On their third attempt to make a great many millions of dollars, WE, instead of they, get to pay for their plan. Again, they are asking for “Hundreds of Homes” in our nearby, historical canyon, with its oil spilling past. Consider Ventura County’s hesitation to see even “Forty Homes”, or pay for four-lane roads to accommodate new traffic on Briggs and Foothill Road.Pinnacle’s latest maneuver is to create a longtime Santa Paula taxpayer connection to what will be some spectacular costs. Once the roads, water connections, sewer services and other massive infrastructure costs begin to roll in, we will likely discover how cleverly the Pinnacle Group has legally removed themselves from responsibility. Our Santa Paula taxpaying citizens will hold that mass of never-ending costs.Pinnacle is clever, still convinced they can bamboozle this small town. Check their past record.And remember, each and every Santa Paula citizen will share in the increased costs of water, power, sewer, police and fire services. Every month.John UrieSanta PaulaPointed penTo the Editor:Hello! I’m back, my fellow citizens, sharpening my pen and my sarcastic wit for the upcoming “debate” about the Adams Canyon vote. Someone already beat me to “Support S.O.A.R., keep Santa Paula poor.”Have you heard about the new citizens committee, C.R.A.P. – Citizens Rallying Against Progress? So let common sense fall by the wayside and push your own personal agendas. Let’s hear from all you blowhards and buffoons. Let the games begin.Barry RobertsSanta PaulaUninformed or informed?To the Editor:Re: Phil Rice’s March 3 letterI was aware that the city council had no choice but to place the initiative to adjust the CURB on the ballot. I am also aware that the promoters of the initiative were fully aware of this as they were soliciting signatures for the initiative. However, they conveniently forgot to tell the people that signed the petition that they would have to pay for the election, sixty thousand dollars worth. The multi-million dollar Pinnacle Group loves them. Proposition A7 gives them exactly what they want, at no cost.One reason the Adams Canyon developer has three times failed to convince the voters that the project has merit is the lack of credibility and their exaggerated claims of benefits to the city. Look at their record, it speaks for itself. I cannot support the non-binding A7 Proposition that does nothing to require the developer to build a thing in Adams Canyon. Read the propositionThe totally baseless allegation blaming me for the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation of Santa Paula voting practices is a sign of desperation to discredit this writer. Where did this claim originate?Insofar as Santa Paula Latino Town Hall and low income housing, the organization has never voted to support any farm worker housing. Nevertheless, I cannot understand why anyone that lives in our community fails to see the highly favorable impact of the farms that circle our magnificent Santa Clara River Valley. Agriculture is what makes our pristine valley so unique, like nothing else in the whole world. Who helps keep this precious jewel that we have what it is?The complaint about people that can’t keep their noses out of our city’s business is a hollow claim as some of the most highly visible leaders of Measure A7 are not Santa Paula residents.Finally, I would suggest that the minutes of city council meetings be read before misquoting speakers at the meetings.Bob BorregoSanta PaulaRon MersonTo the Editor:It was about time that a very involved hardworking local citizen got a recognition pertaining to all the volunteer projects, much of it done without fanfare and done with much physical labor and time spent. Ron made sure we had all those parades (as one of the many working projects).The “Last Sunday Breakfasts” at IOOF Hall. Yes, he was one of them flipping hotcakes and eggs and the cleanup for charity.Ron is one of a very most deserving in the most recent years to be recognized for this award. It will take a lot of sleuthing to find another recipient as deserving as Ron Merson, who is everyone’s friend, humorous, likeable and involved with seriousness that everything is right, or straight arrow, so to speak.We need more of humans like him. There is more, but not enough space here to go on about Ron’s projects.Ken ZimmetSanta PaulaYES on A7To the Editor:Voter approval of Measure A7 will move Adams Canyon to within the Santa Paula CURB line and will allow our city to regain control of future development in the canyon. A7 limits the number of home sites to no more than 495, a reduction of approximately 80% from the current general plan of 2250. A7 does not approve a project. Specific developments will be proposed by a developer and approved or disapproved by the city government, under appropriate city ordinances and guidelines.A7 has the potential to generate millions of dollars for the local economy, including the city treasury. Santa Paula’s infrastructure is literally falling apart at the seams. Whether you look at pay for city workers, the streets, the schools, the parks, city buildings, or the wastewater treatment facility, there is no money available for better wages or the required improvements. Much of this predicament is due to political pressures brought on by self-serving interests who have their own narrow agendas. These agendas, unfortunately, have continually hurt Santa Paula. Leaders of some of these groups neither reside nor work in Santa Paula. They don’t care how poor Santa Paula becomes and would rather that Ventura County reap the financial benefits of any development in Adams Canyon. That will happen if we don’t get out and vote to support Measure A7. Other leaders do live in Santa Paula, and are perhaps idealistic. But they do not understand, or don’t care, about the economic impacts of their actions on all the citizens of Santa Paula.They complain about the cost of $60,-000 for a special election for A7. They forget that almost 3000 Santa Paula residents have signed a petition requesting another vote on Adams Canyon. By law, the city is mandated to hold a special election when the proper number of signatures is received for a ballot measure. These same groups previously forced the city to waste $750,000 on an ill-conceived district voting lawsuit. Now they will try to defeat A7 by obscuring their real motives, by spreading misinformation, and by resorting to personal attacks.Don’t let these detractors control our future. Support a Santa Paula renaissance. Let us be proud of the thriving city that everyone wants to visit to enjoy the amenities. Vote YES on Measure A7 on May 8.Mike and Karen LynchSanta PaulaOur opportunityTo the Editor:To the voters of Santa Paula. Here it is! Our opportunity to move the CURB line to include Adams Canyon! Are we as a community going to let the County of Ventura reap the benefits of this area or are we going to vote for A-7 and have Santa Paula reap the benefits?We have a very costly sewer system that we as citizens of Santa Paula will feel the burden of paying for. There is not a question of need, it is a fact of necessity! That being said, we need help.We need to put the needs of the community before our own individual wants! We need to expand our CURB line and enjoy the benefits of growth. We need to get out and vote to pass A-7.Maiya HerreraSanta Paula
Letters to the Editor
March 09, 2007
Opinion
Being green
To the Editor:Nearly a year ago, I became aware of a deep shaft, environmentally beneficial, approach to the treatment of sewage wastewater that had been considered and rejected by the city several years ago. I approached a former city staff member about the technology, and was told substantially, “… impossible, you cannot construct that large and deep a hole in this area.” I did some checking and found that indeed such a deep shaft can be safely constructed. I spoke to city staff and the answer was, more or less, “If the deep shaft was effective, every city in the US would be using it.” My impression at the time was that the people who developed the deep shaft technology had not been very responsive to inquiries from Santa Paula during the previous review process. The result at the time was that the Vertreat water treatment system was brushed aside as being unsuitable to meet the needs of Santa Paula.A group of local citizens has induced the City Council to take a closer look at the opportunities and issues involved in considering using a Vertreat plant to solve our currently looming wastewater crisis. To its credit, the Council has done this through two long stressful public hearings on the subject.I have followed these presentations closely and, based on the items I have listed below, I believe that the Vertreat System is worthy of very careful consideration as the City makes decisions related the new treatment plant.According to the presentations by the Contractor, Noram, which I have confirmed in direct conversations with the principals who would build and operate the plant:• Vertreat, with its related component processes is able to produce water that meets Title 22 specifications• Noram can protect the City from financial difficulty that might arise should the process fail to meet promised results• Noram can produce a finished, operating water treatment plant prior to 12/09• Noram can operate the plant, within its proposal, at a 4 million gallon daily capacity for 20 years at a cost within the $40-$45 per household range desired by the city.• Additional treatment processes could be incorporated should current governmental requirements change in the future• Noram can produce water with much less turbidity than is currently required by Title 22, if the city makes clear its desire to do so.Kudos to the City Council, staff and the community for demonstrating a willingness to consider this major important decision so openly. I add, in the spirit of the award winning documentary film “An Inconvenient Truth”, that the approximate horsepower savings in power consumption (Vertreat high-pressure air flow vs. standard treatment at standard atmospheric pressure) is equal to that which could be generated by 500 homes with 2000 sq. ft. of photovoltaic power cells on each roof.Let us be forward thinking and do the best we can to help keep our little city as green as possible.Roy C. Wilson, Jr.Santa PaulaMove the CURB lineTo the Editor:Let’s move the curb line. That is what A7 is all about. It is the first step in improving the plight of Santa Paula. This little, lovely town, like an old house, is rotting away because we can’t fix the roof. The foundation is crumbling because we are afraid to take a new step. It is comfortable to stay as we are, but we won’t be here in 20 years if we don’t get aggressive and start investing in our future. Yes we want affordable housing, BUT we must balance our growth with high-end homes also.Santa Paula has the low-cost housing for our field workers, which produces very little taxes for our city and as result is very expensive. We have middleclass housing and could grow that category. (It probably produces enough taxes to pay for itself). We need high-end development that will produce more taxes than it consumes. We are in need of decent shopping which will not come until we have the customer base - why do you think Sears, Penney’s and others have left? Why do you think other businesses have folded?Without QUALITY BALANCED GROWTH we will die and the reasons for living here will vanish with the ashes in the wind.Mike CossidSanta PaulaA day to rememberTo the Editor:Dear Citizens of Santa Paula,First of all, I want to thank you, the community of Santa Paula, for showing support to the Lou Lingo family by joining both the family and the Santa Paula Elementary School District for the Dedication of the Lou Lingo Center for the Performing Arts.There are many people and organizations I wish to thank for helping make March 3, 2007 a special day. To begin with, both the Isbell and the Santa Paula Union High School Bands. They played beautifully and were such a joy to hear as they reflected the heart of Mr. Lingo. Music, pride in America, and teaching students were Mr. Lingo’s passions. These qualities were reflected in the speeches, musical tributes and Flag Ceremony. Former students Meg Beach Phelps and Scott Underwood, along with colleague Mr. Ed Roina, shared memories of Mr. Lingo and the impact he had on their lives. Isidro Yanez (professional sax player and former student), aka “Rosie”, played a jazz inspired musical tribute to the “Music Man of Santa Paula”. David Lagesse, Jr., also a former student, served as Honor Guard in his full Marine Dress Uniform as we all stood proudly and said the Pledge of Allegiance, then sang the National Anthem. Thank you all for the love you shared and for bringing joy and smiles to our faces and hearts.I would also like to thank those who were behind the scenes. These include the fantastic Isbell custodial team of Gilbert Zamora and Margarita Pineda. Days before and all day Saturday, they worked to clean the gym and stage, organize and dust trophies, arrange seating, set up tables, etc. They were marvelous! A special thanks also goes to the SPESD cafeteria staffs who, on a day’s notice, baked all of the cookies (donated by Bob Reynoso/Pacific Fundraisers) and displayed them beautifully on platters. We are so fortunate to have such a marvelous team of men and women! We definitely appreciate Desmond Warren/DSR Audio who set up and ran the speaker system and made sure all the participants were heard.A huge thank you is given to the parent groups of the SPESD and to Santa Paula businesses for donating funds, refreshments and services in order to make this occasion a success. The Friends of McKevett, the Bedell Parent Faculty Club and the Isbell Parent Teacher Student Organization donated funds, which were used to purchase tablecloths, coffee and supplies, punch, flowers, etc. Thanks also to Ms. Frida Friend, Director of Student Services, who donated supplies for the reception as well, and to Vons of Santa Paula, which continues to support this community as they graciously donated some of the refreshments. The Santa Paula Times was very instrumental in getting the word out to our community about this event through publishing the Invitation Flyer in their newspaper. They even sent the ever-wonderful Brian Wilson to photograph and cover the event.There are so many people who came together to make this a day to remember. They included: Anita Gonzales and Val Lagesse who helped organize the event, set-up, and serve at the reception, and clean-up after the party was over; Donna Nelson and student Evelyn Almaraz who greeted each person as they arrived and handed out programs; parents (whose children blossomed under Mr. Lingo’s care), Laurie Saldino, Maria Mayes, Anne McInerney, along with Irma Gomez, who assisted in all aspects at the reception; Bedell’s Principal, Mrs. Lori Sanchez, who shopped for supplies and also served punch, and Dave Lagesse, Sr. and my husband, Dan Misenhimer, who supported the event by setting up tables, hauling in all of the heavy items, covering tables, hanging up donation sheets, cleaning up after the event and giving the rest of us all the support needed to get the job done. If I have mistakenly forgotten to mention anyone who helped with this event, please forgive my omission. You are all appreciated and thanked.I would be terribly remiss if I did not give a special thanks to Marisela Hernandez for all of her help. When I was frazzled, she was right there to pick up the pieces. The day before the celebration, she took her own time to help redesign the program, printed it, took them home and, with the help of Irma Gomez, folded all 500 copies.I feel very blessed to have been involved with this celebration. Watching our community come to life with such compassion and caring for a marvelous man, colleague and friend has warmed my soul. As I look up I say, “Thank you, Lou Lingo, for all of your contributions to the children and to the citizens Santa Paula”. As I look out to the community I say, “Thank you, Santa Paula, for keeping the memory of this great man in you hearts.” Let us all try to be a little more like “The Music Man of Santa Paula”.Thanks again,Sheryl MisenhimerPrincipal, McKevett SchoolSupport Santa Paula HospitalTo the Editor:It’s good to see Santa Paula Hospital open again. (You should know that, when you are discharged, that’s how the doctor’s instructions are printed, as Santa Paula Hospital, not Ventura County Medical Center, which somehow makes it feel a little more like days of old.) It’s nice to see it spruced up inside and out, with cars in the parking lot, and people around. Good to know a hospital is nearby when you need it.And our family has definitely needed it in the past six months, so my appreciation really goes out to the dedicated folks who went to a lot of effort to get a hospital back in town. I’m happy to say that our experiences have been consistently positive, no matter if it was ER visits, labs or x-rays. The medical professionals are friendly and knowledgeable, things seem to run efficiently, and the place is so clean you could eat off the floor.With the rigidity of an HMO, I personally can’t always use the hospital, and have to go with whomever my insurance company has a contract with, but sometimes all it takes is to ask the question, “Can I have this done at Santa Paula Hospital?” I did that recently, regarding an outpatient procedure, and the surgeon’s answer was, “Yes.”In my opinion, using Santa Paula Hospital is just like everything else you can do to help Santa Paula. I try to think of how a town begins, how Santa Paula grew all those years ago, with new stores and businesses, churches and schools; doctors, lawyers and law enforcement; service clubs and organizations; water and power; a city hall, library, banks, hotels and a hospital. Even a cemetery and, yes, a sewage plant (although I don’t miss the old Dump with its burning embers and smoke!).Continuing to support the things that helped build our town is what makes it thrive. In my view, you can’t get complacent about it. It’s like what they keep telling us about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, that the best thing we can do to help is to go there and spend money so that their businesses, big and small, can stay alive to prop up the city during its hard times. Their wonderful restaurants and tourist attractions can’t pay city tax and license fees if nobody buys a meal or takes a tour of the river on a paddle wheeler. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a city can’t run on no money. It needs an income just like you and I do.So, back here in Santa Paula, depending on circumstance and within reason, I agree we should also try hard to spend some money right here in the town we live in every day. Make a conscious effort; do what you can. Try to shop here, bank here, gas up the cars here. Buy this hometown newspaper, eat at the restaurants, maybe go to a movie. Get established with any one of our good doctors and, again, consider Santa Paula Hospital when medical needs arise.Vicki EntrekinSanta PaulaSanta Paula Taxpayer Alert!To the Editor:The first bill from Adams Canyon’s Pinnacle gang is coming. This is their initial $65,000.00 tap to our city budget. A Special Election cleverly put to us taxpayers. (Most of us would rather see a few potholes filled, or hire an additional fireman with those hard to come by moneys.) But…
