OjaiNews.com

Watch this space! The Editor’s Journal is where I’ll be preparing a regular snapshot of our Valley’s news and issues so you can quickly see what’s going on. I am very excited to serve as this project’s first Editor, and to serve you in so doing. I’d like in this very first Editor’s Journal to let you know a little bit about who I am, how I see my role and that of this site, and address some specific groups to whom I feel especially connected.

My name is evan austin, and I live in Ojai City with my wife and soon-to-be-born child. I am 27 years old, and recently graduated from Santa Barbara City College with a degree in Graphic Design. I have lived in this valley for 10 non-consecutive years, and I currently have family in Meiners Oaks and Oak View, as well as friends all over. I am very active politically and culturally in creating a world at peace, most notably in my roles as director of the Ojai Peace Coalition and board member of the Ventura-based group Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions. I also enjoy music of many kinds.

The two-word mantra and goal of ojainews.com is beautiful in its simplicity: TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY. It is my hope that as a visitor to this space you will consistently find the information and tools that you need to be empowered as what I consider the highest role in our democracy: Citizen. I believe that the workings of our government Of, By, and For the People are meant to be in plain view of us all, and if the will of the People is truly at the helm, then holding those who are elected to represent us as accountable agents is both our right and our responsibility.

With graduates of Nordhoff and Chaparral barely a week into their summer, there's probably still plenty of celebration going on...even if it takes the form of relaxation and recreation before school starts again for the 95% of Nordhoff graduates who principal Dan Musick says intend to attend college. Between both schools, every student that the VC Star interviewed plans on pursuing their passions and talents, and that means leaving the valley, often for very distant places. For those who stay behind - as well as for the rest of us - our world of opportunities is in the Valley all around us.