Letters to the editor: Sheriff's race; Measures A & B; DA's race; supervisor seat

Ayub gives county a voice

When casting your vote on June 7, consider whether you want Ventura County to lose an influential voice in trying to reverse some of the recent laws that have led to increased crime in California and the nation. This will happen if Sheriff Bill Ayub is not re-elected.

Sheriff Ayub is an elected officer of the Executive Board of the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA). He recently was installed as the treasurer and is on the path to become the President of the CSSA. As an Executive Board member, Sheriff Ayub has access and the ability to voice the concerns of Ventura County residents directly to the officials at the top level of government, as well as work with legislators. This gives Ventura County greater influence in steering public policy-making decisions. Sheriff Ayub is also an elected officer of the Executive Board of the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA). MCSA gives Ventura County similar benefits at the federal level that CSSA gives at the state level.

While a new sheriff in Ventura County may become a member of these two organizations, he will not be on the two executive boards, nor will he have developed the relationships Sheriff Ayub already has established during his tenure as our Sheriff. Ventura County presently has a seat at the table to have our voices heard through Sheriff Ayub. Why should we lose this seat? Ventura County needs Sheriff Ayub to be re-elected so Ventura County can be in the strongest position to have our public safety concerns heard loud and clear.

George M. Sponsler, Newbury Park

A & B will level the playing field

Oil wells in normal operation make people sick. BTEX materials (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and hydrogen sulfide are emitted by the wells. These are commonly referred to as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) and are known to cause serious health impacts and adverse environmental effects. Herbicide is used to keep the weeds down around the oil wells. Herbicide-laden dust is picked up by the wind and rain carries toxins into ground water. Studies show that those living near oil wells have greater incidence of respiratory problems and cancer.

I live in the middle of the Ventura oil field; my home is 150 feet from one of the best producing wells in the field. Dry winds carry dust containing herbicide into the air, makes me cough and cause trouble breathing. Monitoring for these toxins should be like OSHA requires for inside factories handling toxic materials. This is an industrial process carried out in a residential neighborhood. What we have is regional air monitoring that looks at regional effects vs what happens next door.

We need to move to energy that doesn’t require sacrifice zones and disposable people. We need a planned descent from fossil fuels. A good start is having a level playing field where the oil companies follow the same CEQA regulations that all the rest of businesses in Ventura County (and other oil-producing counties) follow. A yes vote on Measures A & B levels the playing field.

We can’t switch to 100% renewables tomorrow, but we need to head in that direction. We can be more thrifty with our energy use, and get more and more energy from sun, wind and wave. We can vote yes on Measures A & B when we get the ballot in the mail.

Ron Whitehurst, Ventura

Supporting Nasarenko for DA

I am writing in support of Ventura County District Erik Nasarenko. In June, Erik will be on the ballot to continue his position as DA. I had the pleasure of serving with Erik on the Ventura City Council and saw firsthand how his leadership style benefited the residents of Ventura, particularly during his term as Mayor. His intelligence and dedication, combined with a compassionate and thorough approach, were of immense help to our community during challenging times. Erik has the rare ability to communicate with clarity, precision and understanding of complicated issues. He works effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups, facilitating consensus and action.

By unanimous vote in 2021, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors appointed Erik to assume the position of County District Attorney. In a short period of time, Erik has increased the crime-fighting efforts of his department in collaboration with other county agencies. With strength and determination, Erik has already accomplished significant goals including the expansion of the cold case sexual assault program, increasing prosecutions of home burglary and gang related criminals, intensifying the focus on domestic violence crimes, and increasing punishments on drug dealers.

Please join me in supporting Erik Nasarenko for Ventura County District Attorney.

Christy Weir, former Mayor of Ventura

What Measures A & B actually do

I am appalled at the misinformation being spread by the No on A & B campaign. Their false claims and scare tactics are clearly designed to manipulate voters into voting against their own best interest.

It’s not surprising that people are confused, even the impartial analysis in the Voter Guide gives little insight into what these measures are about, and when voters don’t understand something, they tend to vote against it.

Here is what Measures A & B actually do: They close a loophole in local zoning that allows new oil and gas development to avoid environmental review if it’s on land covered by old pre-1970 permits, while all new oil and gas development covered by post-1970 permits is subject to environmental review. In other words, Measures A & B make environmental review requirements consistent for all new oil and gas development so that potential impact on our air and water can be identified before drilling starts.

Here is what Measures A & B do not do: They do not affect any existing oil and gas development, including ordinary maintenance. They only affect substantial expansion projects such as deepening of wells. Because they do not affect any existing wells they will not shut down anything, they will not affect jobs, they will not affect dependence on foreign oil, they will not affect the price of oil, and they will not affect tax revenues that support schools and public safety.

It’s hard to know why the big oil companies (Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Chevron) are spending over $7 million to block these zoning changes, but it’s clear the claims in their campaign are not their real reasons. None of those things will happen because of Measures A & B.

I’m voting yes on A & B. I hope you will too.

Matty Park, Ventura

Bill-de la Peña has proven record

Our family endorses Claudia Bill-de la Peña for Ventura County’s Second District Supervisorial seat because she has a proven track record of balanced, even-handed governance. When we decided to gift almost half our ranch to the public, we first approached Bill-de la Peña, even though she did not represent us in the unincorporated part of Ventura County, because we admired her pragmatic approach to land use, and the kindness and respect she showed to her constituents. The complicated donation process took almost 10 years to complete, with Bill-de la Peña playing a vital role in bringing consensus among competing interests.

We donated our land to Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) to provide permanent public access to the Los Robles Trail, preserve the hillside view so coveted by our neighbors to the north, and ensure a vital wildlife corridor in the northwestern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains. We believe that wise stewardship of the land, water and air is key to the present and future health of our county. Bill-de la Peña understands the importance of protecting the quality of the water, soil and air that sustains us, while addressing the human need for affordable housing and economic sustainability.

As has been said, the climate crisis is a lens, not a frame, in which to view all the challenges we face. Ventura County faces many climate-related threats including drought, wildfire and sea level rise. We need a thoughtful, experienced leader to help build consensus rather than exploiting current political divides, as we tackle the challenges ahead.

Claudia Bill-de la Peña is the best suited candidate to serve in this role. Please join us in supporting her candidacy and voting on or before June 7.

Tina Rasnow, Newbury Park

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Sheriff's race; Measures A & B; DA's race; supervisor seat