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County can't afford to reject hospital
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As a displaced psychiatric technician, I would like to ask all the scared reactive people of Camarillo to stop spewing rhetoric in an attempt to spread fear. There are real answers to each of their questions, but "not in my backyard" will be their only comment.
A common question is: Where will the girls from the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility go?
Here's a good answer. The brand-new, multimillion-dollar juvenile detention center in Oxnard is only at one-third its capacity. So, basically, the answer could very possibly be four miles from where they are now. And, make no mistake, these young women we are talking about are no angels. They are violent criminals. Which brings me to my next thought. There's already a correctional facility in their back yard. The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility has been there for many years, but they bought their houses and raised families anyway.
I have read: "What about the safety of the community?" That's probably the best reason for concern that I have read yet. However, even the most unreasonable person in the county would agree that he is more likely to be robbed, burglarized, mugged or victimized in any number of ways by the most undesirable citizens of town than he is by a sick inmate locked up on the outskirts of town.
By the way, have you really thought about what it would take to escape? First, one would have to get past armed guards, locked doors, any number of 10-foot-tall fences equipped with razor wire and gun turrets. A healthy athlete would be severely challenged to accomplish this feat, let alone an invalid, criminal or not.
I've read "the proposed facility is close to two schools." Being close to Mesa Union I may agree with, but as far as Rio Mesa High is concerned, it's not close enough to call close. I haven't heard any outcry that the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility is too close to two schools.
I have read comments that there are not enough roads, sewer lines, electricity, drinking water, etc. Even the largest 2,500-unit housing tract, complete with all the retail minimalls that come with it, would not get half the attention this project is getting.
Any site in the state would have the same or similar concerns. Our tax dollars will be hard at work on a facility somewhere in California, whether it's in Camarillo or anywhere else. Remember, this facility will be built. Perhaps the state may strike a deal with Oxnard to handle Camarillo's failing sewer problem, which, by the way still translates into tax dollars that will be absorbed by Californians.
Camarillo State Hospital and Developmental Center was home to many of the same people residents now see living on the streets of their community. The safety concerns that surround a closure of a facility far outweigh the concerns of opening one. These are exactly the concerns that were not thought out properly before jumping on the bandwagon to close Camarillo State Hospital. In simpler words, if the citizens of Camarillo had fought as hard to keep the 60-year-old state hospital from closing as they are to stop this project, we may not be in this situation at all.
For those who have an intelligent, open mind, please think about this. A 1,500-bed facility will bring literally millions and millions of dollars into this county every year in payroll alone.
Are there enough good-paying jobs in this area already that we can be so quick to turn this down? Foreclosures, fuel costs, food costs, overcrowded neighborhoods, failing businesses. A project of this magnitude should be embraced as relief of these issues that are sure to get worse.
Some of us are tired of Camarillo residents throwing money at their problems to make them go away. After the dust settles, "Not In My Backyard" is the only real issue, isn't it? I would like to implore all citizens of Ventura County to arm themselves with knowledge and reason before we throw millions of dollars away!
— Robert Fleischer lives in Oxnard.
Posted by ironwoman on August 21, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Fleischer,
What makes you think that the County of Ventura would house female offenders from all over the State? The County Facility you are referring to is just that, a Ventura County Facility.
If you think that the economy cannot afford to not build this prison because it will invite jobs to the county, where do you think the 400 plus employees already employed at the current facility will go? What will they do when they lose their jobs? What will that do to the current economy in VC? Do you think their homes will not foreclose when they are forced to relocate?
"Not in my backyard"....You seem to not understand people who have worked all their lives, completing College educations, obtaining Higher level educations, doctrate degrees, law degrees, and medical licenses. If that were me, I would not want to live near a prison after working that hard and wanting a better environment for my children.
As far as the Youth Correctional Facility vs. Prison hospital....150 youthful offenders compared to 1500 convicted felons is completely different. A youth facility with juveniles who attend school, receive treatment and rehabilitative services that has a chance in life is a lot different than an adult convicted felon.
Cost: If the Receiver obtains 8 Billion Dollars (which used to be 7 Billion), this will cost taxpayers 640 million per year for the next 25 years to pay back. Do our Children deserve this?
As a displaced psychiatric technician from a closed mental hospital, I believe that you have your own agenda.
Posted by THESILKY1 on August 22, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Robert,
I Love you man but, you don't get it.
1. I worked at Camarillo State Hospital 4th generation employee.
2. I worked for Clark when he was the Director of General Services.
3. I work at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility.
4. I have been to half the prisons in the state and watched several built.
5. I have audited prisons.
6. Not in this County v/s Backyard.
7. Can you handle the truth.......
Robert ain't nothing, personal but you just don't get it.
Do you really want to debate me on the subject?
Please don't waste your breath.
The Silky one...................
Posted by dickventura on August 23, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets get the pork b4 it goes somewhere else. good logic.
wake up california.
this hospital does not belong ANYWHERE.
Posted by jascel on August 30, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have you tried applying for a Psychiatric Technician position at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility? I know someone who was just interviewed and hired as a Psychiatric Technician there a few weeks ago. Despite the possibility of the facility closure, good staff is still needed to service the mental health needs of the young men and women already there.
It seems like the discussion points already posted here clearly point out that the NIMBY issue is not the "only real issue" as you state. Building the Camarillo Prison Hospital would be the real throwing away millions of dollars. The overwhelming response from writers to Ventura County Star has been to oppose the building of this hospital. See http://www.venturacountystar.com/news... and check out the discussions after each article. Can all of these people who oppose the hospital being built, including the politicians who represent the public, not be "those who have an intelligent, open mind?" If you get the chance to really read the comments you will see that they are not at all "scared reactive people of Camarillo spewing rhetoric in an attempt to spread fear." I think that you would find that "there are real answers" and that the debate is far greater than the "not in my backyard" type of argument.
I'm wondering if your "displaced psychiatric technician" statement that you started with simply puts you as one seeking a job and seeing the proposed hospital with dollar signs in your eyes for you. This issue is far greater than a simple "NIMBY" debate or your personal gain. Try applying at VYCF.
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