The Boston Globe’s Naomi Martin and James Pindell report that all of 2020’s formally declared “major party” presidential candidates say they support legalizing marijuana at the federal level. Yes, that includes President Trump.
Great idea! But why should the nearly 2/3 of Americans who want marijuana legalized spend the next 20 months listening to these candidates promise to make it happen? At least eight of them are in a position to get the job done now.
Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are US Senators. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is a US Representative. Any or all of them could introduce and sponsor/co-sponsor bills to legalize marijuana.
Donald Trump is the president of the United States. Any time he cares to pick up the phone and summon the Republican Party’s congressional leaders, or maybe just US Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and US Representative Justin Amash (R-MI) over to the White House, he can lean on them to get a bill moving for the same purpose, then sign it when it passes.
There are opportunities here for all of these politicians. The first one to make a big move would get the most credit for ending the federal war on marijuana. The others could earn some brownie points (yes, I went there) for joining in. We could enjoy a rare “bi-partisan” love-fest where political opponents come together for the good of the country.
Of course, the candidates who don’t really mean it when they say the favor legalization would be put on the spot. They’d have to either follow through or look like the liars they are. That’s a feature, not a bug. Let this issue winnow the field of candidates who thought they could run the clock out on it and then go back to business as usual.
So far, ten states have defied the federal government’s ban on marijuana and outright legalized it for recreational use, while another 13 have “decriminalized” it instead of treating it as a serious offense. It’s legal for medical use in 33 states and the District of Columbia and another 13 states have relaxed restrictions on one of its most useful ingredients, CBD.
Marijuana legalization is an unstoppable parade. Time for the presidential candidates to run for the front of that parade instead of just standing in the crowd hoping the voters will throw them some candy.
Photo by Avens O’Brien
Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.
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Thousand Oaks, CA – The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held at the Oaks Shopping Center will soon have a new location and new market hours. The Thousand Oaks market, operated by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA), will move from its former site at the east end parking lot on Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard to the West Side Delivery Lane between the Oaks Parking Structure and the Main Food Court Entrance. The move will take place starting on Thursday, March 21 and the new hours will run from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
“We are looking forward to moving into a more convenient location for our customers,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the VCCFMA. “Shoppers will have access to ample parking within the parking structure and the nearby lower level parking lots, allowing for easier access to the market,” continued Schott. “In addition, we hope to introduce the market to a new audience with the Children’s Area and Food Court immediately adjacent to this new location,” she added.
About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association
The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association serves the community of Ventura with two Markets — Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall, front west parking lot on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays in Downtown Ventura on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end parking lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Santa Clarita Farmers’ Market is held on Sundays at the College of the Canyons, parking lot 5 on Valencia Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association
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Media outlets are largely ignoring or mishandling reports that Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her chief of staff were controlling a PAC at the same time the PAC was working to get her elected.
The report also noted that Ocasio-Cortez and her chief of staff did not disclose their control of Justice Democrats to the FEC. Experts say it could be a felony if Ocasio-Cortez and her chief of staff knowingly and intentionally withheld this information to skirt campaign contribution limits. PACs and campaigns must share a contribution limit when being controlled by the same person or group of persons.
The media has ignored the explosive allegation, instead lumping it in with a complaint to the FEC that Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff funneled nearly $1 million from PACs he controlled to private LLCs that he also controlled. That complaint was outlined in a report by the Washington Examiner, but is a separate issue from the allegations laid out by the DCNF.
NBC News fact-checked the FEC complaint by the National Legal and Policy Center, reaching the conclusion that there is “no evidence of wrongdoing.” However, in their fact check, NBC falsely claimed that the DCNF said Ocasio-Cortez and her chief of staff could face jail time over the complaint. A former FEC official who spoke to the DCNF suggested they could face jail time over her legal control over the Justice Democrats PAC, not over the separate allegations made by NLPC.
NBC issued a correction on their fact check after an inquiry from an editor at the DCNF, but still did not accurately characterize the DCNF’s reporting.
NBC News fact-checked the FEC complaint by the National Legal and Policy Center, reaching the conclusion that there is “no evidence of wrongdoing.” However, in their fact check, NBC falsely claimed that the DCNF said Ocasio-Cortez and her chief of staff could face jail time over the complaint. A former FEC official who spoke to the DCNF suggested they could face jail time over her legal control over the Justice Democrats PAC, not over the separate allegations made by NLPC.
NBC issued a correction on their fact check after an inquiry from an editor at the DCNF, but still did not accurately characterize the DCNF’s reporting.
NBC News Correction (Screenshot: March 7, 2019)
NBC News Correction (Screenshot: March 7, 2019)
“One conservative outlet suggested the freshman representative and Chakrabarti could face jail time over ties to the PAC,” NBC reporter Jane Timm claimed.
As pointed out by a DCNF editor in a follow-up inquiry to NBC News, the issue cited in the DCNF report is Ocasio-Cortez’s legal control over the PAC, not her “ties” to it. Additionally, the DCNF never suggested jail time — those were determinations by a former FEC commissioner quoted in the reporting.
The Washington Post also reported on the FEC complaint and conspicuously left out any mention of the allegations in the DCNF report.
A lawyer for Ocasio-Cortez confirmed to The Washington Post that Ocasio-Cortez had legal control of Justice Democrats PAC until June 30, 2018 — a central claim in the DCNF’s reporting — but the Post opted not to mention that to their readers.
Other outlets didn’t bother to mention the DCNF report or its implications, including Business Insider, ABC News and CNN.
Ocasio-Cortez has brushed aside both the FEC complaint and the suggestion that she could face jail time.
On March 7, 2019, an Oxnard Police Department officer observed a stolen 2000 Toyota Camry parked in 1100 block of South J Street. The Toyota was reported stolen out of the city of Port Hueneme on February 17, 2019. Officers contacted and arrested 23-year-old Port Hueneme resident Stephanie Natalie Reyes for possessing a stolen vehicle.
Keys belonging to the stolen Toyota Camry were located inside of the vehicle.
Help protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves by remembering to:
Lock your vehicle and take out your valuables when leaving it. An unlocked car is an invitation to a thief.
Close all windows – thieves can open vehicles through the smallest of openings.
To take your car keys with you. Do not leave them in your car, or leave your car running.
Please be advised that a large portion of auto theft is attributed to vehicles left running and unattended in front of the owner’s own home.
As part of an ongoing campaign to curb auto theft, Detectives from the Auto Theft Task Force are offering steering wheel locks to Oxnard residents. Owners of 1990-2000 Honda passenger vehicles are asked to be extra vigilant due to the high number of thefts involving these specific vehicles. The Auto Theft Task Force has a limited amount of steering wheel locks available, for details on obtaining a free steering wheel lock, contact Detective Enrique Alvarez at (805) 385-7664.
The Oxnard Police Department cannot effectively stop auto theft without the assistance of concerned, responsible residents. We depend on YOU to call and tell us whenever you see suspicious persons or activity. Contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to report suspicious or criminal activity. Translators are available 24/7.
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The City of San Buenaventura has prepared a Notice of Availability to notify responsible and trustee agencies that an Environmental impact Report (EIR) for implementation of the State Water Interconnection Project (SWP) has been prepared and forwarded for review and comment.
The EIR is stated to be an “informational document based on facts”[1].
The project would enable delivery of State Water Project (SWP) water by wheeling water through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas) water systems to the City of Ventura. The pipeline facilities (the “interconnection”) would also facilitate direct delivery of SWP water to the United Water Conservation District (United) and direct or in-lieu delivery[2] of SWP to Casitas Municipal Water District (Casitas). In addition the interconnection would allow the City to deliver water to Calleguas during an outage of Calleguas imported water supplies. The interconnection would be a pipeline used to transport water between Calleguas and the City’s distribution systems.
The pipeline would be approximately 7 miles in length or originating in the easterly portion of the City of Ventura and traversing southerly and easterly through unincorporated Ventura County to the southwestern part of the City of Camarillo.
The objective of the State Water Interconnection Project (SWP) is stated to: Provide a water supply source to the City to enhance supply reliability; Improve water quality; Allow Casitas and United to receive their State Water Project entitlement; and, Enable the City to deliver water to Calleguas during an imported water supply outage.[3]
A summary and description of the various capital improvement projects which are required as a prerequisite to implementing the capability to receive and distribute State Water in the City of San Buenaventura are provided as supporting information in Table 1 – State Water Capital Improvement Plan Description and Costs below.
The following comments are provided regarding the adequacy and completeness of the subject EIR:
The EIR is incomplete. The impact to the environment of the various capital improvement projects identified in Table 1 above which are required as a prerequisite to implementing the capability to receive and distribute State Water in the City of San Buenaventura from the interconnection pipeline are not identified or evaluated. During the public comment portion of the Ventura Water Commission hearing on the State Water Interconnection Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), an observation was made that the EIR for the proposed State Water Interconnection Project appeared to be incomplete since it only addressed construction of the pipeline and did not include associated additional water distribution system modifications required to transmit water from the Saticoy facility to west Ventura customers. Ventura Water staff’s response was “Ventura Water currently has the capability to deliver water from east Ventura to west Ventura,” therefore, proposed waterline and pump station improvements are not required as a prerequisite for delivering State Water from the Saticoy facility to west Ventura. If Ventura Water staff’s response is correct, then what is the justification for the six unnecessary CIP projects totaling $47,490,000?
No factual or supporting data is provided to support the conclusion that reliability of the water supply will be enhanced.
No factual or supporting data is provided to support the conclusion that water quality will be enhanced.
[1] Handout, Ventura Water State Water Interconnection Project, Public Meeting Review Draft Environmental Impact Report, Slide 3, February 26, 2019
[1] In-lieu delivery means that all the SWP would be delivered to a Ventura Water customer in the Casitas service area, rather than directly delivered to Casitas, and this would offset demand on the Casitas system. Notice of Availability, February 19, 2019.
[1] Handout, Ventura Water State Water Interconnection Project, Public Meeting Review Draft Environmental Impact Report, Slide 6, February 26, 2019
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Oxnard, California – Residents seeking to help shape the future of Oxnard are encouraged to apply to serve on a Citizen Advisory Group for the upcoming new term, expected to begin in April.
Citizen Advisory Groups, also known as “CAGs,” are boards and commissions that are an integral part of citizen engagement in local government. Oxnard residents who serve on CAGs bring their insights, ideas, and recommendations to the City Council and staff on community issues and concerns, as well as reinforcing what’s positive in the city.
“Citizen Advisory Group volunteers can really serve as a catalyst for change in the community,” City Clerk Michelle Ascencion said. “They provide the citizen perspective to the city staff and Council on upcoming initiatives, giving the entire community a voice in the decision-making process.”
The nine CAGs in the City of Oxnard focus on a variety of important topics:
● Commission on Homelessness
● Community Relations Commission
● Cultural Arts Commission
● Downtown Design Review Committee
● Library Board
● Mobilehome Park Rent Review Board
● Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission
● Planning Commission
● Senior Services Commission
To be considered for appointment to serve on a CAG, submit an application with a supplemental questionnaire, available on the city’s website at Oxnard.org or at the City Clerk’s office at 300 W. Third Street, 4th Floor. The deadline to submit an application has been extended to March 15, 2019. More information about the CAGs can be found on the city’s Citizen Advisory Groups page: www.oxnard.org/city-department/city-clerk/citizen-advisory-groups/ To serve on a CAG, you must be at least 18 years old (but at least 50 for the Senior Services Commission), an Oxnard resident, and pass a background check. For questions, please call the City Clerk at (805) 385-7805.
Se anima a los residentes de Oxnard que apliquén para servir en el Grupo Consultivo Ciudadano: Plazo Extendido al 15 de marzo
Oxnard, CA – Los residentes de Oxnard que buscan ayudar a dar forma al futuro de Oxnard se les anima a aplicar para servir en un Grupo Consultivo Ciudadano para el próximo nuevo término, que se espera que comience en abril.
Los Grupo Consultivo de Ciudadanos, también conocidos como “CAGs”, son comités y comisiones que forman parte integrante de la participación ciudadana en el gobierno local. Los residentes de Oxnard que prestan servicios en los CAGs aportan sus conocimientos, ideas y recomendaciones al Concejo Municipal y al personal sobre temas y preocupaciones de la comunidad, además de reforzar lo que es positivo en la ciudad.
“Los voluntarios del Grupo Consultivo Ciudadano pueden servir de catalizador para el cambio en la comunidad,” dijo la Secretaria de la Ciudad Michelle Ascencion. “Proporcionan la perspectiva ciudadana al personal de la ciudad y al Consejo sobre las próximas iniciativas, dándole a toda la comunidad una voz en el proceso de toma de decisiones.”
Los nueve CAGs en la ciudad de Oxnard se centran en una variedad de temas importantes:
· Comisión sobre la Falta de Vivienda
· Comisión de Relaciones Comunitarias
· Comisión de Artes Culturales
· Comité de Revisión de Diseño del Centro
· Consejo de Bibliotecas
· Consejo de Revisión de Alquiler del Parque de Casas Movibles
· Comisión de Parques, Recreación y Servicios Comunitarios
· Comisión de Planificación
· Comisión de Servicios para Personas Mayores
Para ser considerado para el nombramiento para servir en un CAG, envía una aplicación con un cuestionario complementario, disponible en el sitio web de la ciudad en Oxnard.org o en la oficina del Secretario de la Ciudad en 300 W. Third Street, 4o piso. La fecha límite para presentar una solicitud se ha extendido al 15 de marzo de 2019. Puede encontrar más información sobre los CAGs en la página de Grupos Consultivos para Ciudadanos de la ciudad: www.oxnard.org/city-department/city-clerk/citizen-advisory-groups/. Para servir en un CAG, debe tener al menos 18 años (pero al menos 50 para la Comisión de Servicios para Personas Mayores), ser residente de Oxnard, pasar una verificación de antecedentes y hablar inglés. Para preguntas, por favor llame a la Secretaria de la Ciudad al (805) 385-7805.
The City of Ventura invites community members and stakeholders interested in learning about the VenturaWaterPure project’s role in a sustainable water future for Ventura to review and comment on the Ventura Water Supply Projects Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR). The public review and written comment period for the Draft EIR will run from March 6 to April 19, 2019.
The City of Ventura is currently in the planning phases for the proposed VenturaWaterPure Project which includes the construction of an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) for potable reuse. Potable reuse is the proven use of recycled water to supplement drinking water supplies. After years of special studies, environmental assessment, demonstration facility testing, and stakeholder meetings, the City determined the best way to enhance environmental protection while improving local water quality and supply reliability is to divert highly treated wastewater discharges for reuse. The final product of this state-of-the-art AWPF would be a new, locally owned source of highly purified drinking water that provides Ventura with a long-term drought resilient water supply solution.
Interested persons, organizations, and agencies are invited to attend a public meeting, in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Water Commission meeting, to receive an overview and ask questions about the environmental analysis of the project.
Public Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Location: Ventura City Hall, Community Meeting Room (Room 202)
501 Poli Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Written comments on the Draft EIR are due no later than 5 PM on Monday, April 19, 2019.
Libertarian Party of Ventura County Chair Robin Westmiller discusses the future of the Libertarian Party and planned activities for the Libertarian Party of Ventura County leading up to the 2020 elections in an in depth interview with “Our VenturaTV” Producer George Alger.
Our Ventura TV is an award-winning weekly talk show television series broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and also published on this website as well as on social media networks. The programs are primarily about nonprofits, community advocates, leaders, artists and organizations who contribute in some way to the Ventura County community.
“Since we began in 2008, the theme for the TV series has been “People doing good things in Ventura County” and the surrounding area. The majority of programs are talk shows featuring guests who are interviewed about their activities in the community. Additionally, there are music, theatrical and other entertainment productions,” says Alger.
The program will air on Sunday, March 10 at 2:00, Monday, March 11 at 1:00, Thursday, March 14 at 9:00 am, and Saturday, March 16 at 9am.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —The California Fire Foundation, in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, has launched a statewide Wildfire Safety and Preparedness public education campaign to better inform residents on key steps and precautions to take in preparing for potential wildfires. The campaign, with materials available in English and Spanish, is part of the Foundation’s “Firefighters on Your Side Program” which provides critical fire safety information and public service announcements (PSAs) in multiple languages targeting underserved communities.
California is experiencing the impacts of climate change with drought, extreme weather variations, and increasingly dangerous wildfires plaguing our state on a regular basis. Over the past 12 months, California has witnessed three of the ten most destructive wildfires in history. The statewide campaign’s goal is to make sure residents are ready for the next wildfire. A major focus has been placed in reaching the underserved Latino communities in high-risk wildfire areas with in-language materials, ensuring our message of preparedness reaches as many people as possible.
The Wildfire Safety Preparedness Campaign has developed physical and downloadable information material on what families can do to prepare and also created public service announcement videos to walk through these important precautions.
Currently, the Foundation has partnered with community groups statewide to disseminate information material. CFF has also been working closely with major TV outlets in distributing the video public service announcements in English and Spanish across the state.
“Large, destructive and deadly wildfires caused by climate change have become the ‘new normal’ in California,” said Rick Martinez, retired Sacramento Metro Fire Department chief and a board member of the California Fire Foundation. “Wildfires can happen at any time, and we hope that our safety messages can help reduce the number of casualties and lives lost every year from wildfires. We cannot and will not have a repeat of 2018.”
Below are safety tips all families should observe throughout the year to be prepared for wildfires.
1. GET READY
Clear dry vegetation and tall grass at least 100 ft. around your home
Harden your home with fire-safe materials
Watch for Red Flag Alerts, fire weather bulletins (weather.gov)
Plan & practice at least two different evacuation routes
2. GET SET
Establish an “action plan” including critical phone numbers, meeting area
Prepare an Evacuation Supply Kit
Prescriptions/eyeglasses
Copies of important documents
Food/water
First-aid kit
Extra phone chargers
Verify insurance coverage
3. GO! Evacuation Tips
Leave lights on, turn off gas
Put emergency supply kit in vehicle
Evacuate early – don’t wait to be ordered
If trapped, call 9-1-1
If ordered to leave, don’t wait … JUST GO
4. EVACUATION CHECKLIST
Bring flammable items indoors
Turn off propane/gas
Close windows & doors (leave unlocked)
Emergency Supply Kit in vehicle
Locate pets
Check on neighbors
“PG&E is proud of our long-standing partnership with the California Fire Foundation, and remains committed to building more climate-resilient communities in the face of extreme weather impacts driven by climate change. The Foundation is a critical partner in these efforts, particularly in educating our communities about wildfire prevention and providing direct support to firefighters,” said Michael Lewis, Senior Vice President, Electric Operations for PG&E.
The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created by California Professional Firefighters, aids firefighters, their families and the communities they protect. Since 2011, the Foundation’s “Firefighters On Your Side” program has focused fire-safety and disaster preparedness messages into underserved communities up and down the state of California.
PG&E provided funding for the public education campaign in 2018 in support of PG&E’s Respond, Rebuild and Resilience” program which includes practicing and improving its disaster preparedness and response, investing in more resilient gas and electric systems and leading the way on reducing greenhouse gas emissions as California works toward a clean, sustainable energy future.
More information about the program and to download material:
The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation
supports fallen firefighter survivors, victim assistance projects and community initiatives. www.cafirefoundation.org.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com.
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