If you are here, reading my blog, it is probably because you are curious as to the typo regarding the endorsement of Measure A, or perhaps you are outraged that we endorsed it, or perhaps you are confused and wondering if we really endorsed Measure B.
Well, first, I would like to introduce myself, I am Michael Sullivan, the managing editor of the Reporter.
And I would like to apologize for any confusion the typo might have caused anyone–but if you only read the paper online, then you have no idea what I am talking about.
But if you read today’s print edition, I wrote the endorsement for Measure A. There were two versions… My first version was a bit too critical for being an endorsement. I focused heavily on the last year of what seemed to be one heavy burden on us taxpayers after another. I had a heavy hand on this endorsement, and decided if voters were going to feel comfortable with this new sales tax increase, it was necessary to lighten up a bit. And I did.
And the reason we endorsed it is because Venturans need to shoulder this burden to get us through some of the toughest times this country has seen in almost a century.
But somewhere, somehow, for some inexplicable reason, I redid the bolded last sentence and replaced A with B. And surely, it was not a Freudian slip. And the reason for that was in my heart of hearts, as well intentioned as Camille Harris and other concerned citizens are in protecting our viewsheds, what makes Ventura great is the fact people of the lower and middle class can live here. And I hope that for years to come, we can develop responsibly, creating housing and an urban environment to attract young, and often, underpaid creative types to the area and provide them adequate housing. Also, since our green space is so valuable, building up is the smartest decision to plan a responsible urban environment. Measure B, if passed, would be the antithesis of responsible building.
I was born and raised here and have relished in our beautiful views all my life… from the hills to the panoramic views of the ocean.
But after having lived in places such as Atlanta, Fresno, Montgomery, AL, and Northridge, the one thing that matters to me the most, is access to the ocean. Having lived hours from the beach and often not seeing it for years at a time, I am excited about the possibility of having young adults move here to experience what so few get to- being able to get to the beach in 10 minutes–unlike many of the towns I used to live in.
Measure B was great in theory, but poor in execution. Not only would it have long term unintended consequences for building adequate housing for younger creative types who are just beginning their careers, but it gives too much power to people who have no background in developing or planning. That would be like having the trashman teach my son’s 1st grade class because his son is also in the class and it is his right to not only know what is going on, but to control what he and his classmates are learning as well.
It is the epitomy of the democratic process, but just too overzealous.
So the VCReporter’s endorsements for the local measures are as follows: Yes on Measure A, No on Measure B and C, and Yes on E.
There you have it. And look for the clarification in next week’s print issue as well.