Mud Fighter Got Old Digs Out of a Scrape

Growing up in this city’s west end, Jose Salsedo never imagined he would come back one day to a hero’s welcome--let alone make his return during the middle of a fierce storm.

But that was Salsedo, 45, on the big yellow John Deere last weekend, steering a stubborn mudflow away from homes and sparing residents from potentially disastrous flooding.

Neighbors on Kellogg Street say this local boy--who now lives up the road in Oak View--saved them thousands of dollars with his hustle. And 30 of them sent a thank-you letter to his boss at the city’s street department.

“Jose’s work with his tractor averted much personal discomfort,” the neighbors wrote. “Jose’s work made a difference . . . and we appreciate it.”

Salsedo’s big effort came about 7 p.m. Feb. 7. He had already been on the job 12 hours, cleaning debris out of swollen gutters and posting flood signs all over east Ventura.

Then he got the call from department headquarters--a mudslide was coming down a hill on the west end. Having grown up in the working-class Avenue area, he knew all about the hill near Kellogg Street. He headed there in his city pickup.

Muddy water spilled down the hill and onto lawns, sidewalks and the street. As it crept toward their homes, neighbors frantically shoveled the sludge away. The rain kept coming.

Salsedo knew what he needed: the trusty tractor he has been driving for the past 20 years. He headed back to the city’s truck yard to retrieve it.

He drove up and down Kellogg, using the tractor’s large blade to channel the mud flow toward the middle of the road. That allowed the mess building up on lawns to run off onto the curb and down the street.

Salsedo worked until 10 p.m. in the driving rain. Neighbors watched with a mixture of relief and awe as he and a handful of city workers worked ferociously to save their homes.

The effort heartened Avenue area residents, many of whom have complained their neighborhood is not one of the city’s priorities.

“They just keep cleaning and cleaning,” said neighbor Phil Schwartz, 64.

Salsedo said he was just doing his job.

“It’s just our duty,” Salsedo said. “That’s what we get paid for, to help the people.”

While the recognition has been nice, Salsedo notes there have been many heroes during this stormy winter.

“I give a lot of glory to everyone, because it’s a mess out there, and the people in the city, county and Caltrans are keeping everything going.”

City Street Supt. Lyle Swaney was not surprised when the compliments started coming in.

“He loves to work,” Swaney said. “I wish I had 10 more like him.”

Salsedo’s teenage daughter, Gabrielle, said it was good to see her father come in from the storm.

“He looks exhausted,” she said. “But underneath he has all that energy.”