Letters to the Editor

A note of thanks about the SP To the Editor:Our family is very proud to share the community spirit and once again happy to see that the Limoneira Company and Associates Insectary have cleared and re-sprayed the city logo on our property.A slight correction to Peggy’s article will give credit to some of the Santa Paula High School graduates who in the past convinced their civic organizations to clear the brush occasionally. In the 1970s, it was the 20/30 Club or Jr. Chamber, the name escapes me, but they even attempted to install plastic roofing material or something of the sort. That didn’t last long but the effort was made.In the early 1990s my son Gus Gunderson, his wife Helen, and our friend Dave Camp spent nearly a whole day clearing off the overgrowth just in time for the SPUHS Alumni Dinner.To prepare for the Centennial Celebration in 2002, John Procter, Bill Glenn, Chris Wilson and Mike Binsley put together a group to go up to survey the situation, and found that they needed help. They were able to convince the Limoneira Company to volunteer a crew of men that for the clearing and Associates Insectary donated their crew and materials to make it shine again.For those who know me, it won’t be any surprise that at this time I want to go into a little history about the property.The original owner, who homesteaded from the U.S. Government, was a dear little man by the name of Joshua Stockton. He owned the 1/4 section for many years, but because he just wanted to have a place to build a little cabin for seclusion, he allowed my father Norman S. Richardson to maintain the fences and extend the grazing area for our beef cattle (White Faced Herefords, but that is another letter to the Editor). When Mr. Stockton passed away in the mid 1940s, my father bought the property from his heirs. Mr. Stockton was the land owner when the SP was originally cleared (that’s always been a mystery to me how they got the letters straight - they had no cell phones, no GPS - It must have taken many trips up there to get it to look right).Things went well for many years, and most of the adult males in Santa Paula can tell you of the annual Freshman/Sophomore ‘Tie Up’ on the Football Field and the ordeal they suffered when the losing class had to go up and do the clearing each year. Then in the late 40s, the teachers who were supervising the group drove down the hill, leaving the boys to hike down alone. The temptation was just too great, and they stampeded a group of cattle down the hill and over a bluff which, needless to say, was the end of my father’s patience and it put an end to the annual trek up the hill.Enough history and on to the gratitude we want to express to Limoneira and Assoc. Insectary for their community spirit and to say that it is our pleasure, the Richardson, Robbins and Gunderson families, to allow this occasional cleaning of that portion of our land.Virginia R. GundersonSanta PaulaRemembering Phil RomneyTo the Editor:Phil Romney was one of the Founding Directors of the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula and remained a director of our organization until his recent death.In 1998, a group of us met with Phil in his office and discussed our plans and our dreams of an aviation museum and asked him, “How do we start?” Phil replied that, “We start right in this office and I will advise and handle the paperwork necessary for this endeavor.” Phil was very interested in the Santa Paula Airport and aviation, and started on the project immediately!This already busy attorney guided us through the process of incorporation and certification by the Internal Revenue Service and California State Franchise Tax Board as a non-profit organization. He was always available to the Museum Board, and attended every meeting that he could. His counseling and recommendations of legal and other matters were invaluable and no fee was ever charged!Aside from necessary Board of Directors business, Phil will be remembered personally as a gracious, caring person with a friendly personality who loved our airport and volunteered much of his time.Phil Romney will always be a precious memory and we are forever grateful that he was also our friend. Our condolences to his wife Michelle and his family.Bob Phelps, PresidentAviation Museum of Santa PaulaDivisive issueTo the EditorI am writing to express my opinions about the issues that seem to be dividing Santa Paula into two groups. I moved to Ventura from LA, using the equity in my home to get into Ventura. The homes in Ventura cost more due to the desirable climate and beautiful settings.The median price from the June 24 Star reflects that Los Angeles County is $503,450, while Ventura County is $667,130. The average for California is $522,590.In the council meeting of Monday, June 20, a number of people voiced their concerns. These individuals advised that citizens were told erroneous information, from threatening them to advising them that this would register them to vote if they signed the petition. There was also a discussion that the city could accept the petitions if the Council makes it an Ordinance.I volunteered to walk petitions door to door. I encouraged the citizens I meet to read the petition, before they decide if they would like to sign our petition. I found that a lot of people had not registered to vote. Myself and other volunteers began carrying voter registration forms to encourage the citizens to become involved with their community.When the community of Santa Paula voted on Measure I back in 2000, the number of homes was to be 450 and amended into the General Plan. The Ventura Star of June 22 states that the developers decided on the increase of home to 2,147 based on community members’ request for homes that Santa Paulans can afford. Why is the council even considering this request?Centex, the developer, states that the homes will provide affordable rentals to single family homes priced from $475,000 to $800,000. The lowest median income reported in the Ventura Star of June 19 in Santa Paula is $42,000, too low for even the lowest priced homes that are planned. It seems obvious to me that these single-family homes are not intended then for the population that needs the most help.Democracy is government by the people, to be able to voice your own opinion and descent from others’ opinions. 2,700 people signed the petition, which 2,230 are confirmed registered voters in Santa Paula. That number represents 24% or 1/4 of the registered voters in Santa Paula.Santa Paula is a beautiful place; let’s not destroy it. Santa Paula is in a unique position; we can choose developers that will allow a healthy ecosystem and growth together.Wendy BeamSanta PaulaBecause we careTo the Editor:In regards to Bill Glenn’s letter “Tilting at Windmills.” We CARE - Santa Paula is a political action committee made up of concerned citizens just like you and me. The difference is that we cared enough to actually do something about it. We have taken our precious time and money and tried to make Santa Paula a better place to live and raise a family. Any time you raise your head in the political arena, you become subject to attack, both rational and irrational. And we have received both.Are we human and subject to being caught up in the fervor of the conflict with one of the largest developers in this country? Of course. Have we made some mistakes along the way? You bet we have. Have there been misleading statements said about We CARE? Of course, there have been.Unfortunately, that’s part of our political process. I believe the benefits We CARE brought to the city of Santa Paula are many. Centex is beginning to listen to the concerned citizens. The City Council is beginning to question the Fagan Canyon Project. Changes are in the wind. This project is no longer a slam dunk deal. A better Fagan Canyon is now in process. Would all this have happened without We CARE? I doubt it.Next time you come home from work, sit down, put your feet up and flip on the TV, remember there are a few people here in town that care enough to go to meetings week after week; who are willing to walk our neighborhoods and talk to the their neighbors about a difficult subject; who are willing to ask difficult questions at City Council meetings; who are willing to take a stance openly; who are willing to stand in front of Vons day after day. We all have jobs and kids and families. We are as tired at the end of the day as you are. But we believe that this development is the biggest thing to affect Santa Paula ever, and we want to make sure that it’s done right.If done right, our city will benefit and so will all of its citizens. If done wrong, we all lose and Centex takes its profits and runs out of town. Are we perfect in all ways? I doubt it. Have we made mistakes? Of course we have. Do we love Santa Paula? With every breath we take. And we will continue to risk the slings and arrows of raising our heads in the political arena because WE CARE.Dan DollSanta PaulaWho is ONE Santa Paula? WE ARE!To the Editor:Many of your readers may have noticed us around town A LOT lately. Some saw our float at the Citrus Parade (we won a first place trophy!). Some chatted with our members at our booth at the Citrus Festival. Others have read our letters to the editor, have watched our presentations at the City Council meetings, or have read our advertisements and materials in support of the proposed Fagan Canyon development plan. Other readers stopped at our table displays at local shopping centers. Yes, we have been busy. Please allow me to tell you who we are and our purpose.