To the Editor:
Apparently the current Director of the Transportation Commission of the County of Ventura has unilaterally decided that the railroad occupying the former Santa Paula Branch of the Southern Pacific RR is to be sacrificed, and long-term plans for expanding MetroLink service to Santa Paula and Fillmore, and perhaps eventually rebuilding the rail link from Ventura to Santa Clarita - the primary reasons the County bought the branch in the first place - are to be scuttled:
Per TRAINS magazine’s online News Wire:
“Darren Kettle, executive director of the {County of Ventura Transportation Commission}, tells Trains News Wire that the county purchased the branch from the Southern Pacific in the mid-1990’s to build a multi-use trail ...“
MR. KETTLE’S STATEMENT IS PATENTLY FALSE. As a County of Ventura resident who advocated strongly in the early 1990’s for saving the Santa Paula Branch, I am very well aware that the PRIMARY reason for purchase of the branch was its long-term preservation as a railroad corridor in anticipation of the future need to expand MetroLink service to Santa Paula and Fillmore and eventual re-connection of the line to the Saugus station in Santa Clarita. A secondary consideration was the continued operation of the railroad, not only to provide freight service to existing and possible future customers, but also to enhance the economy of the region by attracting both tourism and motion picture filming to the area. The establishment of bike, pedestrian and possibly equestrian trails alongside the railroad was discussed only as a possible ancillary use of the corridor, along with existing and planned water & oil pipelines and fiber-optic cables, etc.
The inch-thick Ventura - Santa Clarita Rail Corridor Study, delivered to the Transportation Commissions of both Ventura County and Los Angeles County in January, 1993, states on page 12-2 (emphasis mine):
“The right-of-way could be adapted, in part or in whole, for a reasonable capital investment. Indeed, preliminary indications are that the entire route could be acquired, and rebuilt for passenger service, for a small fraction of the cost of equivalent expansion of highway capacity, and with far less land being required.”
…and on page 13-1:
• The Santa Paula Branch right-of-way is worth preserving between Montalvo, Piru and Saugus, since much of its potential transportation value depends on its having access to the Santa Clarita area at the east end.
• For the estimated cost, purchase of the [Southern Pacific]-owned portion of the right-of-way appears to be an effective expenditure of public funds, even if the existing rail line is not immediately to be upgraded for heavy-duty rail passenger service…
• In the early stages, relatively less dense service, including freight service, can be provided. This service can include expanded recreational rail service, as well as development of other recreational potential along the right-of-way…
The 1995 Comprehensive Rail Plan, prepared for the Ventura County Transportation Commission and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, states on page 2 (emphasis mine):
“VCTC is negotiating to purchase the Santa Paula Branch between Montalvo and Piru. The segment between Piru and Santa Clarita has been abandoned, but the current owner [Newhall Land & Farming] has expressed willingness to keep the route intact. Their latest development plans show commuter rail service in this corridor.”
and on page 7:
“Operation of excursion service on the Santa Paula Branch would keep the branch in operating condition, which would make it easier to eventually add regular passenger feeder service in the long term.”
In the total of approximately 500 pages in the two reports, there are only a few paragraphs devoted to the possibility of bicycle, pedestrian and perhaps equestrian trails being developed alongside the railroad, as has already been done in both Fillmore and Santa Paula.
Is Mr. Kettle utterly ignorant of the history behind the County of Ventura’s Ten Million Dollar purchase of the Santa Paula Branch - INEXCUSABLE FOR A PERSON IN HIS POSITION - or is he deliberately attempting to mislead the public and members of the Transportation Commission for reasons of his own?
Representatives of the Fillmore & Western RR will attend the regular meeting of the Santa Paula Branch Line Advisory Committee to discuss the future of the railroad on Friday, May 10, 2013. This meeting is open to the public; it will begin at 9:00 am at the Camarillo City Hall, located a few blocks north of Highway 101 at 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA. Please attend if you possibly can and show your support for continued operation of the railroad!
Russell B. Sperry

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To the Editor:
Grad Nite Live is getting ready for our Giant Yard Sale that will be in front of the School District Office on Sespe Ave., May 11th, 8AM to 3PM. We are hoping this fundraiser will be very successful as it has been in the past. Donations from organizations, friends and supporters of Grad Nite Live have been very slow in coming. We need $20,000 for this class and we only have $10,000 in the bank. I can't help but wonder if the people of Fillmore and the parents of the students aren't interested in keeping Grad Nite Live going. We don’t want the students to go back to planning parties where alcohol or drugs are available. Last year we took 155 students out of 235 in the class. Times change we understand that, however we need to hear from you. I would like to know how many are planning to go on the Harbor Cruise and maybe even the ones that won't go and why. Please help us and thanks for your support for the 22 years we have been successful.
Raelene Chaney, President, Grad Nite Live- 524-4909 and 407-5759

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To the Editor:
Sespe School would like to formally say thank you to Mr. Nick Jimenez for his generous donation to assist our 4th grade student fieldtrip to Fort Tejon! Our students look forward to this fieldtrip for years prior to entering 4th grade and remember the trip their entire lives.
The Fort Tejon fieldtrip is a valuable learning experience for our students and it is also an opportunity for students to understand that learning can be exciting, rewarding, and hands-on. Your donation is very much appreciated by the students, staff, and 4th grade families at Sespe School. Thank you once again for your donation and for playing a positive role in shaping our students and community.
Sincerely,
The students and staff of Sespe Elementary School