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Hundreds line sidewalks in Carpinteria to oppose Measure J, Venoco Inc.’s Oil & Gas Drilling Initiative

“Our town is not for sale,” maintain residents. “At any price!”

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – June 6 – Snaking down Carpinteria Avenue from the post office at Casitas Pass Road, taking a left on Linden, and lining the main drag to the railroad tracks and beyond, hundreds of Carpinterians paraded and waived homemade “No on Measure J” placards on Friday evening-- matching their chants to the constant horn honking from car-driving, like-minded residents. Their unified message rang loud and clear in this typically sleepy seaside hamlet: The town is not for sale and no amount of promised money from a proposed oil drilling initiative will change their minds.

To be voted on in Tuesday’s primary, Venoco Inc.’s [NYSE:VQ] proposed Measure J, aka the Paredon Project, would allow a 140-foot drill rig to dominate the Carpinteria coastline; create risks of blowouts, oil spills, and toxic vapors; generate excessive noise, air and light pollution; prohibit local regulatory oversight, and endanger pristine beaches, the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve, and a rare Harbor Seal Rookery.  

Friday night’s friendly neighborly rally was sponsored by CAP (Citizens Committee Against Paredon Initiative), an all-volunteer, grassroots group battling big oil to save the charm and specialness of Carpinteria, California’s only remaining classic beach town. “Having so many people turn out on such short notice is amazing but not surprising, community sentiments are running high, we must defeat Measure J and save our town,” said Ted Rhodes, co-chair of Citizens CAP. The rally culminated at the intersection of Linden and 8^th Street where a blimp replicated the height of the 140-foot proposed oil rig and volunteers created the incessant clanking noise pollution from the drilling.

Public officials and those running for office helping to spread the urgent “No on J” message included Carpinteria mayor Gregg Carty, City Council members Al Clark and Kathleen Reddington, Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assembly member Pedro Nava, and candidate for State Assembly Susan Jordan.

The peaceful demonstration lasted from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Afterward,  participants made a point to patronize  downtown merchants to support the local economy.

About Citizens Committee Against Paredon Initiative – Citizens Committee Against Paredon Initiative (Citizens CAP) is a grassroots group of community volunteers deeply concerned about the future of our small town. Made up of Carpinterians from every walk of life and every political persuasion, we have come together because Carpinteria is facing a threat that could change not only the physical face but also the social fabric of our community. That threat is the Paredon Oil & Gas Development Initiative. Citizens Committee Against Paredon Initiative, P.O. Box 895, Carpinteria, CA 93014. www.CitizensAgainstParedon.org. trong>

Media Contact:  Amy Orozco, orozcoamy@yahoo.com, (805) 284-2622.

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