Oxnard, where is the rest of the money?
If you’re a resident of one of Oxnard’s many Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMDs), you’re likely being fleeced by Oxnard City Hall.
There is an additional special charge on your property tax bill to supposedly pay for enhanced landscaping maintenance services. To the extent there are unspent LMD funds, the city invests that excess cash in interest-bearing securities. Oxnard is legally required to credit LMDs for this interest income; However, based on city-supplied data from calendar year 2022, my back-of-the-napkin calculations suggest that LMDs only receive a fraction of the interest money due. I’m not a rocket scientist; However, as an engineer, I understand data and can analyze and draw conclusions and/or concerns.
On multiple occasions I asked Oxnard City Hall to sit down and walk me through its calculation of interest earnings attributed to each LMD. My request only provoked written replies which were muddled and inadequate, and only served to evoke additional concerns that still remain unaddressed.
While council members tell me these concerns are valid, they just sit on their hands, seemingly unwilling to support the constituents who elect them. It was expected or hoped that they would help to secure a meeting with City Hall, yet they sit idle.
When it comes to local fiscal affairs, residents deserve transparency with open and honest discussion. Taxpayers should certainly be able to understand city operations.
Is that really too much to ask?
Ray Blattel, Oxnard
Hamas must release hostages
I have written before about the war in Israel. Now Hamas has accepted a cease-fire. But they will not release the Israeli hostages. Israel has stated that no cease-fire can happen without the release of the hostages. That is what Israel has demanded since Day 1. I guess the world has forgotten that detail.
Hamas may not value the lives of their people, but Israel considers every life worth saving. Israel will only negotiate when Hamas releases the Israeli hostages. Israel does not want to fight, but they must have their people back home. Hamas knows this, of course, but they don’t care. Golda Meir said, “I may one day forgive the Arabs for killing our children, but I will never forgive them for making killers of our children.”
Ed Blumenstock, Camarillo
