The Oxnard Journal                                APRIL 2006
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           . 

~ Lea Ox Jo en español        

  the Ventura Star refused to print this.................

Eariler this month the 9th Circuit Court ruled in Mr. Molina's favor and against the City of Oxnard. The Appelate Court rejected the District Judge's discretionary ruling and ordered that Molina be given a new trial.

The issue before the Federal Jury, District Court and the Appellate Court was whether Phil Molina was terminated for following the orders of the Mayor Pro Tem, John Zaragoza to respond truthfully to questions from the Star Reporter. Even the City's witnesses and the only expert witness agreed that Molina's answers to the news reporter came directly from the audited financial statements of the City of Oxnard and were complete and accurate.  Ed Sotelo, City Manager, stated under oath that he fired Phil because Phil spoke to the Star Reporter. Appellate Judge Betty Fletcher after reviewing the evidence, however, said at the Appeals Hearing that if the City had not fired Mr. Molina in violations of his First Amendment Rights they would have found some other illegal reason to fire him.

The City simply did not want the truth told about the financial condition of the golf course, about which the Ventura County Grand Jury issued 3 subsequent reports.

The jury awarded the past Finance Director $595,000, and though the District Judge wrote that she knew the Jury intended to award him damages, she instead listened to the Oxnard City Attorney's request and voided the award but not the verdict. The Jury's verdict was that Mr. Molina was terminated in violation of his First Amendment Rights.  At the end of the trial the City said the jury's decisions were inconsistent, but they refused to join with Molina's attorney to ask that the jury be
polled for clarification. When asked at the Appeals Court hearing the City's Attorney said the reason they stopped the polling of the jury was because "the City could not take the risk".    The Appellate Court concluded by saying "We note that a new trial may have been avoided if the district court had attempted to clarify the inconsistency before dismissing the jury."

Having asked for a "trial de novo" (a new trial) this is the response what Molina's attorneys were hoping to receive. The Appeals court put the District Judge on notice to clarify the jury's instructions and questionnaire and to participate in the process and not just listen to one side of the legal arguments.

The Appellate Judges  "REVERSED" the District Judges decision "AND REMANDED" my case for a new trial.

                                                                                        /s/ Phil Molina an Oxnard Resident
 

 

¿ Does Oxnard Need a sign like this for Cooper Street ?
 
Day Laborers

You see this sign in Oakland, Calif.
as you turn onto High Street
 The immigrant --- 21st Century Version.

This recent debate about "un-documented" people from "South of the Border"  has stirred some radical debate on talk shows, both on TV and radio.
 
In Ingles and Spanish the air waves, cables, and all modes of media have been charged with open discussion on what to do about millions of people who came here by virtue of proximity to the United States because of its shared border with itself and the rest of the hemisphere.  Migrant people who came for the same reason the Irish, Italian, Iranian, Indian, and every other groups from the remaining 25 letters of the alphabet are now here in a new wave and the nation has to address this issue.

So, what to do?  Well if one lives in Oxnard, a city which is 75% Latino, one learns that the majority of folks are law-bidding and gentle people.  With the hubbub about prisons being full and hospitals being taxed by the masses, the whole debate should be focusing on why we have so many people in jail, and why doesn't our nation have national health care.

Native Mexicans, or others from Salvador, Honduras, and all points South are not the ONLY ones who are undocumented.  A fair number of tourists who come here on temporary visas are known to overstay their visa-driven time and remain here in the US virtually undetected and not bothered by anyone unless a major event draws law enforcement's or Immigration's eye of inquiry upon them.

Anything other than a pogrom would not effectively eliminate the problem of "illegals" in the minds and passion of some.  Deputizing every resident to become an ad-hoc Immigration Agent would be more disruptive than beneficial to the cause of eradicating people who can't prove they belong here.

Living in Oxnard gives one a unique perspective on this issue.  Living side-by-side with people who love their homeland as much as their new homeland is understandable.  I am from Maine and love that state, but being an immigrant to Oxnard was a choice I made.  We, and all of our generations have made choices to be here.  

Ask a Native American and you will be told you are the invader of their land.  Ask historians to tell you of the war between the US and Mexico in
1846-1848.  A mere 158 years ago, if Mexico won instead of the US, those powdered by the debate may be the ones being told to leave and go home.    Immigration of any sort or variety involves sacrifice and great cost. 

A national ID card may come from this discussion, as further debate in Congress and the media.  All I know is, we are all here, right now and we need to get this issue settled squarely and fairly and methinks this new evolution has to be done carefully in order to not create a revolution.

Bill Winter
Editor - Ox Jo -

 


Men - mostly young Hispanic line about a mile of High Street waiting for anyone with work for them to appear.

Lining along street...waiting for work.....day work.

Oakland recognizes it has a responsibility to it's civic component

RANDOM ACTS OF PROTEST......

Wilson Neighborhood Says Enough is Enough....
Neighborhood Council Organizes Protest March.....
200+ Expected to Show Solidarity....

Residents ask, "Who is the April Fool?
Us or the Developer......

At last week's meeting, all of the plans were completed for our "Rally in the Alley" sponsored by the Wilson Neighborhood and friends.

We anticipate a friendly neighborhood event for our 3 block parade to demonstrate our frustration with the lack of progress at the old St. John's Hospital site. An estimate of the total time involved for the Rally is 30 minutes.

 
At 11:30 AM on Saturday = April Fool's Day (04/01),
we will assemble at the alley on the south boundary of St. John's Hospital, located on North F Street between Palm and Magnolia. Everyone is encouraged to bring home-made signs; and horns, costumes and whistles. Our neighborhood  "parade" will begin at 12:00 High Noon as we march north for 3 blocks to the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer at Doris Avenue and F Street. Cookies and speakers will complete our little demonstration. Dunce caps will be worn by some persons; and we would like to focus on the children for any reporters.
 
Our theme for this parade will emphasize " that we are fools for believing the developer's promises".

Over 5 years ago, we appeared at Oxnard City Council meetings in full support of a promised "quality senior housing project". As a neighborhood, we gave our agreement, approval and consent to this construction in a public display. But, look at what's occurred?
 
Nothing has been done for 5 years; and this eyesore deteriorates further every month. Our neighborhood, homes, children, church members, schools and historical significance suffer in the shadow of this decrepit slum. Graffiti, gangs, trespassers and garbage is now the constant companion to the Wilson Neighborhood as this projects stands idle. But the developer profits as the property's value increases - and his promises are quickly forgotten.
 
Enough is enough; and everyone is invited to our public demonstration to force action on this project.
This is is stated goal and focus of our April Fool's Day Rally. We want the developer to keep his promises and build "a quality senior housing project" ands stop this needless construction delay of over 5 years.
 
 Please consider yourself invited to an old fashioned neighborhood event.... but with attitude.
 
Your help is needed in telling others about our Rally and the reasons for our demonstration. We can always use more help in persons, signs and cookies.
 
Finally, a special "Thank You" to every person who has helped in the organization and planning for this event. By showing that we are a vocal group that will stand up for our neighborhood and ourselves ......we can't lose.
 
Looking forward to a successful event with friends and neighbors,

THE WILSON NEIGHBORHOOD......

 

OXNARD CITY NEWS

7 ACRES OF OCEANFRONT PROPERTY DEDICATED FOR OPEN SPACE
On Tuesday, Oxnard City Council approved that over 7 acres of beachfront property will be dedicated as open space. The land is adjacent to Oxnard Beach Park, located at Mandalay Beach Road and Amalfi Way.

The opportunity to accept this land came as a result of a legal settlement involving a developer and the California Coastal Commission, over 25 years ago. This settlement allowed the construction of 14 single-family beachfront homes, with the stipulation that 7.62 acres of open space would be dedicated to a public agency or non-profit organization by March 25, 2006.

The City was contacted last month by the Coastal Commission, requesting that the City accept the property in order to ensure that it remains open space. In the event that this action was not taken, the land would revert to the original property owner for private use.

"There is no downside. This is a great opportunity for the City to preserve the beachfront property for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. We thank the Coastal Commission for their role in the preservation," said Michael Henderson, Parks and Facilities Superintendent.
Oxnard's Parks and Facilities Division will maintain the space as part of the City of Oxnard beachfront maintenance program.
CONTACT: Michael Henderson
Parks & Facilities Superintendent 385-7950
----------------------------------------------------------
IMPROVEMENTS REDUCE DEBRIS IN LOCAL WATERWAYS
Residents of the Mandalay Bay, Westport, and Ventura County Harbor areas will see a noticeable reduction in debris washed into the waterways this rainy season. The City of Oxnard's Streets and Waterways Division announced today that they completed the installation of two additional debris booms in the Oxnard West Drain Channel, which will significantly increase the amount of floatable debris captured in the channel before it enters local waterways.

Following the installation of the initial boom, debris entering the waterways has been reduced by 50%.

The debris captured by the booms is removed by the
City of Port Hueneme, who has also completed a fencing project along the channel on Channel Islands Blvd.,
to prevents debris from blowing directly into the channel.
These efforts have materialized thanks to the combined efforts of members of the Oxnard West Drain Task Force,
a multi-agency partnership comprised of the Channel Islands Waterfront Homeowners Association, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Ventura County Watershed Protection District, County of Ventura, City of Port Hueneme, and City of Oxnard. Together, they work to resolve the effects of the Oxnard West Drain on the waterway communities of Oxnard and Ventura County Harbor.
Contact:  Ray Williams - Streets & Waterways  385-8056
Your News Story HERE ! ! ! ! ! E-Mail the Oxnard Journal..............

 

READ THE
MARCH 2006
Issue..............

Ox Jo
Archives

2004 ~ 2000
  
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 Ox-Jo (Jan. 2006)
Read the 
Ox Jo
DECEMBER 2005


AZUSA
STREET
REVIVAL

-2006-
.....details here........

Be There !!!!

Sunday April 9th


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LIVE VIDEO STREAMING OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AVAILABLE SOON ON CITY OF OXNARD WEBSITE
At the Oxnard City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 28, the City will unveil a new Internet service available to the public Residents can watch LIVE Video Streaming of Council Meetings, or access archived City Council meetings from the comfort of their home, at their place of work, or from anywhere in the world.
Oxnard is the first City in Ventura County to offer Live Video Streaming services on its website, www.ci.oxnard.ca.us

What is video streaming?
Video streaming is the delivery of video and audio over the Internet. It is a FREE
resource, giving residents and businesses access to video files instantly via a link on the
City's webpage! -------------- How does it work? ----- Each video Council Session is indexed, which gives the option of viewing the entire program or watching a shorter clip Specific portions of Council meetings can be accessed by clicking on selected agenda items. Residents may also type in keyword searches to view items of interest, or view sessions by meeting date.
Additionally, all programming for Oxnard's CityWatch Cable Channel 10 will be available for viewing online, meeting the needs of an increasingly technology-based and Internet savvy population. - - - - Streaming video sessions and archived videos may be accessed by going to the City's webpage, www.ci.oxnard.ca.us. Cable or DSL Internet connection is recommended for optimal viewing on your computer. The audio-only portion may be played using a dial-up Internet connection. Residents and businesses without optimal viewing capabilities can take advantage of the Oxnard Public Library's Computer Labs, outfitted with high-speed Internet.

For more information, contact the Information Systems Help Desk at (805) 385-7555.
****************************************************************
The City's technology partner in this endeavor is San Francisco-based Granicus, Inc. Granicus specializes in working with municipalities to provide streaming video services, providing streaming media solutions to local government agencies across the United States. For more information about Granicus, visit www.granicus.com.
 
   
     
Thoughts
on
Dave
Cinero
. .
CROSS WALK TIPS :
Drivers approaching an occupied crosswalk must yield to the pedestrians in it. 
The law states the driver has violated the pedestrian's right of way if the pedestrian must speed up, slow down, or change direction. 

Once the pedestrian has cleared the path of the driver, the driver may continue.

This is slightly different if that pedestrian is a School Crossing Guard. Then drivers must stop and wait until all pedestrians, including the guard, are out of the roadway.
   
     THE CITY OF OXNARD NEEDS YOU AND YOUR TALENT.....

Openings for volunteers to serve on the following commissions:

•Planning Commission

•Commission on Community Relations   
•Mobilehome Park Rent Review Board

•Commission on Homelessness
•Parks and Recreation Commission

•Library Board   
•Senior Services Commission                                              

Minimum requirements to serve on a Citizen Advisory Group include:

•Be 18 years of age or over

•Be Not currently a member of any other citizen advisory group

•Be a Resident of Oxnard 

•To Apply you must have a Completed application on file with the Oxnard City Clerk's Office -- Interested persons can obtain an application packet from the City Clerk's Office or by downloading the form from the City's website at www.ci.oxnard.ca.us. Applications will be presented to City Council-members for consideration in the coming months.

For more information, contact Jill Beaty, Assistant City Clerk, at 385-7804.

   
       
       

Located in the Former
Marie Callendar's Restaurant on South Oxnard Blvd. & Statham  -

CITY BUFFET IS NOW OPEN and serving a tremendous selection of seafood, fried and a tasty Mongolian style plate that you pick your ingredients COME EXPERIENCE THE ALL YOU CAN EAT TREATS.

Take your family and guests -- there is plenty of room and plenty of good food................


                                                                                                                                                                   03-30-06
 


 

Inglés Libre
Clases para
Adultos

a partir del 6pm - los 9:15pm
High School
Secundaria De Hueneme
Salas 6, 7, 8, 10
Camino De 500 Bardos
Hueneme Portuario, Ca 93041
Lunes, martes, y
Miércoles
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Para más información
por favor llamada
(805) 385-2578

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Adults

from 6pm - 9:15pm
Hueneme High School
Rooms 6, 7, 8, 10
500 Bard Road
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Monday, Tuesday, and
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ENROLL NOW!
For more information
please call
(805) 385-2578

 

   
       
       
       
City Council
AGENDA
-------------------
Planning Commission
Agenda


The Oxnard City Council meets
this Tuesday.

Planning Commission
meets
every other Thursday


ALL Meetings
start @ 1900  (7 p.m. )
ALL Meetings
are televised
CABLE Channel 10 or 17
 

November Ox - Jo / / /

JUNE 2004 - OX JO

   JANUARY 2005
 
Ox Jo Issue          

Oxnard Maps by Dept.

 -S I L L Y - P U T T Y -
 -C A N D I D A T E S
=

 

 

 

 

OXNARD RAISE WATER RATES AGAIN IN JANUARY 2006!

Friends,

Did you read your most recent water bill?! Did you notice that
regardless of the fact that we were already being gouged last year on our
Oxnard water bills, the Water Department under Ken Ortega once again
raised your water rates in January 2006!

Larry Stein is correct when he noted that not only did the Waste Water
Department make 34% net profit, but the City's Water Department also made
34% net profit last year. This is according to Oxnard City's audit. How
did they do that you ask? Why by gouging us with rates that bear no
relationship to cost! But unlike gasoline, here you do have a say on how
high the water rates should be.

So, what you say! Well let us wait instead to see what other "private
public partnership" purposes the City of Oxnard can put your money to use
on. Maybe the City will pay for annual assessments for the Oxnard Auto
Row businesses....oh wait the City already does that. Maybe they will
pay to guarantee theater operators so they don't have to work to make
ends meet....oh wait they already do that. Maybe they will pay to
guarantee a private business a profit on a liquor & sports
business.....oh wait they already do that. Well shucks they can always
subsidize golfers so golfer don't have to pay the full cost of
golfing...oh gosh they already do that too. Hmmm. It may get more
difficult for the City to spend your money foolishly. Oh they could us
that money to pay for water contaminated with heavy metals pumped back
into your water basin from where you get your drinking water from. Oh
good idea eh!?! Here's another dumb idea. Lend the golf course the money
needed to build a new golf course with no intent of ever getting the
money back. How else can the golf course, which has never made a profit,
ever pay back an additional loan of $9.5 million unless the money you
paid for water (with the City 's windfall profits from gouging us)
service is used to make the annual payments?

It is "funny" that the City that cares is more than willing to gouge US
the water and waste water users of the City in order to subsidize the
golfers of this City.

THE OXNARD WATCH-DOG......

How Oxnard diverts the money to paid for public services to the golf course. .. Read the above column.
 

   

 

 

 

 

 WTC
RAGE
PAGE

FREMONT north NEIGHBORHOOD
 

COXOC-13
Count Down

 

In-Junk-Shun


Gang Signs - OSJ


13-Year-old's Cry


The 04-04-04 OxJo


Leo Medina


Javier Ambriz, 23 years, of Oxnard


ColonOx

 

 
   
   

The Oxnard Journal can be contacted by Mail:

PO Box 1960
Port Hueneme, Calif. 93044

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