CAMARILLO : Learning Disabled Site Seeks Renovation Funds

Don Gatewood says that when it comes to renovating the older buildings and facilities at the Camarillo-based chapter of the Assn. for Retarded Citizens, any and all financial help is welcomed.

Gatewood, a spokesman for the group, said that he and other public service agency representatives will ask the Camarillo City Council on Wednesday for a share of an estimated $400,000 in federal community development block grant money provided to the city each year.

The association has been at its current location since 1968, and buildings are in need of repair, expansion and renovation, Gatewood said. Additionally, he said new sewer lines and an irrigation system are needed.

“We need to get to the most critical needs first, like renovating the bathrooms and the heating and water systems,” Gatewood said. “Overall, we’re looking at what will be a $220,000 project.”

Gatewood said the association, which is asking the city for $9,900 in funding, now provides services to 160 people, including about 30 Camarillo residents.

Camarillo City Manager Bill Little said the council never has a problem finding takers for the federal grant money. “It’s the same every year, we always have more requests than money,” Little said. “The council and the staff usually give first priority to Camarillo-based organizations and then work from there.”

Little added that this will be the second time this year that the council has dealt with the distribution of the government grants. The council voted in January to pledge all of its grant funding to earthquake relief efforts.

Little said the council will choose from among 17 agencies that have filed requests for the federal money. Some of those 17 groups include the Salvation Army, county senior nutrition programs, the county’s Fair Housing Council and Interface Children and Family Services.

The council will meet Wednesday at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive.