Letters to the Editor

Mr. Lingo To the Editor:There are certain people in your lifetime, in all stages, that leave an impression. In your early childhood, your earliest memories will more than likely surround your parents. Then you get a little older and you start a new stage in your life as you begin school. And before you know it, you’re an adult and you realize that the person you have become is a direct result of the many people who have taught you and influenced you as a child, those with whom you had constant contact while growing up and while learning. Mr. Lingo is one of those influential people from my own past, and perhaps had one of the largest impacts on my childhood. There are not enough words to express the feeling of loss that is felt with his passing. But I want to share some of the memories and teachings that he left me, with the hope of paying homage to a man and remembering someone who gave so much to all of us who grew up in Santa Paula.Mr. Lingo was a household name. He is, for me, the ultimate childhood icon from grammar school, and the music guru. There are few words to describe the impact he had on my life, and probably the lives of many. I studied under Mr. Lingo from 1981 through 1986, while in grammar school from 4th to 6th grade, and in junior high school during 7th and 8th grade. I played the clarinet, at his request. You could always count on him, he was always there. One thing we could always count on was that he’d be in the Christmas parade, or he’d have his seasonal concerts for all the schools he directed. He was a patient and calm man, I never saw him get upset, or stressed. He made us work and he showed us that working (practicing) paid off. It always did. Mr. Lingo was so dedicated to his job as a band director. I, along with my peers, worked hard to make him proud. I looked for that acceptance from him, and he gave it to all of us, regardless of skill or talent that we had or lacked. I was so proud to be a part of his band because he gave us that feeling of belonging.The memories are endless. While in the Isbell Jr. High Band, he got us up early at 3 a.m. one Saturday morning to compete in Riverside in their annual band competition. It meant a lot to him to have our town represented there. You could tell by the endless preparation involved on his behalf. And we competed well and proudly. He got us to perform at Disneyland. And as we marched through Main Street Disneyland, you could hear the echo to our response for standing ‘at attention.’ Mr. Lingo truly brought out the best in us.There is one practice I remember very clearly. He asked us to think about what our instrument was. He then asked us to think about what his instrument was. I immediately thought to myself “trombone” because I had remembered him talking about playing that instrument, but I didn’t say anything aloud. He made us squirm before he gave us his explanation. He described to us that through his direction, we were his instrument. He considered the entire band to be his instrument because through his direction he expressed his musical talents through us. All through his explanation he maintained a level of excitement that made me wonder who the real kid was there in that junior high band room. That’s just how he was, he was a great motivator for all of us. Now if this lesson does not speak loudly for what he stood for then I don’t know what does.Growing up, you don’t really understand the importance of your parents, family, and teachers, or of anybody put in that position to influence you. And now that Mr. Lingo is resting peacefully, you really must reflect on the lessons he gave us. Even though most of us probably never said thank you to him directly, I think the reward for him came from seeing that most of the students who studied under him became successful members of society, no matter what they chose to pursue. I think that was better than getting any formal award. He knew he had a hand in raising and in influencing so many of us. That in itself is a dynasty of decades that is irreplaceable. And for that reason, Mr. Lingo and his lessons will always remain immortal for me, in my mind, and will thus live on in my thoughts and in my own life forever.Sonia M. PerezAlhambra, CA(Ms. Perez grew up in Santa Paula and attended the Santa Paula grammar schools until 1986, when she graduated from Isbell Jr. High School. She attended St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, and graduated in 1990. In 1996, she graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While at UCLA, she played tenor saxophone in the marching band for two years. She currently works as a senior civil engineering assistant for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Traffic and Lighting Division.)The MillTo the Editor:Probably the most significant factor that keeps me living in Santa Paula is the joy I feel from the deep roots of this community. I can find a house anywhere, and I can find a job anywhere, but I cannot find the sense of interconnectedness with the community I feel here and that I want, above all else, for my children. I walked to elementary school with a friend I now sit around a bbq fire with, and rode horses with both his family and his wife’s family. My family camped with the family of another neighbor when we were all very young – a tradition we have continued. And I still celebrate birthdays and holidays and great summer evenings with many of the people I once hung out with on the courts of SPHS. When I see Mich or Helen around town now, I remember charging stashes of candy to my parents’ account at the Garden Market, actually believing I was sneaking something past them.And I fondly recall our coveted trips to The Mill to buy animal feed or a gardening tool. My sister and I would immediately run to the back room to look for new bunnies or birds in the cages, and then stare in awe of the big horse in the front window, wishing we could climb on its back. Eventually (and inevitably) we would get yelled at for climbing on the bales of hay. I still love everything about The Mill: the wonderful, earthy smells, and all the cool pictures and tools and saddles and artifacts that fill every nook and cranny. The stuffed horse in the back room is over the top – absolutely magical to all of us, children and concertgoers alike.As a deeply-rooted citizen of Santa Paula, do I care that the Hengeholds owe back-rent to the city for property that costs the city $1.00 per year? Absolutely not! I trust that they will find a solution, with our help. I do not want my tax dollars to be used to pay legal fees incurred by proceeding with the eviction of the Hengeholds and subsequent elimination of one of the few remaining cultural and historical roots of our city, nor to pay the salary of anyone whose time is spent for that purpose. I would like to know that my tax dollars are being spent to preserve and revitalize our wonderful little community, including The Mill, and am in support of the many great ideas offered recently to that end, including more concerts, an art museum, and even a rustic steak house where the big horse once stood in the front window.It is the interconnectedness of friends and community and our history that makes our city so unique in this day and age, and our lives so rich. May we all focus on finding a solution to that end.Susie Wigley PowersSanta PaulaMoonlight MadnessTo the Editor:Monday night, December 20, was Moonlight Madness at the City Council meeting. At a time when there are potholes in the streets, sidewalks a hazard in some places, and the City saying it has no money, the Council approves giving the Moonlight party people $1,000. This will help with the party that will only benefit the elite few that can afford the $50 a head price to attend. I don’t believe there will be any economic benefit to the City by the party. There will also probably be City workers used to help get the party ready, at the cost to all of us. I know that $1,000 in the scheme of things is not much, but I know it would fill a few potholes or fix a few sidewalks and would benefit the whole city. If the party people need more money, charge $55 a person and let the elite few foot the bill, not all the citizens can afford to go to this party. The Santa Paula City Council said they would like to see more community participation at this party; HELLO! At $50 a head? The City Council represents the whole community and should keep that in mind when making decisions about everything. Thanks for listening.Jonathan MasonSanta PaulaSanta Clara River Valley “Heritage”?To the Editor:Where is this recent “Heritage” name suggestion going to take us? “Whose Heritage”? Is this new name to remind us of our Santa Clara Valley history? If so, there are many Santa Paulans who are well informed of our historically colorful past. Here’s a reminder:1. The first Spanish arrivals in the mid 1500s, Rodrigues and Cabrillo, found Hokan, Yuman, and Chumash Indians living peacefully hereabouts.2. In the 1700s Gasper de Portola recorded about 500 Chumash Indians living in the river valley, in an advanced village called Mupu.3. In the early 1800s, the Mexican government was making land grants and, rather ruthlessly, began to dispossess the Indians.4. After the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, gold rush settlers, and eastern capitalists, with United States Government assistance, took over most Indian settlements and Mexican ranches by the levying of high, local land taxation. Or force. The Manuel Caserin and Rancho Peralto land grants were overtaken by settlers by 1972.5. From this time forward, American ranchers established control over the Santa Clara River Valley. A prideful history that many local landowners have documented.SO! Perhaps our Santa Clara Valley history isn’t exactly the “heritage” that is being suggested by this new valley name. Whoever decides names, renaming a beautiful valley as historically important in California history, that has developed into such a hospitable, beautiful, verdant place, might examine its origins. And the diverse affections that so many peoples have long held for our valley. Indian, Spanish, Mexican, immigrant, and settler. The inclusive reality of our past. Here in the Santa Clara River Valley.Is there really a better name for the Santa Clara River Valley? Chumash? Portola? What is this generic name “Heritage”? And who wants a new name? Does anyone know?Confounded as usual.John UrieSanta PaulaLou LingoTo The Editor:I am a former band student of Mr. Lou Lingo. I would just like to say a few words to commemorate this great man.