Don't segregate mentally ill people

“The” mentally ill? What are you intending? That we are somehow generic? (Editorial, 10/15) Your premise is false.

When a title implies caricature — “the” Blacks, “the” Jews — the prose that follows has to support the title. The reality is far different.

We, whom you reference as a “the,” are about 20 percent of Americans. We hold positions at every level of our economy, from the highest to the lowest, to none at all, as do the mentally well. Far from “expendable,” we contribute on the same levels — the highest, the lowest and none at all.

I did read your article, and I do know what you were writing about, the continued recycling of a distinct group through the prison system rather than a treatment system. It annoys us to witness the recycling, for we do witness it. That witness, in its essence, is a blessing. We were not annoyed by what occurred inside mental institutions because we denied it. Not seeing it was what we wanted. At least this time, some of us have to witness it and some of us will become annoyed enough to, maybe, this time around, craft solutions.

Here is one, from 1988: Where it has been implemented, it has had success.

Harold A. Maio, retired mental health editor, Fort Myers, Fla.  

Oil severance tax not justified
A recent exchange of opinions about California oil and natural gas production (Letters, 8/27, 9/24) may have left readers confused about how California taxes oil production. However, one fact is clear: California is not a low-tax state, for oil companies or anyone else.

While it is true California does not have an oil severance tax, oil production is taxed in other ways. For example, California oil-producing land is subject to property taxes based on the present value of the oil in the ground. When the global price of oil goes up, that value and associated taxes on the oil-producing property increase.

That’s why local governments like Kern County have strongly opposed imposition of a severance tax that would reduce the value of oil-producing property and result in the loss of millions of dollars in revenue for local services like education, social services and police and fire protection.

A recent study by the international economic consulting firm LECG determined that oil production in California already is among the most heavily taxed in the country.  Adding a 10 percent tax on top of existing taxes would make oil production here the most heavily taxed of any state in the nation.

According to LECG, a 10 percent oil severance tax would result in the loss of nearly 9,850 jobs, a decrease in the amount of California oil production and an increase in our dependence on foreign oil. 

In addition to property taxes, oil companies pay the state of California billions of dollars for the right to produce oil from public lands. Over the past 78 years, oil companies have paid the State Lands Commission more than $8 billion in royalty payments. In recent years, those royalty payments have averaged about $330 million per year. 

There is widespread agreement that California would be well served to increase energy and economic security by reducing our reliance on foreign oil. But an additional and massive severance tax would take us in the opposite direction by reducing California oil production, jobs and revenues.

Joe Sparano, President,
Western States Petroleum Association


Letters for Election 2009

Casting a vote for Andrews
I’ve known Neal Andrews for more than 15 years, and in all that time, he’s conducted himself with honesty, leadership, integrity and good old common sense. He’s the leading candidate to take the city of Ventura into the future.

James Francis Gray, Ventura

Casting a vote for Monahan
I have known Jim Monahan for almost two decades and have enjoyed having him serve as our councilman. He is probably the most experienced member on the council and has always shown reason, cool-headedness and displayed common sense. I trust Jim to continue to make the right decisions for our city, and this is why I whole-heartedly endorse Jim Monahan, Ventura’s own, for re-election.

Randall Richman, aka “Sticks-Randall”, drummer for Los Dudes, Ventura

Editor’s note: Randall Richman is Jim Monahan’s campaign manager.

The nonsense of Ventura’s measures
Ahhh … we are once again close to that magical event when the ancient concept of might-makes-right (i.e., the biggest group, i.e., democracy), will be employed to determine who our local rulers will be and also which groups opinion will be forced on the rest of us all regarding how our money and property will be used! 

From looking at my roommate’s ballot — I’ve decided to no longer take part in this useless ritual — I see that Venturans have been afforded the opportunity to choose from among 15 different strangers who will rule over them from on high at Poli Street and, likewise, five strangers from which to choose who will be in charge of running the local public “education” system we are forced to fund and which our children are forced to attend. How splendid! 

If past history is any indicator, by my memory, roughly 10 percent of Venturans will be the determining majority for this local snout-counting farce. Imagine that … there will be one Venturan of every 10 forcing his/her will on the other nine. Not that it would be better if it were three, four or even five doing the same, just pointing out reality. Isn’t democracy grand?

Measure A:  Let me begin by saying how incredibly insulting it is to see such things as government-provided policing, firefighting, library, etc., referred to as “essential services.”  It implies that the private sector providers of groceries/food preparation, transportation, homebuilders, repair services, delivery services, clothing, medical care, banking and a plethora of other things society voluntarily pays for (unlike the government’s “essential services”) are “unessential.”  It also implies these beneficial services would be absent if not for government. 

As if chaos and societal collapse would ensue if there were one less overpaid motorcycle cop hiding behind bushes, or on a little side street, busting poor motorists who commit minor traffic infractions; one less overpaid patrolman aimlessly driving around town;  God forbid that a ridiculously over-compensated and severely underworked firefighter take a pay cut or (gasp!) be laid off as so many of the rest of those in the productive private sector (who pay his as well as said policeman’s salaries) have endured; if an under-used library closes down. I’ve got an idea: if anyone thinks there are too few cops harassing us, firemen are underpaid and Wright Library is worthy of being kept open, they should feel free to make a voluntary donation, to any or all, out of their own pockets. 

I, for one, am having enough trouble getting by in these hard times without having more of my livelihood consumed by tax-feeders.

Measure B: What kind of a world would it be if no one were allowed to build structures above 26 feet? How dare anyone think they have the right to tell an owner (who is forced to pay taxes on it) of a parcel of land how he or she may, or may not, use it.  Now, there is a valid question regarding the destruction of another’s view, granted, but isn’t that an issue best reserved for civil proceedings in a case-by-case manner rather than an arbitrary statute that will have unintended consequences in the future? Yet another unelected and unaccountable soviet-style board (VCORD) will be created to run our local lives.

Measure C:  Again, property owners are forced to pay the feudal lord (i.e., government) perpetual rent for the privilege of occupying land, yet are not allowed to actually make productive use out of it. They still have to pay taxes on it, of course, or the feudal lord will repossess the land and everything on it! How utterly insane! I guess letting vacant buildings sit and rot, and making sure vacant lots stay empty, is more conducive to a prosperous and free society rather than allowing property owners to provide a product that will either succeed or fail according to the judgment of market dynamics.

I would like to add how thoroughly pleased I am to see the money government steals from me used to produce a ballot that those who refuse to learn English can comprehend.  It would be criminal if our Spanish-speaking resident illegal aliens were unable read the ballot, wouldn’t it? Perish the thought that people coming to America should actually learn our language or attempt to assimilate! It would be even better if a ballot could be developed for those who can’t think for themselves. Or better yet, no ballot or oligarchy at all.

Shane Solano, Ventura

Med MJ co-op still an option?
I would love to see an article on the City Council candidates and their stand on the installation of a medial marijuana co-op in Ventura. There are more than a dozen candidates in the running for four of five Ventura City Council seats.
Now is the time for medical cannabis patients to make themselves heard. We need to let the candidates know we are tired of being marginalized and underserved. It’s time for the city to address our needs — now, not in a year or so! Repeal the moratorium! Let’s find a solution now!

To my knowledge, incumbent supporters of medical cannabis up for re-election are: Neal Andrews, Brian Brennan and Ed Summers. Challenger Camille Harris also supports our issue. I would like to see statements from all candidates on the issue.

BSL, Ventura

Artist for Andrews
As an artist, business owner, art advocate for cultural tourism, and recipient of a 2009 Mayor’s Arts Award, I support Neal Andrews for re-election to Ventura City Council. Neal has repeatedly stepped up to the plate in favor of making things happen when it comes to all of the arts and cultural tourism. He has circulated to my studio on almost every Artwalk and First Friday gallery opening, talking with everyone … and has made himself accessible as a community representative with a real concern for all of the arts.  Always asking opinions and willing to engage in conversation, he has been a long-time advocate for culture and opportunity for everyone of all ages in our community. His history proves that he wants to promote Ventura as an art community, not just a place you drive by on the freeway. 

Neal Andrews has long been an active and vocal supporter of the arts, ranging from theater arts to the visual arts and including art in the schools.

Neal  sponsored the proposal to facilitate a public-private cooperative venture to develop a cultural arts facility within Ventura. He was an early proponent of the development of an arts village approach as part of the city’s downtown development efforts. He was one of the earliest advocates of the artist live-work development project, now known as the WAV or Working Artists Ventura project and currently renting in downtown Ventura.

Neal was the original sponsor and advocate for an Artist-in-Residence program to bring internationally recognized artists, writers, musicians, composers and scholars to our community to work in our school system, among our artist community and with our cultural affairs programs. He has long been active in efforts to promote Ventura as the leading center of the arts and culture on the central coast. Through his nomination, Moses Mora and MB Hanrahan received the Concilio award for their significant Tortilla Flats mural. For these and many other reasons, I support Neal Andrews for re-election to Ventura City Council. I hope you will also. 

Michele Chapin Stoneworks Studio, Ventura

Another vote for Andrews
I support Neal Andrews for re-election to the Ventura City Council. He is the only council member who understands what the people in Ventura want and need from their council. A perfect example is his opposition, from the beginning, to the ill-advised and foolish 911 tax. The 911 fee plan was an incredibly callous attempt to feather nests, while ignoring the very real potential of great injury or even the loss of life. 

No, I am not being overly dramatic. I have a severely handicapped granddaughter who suffers occasional life threatening seizures. My daughter’s call to 911 has saved her life several times. A moment of hesitation about the cost implications of the call should not have been created in the first place. 

Neal was the only member who seemed to understand this critical dynamic. We need his character and good judgment in the Ventura City Council.

Charles Henderson, Ventura