Conejo Post

Jim Kalember, former school board member for Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) made this comment, which I think deserves a post of its own:

“That a local community such as Oak Park, especially in a region as transient as Southern California, should have so many citizens with deep connections to the community is indeed remarkable. Even more remarkable are two of the four authors, Harvey Kern and David Ross, who certainly exemplify the tenacity of many of our pioneer and sustaining citizens. Oak Park has had participating, involved citizens over 4 decades, bright, professional, and caring citizens–the list is long, and Pat and Stan Manning ,Jan and Steve Iceland, Wayne Blasman, Cindy Vinso, Kevin and Marti Ketchum, Sherry and Alan Kirsch, Ron Stark, and Kent Behringer are but a few that come to mind. Then there are players like Mike Paule, Janna Orkney, Todd Haines, Jay Kapitz, Brett Garrett (and many, many more) who will carry it forward. A MAC in an unincorporated area, a Parks Committee with some power, and an award-winning School District have been the tools that have been used by citizens like those mentioned above to create this unique environment. As a proud member of the Oak Park family for over 24 years, I see no reason why the spirit and drive to excellence cannot continue (unless no one ever moves out!!). Nice post, Janna!”

Jim Kalember contributed to the community of Oak Park for many years, as a school board member of the Oak Park Unified School District.  I had the pleasure of working with Jim in 2005, in the campaign to move the siting of the Triunfo Sanitation District’s water tank from the entrance of our national park at Palo Comado Canyon..  Jim presented an outstanding power point presentation to the Oak Park MAC, as part of the campaign.  Incidentally, we were successful in having the tank built elsewhere, with efforts of a second campaign, led by Drew Fountaine, when the issue came up again a few years later.  Jim, wish you still lived here!