Widening of California 118

Re “Residents of Somis Dispute Support for Widening the 118,” March 3.

So at long last the survey promised by the Ventura County Transportation Commission more than a year ago has been done and the results announced. Approximately 400 commuters were polled as to what they want for the Las Posas Valley area. Of the 400, reportedly 100 were from Somis/Las Posas Valley and 47% of that 100 supported additional lanes for California 118.

This means that 47 of the Valley’s approximately 2,500 residents (2%) voiced support for the Caltrans-VCTC projects. Not exactly an impressive number, but VCTC Executive Director Ginger Gherardi interprets her survey as constituting community support and she is going ahead with her projects as planned. I wonder if the survey reflects the comments of those who said they were unable to respond because they felt the questioning was slanted.

In contrast, more than 30% of local residents signed a petition protesting the size of the planned projects in this agricultural valley. Gherardi conveniently ignores the 800-signature petition, which was presented to the Board of Supervisors and transportation authorities, including her, in April 1999. And, indeed, the Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed the wishes of the local community and told Caltrans to downscale its proposed projects.

Gherardi’s so-called scientific survey is nothing more than an attempt to do an end run around the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the Las Posas Valley residents and the Board of Supervisors. And she has the unmitigated gall to tell us that her survey justifies her plans and that this community supports her!

BARBARA N. KERKHOFF

Somis