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Letter to the
Ventura Star La Conchita Who?? Remember January 10th when the whole world watched
as Jimmy Wallett was searching for his beloved wife and three
beautiful children? Our residents have invested thousands of hours doing the work that our political representatives are supposed to do. We have contacted geologists, solicited bids from earthmoving contractors, written letters to the Governor to help him understand that his commitment to make our village safe can be accomplished. We have contacted Union Pacific and made them aware that the geologic hazard designation of La Conchita includes their Railroad tracks. We have filed for 501(c) (3) non-profit status with the IRS so services offered by businesses and monies donated can be written off. All of this being done by residents, volunteering their time, because apparently the county has forgotten about us. Sorry, Ventura County has not really forgotten us! Just two weeks ago I called Supervisor Bennett and asked him point blank “what is the county doing on behalf of La Conchita?” Have they asked FEMA about their Mitigation Grant program? Have they asked their on staff geologist to review the design plans that were already developed to terrace the hill? Just what is the County planning to do about the hill that threatens La Conchita and all travelers and rail cargo that passes thru this area?” He said “I will get back to you”. One week later his reply was that he had talked extensively to County Council about La Conchita. They told Mr. Bennett that the County is going to do nothing. They are not going to look for any resources that may be available to examine or fix the hill. They used their favorite excuse LIABILITY. Well I know that there are two kinds of liability. The kind you have for doing something (fix the hill) and the kind you have for doing nothing (let 10 people die by not fixing the hill in 1995). I see in Wednesday’s Star that the County is going to spend $4.4 Million on a new communication system to make the county safer. I agree with this expenditure, but what about the safety of the residents of La Conchita? I also see in the Star that the County received $750,000 in grant money to study the physiological effects on firefighters while fighting wildfires. What about the physiological effects of performing rescue of La Conchita residents buried by the mud flow? Or the people trapped in their cars on 101? Once again I agree with this grant as anything that makes it safer for our firefighting personnel is critical, but again the County has not, and apparently will not, even inquire about possible FEMA grant money available for La Conchita and the people passing through on 101. FEMA has in the past relocated complete towns at a much greater cost than the estimated price to stabilize the hill. We as a community will not allow the County to do nothing, or as they did in 1995, make minimal expenditure that made our town less safe. If you are one of the County residents that said,
”Why are those crazy people living in La Conchita with that
hillside so dangerously close behind them?” I ask you, would
you move to Kansas if an earthquake hit Camarillo, Thousand Oaks,
Oxnard, etc.? I think not. And would you expect the County to
ask FEMA to help you if you lost your home in an earthquake. You
bet you would. I live here because I worked hard my whole life
so I could retire near the beach. I got lucky and found La Conchita
before the prices prevented me from buying here. Now all I want
to do is live in a safe community and the County refuses to even
research possible available funds.
La Conchita Community Organization
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