Clean Air Contest Rewards Creativity

Eight-year-old Erik Gomez’s ability to express his desire for clean air won first place in his age group in the “True Blue For Clean Air” art and essay contest sponsored by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and Vons grocery stores.

Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long, air pollution control district officials, grocery store managers and proud parents with disposable cameras were in Camarillo on Monday morning for the awards ceremony.

Air quality control officials use summer’s smog season, May 1 through Oct. 31, as an opportunity to teach kids and the public ways to cut down on air pollutants, said Richard Baldwin, county air pollution officer.

Erik finished first in his category (ages 6 to 8). Tylour Morrison, 7, of Oxnard finished second, and Jordan Bustillos, 8, of Ventura finished third.

Beth Nicks, 11, of Moorpark finished first in the 9-11 category, while Jessica Castro, 11, of Camarillo finished second. Courtney Eubank, 10, of Camarillo came in third.