S SENTRY The Tri County’s Only Multicultural Newspaper
The Tri County’s Only Multicultural Newspaper
TRI TRICOUNTY COUNTY
ENTRY VOL. XXVII NO. 47
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
U.S. officials identify 'strong culprit' in vaping illnesses n See page 11
L A S T CH ANCE QUALIF IE R
brings top-flight boxing to Oxnard
By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com
Oxnard—The last chance Olympic Qualifier Boxing Tournament came to the city last week, and attendees got to see great amateur boxing from competitors who put their best foot forward.
F
IGHTERS from across the country came, enjoyed, and fought while enjoying all the hospitality the city is known for. Tournament Supervisor Angel Villarreal oversaw the field of play, and he enjoyed his first trip to Oxnard. "I've been to different PAL events around the country, and this is an exceptional place," he said. "We worked with Terrel Harrison; we did a site visit with him earlier in the year, and he's done a great job." He called the boxing quality superior, and it reached the highest level, the Olympic level. "It's been a treat to oversee this," he said. "The two people
boxing tonight already qualified for the Olympic trials which are next month in Saint Charles Louisiana. Whoever wins in Lake Charles next month is our top candidate to be on the Olympic team." He believes that boxing changes lives. "It saves, helps, and disciplines people," he said. "The whole heart of boxing experience helps you become a better person." Terrel Harrison said he is thrilled and proud of the event. "Everybody in Oxnard has come to expect good boxing tournaments," he said. "I think we've put on a great one."
The last chance qualifier only comes around every four years, but he wants to be on the list next for the next visit. "We're going to make sure that we're available to host this tournament, as well as other tournaments, and make sure we have quality tournaments in Oxnard," he said. "If you talk to people, Oxnard puts on amateur boxing tournaments better n Last chance, see page 6
(Photo by Chris Frost)
Guests enjoy reading with Robal.
Special needs program lights up Oceanview Pavilion By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Port Hueneme-- The Oceanview Pavilion was a busy place, Nov. 12, as the venue hosted storytime for consumers with special needs. Clients enjoyed arts and crafts, plus reading time, which is a group favorite. The group meets every Tuesday from 10 until 12 p.m. and can choose whatever activity they want to be involved with. Volunteer Robal O'Larte spent her afternoon interacting with the consumers and talking to them about their favorite books. Robal said Charisse loves reading books about animals. "I like watching them talking together in the book," Charisse said. Robal had a smile from ear-to-ear that she could not keep to herself. "I like to see them smile," she said. "It's something that is so contagious when the clients here are engaged. My friend Sandy is a hoot, and it doesn't take much to get her to laugh." When you volunteer Robal said she doesn't have time to be sad. "This group of people are so easily n Special needs, see page 6
City takes a stand against the local coastal plan amendment By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard-- At a special meeting of the Oxnard City Council on Nov. 7, the council voted 6-1 to deny the local coastal plan amendment for Fisherman's Wharf. The meeting drew a packed house of people, and emotions ran high on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, Mayor Tim Flynn made the most defiant statement about the project and sent a message to the developer that they can't push Oxnard around. "There's all this talk about the differences between the county and
(Photo by Chris Frost)
A full house came to the city council chambers to speak against and in favor of the local coastal plan amendment.
the city," he said. "There are some who came here and spoke and said “Come on. Can't you all get along and make
it happen?” The most fundamental element of democracy and good government is compromise. If you're
not willing to compromise, how can anybody say that this project even has a chance? In my opinion, I was open-minded until the end and met with Mr. Tellefson on over a half dozen occasions. I met with county supervisors and met with as many people as I could because I wanted to see a project happen. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, in my opinion, Mr. Tellefson, from the very outset was told that you put forward your proposal and the city will rubber-stamp it, and it's a done deal." According to Mr. Tellefson, Flynn said he invested $2 million for this plan, but never once did he have the intention of compromising.
"In my opinion, he was told from the beginning that he didn't need to," he said. "The city was going to roll over and approve the project. It didn't matter how the residents felt about it, how the staff felt about it, and it had nothing to do with coastal access. "All of this was a bunch of humbug, and he was going to get his project approved," he said. "The reason why the county could not back down is because they gave him guarantees, in my opinion, from the beginning that he was going to get his project." Flynn said if there was a n City takes a stand, see page 2