Letters to the editor: DA race; housing; county seal; abortion argument; Sheriff race

Barrick is a true public servant

When considering which candidate to vote for in the race for Ventura County District Attorney, the choice is clear — elect a true public servant who puts the citizens before his own political interests and has the support of those in law enforcement who make public safety a reality.

John Barrick, an Oxnard native, is that person — a 17-year prosecutor who has worked alongside law enforcement personnel to remove harmful criminals from our lives while putting the needs of victims first. John’s concern for the rights of victims has been central to all of his work, while his opponent has only recently realized that this concern for victims is an important issue for many voters.

In a recent online forum presented by the Ventura County League of Women Voters, John answered every question completely and honestly, while his opponent carefully avoided those questions which might be of particular interest to many in the county, such as his position on banning gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Vote for John Barrick.

Michael Steel, Westlake Village

Close housing loopholes

Re: your May 5 story, “Ojai city official struggles to keep seat”:

Reading the article of Ojai Councilwoman Suza Francina’s loss of housing is the tip of the iceberg in Ventura County where units are being converted, on an almost daily basis, to short-term vacation rentals.

Along Ventura Avenue, an entire building is being evicted by a new owner where the residents have been told that after repair/refurbishing, the owner will require a 75% increase in qualifying income to rent the units at three times the existing “low income” rent.

The state needs to close loopholes in Section 1482, to prevent owners from forcing out long-term tenants just to line their own pockets.

We need to step up and take care of the hardworking residents of our communities who staff the service industries, care for our children, maintain our garden, and are our friends and leaders.

Liz Campos, Ventura

Small price to remove stain

Re: Tom Elewaut’s May 5 letter, “Seal should recognize Mission”:

“The Mission system represents the expansion of Western culture that brought much of the agriculture that thrives throughout our county today,” Father Elewaut asserts in a recent letter advocating that Father Serra remain on our county’s seal.

By all means let us celebrate where appropriate the glories of Western culture. But perhaps we ought not to celebrate one of the vilest chapters in California history — the forceable religious conversion and enslavement of our indigenous peoples. It is estimated that during the 65 years of the mission system about half of those died as the result of beatings, disease, crowding and general harsh living conditions. And this treatment was not accidental. The Spanish crown working with the Catholic Church explicitly decreed that native peoples in the Americas were to be rounded up, baptized into Christianity and their culture destroyed. It was the same policy that Spain and the Catholic Church had followed in eradicating the complex and advanced cultures of the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs in Latin America.

Father Elewaut goes on to argue that the mission is a “pilgrimage site” that has a “measurable impact on the local economy.” Another letter to the editor argues that it will be too costly to replace the county seal. Surely, any cost associated with reversing our continuing celebration of this dark chapter in county history and the religious figure who was its mastermind is a small price to pay to remove a bit of this stain on all our souls?

Annie Winch, Ventura

SCOTUS doesn’t make laws

Fifty years ago, activist Supreme Court of the United States judges, in what some people think was a response to political pressure, decided the constitutional right to liberty meant women have the sole right to make medical decisions over their body, including the right to have an abortion.

Many legal scholars disagree with that interpretation, and even Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated that in her option the ruling stood on shacky legal grounds. For the next 50 years the court remained dominated by activist judges, and thus the ruling stood. The courts and Congress did refine that decision and include a fetal viability test. Except, that test hasn’t kept up with medical science. Fifty years ago, a baby born at seven months rarely survived. Now one born at only 22 weeks has a chance of survival. And we can reasonably assume that over the next 50 years, even younger babies will survive.

Today the SCOTUS is dominated by strict constitutionalist judges, and it appears they are about to go back to the old interpretation of that right. This interpretation in itself does not outlaw abortion or change anything else; it simply means that if our national representatives think a woman has a right to an abortion, they must do their job and pass a law quantifying their position. Something they were unwilling to do 50 years ago, which maybe is why the SCOTUS chose to act. Except, the SCOTUS is supposed to interpret laws, not make them.

So, if you want to be mad at someone over this ruling, take it out on your Congressmen and Senators, and tell them to do their job. And they had better hurry up, because after the November election, they won’t have a snowball’s chance in heck of getting such a law passed.

Dennis Lane, Thousand Oaks

Supporting Fryhoff for Sheriff

I am honored to present this letter of my full support for Jim Fryhoff for Ventura County Sheriff.

Before I even met Jim, I was told that he was a great man who would one day become a great leader. While working at the Ojai Station, Jim was assigned as my late husband’s Field Training Officer, a position to train the new deputies on the ins and outs of patrolling our community’s streets.

I’ve known Jim for a little over 25 years now. I've seen the many positions and assignments he’s overseen within our Sheriff’s Office. He has always been the kind of person that’s wanted to make things better for his family, his fellow law enforcement, and most importantly the community he proudly serves. I have seen Jim express his compassion not only for others but for me personally. Jim has stood by me and my daughter at our most difficult time and because of a lifelong promise he made, I know he will always be there for us.

The essential purpose of law enforcement is to protect and serve mankind. In order to create an enduring spirit of public service, the Sheriff’s Office follows a strategic plan based on these six values: trustworthiness, justice, courage, teamwork, service, and compassion.

Over the years that I’ve known Jim, I have witnessed him embody these values. His dedication, his strong leadership, his truth to his word. Our deputies need to regain trust and strong leadership.

The families of our deputies need to trust that their department will always be by their side; to provide them with the same unconditional support that was given to me. A law enforcement family should never forget to take care of their own. Jim Fryhoff has always been the epitome for a better and brighter tomorrow.

Dina Aguirre, Fillmore

Women don’t have full equality

Hard to believe, in the 21st century, women still do not have the same rights as men. In this country, women have never had full equality with men. The youngest mom on record was 5 years old. This innocent child was sexualized and forced to give birth. We live in a nation that promises liberty and justice for all.

There are people in this country who are vehemently against women being able to control their own bodies, their own lives. It’s a matter of religious belief for most who think it’s not up to females to determine their own destiny. Religious freedom does not include forcing your beliefs on everyone.

Those who claim to be pro-life, are actually pro-forced birth. Those who force women to give birth, should be forced to pay the entire cost of raising the child, and for the welfare of the mother, who no longer has control of her own life. No one should be allowed to take away the body autonomy of another human.

Carol Brock, Ventura

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: DA race; housing; county seal; abortion; Sheriff race