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02-02-10 | Santa Paula Must Count On Its Own Resources, Mayor Says

Source: Ventura County Star - Online Edition

Article Note: NCHC attorney Melissa Sayer is quoted in the following article

Santa Paula can’t count on help from the state or federal government and must count on its own resources, said Mayor Jim Tovias in a speech Tuesday.

In a guardedly optimistic “State of the City” speech before about 150 civic leaders, Tovias gave kudos to the city staff and City Council for balancing the budget and for accomplishing much in 2009.

“We have a tremendous staff keeping an eye on revenues,” Tovias said. He spoke at the annual Chamber of Commerce luncheon featuring the mayor’s address and including awards to an outstanding citizen, outstanding business and outstanding beautification project.

Tovias said the “X factor” in the city’s plans is the state of California, which often borrows or holds back local tax funds to fill its own empty coffers.

“We don’t know what they’re going to do, and that makes it difficult to plan,” he said.

Tovias said that the state will most likely borrow $422,000 in property taxes and withhold $250,000 in gas taxes and $770,000 in redevelopment agency funds this year.

Another concern is the state’s plan to release 27,300 inmates without any supervision by parole officers, he said.

“We need to take advantage of programs we already have,” Tovias said. “Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch — neighborhoods need to get together.”

In the next year, Santa Paula residents can look forward to the opening of a wastewater recycling facility, the construction of a 40-million-gallon water tank to replace one built in the 1930s and construction of new bike trails, among other projects, he said.

After the mayor’s speech, the award for the citizen of the year was presented to civic volunteer Ginger Gherardi, formerly executive director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, who kept her comments brief.

“I prefer to work behind the scenes, and this kind of thing embarrasses me,” she said, thanking those who worked with her for the good of the community.

The beautification project of the year included the building where the luncheon was held, the Mill in Depot Plaza.

The Mill, which was once a brokerage for agricultural products, is in the process of becoming the Farm Heritage Museum, a branch of the Museum of Ventura County. It is scheduled to open this summer.

“We are very, very excited because this is a wonderful spot with its own ties to the agricultural heritage of this area,” said Melissa Sayer, who serves on the museum board of directors.

The Santa Paula Times newspaper was honored as business of the year. Owner Don Johnson thanked his staff, saying some of them had been with the newspaper for 30 years.

He also acknowledged recent tough economic times and vowed to continue publishing.

“We are all struggling,” Johnson said. “All of the businesses are struggling and we are struggling, but we are there and we are going to be there.”