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Rincon and Ventura County Win 6 Year Battle for Ocean Water Testing by Lawrence Manson MAKING WAVES, Oct./Nov. 1998 |
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On Tuesday, September 15, 1998, the Ventura County Board of Supervisor's voted unanimously to fund an ocean water testing and beach posting program for the beaches of Ventura County. This was the culmination of a six year long effort on the part of the Ventura County Chapter that began in 1992 when representatives from the chapter first met with Public Health officials. The meeting on May 21, 1992 set the tone for the next six years when County Health officials refused to begin a program citing lack of funds, insufficient personnel, and concern about liability issues. The Chapter had set up a Blue Water Task Force at its meeting on October 1, 1991 with Dr. Delia Gorey as Chair. Delia and other chapter members planned the testing schedule with the first BWTF results being brought to the Chapter on February 10, 1992. Those results prompted the meeting with Public Health in May. Having been rebuffed by Public Health, the Chapter set about funding ongoing water testing. By May, Chapter efforts had generated nation wide publicity with news stories on the AP wire resulting in numerous articles in newspapers from the east coast to Hawaii, and stories on National Public Radio, and NBC Radio news along with stories on channels 4 and 11 in Los Angeles. Senatorial candidate Barbara Boxer met with chapter members for an hour introduction to the Blue Water Task Force testing program. Chapter member Larry Manson arranged a generous grant from Doug Otto of the Deckers Corporation which funded the BWTF for three years of testing. The Chapter voted to share the grant with the Santa Barbara Chapter. By April, 1993 Richard Sweet stepped up to become Chair of the BWTF. There were new testing procedures available and the testing became more reliable and more scientifically accurate. Glen Kent set up a fax program to get testing results to the media, businesses, bureaucrats, and politicians in the county. He became BWTF chair in January, 1994. In October, 1994, there was a breakthrough when the Ventura Star-Free Press agreed to carry the BWTF reports every week in the paper. For the next four years, chapter members continued to educate the public, meet with political leaders, test the waters, and get the results printed in two local papers. Finally, after unrelenting efforts by Brian Brennan, Bruce MacDonald, and Kevin Buddhu, involving numbers of meetings with public officials, the County Supervisors made their historical vote and Ventura County, the last non-testing county in Southern California, agreed to undertake testing. Many including Steve Cook, John Flores, Kim Gair, Larry Heinlein, Ed Hodges, Dave Kanarek, Bill Krueger, Reese Martin, Lee O'Neil, Jim Passanisi, Ron Plomell, Dave Reichard, Jane Seivert, Bob and Buddy Steele, and Gabe and Susan Welbourne invested tremendous energy and time in the BWTF. They proved that dedication, perseverance, and commitment do make a difference. Thousands of people who use the Ventura County coastline are going to be healthier in the future because of their efforts. Congratulations! |
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