How to resolve AdBlock issue? Ojai Unified School District Board Area 4 candidate: Shelly Griffen
Photo courtesy by Shelly Griffen
Shelly Griffen
Voters in new Trustee Areas 2 and 4 will choose two Ojai Unified School District Board members Nov. 3. The two vying for one seat in Trustee Area 4 are Shelly Griffen and Chiany Dri.
1. Do you support Measure K? Why or why not?
Measure K is necessary. We had $100 million in facilities repairs and only $35 million from our last bond. Without a new bond, we will continue to have inadequate classrooms and will likely lose our aquatics programs.
Ojai Unified School District Board Area 4 candidate: Chiany Dri
Photo courtesy Chiany Dri
Chiany Dri
Voters in new Trustee Areas 2 and 4 will choose two Ojai Unified School District Board members Nov. 3. The two vying for one seat in Trustee Area 4 are Chiany Dri and Shelly Griffen.
1. Do you support Measure K? Why or why not?
I support Measure K. I support the bond for improvements to our school facilities.
Ojai Unified School District Board Area 2 candidate: Rebecca Chandler
Photo courtesy Rebecca Chandler
Rebecca Chandler
Voters in new Trustee Areas 2 and 4 will choose two Ojai Unified School District Board members Nov. 3. Since incumbent Thayne Whipple in Trustee Area 2 is not seeking re-election, the two vying for his seat are Rebecca Chandler and Jeffrey Starkweather.
1. Do you support Measure K? Why or why not?
The state of California has little to no options for schools to improve facilities. This means if we want to fix our facilities (some of which are over 100 years old), it is up to the community.
Ojai Unified School District Board Area 2 candidate: Jeffrey Starkweather
Photo courtesy Jeffrey Starkweather
Jeffrey Starkweather
Voters in new Trustee Areas 2 and 4 will choose two Ojai Unified School District Board members Nov. 3. Since incumbent Thayne Whipple in Trustee Area 2 is not seeking re-election, the two vying for his seat are Jeffrey Starkweather and Rebecca Chandler.
1. Do you support Measure K? Why or why not?
I always support school capital bond referendums that will increase local school funding. I support Proposition 15, which would require most commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on market value, rather than purchase price.
Ojai city mayor candidate profile: Betsy Stix
Photo by Elizabeth Herring
Betsy Stix
The city of Ojai mayor race has two candidates — William Weirick and Betsy Stix. The Ojai Valley News provided them several questions that they responded to in writing.
OVN: What is your background, particularly as it relates to this position?
BS: I was raised in the Midwest by parents who wove the values of hard work, resilience, kindness and integrity into the fabric of our daily lives.
Ojai city mayor candidate profile: William Weirick
Photo by William Weirick
William Weirick
The city of Ojai mayor race has two candidates — William Weirick and Betsy Stix. The Ojai Valley News provided them several questions that they responded to in writing.
OVN: What is your background, particularly as it relates to this position?
WW: I have been enamored with Ojai since the first weekend I visited, enticed by the opportunity to hear Jiddu Krishnamurti give a talk at the Grove in the 1970s.
Ojai City Council District 4 candidate: Suza Francina
Photo courtesy Suza Francina
Suza Francina
OVN: What is your background, particularly as it relates to this position?
SF: I am a current member of the Ojai City Council running for re-election. I've lived in the Ojai Valley since 1957, attended local schools, raised my children here, know the community and bring a lifetime of experience to the City Council position.
Ojai City Council District 4 candidate: Jeri Becker
Photo courtesy Jeri Becker
Jeri Becker
OVN: What is your background, particularly as it relates to this position?
JB: I’m Jeri Becker, and I am running for City Council in the new 4th District of Ojai. I am a retired attorney and current owner of a real estate brokerage here in town. I have enjoyed the beauty of the Ojai Valley and the Ventura River since I was a child; and in 1994, my husband, Troy, and I decided to move our family here permanently.