Carmen GuerreroA Santa Paula ChicanaReal fairnessTo the Editor: Most readers will recall how Latino Town Hall and other supporters of the Cabrillo developer have called for “fairness” --- fair housing, fair employment, fair elections, fair representation on the city council, etc. Fairness is good. No city will ever attain perfection but we have come a long way.Balance and quality are essential elements of real fairness. It is utterly unfair to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, to continue demanding more and more low-end housing in Santa Paula when our city is already far out of balance with other cities in the county. Every additional low-end unit makes our city into an ever more powerful magnet attracting additional low/no-income persons from throughout California, the nation, and beyond. Residents of low-income housing generally pay no property taxes while these units generate a high demand for police and other services. Taxes to support these residents must be paid by other citizens. Rather than adding additional low-end units, we need to enforce existing codes and improve what is now in existence.The Cabrillo development corporation is run by highly intelligent people who know this. The time has come for them to cease talk of being a “non-profit” and admit to being the successful entrepreneurs that they in fact are. Other cities need what Cabrillo builds, but Santa Paula needs absolutely no more of it. If Plaza Amistad is as good as they claim, you can bet that other cities will welcome it. Let’s share. SPHS teacher Eddie Arguelles recently told our city council that, if we are ever to attain excellence in our schools, it is essential to work toward a balanced community. He cited Moorpark as an example, and pointed out that only a decade ago that city was similar to Santa Paula today. Moorpark has demanded quality and balance with other cities in the county, and their students have already achieved national recognition. Will we go the way of Moorpark toward a balanced community, or will we be satisfied with always being the dumping ground for everything that other communities do not want? Which course of action will be more “fair” to our children? The answer is obvious.Regardless of ethnicity, most voters want the same things --- quality, balance, economic opportunity, a good environment, and common sense. Hispanic voters were a majority in the important decisions on Fagan Canyon, Adams Canyon, and East Area One. Our city council is currently comprised of four Hispanics and one Anglo. Only one lone member still beats the racial drums. The others just think of themselves as Santa Paulans working in the interest of everyone. We face an important election, but we are on the right course and working together. We have every reason for pride in our city and in America. Delton Lee JohnsonSanta PaulaFactsTo the Editor:Some true facts about Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. you may not know.We, in Santa Paula, have been given a real sales job over the many years by Cabrillo and some behind the scenes machinations that are not widely known. The information below has been obtained from a number of dependable, reliable sources, members of the Latino community. It appears that Cabrillo’s prime motivation is based upon the same factors that “for profit” businesses operate, growing the enterprise and increasing gross receipts. Cabrillo talks very convincingly about providing low cost, tax exempt, “affordable housing” in Santa Paula just as long as we, the taxpayers and the State of California, continue paying for their building projects. The city of Santa Paula has not always made the smartest economic moves. For example, in 2006 our city management, city attorney and city council gave Cabrillo Economic Development Co. $400,000 without specific conditions regarding how it was to be spent. Plain and simple, our Council was sandbagged. To date, Cabrillo have done nothing to deserve such “generosity”. The city council has requested that the $400,000 be returned. Cabrillo says that they have already spent the money. We think that the city deserves a full accounting on how and where our $400,000 went.Information has come to our attention that Cabrillo puts on Bar-B-Ques for those who will show up at city council meetings supporting Cabrillo, supplies them with pre-written scripts to read, many times in Spanish, and tells their people not to speak English, “dress down”, bring as many children as they can, and request an interpreter, even if he/she can speak English. While none of the above are illegal, such tactics are misleading, and one could argue not up to the standards we might expect from a non-profit organization.Cabrillo could begin by returning the $400,000, that’s obvious. So far they have not shown where the money went or why it cannot be returned, which seems very odd.David KaiserSanta PaulaRe: Ya Basta!To the Editor:Generally, people of Mexican descent refer to themselves by names – Mexicano, Mexican American, and Chicano (to just name three). Self-identification speaks volumes about regional, generational, and even political orientations. The term Mexicano typically refers to immigrants or Mexican born, with Mexican American signifying U.S. birth. Latino emphasizes a common bond with all people of Latin American origin. Even racial location can be discerned by whether one favors an Iberian connection (Hispanic) or indigenous past (Mestiza or Xicana). Chicano reflects a political consciousness borne of the Chicano Movement, often a generational marker for those coming of age during the 1960s and 1970s (From “Out Of The Shadows,” Vicki L. Ruiz). The Chicano Movement is alive and well, as proven by the high numbers of participation and organizing protests against prop 187, 209, and anti HR4437 – the largest march in United States history. The term Chicana/o has also been embraced by our elders and children who share in the cultural or political ideals of the movement. I hope this sheds light on those of you who might be confused about these terms. Understanding each other culturally is key to having a great community, and I’m proud to be from such a great community. Keep moving forward.A proud 3rd generation Chicana from Santa PaulaMaria MendezSanta PaulaNot smartTo the Editor:Going to college does not make someone smart. Nor does it teach personality, sense of humor, nor common sense. Not even. That part is up to every individual, bar none. Have you noticed this as you listen to the Democrat(“ists”). I’m not saying all of them, but especially when they run for office.Hillary and Obambi who yell, rant, insult and tell such untruths at times. Especially, as many, two huge lies such as Hillary’s ducking from the bombing in Europe. And the real big “stupid” lie when Obambi said “to air up your tires to save gas.” How dumb or uninformed could one be? It is not only a very dangerous untruth he stated, but it will wear out your tires, make control dangerous and waste gas, a lot of it. Underinflation is also dangerous, and causes very fast wear. The tire man is the authority on this “PSI stuff.” Tire manufacturers spend endless time researching the best aging and safety for your vehicle tire. They don’t give 70,000 plus miles without much engineering. Stay tuned to your TV for more of their goof-ups and baloney. Snubbing our injured troops nor wearing the stars and stripe pins tells much also.Ken ZimmetSanta PaulaRe: “Ya Basta”by Bill GlennTo the Editor:I was just getting ready to hang up and put my beret away, when I came across last week’s news on Sunday while chowing down some great Menudo. When I came upon the Letters to the Editor article “Ya Basta”. Well, I was in a unique quagmire as I didn’t know just how to react without choking myself on my Menudo. I heard the old chants running louder and louder through my head “Chicano, Power!” “Viva Mi Raza (People) Linda!” and now while writing this response it rekindled chispas (sparks), thanks Bill, for there is another reason to dust off that old polvo (dust) from my classics (oldies) albums from El Chicano’s Best Hits, Malo, Richie Valens, and of course, Carlos Santana.Chicano History 101:First, Chicano history is prevalent in understanding housing issues because we seek to survive after the displacement of our homes and the squatting of our lands by the European colonizer as well as the past history of enslavement and exploitation within the first 450 years of the colonization process. Any proactive form of Atonement, Restitution, Reparation, or Amends that gives back in part for all that was taken from the original people (Mexicans) is a positive effort to restore balance. The Housing Development for low-income families is a humanitarian effort that is needed to stabilize our society one community at a time. The By-products of Colonization is Crimes, Prisons, Alcoholism, Illnesses, and the Degeneration of stability in the Individual and Family. To recognize that the way we live is unnatural and adds stress due to astronomical cost of rent or mortgage payments is a clear awareness that housing is an important issue and those who work at that provide a great service for the people and society. The City of Santa Paula is historically and presently the poorest city in the county and lacks far behind meeting the state’s quota of affordable housing units for its poor families. There are an estimated 160 + high school students that find themselves homeless and the homeless statistics are staggering and only getting worse for Santa Paula where more than 100 per month, along with Oxnard, families are finding themselves foreclosing their homes, or one step away from being homeless.Secondly, I had not felt this way since those glory years of El Movimiento of the 60’s and into the 70’s which brought me and countless of hundred of thousands into the streets of cities and small towns such as Santa Paula, of the great southwest also known to us as Aztlan, and by Aztlan, also not to be confused with anything associated with what these so-called “Minutemen” and all their cohorts are accusing our people of the “Aztlan conspiracy” of regaining our ancestral homeland’s from the European colonizer’s across this hemisphere. But I really understand the European-Americans fear of terrorism, we too have been fighting against terrorism since 1492, we know it all too well. It is nothing more than a factual and historical reference of our rightful place as to where we once lived in the southwest during our migration cycles in our ancient past while heading southwards to place of our center of our Mexika (People from the Earth) Nation, later to be known as Mexico and it’s citizenry as a “people” or “race” as Mexicans, get the connection? As for “Xikano”, or Chicano (is a name that came from our People and not in the usual form from the European Conquistadores & Pilgrims), one who acknowledges and embraces her or his indigenous heritage, lineage and practices it ancestral customs, traditions, ceremonies, and is a servant of the People). Hispanic? Ah who’s panic, we are no one’s panic, scapegoating our peoples is so, 20th century. Nixon was the first entity to label our Peoples of this land and across as “Her and His-panics”.Thirdly; Forgive - but never forget: By the turn of the century Anglos in Santa Paula, as elsewhere in California, were rationalizing segregation of Mexicans in a variety of social settings, including churches. They argued that Mexicans were “inferior” and “immoral” to justify their segregation and exclusion. These racist views even allowed Anglos to justify violence against Mexicans. The Ku Klux Klan was not a phenomenon of the South and that its hatred was not directed only at African Americans. Racism in this community was so pervasive by the 1920’s. Although KKK activity was criticized by some individuals, there is overwhelming evidence indicating that the majority of the Anglo Americans in Santa Paula approved of the Klan’s visible and public KKK activities in the community which finally ended in the mid-1930’s when the citrus growers, who controlled the community politically, realized that KKK activities were frightening their workers and decided to launch a political attack against the KKK. I still have a picture of one of those outdoor rallies behind the hills of Steckel Park which shows many as a hundred or so gathered in their white bed sheets at night with their 20 foot burning cross. So, the KKK/Minutemen is alive and well in Santa Paula, thank you for that reminder that the struggle against racism, scapegoating, dehumanizing, and xenophobia in this country is yet to be strongly dissolved against in the 21st millennium for the sake of everyone’s children safety and well-being. Yes, not again y Ya Basta!In closing, its good to be able to discuss these topics of post modern issues rooted to colonization, inequalities, solutions for reparations, and the pursuit of dignity for humanity in this land that has its roots of ancient advanced civilizations that go back 10-12 thousand years, where Mexicans are a part of that living history and in our local dialog of housing and the poor or disenfranchised they are still part of that. If anyone wishes to talk about whatever issues or concerns that our European-Americans have we can talk and understand ourselves or perspectives through dialog. If anyone asks me what my definition of American is, it would simply be, any citizen from Alaska to the most southern tip of Chile, we are all Americans citizens. Native Americans would remind everyone that before the European pilgrims called them Navajo, Apache, Shoshone, Eskimo, Cheyenne, Sioux et al. that their peoples true names are simply “The People” not race, not population, ethnic group, but as a “people.” As direct decedents of the Aztecs and Mexicas and many other indigenous nations within the confederation of Anahuak, “Land surrounded by water on four sides,” an indigenous geographical description of the land, also known as the USA. I hope that as we watch our daily dose of Olympics, that we could be behind all those that represent USA in Beijing these weeks, for we have there our Chicano brothers and sisters that side by side with many other their fellow Americans of all cultures in the Olympics representing our great country of USA, as one. As my brother Rodney King once said and I here echo out his plea, “Can we all get along?”Daniel Zapata Huerta,Xikano-Xiximeka(The Red People)Santa, Califas, Aztlan -Con Safos.Santa Paula“Pushcart ProblemTo the Editor:In regards to a “Pushcart Problem”? I see these people as braving our streets, doing a job that saves us all on wasting expensive gas running to the store and creating less pollution from a leg powered cart vs combustion engine. An honorable endeavor to raise needed funds to live. At least they live without having to tap into the welfare system, further jeopardizing our fragile economy .There is a Mexican saying, “No Mexican is without a job, there are always clever ways and means to get food on the table” - even it means to bring food & snacks to your curb. If one does not work, s/he has chosen that way of life.” These folks are out there in all weather seven days a week, most on foot and some even on modified bicycle-scooters.These people provide a service that is economically convenient instead of driving all the way for ice cream or snacks across town. It is all provided by these young men by coming instead to your curb side. What a convenience for everyone here in Santa Paula and our Mother Earth with the climate change ozone depletion. Their work leaves no carbon prints on our streets and neighborhoods, just prints from there humble huaraches, tennis shoes that protect our fragile and sensitive environment.In closing, if these folks were Polish or Austrian would anyone have a problem with them selling anything ? Of course not. Lets appreciate the effort to get us a cold ice cream on those hot days now that the gas is so expensive. Lets appreciate that these folks still show us to do whatever it takes to survive.Ocelotl JuarezSanta Paula Resident
Letters to the Editor
August 15, 2008
Opinion
Pushcarts welcome
To the Editor:I welcome the pushcart vendors. I love the sound of the bells signaling their approach. I love seeing the children running towards the carts and seeing their smiles. I get so much joy from this. It takes me back to my childhood when I heard the Helms Bakery truck approaching. I would run and ask my mom for a donut and she would say, “get two”. The smile on my face is what I now see in these children. I love the taste of the corn on the cob dripping with butter and I have never been sick from eating anything from a pushcart nor has anyone that I know – contrary to some established restaurants in town where I have heard from friends who have gotten sick. The pushcarts add to the friendly character of our town and are an asset to Santa Paula.Xavier MontesSanta PaulaThe joy of pushcartsTo the Editor:One of the things I love about Santa Paula is its quaintness. It was a major factor in my decision to move here almost four years ago. I love Main Street and I love seeing families of all ages walking, talking, and shopping. As I drive through town, I love that our parks are being used. Sunday mornings are the greatest as I see Mill Park with dozens of families setting up for various gatherings, and the voices of children running and playing and others just simply enjoying the day. During the week, I enjoy seeing our retired gentlemen enjoying themselves in the park. I love that in Santa Paula our parks are being used, and not just patches of green grass that are left alone.Among my greatest enjoyments are the pushcarts. The cold treats are delicious and the corn-on-the-cob, well there is nothing like them. My only regret is that they do not come up to my neighborhood. I fail to understand the negativity towards this entrepreneurial activity. Isn’t entrepreneurialism one of the things that this country was built on? I find it interesting that many of those things, such as the pushcarts, that bring the greatest enjoyment to the majority of the residents of this town seem to be a source of irritation to some. We have so many issues to work on in Santa Paula, it is a shame that pushcarts have become a target, when what they are is an asset to the ambiance in Santa Paula.On a lighter note, the letter writer who wrote about the pushcarts also mentioned another topic in the same letter. She said that she has had problems with “people living in garages and in custom built neighborhoods.” It seems she has complained to the City, but nothing is being done about people living “in custom built neighborhoods”. It is refreshing to note that people living in the more affluent areas of Santa Paula are also targets. LOL! Carmen GuerreroSanta PaulaChicano prideTo the Editor:Regarding the recent letter about “Chicanismo”: It is not Santa Paula that is in a time warp but the letter writer who is in a time warp. This letter writer “blathers” on and on about “Chicanismo” without having any concept of what he is writing about. This is not the 1960s but the 2000s and I thought (mistakenly I guess) we were beyond such prejudice. Thankfully, because of the work of Dr. Rudy Acuña, Ph.D professor of CHICANO STUDIES at California State University, Northridge among many other researchers, Chicanismo and its legacy is alive and well. It is definitely NOT on any “dusty shelf”. The torch is lit and flaming and for me is my driving force. You can see Chicanismo in my art and you can hear it in my music. I am grateful for the opportunity this letter writer has given me to remind all of you, in case you mistakenly think as he does, that Chicanismo IS alive and well in this country and “yes” in Santa Paula too! Just a few weeks ago at the Glen Tavern during the HomeBoys Reunion, several hundred people attended and all cheered, clapped and sang along to the song “Soy Chicano” translated “I am Chicano.”My circle of friends, that is quite extensive, continues to use the proud term of Chicano. It demonstrates pride in who we are: proud descendants of Mexican parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and beyond.Many non-Latinos know exactly what I am talking about when I say I am a Chicano. For example, I am often asked what kind of art do I paint. My response is “Chicano art” and they understand perfectly what I am talking about. Among the many things I learned at Moorpark College and later at the University of California, Santa Barbara (where I received my BA) when I took Chicano Studies courses was the obligation we Chicanos have to support and defend those less fortunate and to give back to our communities. That means we advocate for those less fortunate than us. We work toward a better community than the one we lived in and where we continue to live in. Regarding the letter writer’s allegation that the terms Chicano, Latino and Hispanic are becoming meaningless, perhaps this is so to a non-Latino who is uninformed about such matters. The term Chicano was derived from the word the indigenous Nahuatl people in Mexico used to refer to themselves, and then in the 60s came to be adopted by descendants of Mexicans to identify themselves. The Chicano movement that followed came to exemplify the need to work towards positive community and societal changes, to break down barriers and misperceptions. The terms Latino and Hispanic are simply inclusive terms to mean persons with Spanish surnames hailing from any of the Latin American countries. When I approach a person and ask, “Are you Chicano” and the answer is “No, I am from Guatemala (or El Salvador, etc.)” it is understood that Chicano is deemed to be someone of Mexican descent. But to many non-Latinos who encounter a brown face, the automatic assumption is they are Mexican. This is often insulting to proud Guatemalans, or Salvadorenos, or Columbians. The terms Latino and Hispanic continue to be proudly used by many regardless of their countries of origin or descent because these terms are inclusive.With regard to “angry whiners … who have drawn the line” I say to the letter writer, YOU are the whiner, and YOU have drawn the line. I am living the life I learned was my responsibility in my studies at UCSB. I am working to help make my community a better place. Among the many issues is adequate and affordable housing for everyone. This is not whining, this is a responsibility I have as a resident of this town to help others less fortunate. I see a need that needs addressing. The letter writer is angry and bitter, it is obvious. Why? Is he afraid of us? Is he afraid of giving people a voice when they appear before Council? There are many ways of publicly supporting the need for adequate housing, appearing before Council is one way. I do my advocating on a person-to-person basis, in the community, during my daily walk, my everyday business. I must tell the letter writer who mischaracterizes those who do come before Council as “probrecitos” that these are real people, with real feelings and desires to live in a clean, safe place. They appear before Council because they expect the Council to help them by bringing affordable housing to Santa Paula, because after all, doesn’t the Council represent all residents, voters or not, rich or poor, farm workers or professional? In my work at Blanchard Library, in the schools, at local colleges, I am around young people, students of all ages. One common word I hear them use is “hater”. It appears in their music and in their everyday expression. I hear these young people telling their peers “Don’t be a hater”. So, I am asking the letter writer, “Don’t be a hater.”Sometimes it takes an angry, misguided, uneducated letter writer to move me to write to the Times. In this regard I thank the letter writer and again tell him “Don’t be a hater.”Xavier MontesA Proud Santa Paula Chicano Good newsTo the Editor:Fellow Santa Paulans! GOOD NEWS is always welcome! According to the Santa Paula Times, August 6, the Judge in Ventura is leaning towards upholding the City Council’s denial of the Plaza Amistad project as promoted by Cabrillo.Does this mean that the City can now call upon city attorney Carl Berger to begin recovery of the $400,000 in RDA trust fund, tax dollars, that were prematurely turned over CEDC in 2006 by the city? I know that the City Council has already asked for the money back from Cabrillo, but it seems like they are stone-walling the city’s reasonable and well founded request.Shouldn’t we be asking: Where are these funds? To whom were they paid and for what? Why can’t they be returned, regardless of who now has the money?David KaiserSanta PaulaWake up, Santa PaulaTo the Editor:Last July 28, 2008 for the 3rd time in 17 years I attended the City Council meeting. Many spoke about the affordable housing moratorium. Those against the move claimed it’s racial and against the poor; it’s economics that will benefit everyone regardless of race, origin and economic status according to the proponents. The moratorium is not against low-income housing but a balance between affordable box (as described) type and high-end housing. Vice-Mayor Fernandez stated that what he envisions is a place with a yard where parents can play with their children outdoors and not within the confines of four walls. Clearly it was an issue of semantics.Majority of the speakers were pro moratorium and each one of them have good points and ideas. After listening to all the speakers, I said to myself I learned something tonight, least that I know there’s something else more important that I learned but did not realize immediately – getting involved even if I am just a resident alien. I thought I could start by writing to the SP Times and point out what strikes me most during the meeting. Here’s Mr. Andrew F. Castaneda’s vision and comments:“Many citizens and I share the common belief that in order to improve the standards within our community we must have ability, resources, determination and cooperation to achieve those goals. Sadly, our current resources are very limited due to a very small tax base. With some positive changes coming into realization and slowly but surely a growing tax base, soon we will be able to afford:A police force with sufficient manpower and equipment to adequately enforce our laws and ensure peace and tranquility throughout our neighborhoods.A well maintained fire and safety department.Maintained paved streets and well lit streets and walkways where we can walk and enjoy the perfect weather and clean air.Well-maintained parks and recreation areas where families and friends would gather and spend the weekends.A beautified downtown area where residents and visitors alike would love to eat and shop.I am not against low-income housing; I am not against immigration and certainly not against the poor. I simply want to change the course the prior City Council was heading and improve life for everyone.For a long time, our economic situation has remained anemic and stagnant and will remain as such if we continue to shun positive change. Our tax base is not generating enough revenue to support all the necessary programs much less improve them. There must be balance between low-income and high-end housing. We must have the courage to admit that Santa Paula for a long while has been the dumping place for Dollar and 99cents stores. We do not get enough respect! Remember when the County Jail which I heard lately would be expanded and the Toland landfill were forced into the city’s throat? Remember when the jail used to be in Ventura and the original plan for the landfill was in Ojai? I hope the Youth Correctional Facilities being rejected by the elite of Camarillo will not end up in our backyard too!We cannot stay apathetic with what’s going on. We must be united; we must change course; we must increase our tax base, and we must do them now!”Wake up Santa Paula; the siesta is too long and it’s over!Mr. Castaneda hits the nail by the head! For a very long time I remained timid and indifferent and he woke me up.Rodolfo N. VelascoSanta PaulaMore prideTo the Editor:A letter printed in the August 8th edition of the Times, regarding the term Chicano demands a response. In today’s environment, with the world’s resources at our fingertips (on the Internet) letter writers who do not bother to educate themselves before putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, well they amaze me.The recent letter about the term Chicano having “faded for lack of useful definition” is appalling in its outdated prejudicial rhetoric. The writer’s statement that the terms Latino and Hispanic are “becoming meaningless as well” begs the question “Has the writer ever read a book, opened a newspaper or educated himself on any level?”I am appalled that the writer is not aware of current curriculum and programs of study in our local colleges. Both Ventura and Oxnard Colleges have active and popular majors in Chicano Studies, as do UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara in case the writer is unfamiliar with the abbreviation), CSUN (California State University, Northridge where the eminent Dr. Rudy Acuña is a professor), CSUCI (California State University, Channel Islands), UCLA and many more. Collectively, these colleges and universities graduate thousands of students each year who major in Chicano Studies.One of the many learning objectives of Chicano Studies majors is to instill the value of working towards the betterment of our communities. Today we call this “service learning” where our young students are asked to volunteer in the community for credit towards their diplomas. Chicano Studies goes further than that. Students are directed to make this a life-long responsibility. Many of us have taken this to heart because we care about our communities and we care about those less fortunate.The writer equates advocating for affordable housing for our residents as “racial grumbling”. If it is “racial” it may be because the antagonist writer says it is and he knows something we don’t. Maybe he is the “diehard” using old and tired expressions of the 60s and 70s. I had hoped that our society had progressed beyond the rantings of those who were fearful of giving the masses a voice. It appears that this fear is alive and well and should be addressed. I invite the writer and any others who may be equally misguided to enroll in a Chicano Studies course at either Oxnard or Ventura College. He will be surprised at what he will gain. It will change his life for the better.
