Adams Canyon: SOAR hands in more signatures, Anderson bid being verified

May 31, 2002
Santa Paula News

Supporters of a measure to strengthen Measure I, approved by voters two years ago and sponsored by Save Open-Space & Agricultural Resources (SOAR), made another bid to gain a place on the November ballot by handing in an additional 250 petition signatures.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSupporters of a measure to strengthen Measure I, approved by voters two years ago and sponsored by Save Open-Space & Agricultural Resources (SOAR), made another bid to gain a place on the November ballot by handing in an additional 250 petition signatures.The Adams Canyon Agricultural Preservation (ACAP) had failed by just 68 valid signatures to qualify the new initiative for the November ballot.But, “I received a letter from City Clerk Steven Salas that said he would adhere to the [revised] deadline and would allow us to submit supplemental signatures because of the confusion and mixed messages over the drop dead deadline date,” said Jim Procter on May 28.The original deadline set by the Ventura County Clerk’s Office Elections Division for Santa Paula signature petitions was May 15; on that date it was officially pushed back after questions by the city to match the City of Ventura, which had a deadline date of May 28. SOAR-ACAP made a stab at getting their petitions back - they handed in 1,406 signatures - for more signers, a request that was rebuffed and then reversed by Salas’ letter.
Procter said the “Response we got was overwhelmingly positive,” from SOAR-ACAP supporters, who were calling as late as the revised deadline date to ask where they could sign a petition. “We gathered signatures throughout Memorial Day weekend, which was quite a bit. . .when people realize the enormity of this 8 1/2 square mile project they get very concerned.”Scott Anderson of Del Financial also handed in his petitions on May 28 with 1,752 signatures. Anderson seeks to develop a 32.5 acre parcel on the corner of Foothill and Peck roads and said the response to his initiative was “very positive. . .people were very, very supportive,” of his plans to build up to 80 homes.A competing measure calling for development in 5,400 acre Adams Canyon and sponsored by Arizona-based developer The Pinnacle Group, did qualify for the ballot after more than 1,600 hundred signatures were gathered. SOAR-ACAP had gathered 1,400-plus signatures during its first try, which was launched several weeks after Pinnacle, and the additional 250 pushes it over 1,600 signatures.Now, the validity of the signatures gathered by SOAR-ACAP and Anderson must be verified. As of Thursday, results had not yet been returned to the city.Santa Paula Deputy City Clerk Josie Herrera said that 1,065 valid signatures are required for ballot placement.



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