The 2020 elections for Ventura County Board of Supervisors District 1, 3, and 5, and the State Assembly and Senate are right around the corner. The Latino Issues Forum is proud to again sponsor a public town hall of the candidates for these elected offices and the Latino community. As the Latino population in Ventura County continues to grow, currently 43% compared to 45% White, many of the problems that have plagued this community for decades continue to this day.

In planning for this town hall meeting, we have discussed the unprecedented media attention the Latino community has received since 2016, and the fact that an area that was once a Republican stronghold, now has only Democrats representing Ventura County in the state legislature and US Congress.

Our children continue to attend under-performing public schools and face growing concerns in attending community college caused by AB705. Many Latinos face a lack of access to quality health care including behavioral health and cultural and linguistic competent services. Despite claims of a great national and state economy, California continues to rank No. 1 in poverty in the nation and has an estimated 16.9% in Ventura County in 2017. Homelessness plagues the many who are without shelter, employment and vital services that also present very serious challenges to local businesses in the downtown area. Fiscal deficits continue to challenge the stability of the county and the city of Oxnard. The agricultural industry pays some of the highest wages in the state, but farmworkers must also deal with high pesticide use, rents skyrocketing 41.2% over the past four years, which severely limits housing options for many. Economic growth is stagnant with no concrete plan in sight. As we move to a society that focuses on “millennials” we continue to turn the page on the contributions of our elderly, the challenges they and persons with physical and mental disabilities confront.

Latinos must provide the answers to these problems and it will begin and end with the level of participation we exert at the ballot box. We must engage in the democratic process we are privileged to be a part of this state and nation. WE MUST EDUCATE OURSELVES, HOLD ACCOUNTABLE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND VOTE! This candidate town hall meeting needs your attendance and participation! Food will be provided.

Sponsors:

Lulac
Mixteco.org
CAUSE
Santa Paula Latino Town Hall
Clinicas del Camino Real
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
CAUSE Action Fund
Liuna Laborers’ Local 585