03-08-02letters

2-27
To the editor:
Sadly, the parking lot at Soule Park was almost completely filled. I had to park near the entrance to attend a Saturday morning lecture.
Being handicapped, it was a real chore for me to walk back. As I approached the clubhouse I walked past the handicapped parking spaces. I noticed a man putting his golf clubs in his car. I remarked that I wished I could have had a space there. He kindly offered to hold his until I got my car. I thanked him, but said that I was handicapped and could not now walk back to my car. Without hesitation he asked me where my car was and offered to get it for me.
This was Ojai, and he looked so trustworthy. I gave him my keys and directions to my car. After moving his car to a temporary spot, he retrieved and parked mine in his former space.
He was truly thoughtful, caring and a gentleman. I am deeply grateful to this unknown benefactor. He is what makes Ojai a very special place to live.

Rita Betts
Ojai

Women's causes honored in Ojai

2-27
To the editor:
On Friday, March 8, International Women's Day is being acknowledged in many places in the world. Delegations are meeting with politicians, ambassadors and heads of state. Conferences are being held and demonstrations are organized.
Women and men are bringing to the forefront issues ranging from lack of economic and educational opportunity, to domestic violence, rape, forced prostitution, poverty and war crimes.
On that day Ojai People In Black will dedicate our vigil to the cause of women everywhere. Our form is that of silent prayer/meditation. All are welcome to join us at the Libbey Park Pergola. Please wear black and maintain the silence. The vigil will be from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Annat Provo
Ojai

Who's to blame for bulb-outs?

3-4
To the editor:
In your recent Ojai Valley News article reporting the demise of the "bulb-outs" on Montgomery Street, there was no mention of who was responsible for this debacle. Was it the City Council based on the recommendation of the Public Works Director? Are we to blame the people's input at the public hearing?
We all make mistakes, but will anyone step up and say, "The buck stops here," in what appears to be a $100,000 trickle-down-to-taxpayer boondoggle?

Tom Bryan
Ojai

Drilling no answer to oil needs

3-4
To the editor:
I was disappointed last summer when the House of Representatives voted to open the Arctic National Wildlife in Alaska to oil drilling - a choice that makes no sense economically or environmentally.
Ninety-five percent of Alaska's vast North Slope is already available for oil and gas exploration and leasing. The coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge represents the last 5 percent that remains off limits to drilling. No one knows if - or how much - oil is there. But if there is any oil there, estimates are, it's less than a six-month supply, and it will take 10 years to bring online.
Ultimately, no amount of oil is worth the cost of drilling the Arctic Refuge. It would be as foolhardy as damming the Grand Canyon or tapping Old Faithful. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is America's Serengeti - home to polar bears, wolves and migratory birds, and it is the birthing grounds for the Porcupine River caribou herd.
Drilling the Arctic Refuge isn't the answer to higher prices at the pump - breaking our dependence on oil is the solution. We need our Senators to support an energy bill that secures our energy future while protecting our precious public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
By making America's cars and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas, and using more renewable energy like wind and solar power, we can create more jobs and reduce our dependence on oil.

Richard Handley
Ojai

Clean energy improves security

3-4
To the editor:
As the Senate considers energy legislation, there has never been a better time to break free from our dangerous dependence on a 19th century energy framework.
Clean, renewable energy can improve our energy security. More clean wind and solar power means fewer nuclear power plants, which are clear and obvious targets for terrorists.
Also, increased reliance on wind and solar power would decrease our dependence on oil. Fortunately, many states have already proved that promoting renewable energy is easy.
For example, as governor of Texas, George W. Bush signed a law to ensure that a certain percentage of electricity is produced by renewable resources. We need our Senators to build on these positive steps by supporting an energy bill that secures our energy future in America while protecting our precious public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
By using more renewable energy like wind and solar power, and making America's cars and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas, we can create more jobs, reduce our dependence on oil, and enhance our national security.

Jeff Hutner
Ojai

Cheers loud for Young Americans

3-5
To the editor:
Warning! The following letter contains only positive language. There may be some references to acts of kindliness and selflessness. Children over and under the age of 13 should be parentally guided to read this letter. This is a "Rah! Rah! Go Team! Go!" kind of letter which some people may find offensive (or just plain nauseating).
And now for the feature presentation:
Our fourth- and seventh-grade daughters "experienced" the Young Americans this last weekend.
I need to say more than, "It was fabulous," but let's start with that: "It was fabulous!" The Young Americans are a group of high school and college-aged youth who descended upon our town, pulled out their magic flute and pied-pipered our kids away for the weekend. When they returned them to the stage on Sunday afternoon we didn't recognize them. Is that really our fourth-grader sitting on a stool in front of 500 (or so) people, singing her heart out into a microphone? Is that really our seventh-grader swingin' to the beat that usually only our kitchen sees? Could the grins of our daughters be any wider without the need for stitches? There was no energy crisis in Ojai this weekend! We were all electrified - onstage and off. To use a good "ole" American sentiment: Gosh! That was fun!
We had a couple of the YA girls stay in our home (they call it "home stay" Try it! You'll like it!). We tell our daughters that God has gifted them. That he has made them for his glory. That they should dream big. That life is a verb! The YA girls were examples of this! Never did we see that "cool, surly look" that seems to be a popular facial wear amongst today's generation. No way! These girls are sashaying down life's runway, modeling the appropriate facial wear: a smile! And we, as a family, applaud them. We applaud all the youth that joined with their peers and made the Nordoff auditorium rock! We applaud all those in our community who give our children the opportunity to explore who they are and how they are gifted. We applaud Candace Delbo whose "America Sings!" concert knocked our socks off! We applaud anyone who loves life and promotes lifelong learning to our children. Our girls are smiling today. They're smilin' big!
Thank you Rotary, for sponsoring the Young Americans. I'll put my pom-poms on for you anytime. I just have one request: Would you please sponsor a Middle Age and Oldtimer's Young Americans? I'll be the first to sign up.

Norma (and Roy) Bennett
Ojai

Ground Zero ably described

2-27
To the editor:
After failing miserably at trying to describe the stirring sight we call "Ground Zero," I - conceitedly - concluded that it couldn't be done. Then I read Howard Smith's Feb. 27 editorial, "See for Yourself," and two things immediately came to mind: "I guess it can be done," and, "Bravo!"
While I agree, as Smith suggested, that seeing (in this case) is even better than believing, there are undoubtedly many people who won't be able to visit the ghost of the World Trade Center, at least not any time soon. That's OK; plenty of Americans still haven't seen the USS Arizona memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Wounded Knee, the Lorraine Motel (where all but Dr. King's room has been refurbished as the National Civil Rights Museum), etc., but I'll bet they have a good idea about how these places "feel." And now, thanks to Howard Smith's beautiful editorial, those who haven't seen Ground Zero for themselves know how that feels, too.
A third thing has just come to mind: "Thank you."

Kelly Feser Eells
Mira Monte

Vigilance removes hated bulb-outs

3-5
To the editor:
Kudos to the City Council for their deliberations and actions in voting to remove the traffic bulb-outs from Montgomery Street.
In what appeared to be a unanimous vote, the council listened to the wishes of the citizenry and corrected what was a well-intentioned, but nevertheless an obvious mistake.
It is important for us as residents to be vigilant in protecting our beautiful town when we perceive actions that may be harmful or negative and to bring them to the attention of our fellow neighbors and legislators.

Sidney L. Cohn
Ojai

Student finds shelter gratifying
3-5
To the editor:
My name is Raven Weakley. I'm 14, and go to Gateway School in Ojai. My school is located at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
Every Wednesday, St. Andrew's has a homeless shelter. The homeless shelter provides a place to shower, hot food and dessert. They also let the homeless stay the night and have a snack in the morning. I have been attending this shelter for the past three weeks.
When I went to the shelter, my friends would pick me up. We would arrive around 6:15. We would set up the tables and then help prepare the food in the kitchen. As we were working, more and more people were showing up. Before the food was going to be served, we would all have a thank-you prayer.
When the food was out to serve, I would usually serve the hot food. All the people lined up so peacefully, with a huge smile on their face. I was so happy to serve them. After I would put food on their plates, they would always say thanks. It was such a good experience watching this all happen.
I had no excuse not to go and help those who are less fortunate than myself. I was so happy to see them eating so nicely, and the way they behaved. I think everyone should have this same experience.
If I was ever in this position, I now know there are people out there who really care. I want to thank St. Andrew's Church for having this shelter for the homeless.

Raven Weakley
Ojai
Ojai At-Etudes and Dogge-Rules
Comments on the times and mores prevailing in 21st century Ojai, a small but introspective town in a coastal mountain valley close to both Santa Barbara and Oxnard, Calif., by Jaber Chums, who lives there.

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