Values come to fore in gang issue

4-2
To the editor:
Your report, "Gang activity hits schools" will strike many in our community hard. Fear, paranoia and discussion in every social forum will surely follow. Outrage would appear to be at hand. Blame will be assigned far and wide. A general sense within the populace of our fair region will, most certainly, contend that "something has to be done."
Were it so simple. (And so much for those that describe their neighborhoods and/or our realms as a "paradise.)
In the end, the values that a society of any size holds dear come to the fore. In our case, uneducated sons and daughters of uneducated sons and daughters have formed gangs to assuage themselves of weird guilt and savage anger in our midst. Violence in our schools, ugly graffiti on our walls, and a growing presence of what we call "gangs" will surely follow this early report in your pages. (The "gangs" are really just the disenfranchised poor who make poor choices among the poor choices they're offered, but we prefer to give them their chosen name because it's so much easier, and our preferred law enforcement will remain based upon traffic control.) It remains to be seen whether Ojai will address this news appropriately, or will, instead, focus on bulb-outs and a fountain.

Jay Windsor
Ojai

Bulb-out free traffic solution

4-5
To the editor:
All too often the simple solution to community issues is lost in the belief that in modern-day society there are no simple solutions. One issue that has seemed to defy a solution for years, even though it daily is responsible for accidents, injury, increased anxiety and even death, is the four-lane, 1.2-mile section of road in front of Nordhoff High School and its relationship to the "Y" intersection.
The reason that this issue has continued to resist solution in the past has been the attempt to resolve each issue separately - traffic congestion, circulation, pedestrian and bicycle safety - as if each was a stand-alone issue with little connectivity or consequence to the other issues. An approach that views the big picture many times can help guide us to resourceful and cost-effective answers that will not create additional problems.
Clearly, the issues of the "Nordhoff Raceway" and the "LeMans Y" intersection are related and cannot be resolved separately. I am sure we all really enjoy the jockeying for position to see who will be the "biggest, fastest and most ill-mannered into the turn" at the "Y." Morning traffic to Ventura resembles the Indianapolis Raceway as rudeness reaches new heights, really; really important people slip to the right and "draft" you through the intersection to appear suddenly at your right door window with a "no yield" policy, as traffic approaches the choice of roadway or bicycle trail. In addition, access and use of this intersection by pedestrian and bicyclist alike should be avoided if we value life.
The Nordhoff Raceway
The four-lane, 1.2-mile segment of Maricopa Highway had been planned and built to provide additional traffic expansion from the development of the Besant and Cuyama meadows. However, the recent acquisition of these large tracts of land by the Land Conservancy has effectively removed them from possible development. Which leaves us with a short section of four-lane highway in the middle of nowhere that is connected by constrictions everywhere to two lanes. To use it in its current form only ensures additional death, injury and danger for all. Great opportunities exist for us to reduce traffic, increase traffic flow and provide a safe environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Slower Is Safer
We often talk of enhancing pedestrian safety and encouraging alternate modes of transportation other than the automobile, however, this will not happen unless we plan it to happen, more important, we have the opportunity to do both. The road is wide enough to provide not only a single lane of traffic (no more anxiety as we approach the "Y") each way, but also a median-separated bikeway, a bicycle lane that is completely safe from automobiles. The median could be wide enough to be planted to provide a screen, and would provide additional shade and safety to the existing pedestrian walkway and its users as that would no longer be shared with bikes.
In addition to slowing traffic, the risk to pedestrians would be greatly reduced as they will be crossing only one lane at a time rather than four, which many times prevents pedestrians from being seen by drivers whose view is being blocked by automobiles in multiple lanes. To enhance the pedestrian safety further, on-demand pedestrian crossing lights could be installed at the intersections of Church and Pirie roads.
Well, great idea, you say, but isn't that just going to cause more traffic congestion? It would, if we did not address the big picture.
Reducing Traffic
Many communities and school districts have adopted policies that only allow juniors and seniors the privilege to have a parking space and drive to school. Many districts require that driving students also maintain a certain grade point average. The adoption of such a policy would not only resolve specific site issues of traffic at the high school, but would also benefit local neighborhoods that have become bypasses for congested roads.
Improved transportation optins
The Ojai Trolley as an alternative source of transport already serves the high school. If we make walking and bicycling safe and provide connections to the Ojai Valley Trail at the "Y" and to Meiners Oaks we can provide additional choices for transport. Imagine, if you will, a single lane of traffic exiting the "Y," not on two wheels, but with reasonable speed, proceeding down a single-lane, tree-lined highway, flanked on both sides by a spacious bicycle trail and separate pedestrian walkway, students going to Nordhoff one way and to Matilija the other.
A win-win for all of us - reduced traffic congestion, improved traffic flow, less accidents, and safety for pedestrians and bicycles - and let us not forget the communitywide benefits of better grades, healthy students, cleaner air and less anxiety for parents.
Best of all, we can do this without bulb-outs!

Ivor F. Benci-Woodward
Ojai

Arcade not key to Ojai mystique

4-5
To the editor:
I had the pleasure of being in Ojai several times recently on business. These visits have coincided with Ojai City Council meetings that included items of both personal and professional interest. I had the privilege of working with the late Zelma Wilson on the design of the original Ojai Redevelopment Plan (Zelma's vision was grander than the plaza design that she created, but was limited by the same factors facing the city today). For that reason I find the guest editorial by John F. Myhre both interesting and puzzling.
If Mr. Myhre had been in Ojai during the development of the plan in the mid-'70s he might appreciate the struggle involved in creating the one "pattern" he mentions, in addition to the Pergola and the Arcade, the fountain scheduled for removal and replacement. The courtyard containing the fountain was to be enclosed on four sides by buildings, creating a more intimate space than that existing today. Because the development of property is at times a difficult enterprise, all the buildings envisioned around the fountain were not constructed. The plan reflects that reality, and expands the experience of the pedestrian in a linear fashion instead of a confined courtyard. I reviewed the proposed plan and noted a number of the patterns mentioned by Mr. Myhre throughout the project. While these patterns may not rise to the level of the Arcade and the Pergola, that does not mean they do not provide pleasant and meaningful experiences to those visiting the area. The redevelopment area is primarily commercial and the visitors are transitory in nature, traveling from one business to the next. Only those businesses offering outdoor dining opportunities will draw patrons for an extended period of time.
In closing his piece, Mr. Myhre asks for a "total redesign of the new plaza." I find it hard to believe that interested residents of Ojai did not provide comment on the proposed design. I am sure the property owners in the plaza area were actively involved in the process. If there were to be a "redesign" of the plaza, what would be in a new plan that doesn't exist in the proposed plan? There will be outdoor eating areas, water feature (the "poppy" fountain), and a walkway throughout the plaza, as well as opportunities for art displays. I laud Mr. Myhre's recognition of that which is special in Ojai, and his proposals for enhancing what is the core of the city.
One must keep in mind that nothing can ever reach perfection in Ojai; the vast creativity that exists in a place as special as Ojai will continually refine the built environment. I believe Zelma would agree with Mr. Myhre and me that it is time for the plaza to meet the current needs of the businesses and the visitors. Will this be the last change? My experience in Ojai says no. A community as vital as Ojai must continue to grow (not necessarily in population) and evolve to maintain the mystique to which Mr. Myhre alludes. Could it have been Mr. Libbey's viewing of Topa Topa during the "pink moment" that prompted his gift of the park, Arcade and Pergola? Isn't that what Ojai's mystique really is, the natural features of the Ojai Valley that have inspired so many? That mystique was here long before the Arcade, and will be here long after.

Richard T. Conrad, FAIA
Architect
Sacramento

Young men need caring adults

4-8
To the editor:
I am responding to the front-page article of the April 3 edition entitled "Gang Activity Hits Schools."
We have certainly heard from some of our young boys! We are now being given a golden opportunity as a community to respond in a positive way.
Let me say that I do not condone violence in any form and certainly do not want toleration for acts of pain or destruction against persons or property. I believe that our response to the "gangs" should be one of positive inquiry.
What do these young men really want? To be heard? Recognition? Respect? Personal power? A community presence? A place for their energy?
Some of them have already shown leadership potential in just the act of organizing others into a group with a purpose. They also have shown the community that they are intelligent and have lots of energy.
The problem is not that they are a gang, the problem is what they choose to do as a group - their actions.
Great! We have a bunch of energetic young men! Let's begin a positive dialogue.
Men of Ojai, these young men need you to step forward and provide mentoring.
What would our community be like if older men could help them direct their energies toward building up the community instead of tearing it down? What could be accomplished if strong men from our community stepped forward to provide these youth a place to be heard and valued? How much stronger would Ojai be if we valued our youth enough to ask questions and really listen to the answers?
It is our responsibility as a community to respond with kindness, protection and direction for all of our youth; especially those acting out of pain.
I spoke with Officer Mo Hookstra of the Ojai Police Department and she told me that she knows these young men, has spoken with them and does understand some of the problems.
The police are too understaffed to do more than suppress criminal activities. She said she would like to see people of the community respond positively to this problem. She again restated what is one of our greatest problems in Ojai; and that is we have nothing in the community for our kids to do.
There is a Police Activities League program that exists in Oak View, sponsored by the police. But for the most part it is not available, due to lack of transportation, for the youths who must come from Ojai.
Again, I appeal to the men of our community to step forward and lend a caring hand to these young men who could be a valuable resource to themselves and their community.
Officer Hookstra can be reached at the Ojai Police Department, 646-1414.

Gienne Gabriels
Ojai

Israel abandoned in time of need

4-8
To the editor:
Re: Peace activists and Arafat
It must come as a great consternation to the traditionally liberal Jewish-American community to watch the extreme liberal left abandon Israel in its time of need.
One knows that the left has lost their way when "peace activists" attempt to protect Yassar Arafat by rushing to serve as his human shield. These extremists have become apologists for this thug and his suicide bombers. Their natural loathing for America has been transferred to the undercutting of Israel security. While Israel has its faults, America must never forsake her democratic ally.

Leland P. Hammerschmitt
Ojai

Slurs, no dialogue emerges from left

4-8
To the editor:
Penning one's disagreement with a published opinion provides an opportunity to produce a considered and deliberate response as opposed to the verbal stammering that sometimes happens when one is caught in the headlights of a fast-moving intellectual challenge: then again, maybe not if your name is Clive Leeman or D.L. Howard-Ady.
Led by the publisher of this paper, these two are falling all over each other in their rush to condemn anyone who expresses support for America's war on terrorism, criticism of the People in Black protesters, or any other opinion that doesn't reflect a "shame on America" sentiment. And putting his followers' lack of communication skills aside, neither Bradigan nor his dance partners have offered a single genuine argument that addresses any of the specific points made by the "super patriots" (Leeman's term for us in a failed attempt to hurt our "feewings").
Not only do these and others of their mindset fail to understand the futility of negotiation with hate-filled Islamic zealots that want only for our and Israel's destruction, but they only seem to be able to spew hate-filled rhetoric themselves. They chastise us and attack our motivations for speaking out against the horrors of deeply entrenched religious fascism, state-sponsored terrorism, and those that sympathize with and defend such beasts. For expressing our support of what is good and decent we stand accused of being "irrational," "semi-hysterical" (thanks for the "semi"), and having breasts full of "inner darkness." This is all very poetic language, but where is the counterpoint to the specific statements that take their and the People in Black's fully hysterical rhetoric to task?
While they are most concerned for the protesters' First Amendment rights (never mind that no one has challenged these), Moslem suicide bombers are expressing themselves daily, unleashing deadly havoc on the children, women and men of our allies in Israel. Do these vain moralists cry for the bloodied 10-year-old Israeli girl who lay dead in the hotel lobby during the Passover celebration - her eyes staring wide open at the ceiling in utter surprise at her own sudden and unexpected death?
These people with their unconsidered opinions label us as "venomous haters" and just like magic, when their emotional chaff clears from the air they are gone and all that is left is the acrid scent of a few reckless incendiary slurs. There is no dialogue, no meaningful exchange of ideas, no re-evaluation of the real world, and not a single intellectual calorie burned.
I wonder if Leeman is expressing himself freely as he tells Bradigan that his editorial "(In) Defense of Elitism" was "brilliant and beautiful," but " the title is awful." I ask this because he seems conflicted (and unintentionally comical) when he complains that " it implies that you have to be part of the elite to be entitled to free speech." Strangely enough, he goes on to suggest that it should have been titled "In Defense of Free Speech" and then lavishes further praise on Bradigan with " your article was compellingly made and eloquently developed." Well, which is it? Did Bradigan, who I assume gave his own editorial a fitting title, in fact make a case for freedom of speech, or did he make one for praise of elitism?
If you are missing the humor in this it is because you didn't read the editorial where Bradigan narrowly defines "elitism" as he makes his case painfully clear that only those who agree with him on issues big and small are sufficiently educated to deserve the right of free speech.
Indeed, and with great irony afoot, Leeman and Howard qualify as poster boys for a "Don't let this happen to you!" campaign on the importance of learning and practicing critical thinking skills as they praise Bradigan's editorial. Of course, they are seduced by Bradigan's words; his words embrace them as members of the intellectual elite and sanctify their right to speak freely as they happen to agree with his politics. Listen guys, agreeing with the editor's politics will not transform you into intellectual giants. In fact, while the pursuit of fashionable thought and recitations of left wing mantras delivers a certain camaraderie of like-minded friends, it is their smothering embrace that most effectively stifles one's freedom of speech.

Richard T. Keit
Ojai

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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