ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PORT HUENEME & SOUTH EAST OXNARD

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER OXNARD & PORT HUENEME- YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

• I voted to approve contract modifications of the authorization of the Workforce Investment Act, Title I funding increase of $50,000, from $525,502 to $575,502 for additional services to be provided by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme. Under the modification, increased funds will be used primarily to pay for vocational training and adult school enrollments. The contract will continue to serve participants who reside in the Oxnard Plain area, including Port Hueneme, El Rio, and Camarillo.
• I was pleased to support the partnership between our Ventura County Probation Agency and the new club addition to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme located inside the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center. The club became the first to be established in a juvenile institution in California, and only the fifth in the nation. The club aides in teaching youth community skills, resume writing along with a mentorship program that helps establish an action plan when the youth returns back into the community. These efforts bring a tremendous advantage in reducing the rates of recidivism and help youth strengthen the skills they need to maintain a crime-free life style.

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP, OXNARD

• I attended the January 2007 National League of Cities conference in Oakland which began a dialogue to identify successful gang prevention policies and practices. I participate on the City of Oxnard’s Community Action Partnership that focuses on the various alternatives in combating gang violence. The Community Action Partnership is part of a national movement and is a collaboration between Oxnard City officials, County officials, community organizations and nonprofits who work together to define successful local responses to combat gang violence.

HALACO SITE

• The clean-up issues related to the Halaco manufacturing operations site has been a priority for my office. I supported efforts of the EPA Emergency Response and Site Mitigation teams to address environmental and human health risks posed by the Halaco site.
• On September 19, 2007, the Halaco Engineering Company site was added to the EPA’s National Priorities Superfund List, making the site eligible for governmental funding for its clean up. I asked the Board of Supervisors to send a message to the EPA urging them to completely remove all onsite hazardous material. We need to continue to provide support to these regulators to ensure that the contaminants of the site may be adequately addressed and the Superfund designation actuated. 

ORMOND BEACH

• I represented Ventura County at the State Coastal Conservancy Board hearings to secure the public purchase of 265 acres of Ormond Beach Wetlands.
• I participate on the Ormond Beach Task Force is composed of a diverse group of community representatives, local, state and federal representatives, who are indirectly or directly involved with Ormond Beach. I will continue to advocate that the Ormond Beach wetlands grow as a significant site for preservation, education and public appreciation.