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IS CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT IGNORING
VENTURA CITY COUNCIL DIRECTIONS?
By: Camille Harris
Posted: 005/02/12/center>
Dear Mayor and Council Members
Why do you allow your directions to be ignored?
Eleven months ago, in your own approved minutes,
Councilmember Brennan directed the staff to come back with the following:
A grandfathering and amnesty plan for all Ventura properties, residential and commercial, with options for time payment plans.
The direction, which was unanimously approved by the council members present that night; and after nearly a year, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
Several months ago, you directed the staff to come back with an appeal process that allowed due process for the citizens to appeal decisions of the city building officer. This direction was passed with approvals from Cheryl Heitmann, Jim Monahan, Neal Andrews and Christy Weir.
AGAIN, DEFIANT DISREGARD OF YOUR DIRECTIONS.
When you directed the staff to create a second unit amnesty and grandfathering program, YOU DID NOT tell them to:
- sabotage the intent with requirements for self-incrimination on irrelevant buildings not being grandfathered, nor
- to disallow appeal to the council for discretionary denials, nor
- to include high fees with no provision for time payment plans, nor
- for criminalization for failure to comply, nor
- to include requirements for up to 3 contractors to inspect.
These issues, loaded in by staff, were a concern to you and to planning commissioners. Again, those concerns have been defiantly ignored and your directions have been ignored long enough.
When the hundreds who participated in the public workshops and their representatives are defiantly ignored, Venturans have no other choice but to go to the ballot. With Grandfathering and Amnesty:
- Venturans will no longer have to live in fear of subjective treatment or losing their homes.
- Venturans can release their pent up need for home improvements and home maintenance -pent up because pulling a permit brings code enforcement onto our properties like a hunting party.
- Venturans want to list their homes without fear of predatory buyers knocking down the price by reporting improvements to code enforcement that may be missing permits.
- Remodels will bring needed jobs and arrest blight
- Raising of property values will bring new revenue to the city
- Grandfathering and amnesty will ensure safe housing
- Grandfathering and amnesty will prevent homelessness, stimulate sales and keep rents affordable.
It's time to give Ventura a fresh start and respond to our council and citizens' desires for grandfathering and amnesty.
Amnesty and grandfathering fulfills a universal need in our old city where nearly everyone has a code violation. This is a no-brainer win-win for all. Grandfathering and amnesty is simply a moral act of conscience and a practical solution to our need for safe housing, affordable rents and higher property values.
Is city code enforcement ignoring Ventura City Council directions and Ventura's general plan of preserving existing housing?
Must Venturans go to the ballot to respond to the need for permit amnesty and grandfathering to preserve existing housing and ensure safety?
Respectfully,
Camille Harris
Preserve, Ensure and Protect Property
PEPP
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FARIN/HART/YANG POLLS SHOW
MIKE STOKER IN THE LEAD
IN THE 19TH SENATE DISTRICT
From: Hodge For Senate
To: Interested Parties
Subject: Garin/Hart/Yang Research Polls
Latest Poll...SD19
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:08:43
A recent poll conducted by Garin/Hart/Yang in the 19th Senate District indicates that Jason Hodge is best positioned to win the seat for the Democrats.
The polarization issues that resulted in Hannah Beth Jackson's defeat four years ago after a $4 million effort on her behalf continue to be a drag on her prospects and a danger to Democratic success.
When voters were asked to choose between a generic Democrat and a generic Republican; 36% chose the Republican and 38% chose the Democrat.
When voters were asked to choose between candidates endorsed by the parties:
- 31% chose the candidate endorsed by the Republican Party
- 30% chose the candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party, and
- 28% chose the candidate endorsed by neither party.
When the three actual candidates were matched up against one another for the November Election the results were:
- Mike Stoker 47%
Hannah-Beth Jackson 42%
- Mike Stoker 42%
Jason Hodge 41%
- Jason Hodge 39%
Hannah-Beth Jackson 35%
MIKE STOKER RESPONDS TO POLL RESULTS
FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT
WILL MOST LIKELY BE NEXT WEEK
You know I am not spinning the strength of our campaign when I am using poll results from one of my Democrat opponents, Jason Hodge. The email was sent out by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma who is Jason's wife.
Just thought you would be interested is seeing the information. Our formal announcement will most likely take place next week. I promise to keep you in the loop.
Best regards,
Mike
(805) 708-9100
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