To the Editor:
Some months ago at a City Council Meeting, our Mayor was handed a petition signed by over 1,000 citizens of Fillmore stating that we do not want the marijuana industry in our town. That same night, the Council Chambers were overflowing with people opposed to the same. In spite of the petition and the crowd, we are now faced with yet another push by the City Manager and City Council to consider placing a very large marijuana operation in the Business Park, adjacent to the park and soccer fields.
The fact is, Fillmore is the only city in Ventura County that voted AGAINST legalizing marijuana. And we may be the only city in the state to have a proclamation read aloud at a council meeting by our Superintendent of Schools enumerating the many ways legalization can harm schoolchildren! Add to that the fact that marijuana is a mind-altering drug and is still illegal at the federal level.
Mark Ritchie, current president of the California Narcotic Officers Association states, "Marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 62 percent since Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2013. Marijuana-related ER admissions in Colorado increased from 6,305 in 2011 to 14,439 in 2014. The average ER visit costs $1233. In totality, it cost the state of Colorado $17.8 million for marijuana admissions in 2014." (Ventura County Star, November 3, 2016.) And the list could go on and on...
Sure we need to pay for the Sewer Plant, which, by the way, we borrowed $57 million for and have a $135 million pay out. That was probably the worst decision ever inflicted on us by a former City Council. But putting a 30 acre marijuana industry in our Business Park is NOT THE ANSWER. And, those individuals in real need of medical marijuana have ample locations to serve them.
So, come to another attempt by our city leaders to convince us how this industry will benefit our town. The meeting takes at the Memorial Building at 3:30 on Sunday, June 25th.
Lynne Brooks
Schoolteacher

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To the Editor:
Mr. Farrell,
I hope you are doing well.
I live in Los Angeles, have hiked in the Sespe before, and have been following your articles.
Is there currently any attempt to restrict parking or public access to the lower Sespe via the easement along Grand Avenue where the fence was built?
Sincerely,
Alex Thayer