Letters to the editor: Shame on Star for autopsy reports; issues with Ranch Project
The Star owes victims an apology
Shame, shame, shame on The Star for seeking the autopsy reports of the Borderline Bar & Grill victims, and for then making them its lead story on the front page.
There was no reason good enough to get these reports. This added nothing to what was learned in the investigation and added so much sorrow to the families.
I am calling out Planning Editor Jon Catalini, News Director Stacie Galang, and Breaking News Editor Gretchen Wenner. Do you have no decency? No compassion? What if your family member were killed at the Borderline? How would you feel if the intimate details of your loved one’s wounds were available for all to see?
What was actually learned? Where the bullets hit the victims, where in the bar they were found, and details about their wounds and how long they took to die. This was all known to the investigators. The first two were already publicized. As for wound details and when they died, why does the public need to know? Nothing of consequence was gained by giving the public access to the reports.
The lawyer for the media that fought for release of the report said it was important for “journalistic purposes” and “learning from these types of incidents to help increase public safety...” Journalistic purposes is really getting clickbait and selling papers. I am disgusted. For public safety, the investigators are the only ones who need to see the autopsy reports.
I think The Star owes the victims’ families an apology.
Alison Carlson, Ventura
Concerns over Ventura project
The following are my concerns regarding the Ventura Ranch Project on North Ventura Avenue in West Ventura:
This is an oversized project in quantity of units and the size of buildings.
Being presented as farmworker housing. Who will screen and monitor ensuring tenants are farmworkers? Is “farmworker” a synonym for low-income households regardless of employment?
With 328 units of studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, there’s a potential for 1,000 or more tenants.
With an estimate of one to three vehicles per unit, parking becomes an issue within the project, the adjacent Valley Vista neighborhood and the Avenue.
With an estimate of one to three vehicles per unit, traffic will become an issue.
There is one Ventura Ranch exit/entrance to Ventura Avenue.
Opening Floral Drive to Ventura Ranch traffic will increase traffic to Valley Vista’s only exit/entrance.
Will there be adequate fire and law protection?
Farmworkers will have to commute long distances to work, spending wages on transportation.
Current public transportation will not get farmworkers to get to their work locations.
Farmworkers wages will be spent commuting to grocery stores and shopping amenities, increasing traffic and pollution.
The additional commuters on Highway 33 to Ojai from Ventura Ranch will add traffic congestion and increase pollution in the Ojai Valley.
The Shell Road Highway 33 on-ramp is dangerous and will need improvement to handle the additional traffic.
The Avenue at Stanley is already congested. The 203 condominiums, commercial space and McDonald’s being built there plus the traffic from Ventura Ranch will add to this congestion.
The Stanley Highway 33 on-ramp is congested and needs improvement.
Is there adequate water, power and sewage treatment for the development?
Disaster evacuations will create gridlock on the Avenue endangering lives and hindering first responders.
Will the Westside schools handle the increase of students?
Laura Swenson, Ventura
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Shame on Star for Borderline story; issues with Ranch Project
