Don’t Forget Oxnard Youth

I was extremely concerned about the decision the Oxnard City Council took at their meeting on July 7, regarding closed restrooms in the parks. Since the restrooms have been closed, I have been extremely concerned about taking my child to the park.

People urinate and defecate on the sidewalks and areas surrounding the restrooms when they find the doors closed. I have seen people do everything to force the doors open, resulting in vandalism, causing the city even more money.

I want to thank Councilman Lopez for so actively supporting the use of youth employment money for the purpose of opening the restrooms and Councilwoman Maron for supporting it.

It seems to me that the other council members forgot what it was like to be a child or have young children.

They have continually put the financial ax to any programs benefiting the youth of this city.

They cut the swimming program, deleted many of the youth sports programs and attempted to close a youth/senior center until the public outcry was too great in this election year. Now they have passed the opportunity to make the parks a more attractive and healthy place for children to visit.

City Manager Vern Hazen seems to be a prime mover toward these goals. It is obvious he has no young children and, due to his hefty salary, does not have to worry about inexpensive leisure activities for his family.

DEBRA DOBBIE, Oxnard