai Valley News along with last year's press release from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reveals the heightened threat to our community: "Mine Owners Seek Expanded Routes, Hours; Despite death, bid to expand mine continues."

Stop The Trucks: Between a rock mine and a hard place (February 2, 2008) - The Ventura County Reporter features news story on "Appeal denied in truck violation case." Bill Lascher, Editor of the VC Reporter, published in this past week's edition a short article on the Gravel Truck battles, which Bill says is the prelude to a much longer story in the coming weeks.

Stop The Trucks: Another Victory for Ojai! (January 26, 2008) - On January 16th, Ojai and the “Stop the Trucks” Coalition racked up another small victory when Pat Richards, Acting Director of the Ventura County Planning Division rejected the Ozena Valley Ranch Mine’s attempt to gut the time restraints on trucking through the Ojai Valley through an appeal to the Planning Commission.

Stop The Trucks: Ozena's Revised Mine Application (January 18, 2008) - The "Stop the Trucks" Coalition has just received copies of the Ozena Valley Ranch Mine Project Description for an Aggregate Surface Mine and Processing Facility in which the operators seek to extensively expand their operations.

Stop The Trucks: Two Killed in Gravel Truck Accident (December 18, 2007) - Malibu resident William H. Weissberg was killed in this crash when an out-of-control gravel truck hit his Mercedes-Benz as he was entering an intersection on PCH. The driver of the gravel truck, Hovik Papikyan, also died.

Stop the Trucks: Gravel Mines Eye Expansion and a Clear Pattern of Risk Emerges from Smog (December 12, 2007) - Two recent articles in the Ojai Valley News and the Los Angeles Times highlight the ongoing problems created by massive numbers of gravel trucks coming through the Ojai Valley.

Stop the Trucks: San Antonio Creek Bridge (November 13, 2007) - Tuesday, Nov 27 is shaping up to be a very important meeting of the Ojai City Council, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend and testify. City staff will be briefing the council on the status of discussion & negotiations with CalTrans regarding the San Antonio Creek bridge crossing, and the incredibly arrogant and unresponsive attitude that CalTrans' representatives have presented in responding to our and the City's concerns with the proposed detour.

Stop the Trucks: Little Victories in a Long War (November 6, 2007) - After the gravel mines in Oxnard were played out and closed, the Cuyama Valley, which straddles both Ventura and Santa Barbara County, was identified as a potential new source. This is a permanent change and the immediate trigger for this new threat...

Stop the Trucks: Permit Violations (September 3, 2007) - Please consider this letter my formal complaint regarding C.U.P violations in the operation of gravel trucks in conjunction with the Ozena Valley Sand and Gravel Mine owned and operated by Michael Virgilio of Huntington Beach, California.

Stop the Trucks: Smokin' Diesel (August 7, 2007) - WHAT ABOUT AIR QUALITY? One of the key issues for the "Stop the Trucks" coalition is Air Quality. Surrounded by mountains, with inversions in the air shed, the Ojai Valley is ranked among the worst for air quality in Ventura County.

Stop the Trucks: Wreck Photos (August 1, 2007) - An anonymous trucker got in touch with me a while back and said he had some photos of a gravel truck wreck on Highway 33 to share. He dropped them off, I scanned them in, and present them to you for your consideration.

Stop the Trucks: In The News, July (July 15, 2007) - Four news stories appeared this week in the local press after the latest hearing in Santa Maria. Here are the highlights from the Santa Barbara Independent, Ojai Valley News, Ventura County Star and Santa Maria Times.

Stop the Trucks: A Bridge Too Far (July 9, 2007) - After months of stalling, Caltrans has responded to Ojai’s request for a safety study of Route 33, finally releasing six-pages to conclude that the highway is, in fact, safe and appropriate for heavy, large-scale, industrial trucking. Taking its cue from the industry and industry lobbyists who desired that finding - without regard to the health, safety and welfare of the people here in the Ojai Valley - the Caltrans “study” is a patently outrageous travesty and a whitewash.

Stop The Trucks: Monitoring Plan Proposed by Ventura Co. Plannners!!! (June 27, 2007) - Although there are many options for monitoring truck traffic, such as CHP weigh stations, electronic GPS units, or 24 hour camera surveillance, Scott Ellison, a senior staffer at the Ventura County Planning Department who covers the Ozena Gravel Mine operation, has apparently come up with an idea that is not only simple but low cost and easy to implement.

Stop the Trucks: Downtown, East End & Upper Ojai Threatened (June 23, 2007) - According to several recent articles in the Ojai Valley News written by Nao Braverman it appears that if Caltrans gets its way in strengthening the bridge on E. Ojai Avenue over the San Antonio Creek, then the gravel trucks now using Route 33 could easily go through downtown, the East End and Upper Ojai on their way to a proposed gravel plant in Santa Paula.

Catch A Truck Violation Reporting Form (June 16, 2007) - This form is available to report truck activity on roads that have been deemed unfit for truck traffic. These roads include those in certain residential zones (La Luna, Santa Ana, etc.), Route 33 in front of Nordhoff High School from 7:00am to 9:00am, etc.

Stop the Trucks: Open Letter to the Governor (June 14, 2007) - Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, How would it be if the Governor moved his family to Ojai, only to discover that the entire community is on the verge of suing the State of California & CALTRANS?

Stop the Trucks: Questions & Answers (June 9, 2007) - Following the Santa Maria hearing, the “Stop the Trucks” Coalition doubled its fundraising goal to $200,000. If everyone in the Ojai Valley contributed as little as ten dollars each we would reach our goal instantly.

Stop The Trucks: of Water Threats and Asphalt Plants (June 8, 2007) - There is a new asphalt plant opening in Santa Paula that will need gravel... The immediate threat to Ojai is this: If any of the mines in the Cuyama Valley contract with this new plant, there are no known prohibitions on those trucks coming down 33, turning left at the "Y"; driving through downtown, the East End and Upper Ojai on their way to Santa Paula.

Stop The trucks: Our Lawyers Attack Diamond Rock EIR & Link to our Enviromental Experts Report (May 30, 2007) - 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.

Stop the Trucks: Santa Maria EIR Hearing, May 30th (May 23, 2007) - 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.

Stop the Trucks: THERE IS NO DEAL!!! (May 19, 2007) - 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.

STOP THE TRUCKS: PLEDGE FORM (May 16, 2007) - 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.

Stop The Trucks Open Thread (May 15, 2007) - 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!

STOP THE TRUCKS: Chaparral Rally In the News, May 15th, 7:00pm (May 7, 2007) - 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.

STOP THE TRUCKS: WHO OPENED THE FLOOD GATES? (May 2, 2007) - So our question is this: Who opened the floodgates? Who changed the conditions under which Ozena is now operating? Was it you, Scott Ellison?

STOP THE TRUCKS: COMMUNITY RALLY, MAY 15TH (April 26, 2007) - HIGHWAY 33 GRAVEL TRUCK UPDATE: 1. Community Rally Planned for Ojai in May 2. Victory! Ventura County Reverses Course, Decides to Prepare Full EIR for Ozena Mine 3. Mark Your Calendars - Public Hearing for Diamond Rock Mine Set for May 30 in Santa Maria

STOP THE TRUCKS: SAVE THE DATE: MAY 15 (April 20, 2007) - There will be a Community Meeting sponsored by the "Stop The Trucks" coalition at Chaparral Auditorium on the night of May 15th at 7:00pm. Details will be posted shortly. Bring your checkbook.

“Stop the Trucks” will Monitor Caltrans Study of Route 33 (April 11, 2007) - Ojai Coalition to “Stop the Trucks” will Monitor Caltrans Study of Route 33... Group will file “Freedom of Information” requests to spot potential Caltrans conflicts of interest

Stop the Trucks: In the News... (April 9, 2007) - excerpts from several vital articles about current and proposed gravel trucking on Route 33 through Ojai.

Stop the Trucks: The City Speaks Up! (April 4, 2007) - In unity with the Stop the Trucks movement, the City of Ojai has sent letters out regarding both the Ozena mine in Ventura County and the proposed new Diamond Rock mine in Santa Barbara County. Both mine proposals would flood the Ojai Valley with gravel truck traffic from the Cuyama Valley via Route 33.

Stop the Trucks: Possible link Between Ozena Mine & ATF Gun Bust in Oak View? (April 2, 2007) - "In just breaking news, the 'Stop the Trucks' coalition has learned there there may be a link between the corporate offices of the Ozena Valley Ranch Sand and Gravel company and the Compton based Boulevard Sales & Services, a gun store that was raided by Federal agents of the ATF..."

Stop The Trucks - The Ozena Mine Proposal (March 30, 2007) - "County officials need to be aware that their is no conceivable way that the people of the Ojai Valley will allow these trucks to go through as proposed and that as a thoroughly united community we have the experience, the expertise, the total determination and the deep financial pockets necessary to fight this effort in every legal manner possible."

Stop The Trucks - Update of March 20th (March 20, 2007) - ...if approved, the Diamond Rock mine alone could add as many as 138 truck trips per day to Scenic Highway 33. And plans are underway to expand two other mines in the area, sending even more trucks through the heart of the Los Padres National Forest and negatively impacting nearby communities in the Ojai and Cuyama valleys... a public hearing has been set for Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 9:00am in Santa Maria.

Truck Traffic: Impact on Highway 33 - Powerpoint (March 1, 2007) - take a drive up the mountain some time, and see how this heavy truck traffic is destroying the highway. And rest assured that the fuel tax paid by these trucks is not being designated to highway 33 for its maintenance and repair costs. If the decision is made in favor of the trucks, what are we getting in exchange for what we’re giving up?

Stop the Trucks; Update of February 9th (February 9, 2007) - according to a news story in the Pacific Coast Business Times, a final draft of the EIR will be completed by the end of the month. Your letters will be included according to a conversation I've had with Gary Kaiser. The Santa Barbara County Planning Comission will review and decide on the merits of the EIR at their April Meeting. If approved there are a number of other, smaller regulatory issues that must be dealt with. If everything passes approval, the whole issue is expected to go to the Santa Barbara County Supervisors in late summer or the fall. (more)

"Stop The Trucks" Community Meeting on January 30, 2007 - attend the event and write your letters! Email addresses printed and full venue and event info.

Coalition Opposes Mining Trucks (January 25, 2007) - A coalition of local landowners, business leaders, forest advocates, school officials, and others have joined forces to oppose plans by a new mine to add hundreds of haul trucks on Scenic Highway 33. The groups will conduct a public meeting on Tuesday, January 30 at 7:00pm at the Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Street in Ojai to inform the community about this issue.

"Stop the Trucks" - Email Contacts for Letters (January 2, 2007) - use this resource to email the the Santa Barbara Planning & Development Department, the Santa Barbara County Supervisors, the Ventura County Supervisors, State Assembly, Ojai government officials and local media. Archived letters opposing the trucks include those from Scott Eicher, A. Michael Weaver, and Rinaldo Brutoco.