Doug Halter's Response
to the 2007 Environmental Questionnaire

1. How do you value city beaches, and what do you see as priority issues for them?

Doug Halter : People, like myself, who value living near the beach and ocean seem to have a strong appreciation for the serene, tranquil effects the coast provides to our often hectic lives. I value the beautiful natural setting of both our beach and ocean and would strive to insure manmade debris is pollution is eliminated from our environment. We should more effectively educate those in our community and visiting what it is we are preserving in our sensitive habitats and also where more urban uses such as tanning, volleyball, Frisbee etc should be concentrated.

2. How will you correct the current lack of safe north/south bicycle routs within the Ventura Avenue community, and the lack of connection to the ocean?

Doug Halter: I would, first lobby to cover the freeway from Ash Street to Oak Street and reconnect 5 streets back to Harbor Blvd and bring back our heritage of a coastal City. That will allow us the land to create more bike and pedestrian access, reduce noise pollution, and a place to put our multi-modal transportation center. In addition, we should consider a bike/pedestrian trail along the hills east of Cedar, with a cross over path somewhere before Main St to connect to our coastal path.

3. The architecture “2030 Challenge”, which was unanimously endorsed by the US Conference of Mayors, calls for energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings incrementally over the next 25 years, until in 2030 they use no more energy to construct and operate than they produce. Should Ventura sign up to take the challenge? How could we begin to accomplish the goal of “carbon neutral” buildings by 2030?

Doug Halter:From my knowledge this, in fact, looks very good! We have many ways to reduce energy use and create new renewable technology to tack advantage of solar, wind, motion and other energy sources other than fossil fuels.

4. What changes would you promote for the Victoria Corridor, and how do they tie into our natural environment and quality of life?

Doug Halter: I could support the plan as proposed by the Council if it included a bypass from 126 to 101 southbound. In addition, a tram like mass transit service that connects into a Downtown, Mall, Harbor loop would be appropriate.

5. What actions will you take as a city council member to ensure that the greenbelts and farmland surrounding the City of Ventura are protected in perpetuity, and that any future growth is accommodated within the city's existing footprint utilizing the principles of smart growth and sustainability?

Doug Halter: I absolutely believe that farmable land should be our growth option of last resort. I believe in urban boundaries in conjunction with strong support for agriculture. Tax incentives should be continued, land trusts should be considered, and density in our downtown and corridors should be a focus to eventually allow for the economy of scale to support mass transit and a truly walk able community.

6. Would the protection of the Ventura River benefit the City of Ventura? If so, how?

Doug Halter: Absolutely! The Ventura River is one of the last true natural rivers and we need to continue to put pressure on our State and Federal government to remove the Matilija dam. Pursuing the restoration and preservation of the Ventura River would, once again help highlight the values in our community; the environmental awareness and it will help keep our beaches less polluted.

7. Are you prepared for sea level rise inherent in continued misuse of fossil fuels? (This question was submitted by a youth organization.)

Doug Halter: We should do everything possible to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels including significant funding for energy efficient mass transit and tax benefits for alternative renewable fuels.

8. The protection and improvement of environmental quality affects people from different economic strata in different ways. How will you bring together your vision of social justice and your commitment to environmental issues?

Doug Halter: I absolutely have supported the pursuit of social justice and have an understanding of how protection and improvement of environmental quality affects peo0le from different economic strata. I would use my relationships and ability to persuade and lead to encourage those with more resources including power to support environmental protections. We should only be attracting businesses that support our community values including those around environmental appreciation, protection and restoration.

9. How will you promote green business, so that a thriving economy and a thriving environment become one in the same?

Doug Halter:I would seek to attract a vast array of green business and strive to offer green building information through City education and support. I would support both mandates and incentives for green building.

10. Should the city of Ventura take affirmative steps to implement Community Choice so citizens can purchase locally generated renewable power? Why or why not? (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Choice_Aggregation)

Doug Halter: From my knowledge, I would support this concept. The more we can buy locally from those with our values the more we encourage the social and environmental efforts to succeed.

11. What is your attitude about the city collaborating with civic groups in substantial and meaningful ways on community initiated projects?

Doug Halter: I strongly support community and private sector collaboration. By doing this we can exponentially increase the results of our efforts. I do believe that public involvement and input should happen as soon as possible for everyone’s benefit.

Return to the Main Questionnaire Page