Letters to the editor: Pros and cons of Measures A and B; sheriff endorsements

Workers will be hurt by A & B

As a working-class Latina and resident of Ventura, I also will be voting no on Measures A and B. Measures A and B threaten to shut down existing local oil and natural gas production. This would eliminate thousands of local jobs, many of which are held by Latino workers.

A local energy shutdown would jeopardize critical county tax revenues that fund vital services our community depends upon, like public safety, education, and housing support. Many working-class residents are already struggling with housing, food, and energy costs. Shutting down local production would just make these problems worse by raising energy prices for everyone. We can’t afford Measures A and B. Please, join me in voting no this June.

Elisa Salcedo, Ventura

Ayub is clear choice for sheriff

I watched the recent debate between the candidates for Sheriff sponsored by the Conejo Chamber of Commerce. Since the race started, I have paid attention as it seemed odd that a challenger would take on an incumbent when things are going so well for the county and the agency. After watching this debate and the last year of campaigning, I am convinced that Sheriff Bill Ayub is worthy of re-election.

I was struck by two things that separated Ayub from Jim Fryhoff.

First, Ayub had a stronger grasp of the issues facing our county. He spoke in detail and could point to already achieved efforts, as well as specific future plans. Fryhoff seemed to speak in circles, to the point that he frequently seemed to confuse even himself. I recall when Fryhoff announced his candidacy, Kathleen Wilson from the Ventura County Star asked Fryhoff about his plan for the department. Fryhoff said he had a lengthy list of goals, yet when Ms. Wilson pressed Fryhoff to name one, he could not provide even a single specific goal. Almost a year later, his website and public comments are still devoid of details. He simply repackages his generalized desire to “partner with the community” over and over. It seems to me our Sheriff’s Office is already quite adept at partnering with the community.

Second, Fryhoff seems to have quite a temper. I heard the barely restrained spite in his voice when answering several questions in the last debate. He shouted several times and obviously could not control his anger. Hardly the demeanor we would want in a leader to run the largest law enforcement agency in the county. Ayub, on the other hand, was calm, cool, and collected throughout the debate.

In my opinion, Bill Ayub is the clear choice for Sheriff.

Laura Bachrack, Somis

Take action, vote yes on A & B

My name is KC Rodriguez and I am an enrolled Ventureno Chumash. I believe one of the main reasons my people have survived here for 10,000-plus years is that we have been aware of our environment, and respected the resources Hutash, our Earth Mother provides for us. We live in moderation, never taking more than what we need and always being aware to save for our future.

This awareness and respect for Hutash and land first led us to travel from Limuw/Santa Cruz Island, to Mishopshno/Carpinteria. We knew that the island's resources could not stand the stress of our growing population.

Second, I believe our awareness of our environment was a key to our survival of the mission era. My Chumash ancestors who were enslaved to the mission system made sure to be aware of their environment, not only for safety reasons but for the opportunities to pass down our traditions and language, for they were forbidden. They knew the importance of doing so, for they had us, their future offspring in mind.

Now today, it’s my right to be a caretaker of this land. Every day I’m aware of our environmental resources, our mountains are incredibly dry., our main water source, Lake Casitas, incredibly low, our agricultural land shrinking, and more families who live near oil rigs becoming sick. No more.

It’s time to take action. It’s time we collectively speak up for our resources. It is time to stand up against the oil companies and demand they enforce cleaner and healthier drilling practices. Our land, our water, our families, our lives, and our future offspring are not for Sale.

Please, in respect of our land and our future, vote yes on Measures A and B.

KC Rodriguez, Ventura

A & B set dangerous precedent

Once you give politicians power, they will use it to the fullest extent possible, and they will never give it up. We have seen this time and time again, and we are seeing it today with Measures A and B.

A and B would give the Board of Supervisors the final say over oil and gas projects in the county. This takes energy production out of earth science and turns it into political science. Both businesses and taxpayers alike are harmed when red tape, delays, politics, and legal challenges are added to an already extensive permitting process. Local politicians should not have the power to shut down industries simply because of politics. It sets a dangerous precedent. Vote no on Measures A and B.

Tai Hartley, Oxnard

Fryhoff is honest and devoted

It makes me sad to see Sheriff Bill Ayub’s campaign has resorted to spreading false information and negativity about Fryhoff. Maybe that is a reflection of his leadership.

The employees who stand behind Fryhoff do so because of leadership and collaboration, not because of pensions or raises. I have worked with both Ayub and Fryhoff. I have seen the bullying that has gone on under Sheriff Ayub’s term. When we needed him to stop the bullying, to show unity in leadership, he was not present; and for that we have lost both officers and professional staff to other agencies.

Jim Fryhoff is an honest and devoted public servant. Working under him I saw how he used people’s strengths and positive attributes to accomplish goals. He stood with his troops during COVID. He gave guidance during the civil unrest riots. He was present.

We need a Sheriff who sees our strengths and capitalizes on the positive to make us better as public servants and as a community. We need someone who doesn’t spread negativity but encourages collaboration. The employees of the Sheriff’s Office stand behind Jim Fryhoff because he is that positive leader. We humbly ask for the community’s support in voting Jim Fryhoff for Sheriff.

Jenni Cain, Camarillo

Clearing up A & B confusion

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation about Measures A and B. Let me offer a simple analogy to put in perspective why a yes vote on A and B makes sense:

Let’s say you own a home built 100 years ago. Now you want to build a second house on the same property. You don’t have to tear down your existing house, but you do need to secure permits for the second house. Why? Because we have a better understanding of the dangers from earthquakes, fires and floods. Doesn’t it stand to reason that the oil industry should make sure that any new wells prepare for the dangers from earthquakes, fires, floods, water contamination, methane releases, etc.?

Measures A and B do not demand that existing oil wells be removed. The false information about closing wells, job loss, and higher prices simply isn’t true. Measures A and B do require that any new wells, or improvements to existing wells, be built according to the updated regulations, now that so much more is known about the effects to our environment.

The argument that these wells already operate under stringent environmental regulations is not true. Existing wells are operating under the guidelines of antiquated permits. How can permits drafted almost 100 years ago address the environmental concerns of today?

Perhaps, if Measures A and B are defeated, one can make a case to build on their property based on the regulations in place 100 years ago. How would the neighbors feel about that? Vote yes on Measures A and B.

Susan Selvaggio, Simi Valley

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Pros and cons of Measures A and B; sheriff endorsements