OJAI : Retailers Lobby for Seats on Study Panel

Ojai merchants began lobbying Wednesday for a voice on the city’s new annexation study committee.

Councilman James D. Loebl said he was stunned when a merchant demanded representation after Loebl delivered a State of the City address to the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce.

At Loebl’s prompting, the City Council on Feb. 9 named 29 residents from throughout the Ojai Valley to serve on the committee. The group will help determine if Ojai should expand its boundaries or form a valleywide city.

Les Gardner, an Ojai liquor store owner, asked Loebl why he could not name a single retailer on the committee.

Loebl replied that the group represents a range of interests and geographic areas and that nothing prevents the council from appointing more members.

“I was caught cold,� Loebl said later when he named at least four members who are business owners, including a farmer who runs a restaurant.

But Gardner, who was one of 50 applicants not selected by Loebl and Councilman Joseph DeVito for the committee, called the group a “stacked deck� without a retail merchant.

Chamber President Julie Wellings, an Ojai jewelry store owner, said she also was not selected for the committee.

“My feeling was they tried to get a broad geographic representation, but I think it would be an appropriate request to make,� Wellings said.