Measure C Balloting

Re “No on Measure C,” Ventura County editorial, Oct. 17.

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County (Ventura Unit) endorses this editorial.

Functioning in our mode of “encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influencing public policy through education and advocacy,” the League shares the concerns raised in this editorial. The proposal as written has no guarantees, lacks detailed information and appears to be unenforceable.

The Times’ comparison of Measure C with the St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center proposal in Ojai is an excellent example of giving complete details. Another example might be the thorough preparations now being made by the Ventura City Council in anticipation of the ballot issue for the proposed East Side regional park and the agricultural land on which it may be built--land also protected by Ventura’s Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiative. Both parties are doing their best to ensure that the voters are well-informed.

As the first challenge to the SOAR initiative, Measure C will indeed set an important precedent for future SOAR votes. Unfortunately, the vagueness of Measure C, should it succeed at the polls, would send a message loud and clear to other developers. Pure and simple, that message says that specificity is not required in Ventura and that empty promises make winners. That is a message the League of Women Voters urges the voter not to send.

The Times is absolutely correct when it says, “We believe that democracy depends on a fully informed electorate.” That phrase is mantra for League members--locally, statewide and nationally. League members all understand how crucially important it is to have educated and informed voters. We regret that Measure C does not measure up to that standard.

SUE KELLEY

President

LILLIAN GOLDSTEIN

Ventura Unit Director

League of Women Voters

of Ventura County

* Please consider the following about Measure C:

First Assembly of God, an active ember of the community for more than 60 years, purchased 60 acres at Montgomery and Bristol roads in 1986 to build a church, classrooms and recreational facilities. It has always been our desire to provide the people of Ventura with a safe and modern place for people of all ages to enjoy.

In 1995, the voters of Ventura County passed the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiative, which prohibits the rezoning of agricultural property without voter approval. Our congregation has grown considerably in recent years, and we recognized our need to expand beyond the limits of our present facility. Earlier this year, our congregation gathered signatures on petitions from more than 10% of the voters registered in the city of Ventura. This qualified our measure for the Nov. 2 ballot. This initiative is known as Measure C.

As a church, we find ourselves in the unique position of needing voter approval under the SOAR mandate. We want to assure the voters of this community that we are totally committed to the following:

* We will build a multipurpose auditorium for church and civic use.

* We will build classrooms and facilities for our growing preschool.

* We will provide much needed sports fields to ease the existing burden on Ventura’s overused parks and schools.

* We will not sell the property to a developer.

We have reinforced our commitment by placing a binding covenant on this property. This covenant prohibits the development of housing on our land--a legal assurance to the voters of Ventura.

As we enter the next century, this is our opportunity to share with the community in building a better Ventura. We respectfully ask for your yes vote on Measure C.

Pastor TONY CERVERO

and CHURCH BOARD

First Assembly of God

Ventura