Petition Calls for Recreation Funding

Supporters of an Ojai recreation initiative that calls for more funds to beef up activities for teen-agers hand-delivered a petition with more than 1,000 signatures to City Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s a really big moment for all of us,” said Craig Walker, who heads a loose coalition of residents backing the proposal. “It shows the support out there in the community.”

If approved, the initiative would require the city to spend an additional $125,000 a year on recreation facilities and youth programs. Ojai now spends about $522,000 a year on those services.

Topping the coalition’s list of proposed projects are a skateboard park for Sarzotti Park, a community teen center, gang prevention programs and improvements to a community pool.

But the proposal appears to have little support among city officials. Critics insist the initiative is unreasonably expensive and that costs should be shared by surrounding communities, which would also have access to the services.

“Frankly, we just don’t have the money,” City Manager Andrew S. Belknap said. “We’d have to cut services or raise taxes.”

Mayor Nina V. Shelley, who also opposes the plan, said she tried to discuss less costly proposals with the group.

“I’m sorry Mr. Walker has declined to work with us in developing alternatives that are more fiscally reasonable,” Shelley said. “We’re willing to create some form of recreation district so all the financial responsibility isn’t dumped on the city.”

The council will consider the petition within two months. If council members reject it, Walker’s group plans to place it on the November ballot.