Letters to the editor: Altering flag unpatriotic; BHAB doing the job
Leave our flag alone
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of a patriot is: “a person who loves his country. Supporting it and defending it, and its interests.” That would include everything that made a country great and strong. All symbols of that country would be included. All our lives we were taught to honor the flag, honor veterans of wars, and sacred and hallowed grounds. Our system works well when all citizens are respectful of those symbols.
However, taking our flag, coloring it black and gray, turning it upside down and backwards is not only unpatriotic, but horribly disrespectful of our country and all who fought and died for it. Calling the flag the white, red and blue just shows who calls it that are extremely unpatriotic and prejudice. It’s shameful to behave that way. If you want a “I’m a big shot club,” invent your own emblem and leave our flag alone.
Judi Kroeger, Ventura
BHAB making a difference
During the past four years, the Behavioral Health Advisory Board in collaboration with VCBH staff, former Director Dr. Sevet Johnson, community stakeholders and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors has championed and garnered numerous mental health and substance use accomplishments on behalf of the community it serves. This, despite a two-year COVID pandemic and as a result, the lack of workforce hirings.
The BHAB advocated for the partnering with Many Mansions for affordable housing for 60 older adults; for the Growing Works horticulture therapy and training programs; the building of the second Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (Camarillo); increased IPU beds (43) and CSU Chairs (12); a new Crisis Residential Treatment Center (Santa Paula); the transition of Board and Care facilities to retain housing for medically fragile clients, two new Mobile Mental Health Units (2023); two active Peer Programs brought forth by community members; eight Youth Wellness Centers; the expansion of Logrando Bienestar to drastically increase the number of Latinos served; 1,491 documented opioid overdose reversal; a $3 million block grant to expand opioid response treatment/early intervention; and much more.
A BHAB requested and Board of Supervisors approved independent Countywide Needs Assessment is currently in the works.
Additional programs are consistently needed in the mental health and substance use areas, that is a given. Rest assured, the BHAB along with community stakeholders, family members and the public will continue to advocate for and collaborate with county departments and agencies to champion and support the residents of Ventura County, particularly persons who may be experiencing severe or other mental health or substance use challenges. This is what the BHAB has been tasked to do. Together we will try to make a difference.
Janis Gardner, Camarillo
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Altering flag unpatriotic; BHAB doing the job
