To the Editor:
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Santa Paula Lodge 314, humbly wishes to thank the community of Santa Paula for their support and participation in our 8th Annual Christmas Train Display. The event was held in December in the lodge room of the Clock Tower building in historic downtown Santa Paula. Even though the display was open 1 week less than last year we had an increase in attendance of @ 50% to well over 1,700 guests. Donations collected will go a long way to keep the building in a condition making it worthy of being an iconic symbol for Santa Paula. All the Odd Fellows worked very hard to make this years event the best ever. The coverage of the event by the Santa Paula Times was very much appreciated and crucial to our success, thank you Debbie and Don Johnson, Peggy Kelly and the SP Times family. There were also several members of the community who donated train display related items to the Odd Fellows. The items, ranging from porcelain buildings, scale trees and actual trains will be put to good use in our continuing events. We are already hard at work into the planning of our next display. It will be quite different and will be stunning! We are very honored for the support we received from the Macik family and Santa Paula Chevrolet as well as that of Hans Kahl of Gold Coast Station in Ventura. We were able to host several private showings and are grateful to those that attended. Anyone interested in becoming an Odd Fellow (and working on the trains!) can contact me at sp.oddfellows@gmail.com. The Odd Fellows wish to continue to be a vital part of Santa Paula’s future, as we have been since 1886, and would love to have more of you join us.
In FLT,
Santa Paula
Roger Boles
To the Editor:
I recently read in the Santa Paula Times that the trustees of the SPUSD might consider naming the swimming pool at Santa Paula High School after Roger Boles.
Roger Boles graduated from Santa Paula High School with the Class of 1934. He earned many achievements in academics and athletics and was elected student body president. He was a combat pilot during World War II, earning the Navy Cross and twice earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1944 he was killed in a airplane crash. Prior to his death he wrote to friends at home stating that he would like to see the high school construct a swimming pool. His outstanding contributions to country and community would be honored if the pool was dedicated in his name.
Santa Paula High School has a rich history. Some who have contributed to that history are honored by having a facility named in their honor or recognized in some other manner. Those alumni who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the wars of the 20th Century have their names listed on plaques at the head of the stairs leading to the main office of the school. Across the way, at the entrance to the auditorium , is a plaque bearing the name of Freeman Eakin, principal of Santa Paula High School from 1927 until his death in 1951. Also on the plaque is a line from one of his favorite theater productions, Our Town. The football field bears the name Jones Field. Frank Jones was also a longtime principal of the high school (1913-1927). He was principal when football was introduced to Santa Paula High School in 1924. Darrel McMahan Gym is named after a longtime football coach, principal and World War II combat veteran who earned the Distinguished Service Cross. Randall A. Bryden was a nationally renowned gymnast and taught business classes at Santa Paula High School. He was also the gymnastics coach at the high school when his teams won several C.I.F. championships in the gym that bears his name. The tennis courts at the high school are dedicated to a couple, Dave and Juliet Dike, who worked tirelessly for many years as coaches and instructors to the youth and adults of Santa Paula. Jim Colborn was an outstanding athlete, scholar, and student body president while enrolled at Santa Paula High School. He went on to become an all-star pitcher in the major leagues and eventually a major league coach. He is still giving back to his community.
Since Santa Paula High School was established in the 1890s it has produced many graduates who have distinguished themselves and employed many staff who have had distinguished careers. By naming facilities, programs, scholarships, etc. after individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their community is a reminder to present day students that they are part of a rich tradition and, hopefully, they will pick up the torch and carry it to new heights.
Joe Jauregui
On Herding Cats and Power Plants
Let’s give Council members Jenny Crosswhite and Ginger Gherardi gold stars for their article on the Spay/Neuter/License Ordinance which councilmen Hernandez, Proctor, and Tovias adopted January 19.
Responsible owners spay and neuter their pets and should be encouraged, but let’s consider costs of this ordinance to both the city and pet owners. And let’s consider more important matters before licensing cats. The ladies must have been smiling when they asked, “Where will you attach the license?”
Someone will have to pay for all this; have the councilmen noticed our need for street repair? And, as these three embark on licensing cats, let’s remind them that they have ignored several speakers and a letter from a former APCD Director warning of severe harm to health and to the image of our city as a good place to live. This regards the proposed power plant just downwind of Santa Paula which is currently under consideration by the Public Utilities Commission. Over an expected 50 year (renewable) life span, it would bring more millions to Limoneira but would employ only 17 persons. No one wants to offend this corporation, but it is the duty of elected council members to protect our health, city image, and property values.
There is not another city in Ventura County, or perhaps the entire state, whose elected representatives would remain silent. Oxnard has spent a half century trying to rid themselves of such plants. Edison and its partner NEG are again demonstrating the quality of their citizenship by threatening to just walk away and leave their obsolete hulks to rust away on our coast. The councilmen would license cats, but are too timid to challenge Edison and this corporation. Their silence may lead the PUC to dump it on us.
Phil White, a highly respected engineer and former Director of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, wrote in the Ventura Star on December 8 that this project should be stopped in it’s tracks. He writes: “These plants would be major new sources of oxides of nitrogen and particulates and would exacerbate Ventura County’s existing air pollution problem….The county’s air continues to exceed state and federal air-quality standards for ozone and particulates….This means that our air is unhealthy, especially for children and older people. We need reductions in emissions, not increases….Edison would love to kill the solar and wind industries and just keep building more fossil-fuel power plants. Let’s say no to Edison. Let’s say yes to cleaner air and reduced climate change.”
And our Council remains mum. But let’s wish them well and hope they will remember their duty. And while that may seem more difficult than herding cats, they need to shelve this ordinance and deal with the real threat.
Delton Lee Johnson
Santa Paula
