Q & A / VENTURA CITY COUNCIL : Candidates Focus on Community Priorities

QUESTION: Aside from economic development, what are some of the most important issues affecting the quality of life in Ventura today, and how will you determine priorities?

Keith Burns

I believe in education, literacy, reading skills, writing skills, libraries and everything else which contributes to a healthy and fit society. Ignorance is endemic in our city, state, country and world. Ignorance of the basic skills of education and of how to interact with people and the institutions they create. Poverty, crime, disregard for others, physical and psychological abuse, depression and many other negative aspects of our lives can be traced directly to personal or social ignorance. What good is civilization if most people can’t spell the word or properly define the concept? How to determine priorities? Read two pages of “Walden” and call me in the morning.

Ray Di Guilio

Public safety continues to be a concern for all. Proper staffing and equipping of public service agencies is very important. Also, continued efforts in community-based cooperative agreements that assist with crime and gang prevention. Proper management of our open space in line with the city’s Comprehensive Plan is also a must. Youth issues and concerns remain significant. I will follow through with the Youth Task Force report initiated by Mayor Buford. Libraries must be addressed in a long-term manner. Create city task force to study solutions. City Council must be more connected to community desires.

Craig Huntington

Crime and our perception of crime are the most important issues facing all of us. I will give our police department priority in all matters. We also need to do all we can to prevent gang activity by doing everything to give our young citizens other options besides gangs.

Christopher T. Staubach

We have only 63% of our commercial and industrial buildings occupied. We have a deficit in the neighborhood of $90 million. Schools are overcrowded, roads need repair, libraries need money, the police are underfunded, and we need to have parks and other community projects fulfilled. As a city councilman, I will reinvest money back into the community, not let it pour into the abyss of out of town developers’ pockets or into studies that are outrageously priced. I’ll start by actively recruiting small businesses into Ventura and by saying “No” to projects like 900 homes planned for downtown. I will vote against new development until we come into compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. And I will keep an open door policy for the public.

Charles E. (Buster) Davis

There are a number of issues affecting the good life in Ventura, but of those, there are three that stand out to me:

A. Youth

B. Libraries

C. Policemen and firemen

James Friedman

My priorities are public safety, including anti-gang programs, education, senior activities and transportation, libraries, recreational opportunities, and a clean environment. Polling will help define my priorities. Community organizers also focus issues. Limited city funding poses a problem, but council members can act as catalysts. Examples would be Tom Buford’s involvement in the library initiative. Nonprofit fund-raising like the Educational Foundation promotes education. Recreational opportunities involve some investment. Senior centers should be funded by the city. Volunteer involvement to protect the environment is of greatest importance.

John S. Jones

It is hard to take economic development out of the equation. For example, one of my primary concerns is the revitalization of Ventura Avenue. Without the ingredient of economic development (or redevelopment) the revitalization will not occur. Our public libraries need to be recognized as a vital part of our community. I personally will vote in favor of the $35 “tax” for the libraries--however, throwing money at the problem is absolutely not the solution. I feel strongly that the involvement of the business community with our libraries is critical. I will base my priorities on what I hear from the residents of Ventura. My views on different issues will always be clear and public.

Jack Tingstrom

Public safety, jobs, family activities, public transportation, youth activities and a clean, healthy environment.

Donna De Paola-Peterson

I strongly believe that the quality of life will be affected if we do not address the following issues: 1. Permanent funding for the libraries--passing Measure L 2. Public safety--prioritized funding for the police and fire, including preventative measures and enforcement procedures that will make the city safe 3. Youth programs--including more recreational, educational and employment opportunities. In order for Ventura to run as an efficient governmental entity, all departments must work together. It is a simple equation, sound fiscal management plus community awareness equals a superior quality of life. It is this quality of life that I will protect.

Stephen L. Hartmann

Constantly listening to what residents have to say is absolutely essential for anyone serving in public office. Listed in priority, the issues I hear most often from citizens include: Public safety. We need ongoing support for professionally trained, quick-responding police and fire departments. Infrastructure. We need to focus on well-maintained streets, clean drinking water, reasonable cable-trash-water-sewage rates, safe and litter-free beaches and parks, and modern libraries that are open full-time. Youth and senior programs. We need to more aggressively plan and offer recreational programs and facilities to serve the core population of Ventura.

Brian Lee Rencher

Quality of life is not just having a job, although all else follows a paycheck. Having decent and safe streets, schools, parks and neighborhoods are also important to our families’ needs. To have these things, we must use our tax monies judiciously. First, the base elements of public services must be funded, such as: police, fire and public safety services; road, water and utility systems, and libraries, parks and other basic city services, including some social/cultural events. Then, if we have the money left over, we should invest in feasible developments that enhance the city’s tax base through additional employment opportunities.

Carroll Dean Williams

If it is not economics, then it must be political? We have had an awakening in the city of Ventura. A political awakening! Since 1977, after becoming involved with our political scene, I have dug deep and found what makes it all tick. Some good, some bad, but too much is really bad! “Quality,” now that’s a term I have lived with all my life. I have lived out my priorities. Attending every City Council meeting since 1977. I have no problem determining my priorities.