Questioning policies

4-24
To the editor:
In a recent letter to the editor, Richard Keit has produced a hyperbolic tirade against those of us involved in the peace movement. He kept referring to us as "they" as if we are of all like mind and not a set of individuals that come to a cause with varying opinions and concerns. We are not a "they" as I assume the many people who favored the pre-emptive, unilateralist policy are also not "they."
He suggests that political correctness is the sole providence of the left, which is hardly the case. He states that it is the closing of liberal minds that he is lamenting. I have found that those I communicate with have been struggling with the issues and trying to respond in intelligent ways to situations we find increasingly discouraging. I think it is entirely possible for people of good will to believe that the attack against Iraq was necessary and correct. If I believed all the propaganda produced by the administration to promote the war agenda, I too may have rallied to the cause.
Many intelligent people have questioned the new foreign policies of the Bush administration. This is not some marginalized minority, but rather a movement of several million people in the United States and much more worldwide. It is our goal to educate our fellow citizens about the reasons we were against the attack of Iraq and why we continue to be against policies which undermine the rule of law within the community of nations.
Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions consists of many individuals with a variety of backgrounds and, indeed, some of us are teachers, as Mr. Keit seems to lament. We are not committed to any incoherent rhetoric as he suggests, but earnestly looking for solutions to problems without resorting to violence. We brought a resolution against going to war with Iraq before the council because of our concerns and not as an attempt to divide the community. Many other cities have passed such a resolution. The fact that our city chose not to do so does not invalidate our efforts.
We were not "forced" to leave the Farmer's Market. We were asked to leave. Mr. Keit states that we were asked to leave due to our confrontational behavior. Nothing could be further from the truth. As one of those who spent many hours at the table, I state that our behavior was clearly not confrontational. I had many interesting conversations with people who disagreed with our position. Occasionally, someone would begin a rational conversation with me and then start shouting something unrelated such as " you are a traitor!" and I did my best to ignore such comments, but also made it clear that such behavior did not lead to meaningful dialogue. Most people who disagreed with us would walk by with a thumbs down or shake their heads as though we were truly lost souls. We did remind people that our country was about to do something we felt was unjustified, and if that made some people uncomfortable, I offer no apology.
As I stated earlier, the peace movement consists of individuals and not a monolithic "they" and the call to boycott the Farmer's Market was fueled by the fact that Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions was asked to leave having done nothing wrong. Those who rallied to our "right of free speech" were sincerely offended that we could no longer call the Farmer's Market our home. Even our friendly community of Ojai has had its controversy concerning "free speech" during wartime.
To address each and every point of Mr. Keit's letter would force me to write far more than I intend. I must conclude, however, that his statement "the protest leaders simply cannot help but betray their true agenda, which has more to do with embracing communism than opposing war" is blatantly absurd. It is the technique of fascists to claim dissent as communistic. This is what is often done in Third World countries when trade unionists and democratic movements have evolved to oppose dictatorial governments.
Finally, I would ask Mr. Keit and those who agree with him to look at their own rhetoric, and examine their motives. We are citizens of this country just as you are and we have a right to express our views just as you do. We have honest disagreements. Neither side has the monopoly on truth, but an exchange of ideas cannot exist when hyperbolic tirades substitute for honest dialogue.

Dennis Daneau
Ojai

Barking no more

4-28
To the editor:
It was with deep concern I learned that Karen Klingberg, owner of The Barking Lot at 967 E. Ojai Ave., has lost her lease on the building and will have to close - for now.
The Barking Lot is a day-care and training center for dogs and provides a much-needed service for Ojai. Dogs learn to socialize and play with other dogs, large and small, and are helped with special behaviorial problems in a loving atmosphere.
Dogs can stay overnight or for longer periods when their owners are out of town. The owners (guardians) have peace of mind, knowing that their pets are in caring, knowledgeable hands, and that they will find happy, well-adjusted pets when they return.
The Barking Lot provides a unique service in Ojai, a community that prides itself on its love for animals. Our dog-loving community should get together to find a solution to the imminent closing of The Barking Lot.
This is a vital Ojai business for local people and their pets, and we need to find a new location for it.

Annelise Elberfeld
Ojai

Live, from New York

4-28
To the editor:
After reading Mr. Sanderson Beck's letter, "Protester vows to defend self," Friday, April 25, I am wondering why Mr. Beck isn't writing scripts for "Saturday Night Live."

George Marshall
Ojai

Unfair notice

4-28
To the editor:
I'm sure you're inundated with letters from animal-loving members of the Ojai community regarding the closing of The Barking Lot, and I'm hoping you can give us a voice and help our cause. The Barking Lot is closing because the owner of the building is taking it back for his own use. He gave Karen Klingberg, the owner of The Barking Lot, 30 days notice. This is not enough time to find a suitable new location. Please, if anyone knows of property in the Ojai Valley that would be appropriate for dog day care and boarding (for lease or to buy), please let Karen know.
As the owner of two dogs, Miles and Elliot, that my husband and I consider members of the family and treat like children, we are extremely upset at losing The Barking Lot as a safe place to socially engage and board our dogs. The Barking Lot is the only such business in the community that offers personalized, exemplary service, caring and expertise. Karen has a true gift with animals, and anyone who knows her will agree that she is the only person they can imagine entrusting their beloved pets to while on vacation or just away for the day.
My husband and I are planning our first anniversary trip to Sonoma in mid-May. What was supposed to be a romantic getaway and time alone will now take a different turn. Since we have no place to leave the dogs while we're away, they'll come with us. We'll drive instead of fly, find hotels that accept dogs, and rearrange our plans to ensure Miles and Elliot won't spend too much time in the car. Yes, I know there are other boarding facilities in the area, but nothing like The Barking Lot - trust me, I've checked. Please help!

Holly Richmond
Ojai

Help wanted

4-29
To the editor:
As well as the Pink Moment, Matilija poppies, and an intangible ambience, Ojai has another (if more pragmatic) example of magic. It's called The Barking Lot and it is a doggie day-care center where owners with jobs, or full-time volunteers, can leave their canine "kids," knowing they will be safe, cared for, and happy until pickup time at the end of the day.
Why magic? Because this is no concrete and chain-link kennel, but a joyous minding of dogs who forget to be aggressive, shy, disobedient or spoiled the minute their paws cross the threshold. It has to be seen to be believed!
But soon Ojai could lose this unique place because Karen has been given a 30-day notice to vacate, and finding a small piece of land, with or without a simple building, is more than difficult.
Because it's almost a public service (making it possible for working owners to do their jobs knowing that their lonely left-at-homes will not be annoying neighbors), can anyone help The Barking Lot to relocate? If you can, please, oh, please call 640-0229. So many people and pets would be grateful.

Elisabeth Arvin
Ojai

Good thing gone

4-29
To the editor:
I was very upset when I heard that The Barking Lot was closing its doors. For the first time, Ojai had a good thing going for people who have pets! I have an English setter, Gypsy, who is like a member of our family. She is a dog that needs to be around people, not to be caged up in a kennel when I am traveling out of town. For the first time she loved going to a place, where she felt safe, and "I" didn't have to worry! She was timid around other dogs, but because of the "day-care" setting and the love and attention that Karen gives the dogs, she became well-adjusted. Now, she knocks me down to get to the door first! I take Gypsy there also to have company of other dogs, because where we live she is not able to be around other dogs. In the past, I wasn't able to travel as freely as I do now because of The Barking Lot. I hope someone in Ojai is willing to create a place for this great business, in Ojai, where we need it.

Suzi Metzner
Ojai

Thanks, Pepsi

4-29
To the editor:
On behalf of the Casino Night Committee for the Ojai Valley Little League, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors, volunteers and people who either donated or attended the event on April 26 at Villanova School. It was a great fund-raising event where people (coaches, managers, umpires, parents and fans of the league) got together to raise money for the league's projects, and to spend some time with friends away from the field.
We would like to thank all of our table sponsors: First American Title, Investors Title Company, Old Republic Title, Aera Energy, Heritage Financial, Wendys, Ojai Valley Bank and also Pepsi Cola Company and Basso Distributing for their generous donation of beverages. We also wish to thank Bronk Vreeland for the great advertising that they gave us through the use of their sign on Highway 33 and also to the Ojai Valley News for those great ads that they put in the paper for us.
We had numerous donations from our local community, as well as from our extended community. All of these sponsors made this event the success that it was! The final totals are not in yet, but we should have cleared more than $3,000 in that one night. We couldn't have done it without the community getting involved, and for that our hats are off to you.
We would also like to extend a great deal of thanks to Pepsi for the donation of a new high tech scoreboard that we unveiled at this event and should have up at the fields in the next week or so.
Thank you so much,
Casino Night Committee for the Ojai Valley Little League

I want my SUV

4-30
To the editor:
At the Earth Day celebrations at the Oak Grove School last Sunday, a group of concerned citizens conducted an informal poll. We asked if the U.S. government should require automobile manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency requirements so that we may no longer be so dependent on imported oil. Not surprisingly, given the nature of the event and the interests of the participants, the result was a resounding vote in favor of the environment over the oil companies.
Seventy-seven percent of those asked agreed strongly that fuel efficiency standards should be raised, and a further 20 percent agreed. Only 2 percent disagreed. A further question was asked concerning the exemption from fuel efficiency standards currently in place for SUVs and trucks. Again, an overwhelming majority of 85 percent was strongly against this exemption with a further 8 percent against it and only 6 percent in favor of current law.
These results, coupled with conversations enjoyed with Earth Day celebrants, brought to mind the very interesting series of meetings and task forces set up in Ojai during the energy crisis, known as the Sustainable Ojai movement. These meetings brought many people together with different backgrounds and enthusiasms, and their input reinforced a commitment to preserving the quality of life for residents in Ojai and the surrounding valley.
The recent tragic war in Iraq will remind people that an economy based on the consumption of oil is no longer desirable or sustainable and has little to add to the quality of life and the preservation of the environment. Certainly, those Ojai residents polled on Earth Day show a renewed commitment to challenging our government to listen to our concerns. Let us hope that a more vocal citizenry will bring about the changes we expect from our elected representatives.

Sue Broidy
Ojai

Bill Baker's remembered

4-30
To the editor:
Well, Ojai has lost another treasure, not a living one, but a big part of my family and the city as well. With the closing of Bill Baker's Bakery something that has touched many lives in the valley is gone, but not forgotten.
Most people did not know the real Bill Baker, but knew Harmon Vaughn as Bill Baker. In 1936 Harmon and Helen came to Ojai from Arkansas. The next day they went to work for Mr. Baker and worked many hours until selling the business in 1974.
In the early '40s, Harmon would walk to work from Meiners Oaks because of the gas shortage, later Helen would drive in and they would go home together after working all day. Harmon would stop at the pastry shop in the Arcade that was part of Bill Baker's and make the day's pastries, then off to bake bread to be shipped out or delivered in the valley. In 1942, Mr. Baker passed away and Harmon took over managing, then purchased the bakery. Mrs. Baker passed away in 1946 and the Vaughns were known as Mr. and Mrs. Baker until selling the bakery in 1974.
Many kids would stop on the way to school or on the way home, and Harmon, or as they knew him Mr. Baker, would give them cookie ends as a treat. The bakery made bar cookies and when they were sliced for packaging there would be ends left over, and it was a great treat for young and old. Many local kids were late to school or missed the bus just to get their treats. One thing many locals might remember is the day-old breadbox. It was a box that held bread that was not sold after two days in the stores and brought back to the bakery and sold for a dime a loaf. Many times while working at the bakery I myself would see Harmon or Helen pull fresh bread off the shelf and put it the day-old box so many of the local families could afford bread. Most people think of sweets, but in the old days there were not many sweets but several kinds of bread and rolls baked, wrapped and shipped all over California. Plus many award-winning cakes sent to the White House from Bill Baker's.
Harmon has been gone many years now, but Helen is still with us and bakes bread and rolls for the family. As a matter of fact, many locals have had her baking at church and other functions, but she doesn't want anyone to know. The bakery is gone and it is sad for our family and I'm sure for many folks in town. But Ojai is changing and a lot of the old businesses are gone. I could go on and on about things concerning the bakery and I'm sure my family could add many more. But I would like to let people know a big part of Ojai is gone.

Rick Downard
Ojai

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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