Letters to the Editor Aug. 7
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- Published: Friday, 07 August 2020 10:58
Excellent plan
WENDELL H. JONES, Ojai
The city of Ojai is very fortunate to have our current school superintendent, Tiffany Morse, Ph.D.
I spent 40 years working for three school districts in Southern California as a teacher and counselor, as well as having two children in public schools.
Letters to the Editor July 31
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- Published: Friday, 31 July 2020 11:11
Poisoning gophers is dangerous
KAREN BIRBECK, Ojai
Recently, on our morning walks, we found two poisoned gophers (one dead, and one dying). As stated on the instructions, death may take up to two weeks. Meanwhile, they are running around and could poison any other animal who might use them as a food source either before they die or after.
We are very concerned for everyone’s cats, and dogs, as well as our owls, hawks, and wildlife.
Letters to the Editor July 24
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- Published: Friday, 24 July 2020 09:11
Support Maricopa Hwy. lane-reduction plan
MICHAEL J. SHAPIRO, Ojai
If you live in the city of Ojai, you may have received a flier from the “Save Maricopa Highway” people.
Do they not realize that the improved safety of the new Maricopa Highway lane-reduction plan with protected bikeways, a sidewalk in front of the Ben Franklin parking lot, plus additional beautification plans, will ultimately save lives?
Letters to the Editor July 17
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- Published: Friday, 17 July 2020 11:11
Reopen schools
HIRAM HOOPER, Ojai
I am a rising eighth-grader at Matilija Middle School. I am writing about the possibility of reopening schools. I think we need to reopen schools on Aug. 19. I think we need to do this to keep our friendships going and to allow for social development among younger people. I can see that the reopening of schools may be difficult due to the COVID-19 virus. However, I think the pros outweigh the cons, especially if masks are strictly enforced while on campus.
Letters to the Editor July 10
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- Published: Friday, 10 July 2020 12:17
Misleading ‘thumbs’ about CMWD report
KELLEY DYER, Ojai
Regarding the July 3 “Thumbs Down” reference to the Casitas Municipal Water District Water Quality Report:
The Casitas Municipal Water District 2020 Water Quality Report (2019 data) for the Ojai Water
System is accurate and contains the most recent water-quality monitoring data that is submitted
to the state every year as part of a drinking water permit.
Letters to the Editor July 3
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- Published: Friday, 03 July 2020 09:15
Questionable logic about tree plan
JAN SCOW, Ojai
Re: your June 19 article, “Pine Mountain tree removal plan debated” :
I’m not sure how many Ojai folks have been up to the Pine Mountain area north of Ojai. I hadn’t been but when I read the article in the June 19 article, it piqued my interest since I work with trees and understand some of the issues discussed. After spending most of a day exploring the area, I would like offer some comments.
Letters to the Editor June 26
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- Published: Friday, 26 June 2020 10:35
Ojai can be proud of its native forest
JAN SCOW, Ojai
Tongue in cheek sarcasm aside, there were some interesting questions raised by Linda Thomas in her May 29 letter to the editor (“Why chop down all those trees?”). There is a certain tension in the environmental community between, at one extreme, those who would “save all trees at any cost,” and those who believe that “only native trees should remain” in natural areas. And then there are those of us in the middle, who are torn between those two important considerations. As a one-time staff member of the California Native Plant Society and a decades-long supporter, I fully understand the logic behind removing non-native trees in natural areas, especially in riparian areas.
Letters to the Editor June 19
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- Published: Friday, 19 June 2020 11:32
Thank you
TYLER VONDRISKA, Ojai
Thank you for publishing an article about my fruit pantry project. This project has been meaningful to me – it has kept me busy and it feels good to make a difference. The amount of need in our community has been tough to see, though. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me in so many ways – offering their fruit, connecting me with people who have fruit to share, telling me who needs a delivery, and generally encouraging me. It is because of them that I’ve been able so far to deliver to 56 porches, and made 21 drop-offs at local pantries like Help of Ojai, the Ojai Family Shelter, the Food Share Pantry, and various neighborhood pantries.
Letters to the Editor June 12: Protests
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- Published: Friday, 12 June 2020 11:14

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
“Black Lives Matter” words in chalk on the sidewalk under the Libbey Park Pergola this week.
Citizen reflects
SHARON BUSHMAN, Ojai
We have asked our police/Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to be social workers, resolve domestic issues, enforce traffic rules, catch drug dealers with high-powered guns, thieves who will run and try to hide, hijacker chases, and mental-health professionals. They are the ones who are first on the lines when there is danger to citizens, not knowing who or what they will encounter. And they must participate in new training all the time. Each one wants to return alive and well to their family every night.
Letters to the Editor June 12: Active Transportation Program
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- Published: Friday, 12 June 2020 11:09
Don’t see benefits from reducing lanes
MARILYN SMITH, Ojai
Re: your June 5 editorial, “Vision for transportation equity,” about the Active Transportation Project:
I am struck by the phrase "… with more students riding their bikes.." to Nordhoff High School. I don't know how many students would ride bikes from Creek Road, Mira Monte, Skyline, East End, or Upper Ojai. Nordhoff is adjacent to only one neighborhood to the east and backs up to another neighborhood to the west. Is this enough to warrant a change on a highway from four lanes to two? Before a change occurs, perhaps NHS students and families should be surveyed.
Letters to the Editor June 5
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- Published: Friday, 05 June 2020 11:18
Terrible traffic
JACKIE LYN CLARK, Ojai
On a recent Sunday, an elderly couple were crossing at Coffee Roaster's and had to rush to the curb when a driver of a golf cart leaving Chevron crossed in front of the stopped traffic.
I saw the entire situation unfold.