S SENTRY The Tri County’s Only Multicultural Newspaper
Council approves letter opposing gun shows at the fairgrounds
The Tri County’s Only Multicultural Newspaper
TRI TRICOUNTY COUNTY
ENTRY VOL. XXVII NO. 8
By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard—It’s cookie time again in Ventura County, as Girl Scout Troops 65252 and 61104 teamed up with the Oxnard Police Department at The Collection at River Park and had a blast selling the treats to customers passing by who support the children.
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HE group camped outside the police station at the mall had a full complement of Girl Scout cookies available and had a great time raising money for the proposed police department library. Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager Melissa Valdez said the girls are working on their silver award and the kids decided to take on the library as a community project. “It’s an opportunity for people to donate gently used books and make them accessible to other members of the community for their enjoyment,” she said. “Right now, we’re looking at a model of a mobile library of decorated crates in the lobby, but we’ll wheel it around to other places in our department.” The fundraising event started with community outreach for young girls, she said, along with youth leadership activities and it flourished.
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FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Photo by Chris Frost
Girl Scouts from Oxnard and Ventura teamed up with the Oxnard Police Department at The Collection to sell cookies and raise money for a little library at the police station.
Cookie sale benefits OPD
A happy customer proudly supports the Girl Scouts.
“They approached us about their silver award, which is building a little library,” she said. Valdez is a former Girl Scout and sees how developing leadership skills pay off in the future.
“I think a lot of things they do is girl-led,” she said. “Getting out here selling Girl Scout cookies is not an easy job, but everyone loves Girl Scout cookies. They dedicate their time to their public speaking skills.”
Photo by Chris Frost
She has her eyes on some thin mints, which goes perfectly with a cup of coffee. “We’re going to be starting our citizen’s academy in March,” Valdez n Cookie, see page 6
Council compromises on the resolution that phases out oil and gas lease expansion By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard—The fur flew at the Feb. 20, Oxnard City Council meeting, as the group approved a resolution opposing new or expanding offshore drilling, fracking, and related technologies and also approved the framework for new energy jobs in the future. The council did not approve phasing out oil and gas extraction and onshore production, over concerns that it would hurt the local economy. The item was brought forward by Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez and was easily the most contentious item, as more than 50 people signed up to make public comments. The council chambers were standing room only for the item, and at one point the police had to separate two people disagreeing on the subject. “This is a resolution I’d like our city to pass,” Ramirez said. “I want to hear what everybody n Compromises, see page 2
AARP Foundation helps Oxnard Seniors By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard—As the 2019 tax season kicks into high gear, smart Oxnard seniors are taking advantage of free tax preparation services courtesy of the AARP Foundation, and left with smiles on their faces Seniors filled the South Oxnard Senior Center, Feb. 19, and came ready to handle the task at hand with a competent professional at their side. Recreation Leader Kimberly Dizon filed at the South Oxnard Center said the people doing the
Tri County Sentry (February 22, 2019).indd 1
taxes are volunteers who want to help. “I like how each center is different in their way,” she said about filling in at the center. “Here, the seniors are active. They like their exercise classes and get about 30-40 people in their auditorium.” Sally Greenwood directed the traffic at the entrance and said she hadn’t done her taxes yet because she doesn’t have all her “stuff ” ready. “I am not procrastinating,” she said. “I like helping the tax preparers. I help them get ready their taxes ready to send to the
preparer and help them get all their documents together, and papers filled out. I speak Spanish, so if someone comes in, I can help them too.” Sally said people over 50 years old could get their taxes done for free, but admitted that anyone who comes in gets whatever help they need. “We have a lot of students,” she said. Tax Preparer Bill Borkowski said the AARP likes helping the seniors and he enjoys putting his knack for numbers to good use. n Foundation, see page 6
Photo by Chris Frost
Tax1 An Oxnard senior gets help with his tax returns, courtesy of the AARP Foundation.
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