Re-elect Perello to Oxnard council
As an Oxnard District 1 resident for over a decade, I pay attention to how our city is run. Councilman Bert Perello has served on the Oxnard City Council since 2013, and he knows Oxnard’s finances, infrastructure and neighborhoods, along with the long-standing challenges that come with them. That kind of deep knowledge matters when the city council is called to make complex decisions that affect residents and businesses.
When Bert joined the city council, Oxnard was near bankruptcy. Today, Oxnard is on stronger financial footing, consistently adopting balanced, on-time budgets and earning 11 credit rating upgrades from Standard & Poor’s across five categories of city debt and credit since 2021. Bert was part of that turnaround, asking tough questions
about city spending and holding staff accountable for the answers.
Bert believes that accountability belongs in the public eye and regularly questions staff recommendations in public meetings. He takes the time to explain his positions so residents understand his votes. He makes decisions based on his understanding of the issues, not political pressure or personal relationships.
Bert also stays focused on the issues that affect residents’ daily lives — from harbor water quality and seawall maintenance to street repairs and neighborhood services. Personally, I want someone who understands the city’s history and has remained engaged in these long-term challenges to help see this important work through.
Oxnard needs seasoned leaders like Bert who are willing to ask hard questions, take responsibility for their decisions and stick with difficult work, even when progress takes time. Bert has shown that kind of diligence throughout his years on the city council, and I believe that Oxnard’s District 1 benefits from having Bert’s experience at the table.
I’m voting to re-elect Bert Perello, and I encourage my Oxnard District 1 neighbors to do the same.
Gail Morgan, Oxnard
Supporting Santangelo for council
When I finished my eight years of being on the Camarillo City Council in 1991 (two as mayor,) I thought that I would not give my opinions to future councilmembers because I had received my 15 minutes of fame, even if it was local.
But there have been times when I felt compelled to tell our current councilmembers my opinions. It is good that this has been infrequent because it means that I think the current council has done very well. Two years ago, when I asked them to make sure they recovered our aging bike path, Susan Santangelo, along with the other council members, supported this, and it will be finished this month.
This, and many other things she has supported since her election in 2018, make it easy for me to endorse her in this upcoming election. Some of the other things she has supported that I think are very important during her terms are adding 907 affordable housing units, a down payment program for first-time home buyers, and several other programs to assist those who have difficulty remaining housed in Camarillo because is so expensive to live here, not only for those with low or middle incomes but for our children and grandchildren.
She also pays attention to the basic needs of those who live and work here as well as to the things all of us need such as an updated wastewater treatment plant, an adequate supply of clean water, and keeping our streets clean and safe. I urge those in her district to vote for her.
David M. Smith, Camarillo
Endorsing Schlangen for council
It is my honor and pleasure to endorse David Schlangen for the Camarillo City Council, District 5.
I have been privileged to work side by side with David on the Camarillo Ranch Foundation Board when he was the president and I was the treasurer. He proved himself to be highly principled, dedicated, and hard working. He interacted very effectively with the other members of the board to solve problems, to meet our mission to educate the public about the Camarillo Ranch, and to set and maintain fiscal objectives.
David is a dedicated leader as evident from his past leadership as a Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks Director, Camarillo Ranch Foundation Director, and Camarillo Arts Council Director. Please elect David Schlangen to the Camarillo City Council.
Helen Faul, Camarillo
Trump throws Ukraine under bus
Russia invaded Ukraine over 4 1/2 years ago. Trump said if he were president at that time, it wouldn’t have happened. He also said he could end the war once elected within 24 hours. Never happened; isn’t going to happen.
Trump decided to attack Iran in late February 2026 and that war continues to date without an exit strategy. Gas has reached its highest level in years. In an attempt to bring down the cost of gas before the midterm elections Trump, rather than taking responsibility for the high cost of gas and diesel fuel, has thrown Ukraine further “under the bus” by suspending federal legislative restrictions on the flow of Russian diesel fuel bypassing the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.
Russia will now have additional funds necessary to continue its war on Ukraine. So much for being an ally of the United States. So much for deciding who your friends are.
Maurice M. Garcia, Newbury Park
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Weighing on city council races, Trump abandons Ukraine | Letters
