Casitas Springs Bypass

* Casitas Springs is a small residential community. We have no political power. Thus, we continue to suffer 28,000 cars per day passing through our community. Like slaves, we can be mistreated without consequence.

Something must be done!

We applaud slowing growth in our beautiful Ojai Valley but don’t appreciate the fact that the burden has fallen on our tender backs. For safety and sanity we need a two-lane bypass--now.

Still, despite worse traffic and many accidents, our tiny bypass project remains third on the county list. The higher priority, much larger projects would consume all of Ventura County’s transportation funds for 20 years. They say they “never” reorder this list.

So we have a dilemma. We have the almost unanimous support of our community and surrounding communities (including Ojai) for a two-lane bypass. Still, local powers keep inserting the “poison pill” of a four-lane plan. This guarantees that powerful interests will fight our bypass.

If some politician does not step forward, Casitas Springs will continue to be sacrificed as a tourniquet that stifles Ojai growth.

We remain optimistic that a part of our great government will listen to the will and needs of the people and not bow to wealth and political clout.

STEVE and DARLENE DURFEE

Assn. to Bypass Casitas