Updated county seal approved without Serra image

Ventura County has a new seal that replaces images of Junipero Serra, the San Buenaventura mission and local industries with a vista of Anacapa Island tied to the history of the native Chumash.

Voting 4-1 Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors approved the emblem showing a gull flying by Anacapa's Arch Rock off the county's coast.

The vote settles at least for now what the seal should look like although it's unlikely to end the controversy over Serra's reputation. The Franciscan priest established nine California missions in the 1700s including the one in Ventura, but he also is associated with the oppression of Native Americans.

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, a Chumash tribal leader, praised the board's decision to change the seal that was adopted in 1964.

"It doesn't represent the county and the government, it represents a religion," she said.

The Rev. Tom Elewaut, pastor of the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura in downtown Ventura, said he was disappointed by the vote.

"We cannot whitewash history and while a new seal may be adopted, I fail to see how the arch of the islands represents Ventura County and its history," he said.

None of the images from the 58-year-old version survived. Gone are symbols of the oil industry, sailing, agriculture and atomic energy that apparently represents the Santa Susana Field Laboratory near Simi Valley.

Tuesday's vote came about two years after county officials announced they were working on a redesign in light of public debate over removal of Serra images. Late last year, the board directed supervisors Linda Parks and Carmen Ramirez to explore alternatives.

The public got a chance to weigh in last month when the county launched an online survey that drew 16,000 responses. Almost 27% picked the Arch Rock as their top choice, followed by the old seal with Serra's image at almost 22%. A seal showing farmworkers in a field with a condor flying overhead finished third at a little over 20%.

Ramirez and Parks recommended the Arch Rock design or one showing the farmworkers.

Supervisor Kelly Long was the lone dissenter on the adoption of the new emblem, saying she wanted to do more public outreach.

Ramirez said the board needed to act as soon as possible.

"This is a painful memory for our native people and we should recognize that," she said.

Carol Gravelle, an artist who designed the winning image, said she started with the one showing the farm fields but then added the one of the Channel Islands "because it is so iconic to our area."

"I wanted to underscore how beautiful our area is," she said. "The Channel Islands are part of our county and it is something that you see nowhere else."

Members of the public may not notice the new seal immediately.

Two years ago, the county began using a logo on vehicles and department letterhead. But the seal will show up on board agendas, certificates and resolutions.

Kathleen Wilson covers the Ventura County government, including the county health system, politics and social services. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: New Ventura County seal features Channel Island, no mission