Be good stewards of environment
On Jan. 28, 1969, an oil platform off the coast of Santa Barbara blew out more than three million gallons of oil into the ocean killing thousands of birds, dolphins, seals and other sea life. This motivated people to organize to protect the environment through education and regulation. This led to the first Earth Day, which was celebrated on April 22, 1970.
Since the end of the Last Glacial Period, about 12,000 years ago, we have had a very good, stable climate for growing crops and building civilizations. But since the mid-1900s, human activity has dramatically increased, threatening the status quo and threatening many bio systems. Scientists are calling it the “Great Acceleration.” As I think about the future, the disclaimer often seen in a stock prospectus comes to mind, “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” I think this needs to be taken to heart.
So this is a good time for us to reflect on how lucky we are to be living on a great planet that provides us all the necessities to thrive and to pledge to learn what we can do to be good stewards of our environment so that future generations can enjoy life on this Earth as much as we have.
Wayne Morgan, Ventura
Perryman stands apart
I am the Chair of the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission, a realtor and an attorney. My views are my own.
When my father was hospitalized after issues at his dementia care facility, I tried to engage the county agency responsible for oversight, seeking investigation and intervention. Despite the seriousness, I was unable to get a timely response to address the problems that led to his hospitalization.
What mattered most was not affiliation or rhetoric, but whether someone would step in and ensure accountability and action.
I reached out to Mark Perryman, then the Chief of Staff in my county supervisor’s office. He responded promptly, took action, and followed through. Appropriate agencies became involved, oversight was implemented, and the facility made necessary changes. For my family, it underscored how effective public service can directly impact outcomes when responsiveness and follow-through are present.
The Conejo Valley is aging, and more families are navigating complex healthcare and caregiving challenges. These are moments when local government plays a meaningful and immediate role — and when competence and urgency matter.
Since then, I have observed Mark’s continued engagement on issues affecting our communities — from supporting agricultural stakeholders in Somis and pushing back on an unjustified water rate increase, to advocating for local input in Oak Park and addressing inefficiencies in county processes. He focuses on practical solutions and direct communication.
This is a three-candidate, nonpartisan race for supervisor. In my view, Mark Perryman stands apart as the only non-politician with real business experience — someone willing to speak candidly about the county’s challenges and pursue workable solutions.
I encourage voters to evaluate each candidate’s record of responsiveness, problem-solving, and results.
At the end of the day, public service isn’t about what you say — it’s about what you do when it matters most.
Marcella Ketelhut, Thousand Oaks
Don’t let libraries fall
Libraries are for the curious child, the wandering student, the blooming writer, the panicked bystander, the determined dreamer inside every city, every town, every state, and every nation.
If a library falls due to cruel budget cuts to uphold an ego, then people will lose a meeting place and will starve.
Dana Trick, Moorpark
County needs to re-elect Gorell
It’s the best of times and the worst of times. The best, exceptional incumbent Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell with his extensive experience, relationships, and extraordinary outreach efforts to continue to guide and improve Ventura County.
The worst of times, because those running to replace him are motivated by vengeance and impatience. I know Mark Perryman well. While his knowledge of process is basically good, his desire to take advantage of process for personal gain, will have a negative impact on the county. He is suing the county, he has a track record of creating problems and hoping to take advantage of citizens by solving problems he creates. Can this county or any government agency afford to be governed by someone who sues our county, for their financial benefit instead of residents of the county? When Chief of Staff for Gorell, he asked me to mentor him. I will not violate his trust and repeat what I was told in confidence; suffice to say, he is not ready to be in any form of governance.
Ashley Orozco is a fine, positively motivated young person missing experience and the patience and commitment to finish the job she wanted as Parks and Recreation Commissioner. The worst of times because inexperience is detrimental to the county and to a supervisor elected to a role where they will learn on the job. We deserve better. We deserve to stay with honesty, integrity, community respect, and good old-fashioned hard work.
We are fortunate to have Jeff Gorell with the experience to do what is right and beneficial to our county. Jeff also serves our country as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Common Sense: Jeff Gorell is the most qualified candidate. He gets my vote and that of my family, for re-election. I ask my neighbors and fellow residents to vote to re-elect Gorell.
Rick Lemmo, Newbury Park
Voters can’t trust Orozco
I serve as President of the Thousand Oaks Blvd Association for over a decade. We represent thousands of businesses and hundreds of property owners in Thousand Oaks. I have had the opportunity to work with every elected official in our community. There have been agreements, disagreements, and everything in between. Despite seeing it all, what is now on display in the District 2 Supervisor’s race is unconscionable.
Ashley Orozco is barely in her first year of a four-year term as an elected member of the Conejo Recreation and Parks District (CRPD). She campaigned hard, asked friends and neighbors for their support, and told voters their voices mattered and that she was the right choice. She asked for their trust, donations, and votes. How has that trust been repaid? By abandoning the very voters who elected her just a year ago in pursuit of another position in public office.
Is that trust, leadership, or commitment? Voters will decide. Behavior like this in the real world would get you fired. Orozco swore to serve four years on the CRPD and still has three years remaining. She claims to understand financial management, so perhaps she can explain how much it will cost voters to hold a special election for the CRPD seat she would vacate.
Equally concerning is that Orozco has yet to deliver a single result while in office — nothing to justify leaving so quickly for a position overseeing a $3 billion county budget. If Orozco is ready to abandon the office she just won, how can voters trust her commitment to the next one? If elected, where would she want to go the year after that — Congress, Senate, or another city or state that feels more appealing.
Shawn Moradian, President, Thousand Oaks Blvd Association
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Throwing support to supervisors, be good to environment, and more | Letters
Reporting by Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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