Opponents of Weldon Dump Raise $111,000

A citizens group opposed to the Weldon Canyon landfill initiative has raised more than $111,000 for its campaign, more than the San Diego investment firm behind the ballot measure has spent on its efforts.

Citizens Against Measure T collected $63,600 between Feb. 11 and March 9, according to campaign finance statements received Monday by the county. Most of the money came from Ojai residents, celebrities and business owners.

Actors Malcolm McDowell and Bill Paxton, both Ojai residents, have been among the largest contributors, giving a combined total of $11,000. Ojai Community Hospital gave $2,500, Ojai Valley Medical Group, $5,000, and BLT Enterprises, which is building a large recycling center for the city of Oxnard, contributed $5,000.

In contrast, Taconic Resources Inc., the San Diego investment firm pushing the landfill initiative, reported having spent $1,050 since the beginning of the year on its campaign.

Taconic, which initially spent $104,000 to qualify the landfill initiative for the March 26 ballot, had pledged to spend another $400,000 on its campaign to win voter support.

But Richard Chase, general partner of Taconic, said Monday that the firm had scaled back its plans. He said that Taconic still plans to wage a campaign in the final days before the election.

“You will definitely see evidence of a campaign in the next couple of days,” Chase said, declining to elaborate.

Taconic wants to get voter approval to build a 551-acre dump in a rugged canyon north of Ventura. The landfill would take care of the west county’s trash needs after Bailard Landfill in Oxnard closes this summer.

Members of Citizens Against Measure T said that the west county could ship its trash more cheaply to other existing landfills, including possibly the Simi Valley Landfill. They’re also warning voters that Measure T would exempt the landfill’s operator from local oversight and rate controls.