FEEDING AT THE PUBLIC TROUGH The Yes on Measure O Committee reported contributions of $30,000. Of that, over $10,000 has been spent with a public relations firm to convince you to vote yes. (This is in addition to the $144,000 the city has already spent on consultants and a 4-color brochure). They argument has been […]
WAVE GOODBYE TO BROOKS INSTITUTE AND OUR TAX DOLLARS The news in the last few weeks has reported the closure of Brooks Institute. Everyone lost from this closure. The students hopefully will find other institutions to complete their education and their teachers may find other positions, but the Citizens of Ventura are again holding the […]
VENTURA CITY COUNCIL ASKS CITIZENS FOR MORE TAXES On May 23, 2016, the Ventura City Council joined a parade of governments hoping to persuade voters to raise the sales tax, and last week, in a 6 to 1 decision, the Council voted to place a measure on the November 2016 ballot to raise the Ventura […]
The Scenario The Ventura City Council is determined to raise taxes again by putting a measure on the ballot in November to increase sales taxes by 0.5%-1%. Two previous attempts failed. As is customary, they are not completely forthcoming or transparent when they are trying to extract more money from the citizenry. On January 30, […]
The Scenario The Ventura City Council is determined to raise taxes again by putting a measure on the ballot in November to increase sales taxes by 0.5%-1%. Two previous attempts failed. As is customary, they are not completely forthcoming or transparent when they are trying to extract more money from the citizenry. On January 30, […]
THE CAMEL IS TRYING TO GET ITS NOSE INTO THE TENT Ventura City Council is looking for a permanent sales tax increase of 0.5%-1%. It is a forever tax, despite any protestations to the contrary. Can this Council be trusted to spend the new money wisely to benefit the community, or will they waste it? […]
VENTURA CITY COUNCIL SPENDS $118,000 TO ASK VOTERS TO INCREASE TAXES – AGAIN On April 14, 2015, the City Council directed the City Manager to conduct a “community survey” to gauge interest in future revenue options (government speak for raise taxes) to support community services for a fee of $38,000. They did that and spent […]
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO VOTE AND PROTEST WATER RATES INCREASE [State sets Ventura Water Conservation at 16%] If you are a property owner you have received a NOTICE REGARDING SETTING OF WATER RATES from the City of Ventura (Ventura Water). It was mailed in April. This notice details what the new rates will be, under […]
VENTURA’S FINANCES – HEALTHY, OR NOT ? At the Ventura City Council meeting on February 23, 2015, our Mayor will discuss The State of the City. It is to be expected that she will praise the accomplishments of the City, such as creation of a Water Commission to address water shortage issues and the City […]
THE CHICKENS MAY HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST OVER WATER ISSUES [A STUDY IN PROCRASTINATION] We’re in the worst drought in 100 years. The State of California, the City of Ventura and everyone else is concerned about water. Lake Cachuma is almost dry, Santa Barbara decides to finance and build a desalinization plant and Montecito […]