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Apartment complex named for César Chavez to honor him
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More from Local NewsAs resident manager of an Oxnard apartment complex built exclusively for farmworkers, Jaime Ceja says it's the perfect venue to host a celebration in honor of the late civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
"I believe our sense of community is something that Cesar Chavez wanted," said Ceja, who oversees the Villa Cesar Chavez Farmworker Family Apartments on Salvador Drive in Oxnard. "The residents help each other out in every way. Whenever a family is in need they can just go to their neighbor for help. That's what community building is all about."
In celebration of Cesar Chavez Day — a state holiday in California observed Monday — the apartment complex will host a party for residents and neighbors Saturday. It will kick off with the history of Cesar Chavez, followed by arts and crafts, guest speakers, mariachi bands and a performance by Ballet Folkorico.
Chavez, who was born in 1927 and who died in 1993, was a Mexican-American labor activist and leader of the United Farm Workers. During the 20th century he was a leading voice for migrant farmworkers, according to the Web site of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. "His tireless leadership focused national attention on these laborers' terrible working conditions, which eventually led to improvements," the site states.
A special guest at Saturday's event will be Barbara Macri-Ortiz, a poverty law attorney who sued the city of Oxnard over a proposed luxury development that failed to provide housing for poor people as required by the city's housing plan.
The result was the Meta Street Apartments, a low-income project in north Oxnard and one of the first large-scale farmworker housing developments in Ventura County.
The celebration also will highlight the two-year anniversary of the Villa Cesar Chavez Farmworker Family Apartments, one of 14 developments built by the Cabrillo Economic Development Corp.
"It's one of the only authorized developments named after the Cesar Chavez family," said Jennifer Koch, communications manager for the Cabrillo Economic Development Corp.
"Cesar Chavez started a lot of his work in the fields of Oxnard, leading farmworkers to gain rights. So, it's timely that a development that's named after him is holding an event in his honor."
Posted by keepermel on March 28, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope our tax dollars are not paying for this party. We already pay 2/3 of the rent for the farmworkers who live there. Cesar Chavez was a great human rights advicate. I will agree with him being remembered in a posotive way, but I wonder if he would have been for the type of apartment that his name is going on? As far as I know he was about the work and the work being safe. Not freebies and extras that would make a decline in the good relations he tried so hard to create. Please educate me if I am wrong about his movement.
Posted by pjlove10 on March 28, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"sued the city of Oxnard over a proposed luxury development that failed to provide housing for poor people" - What is wrong here? I live where I live because that is what I can afford. When I sell and move into a larger home, the reason will be because I can afford it. Why should people that "can't afford" to live in certain developments complain? Make more money, afford a nicer place to put your nicer things.
keepermel - Agreed, I'm not taking away from the Chavez legacy, or in anyway minimalizing his fight. But we contribute so much already, I would really like to know who is flipping the bill for this "party".
Posted by keepin_it_real on March 28, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course our tax dollars is probably paying for this party, but we can not seem to help our disabled and elderly citizens. What is wrong with this picture.
I am with you keepermel. I have what i have because I can afford it and work very hard for it. But, I can't afford a nice new home, or apt. What is up with that?
I agree with the comments regarding Mr. Chavez, but enough is enough.
I wonder how many of these farmworkers are still collecting welfare, and getting credit for low income housing. Are they living in a better place than me? Probably. Look at the new low income developement about to go in at River Park. Rents as low as $300/mo for 1 bdr or $1100/mo for 3 bdr. These are for brand new apt homes with the newest appliances. I pay 3 times more than that for a average/nice place and I don't mind saying this, but I am a little PO'd about that.
Sorry if that is offensive...
Posted by BorderCrossedMe on March 28, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well we, including blacks have been surpressed for alot longer that you all would like to remember. So now you are just paying for always wanting to take over everything in the begining. You know our land that the government just gave out so freely and making a border on land we already inhibited. So tough but thats life. But don't get me wrong not all of us "Mexicans" as you would like to call us (as if some of our families didn't settled here before there was a border)don't live off of Welfare and we make the same money you do and afford our homes just as you. There are plenty of trashy people who live off of welfare and they are not just black and mexican.
Posted by keepin_it_real on March 28, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope--I am of Hispanic Heritage so I don't understand what your comment is about. Seems you you are the wrong assumption.
Posted by lxgnzls on March 28, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lol OMG this is the biggest joke I bet you that there r so many families living in each apartment. Lets guess there are 8 people in a 2 bedroom apt. LOL omg I love it good luck cesar chaves
Posted by stana2z on April 2, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are they going to put the INS office now?
Posted by BorderCrossedMe on April 2, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stana2z now why would you ask a question like that? So just cause its low housing and they obviously must be "Dirty Illegal Mexican" from across the Border? You people are funny. It was never a problem with Mexicans being here till you noticed we weren't just your Nannys and your Landscapers. Now that we are moving up and moving into your neighborhoods now it's a problem for you.
Posted by iseepeeple on April 5, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK we have a street, a school, a park, a holiday and now an apartment complex..wow..all to honor him...what next? How about a parking garage? YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That's it!! A PARKING GARAGE!
Posted by BorderCrossedMe on April 8, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a holiday and colleges named after a Tirant/Rapist. You know him as Christopher Collumbus..
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