OXNARD — The Latino Issues Forum will be holding its second Town Hall Candidates Forum for the 5th Supervisorial District for the County of Ventura from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Ventura Room, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.
The five declared candidates for this position have been confirmed for this Town Hall Forum are: Mr. Jeffrey D. Burum, Chief Financial Officer
- Mr. Tim Flynn, Mayor of the City of Oxnard
- Mr. Jess Herrera, Harbor Commissioner, Port of Hueneme
- Ms. Carmen Ramirez, Councilwoman City of Oxnard
- Ms. Veronica Robles-Solis, Governing Board Member, Oxnard School District Trustee Area 3
This district features the City of Oxnard which is the largest city in Ventura County and the 27th largest city in California. Oxnard has a population of 209,877 as of July 2018 of which Latinos comprise 73.7%, Whites 14.8%, Black/African American 2.5%, Asian 7.2%, American Indian and Alaskan Native 1.5%, and Pacific Islander 0.3%. Over one-third is under 18 years old while 49% are female. A key indicator is that 17.2% have a bachelor’s degree with 69.2% of persons 25 years old and older having graduated from high school.
Median household in the City of Oxnard is $68,303 with a poverty rate of 14.3%. A large percentage of the residents of this district are employed in the agriculture industry and the median income reflects the serious challenges confronting many families. The United Way has developed the real cost measure (RCM) which calculates the minimum income levels to meet basic needs and that income level for a family of four is $72,758. This is not the median, this is the actual annual income necessary to meet family basic needs. Compounding this problem is the median value of home ownership at $427,900, a 41.2% increase in rental costs, and the lack of affordable home ownership and rental units.
The candidate elected for the 5th District will need to address these structural economic realities recognizing that the economy in Ventura County has had virtually no real growth over the last five years. With the agricultural industry mechanizing more and beginning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI), what does the future hold for many of the residents in this district? Other key challenges facing the 5th District is the constant economic problems posed by Ventura County budget deficits, lack of mental health services, increase homelessness in the City of Oxnard and lack of transparency and engagement with the incumbent Supervisor.
The growth of the Latino population in the County of Ventura is being driven primarily by the City of Oxnard. The 2020 Census will clarify where the county is going in terms of the population composition and growth in the county. As of July 2019, White comprised 45% of Ventura County’s population while Latinos comprised 43%. However, there is a strong current that this equity is not recognized nor acted on by the Board of Supervisors of Ventura County. The candidate elected to the 5th district will be expected to effectively address these issues and more. These issues must be viewed as matters of urgency!
The Latino Issues Forum is a collaboration of local community leaders, organizations in the public and private sectors whose focus is the Latino community in Ventura County and seeks equity and equal treatment. Contact Elena Lemus or Arnoldo Torres at 805/659-1740.