Camarillo State Plan Shuns Donor’s Wish

Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn has been quoted as saying that he is beginning to wonder if J. Handel Evans is a developer or a university president.

Well, Flynn need not wonder because Evans has a degree in architecture, so it would not be appalling at all for Evans to have his eyes on developing the 700-plus acres of Camarillo State Hospital.

Unfortunately a part of this parcel was donated to the state for the sole purpose of building a facility for the mentally ill. The donor apparently saw the needs of the mentally and developmentally disabled for such a location, which has provided a therapeutic environment for the mentally ill. It is not right for the state to alter the will of the donor who had such strong compassion for the mentally ill.

Evans is quoted as saying he did not consider a treatment center a compatible use for the converted hospital. Yet when Evans converted Ft. Ord into a state university, part of it was assigned for use of a mental health center. It makes me furious to see how Evans could be so inconsistent, callous and inconsiderate to the plight of forgotten and downtrodden citizens--the mentally ill, who are being driven out from the hospital ground that has rightfully belonged to them for many years.

ROXANNE ROGERS

Thousand Oaks