OVLC's good intentions run amok

5-15
To the editor:
In a May 14th Ojai Valley News editorial, past Ojai Valley Land Conservancy president, John Broesamle, went to great lengths to make it sound as if his organization was actually diligent in its effort to "raise $4 million" to purchase a large tract of land near Rancho Matilija. In reality, all the conservancy has had to do is come up with a dollar that the state - through the Coastal Conservancy - would match with three of "its own." (Like any state agency that has ever had a dollar that it didn't get from consumers to begin with.)
In real terms, the task at hand for the conservancy has been to get $900,000 from some willing accomplices in order to get $3.1 million from others who may not want to participate in its scheme, but can't avoid doing so. And the unwilling responsible for coming up with the larger $3 million-plus chunk of change will only be left to wonder if their money was being wisely spent or even properly used.
The California State Coastal Commission grant of which Broesamle wrote, at least under the terms of the bond initiative voters authorized, was intended for watershed protection. The conservancy, however, plans to use this money to purchase land that poses no danger to any surrounding watersheds. Quite the contrary, under the conservancy's proposal, the Ventura River will actually wind up under siege from all the hikers (and their dogs), the horses, the cyclists and even cattle that will have to cross the river to get to the land the conservancy plans to develop. And it plans to do this in the same area that the Casitas Municipal Water District will be spending untold millions of taxpayer dollars to establish a critical habitat for the endangered steelhead trout. Now Broesamle hasn't mentioned whether he will be petitioning Marine Fisheries or the Army "Corpse" (sic) of Engineers for the right to blaze trails through an endangered species critical wetlands habitat, but it's probably safe to say that it's a real luxury for him to have friends in all the right places.
There is a chunk of vacant land that stands as a testament to how the conservancy's plans have played out before. Lofty visions aside, this latest scheme is no different that the purchase of the Palmer Property: an ambitious plan to keep the property from being "lost to potential development" (as Mr. Broesamel was so kind to point out). It's sad, but as so often happens with ideas that begin with good intentions, the once-utile Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has been bastardized from its holding-company-for-donated-land roots to basically nothing more than an errant population-control vehicle for the area's growth-resistant fringe. And unfazed by the plummeting availability of adequate housing and skyrocketing price of the same, it will only continue working "quietly but very hard" to make sure that this trend doesn't end any time soon. All the while, doing its level best to make sure you get to participate, whether you want to or not.

Bruce Roland
Ojai

New jobs for locals needed

5-16
To the editor:
I've been reading the pros and cons on some of the proposals that have come before the Planning Commission. I don't think we need another self-storage facility, but when corporations or groups are behind it, things change. That property should be developed to create jobs for our locals. It's better to have traffic on Bryant Street than down Highway 33. We are forgetting to look at the big picture that Ojai has disregarded; and that's jobs. Bryant Street and Bryant Circle are zoned "industrial."
As for the remarks from Mr. Michael Shapiro on the property next door to the proposed facility, don't knock it until you know what it's all about and why. Come by and I'll tell you in person! There are quite a few people employed by three different businesses on parts of the property and equipment storage for other businesses. I'm sorry that you have to drive by to take your daughters to dance classes; maybe you ought to have them taught in your Country Club Drive home. And, by the way, there is a guard dog to complete the picture as you so quoted!

Ann Adamson
Ojai

Park gives peek of what used to be

5-16
To the editor:
I am writing this letter in support of maintaining the natural beauty of Cluff Vista Park. I watched with great anticipation the creation of this park and was very excited to learn that it would be landscaped almost entirely with California native plants.
Like many residents of Ojai, I enjoy hiking in the beautiful hills and valleys surrounding Ojai and learning more about the natural habitat of this unique area. Much of the native flora and fauna that have disappeared from the city can still be found along trails outside of the city.
However, for many residents who may not be able to visit these lovely, serene places, Cluff Vista Park offers a rare opportunity to see a little bit of wilderness right in the city.
It also offers schools the opportunity to teach children the importance of appreciating and preserving natural habitat for all the many living creatures whose existence depends on the unique flora found in the Ojai valley. It has been a great pleasure to watch our newest garden begin to blossom this spring and to learn the identity of all the lovely new flowers now on display. Please take the time to walk leisurely through this new park if you haven't already done so. I think you will find it a delightful experience!

Nancy Breslin
Ojai

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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