Not very happy

[PKRWUD]

Well, I'm pretty pissed off. It seems there is a major corporation that owns close to half of the radio stations nationwide, and they have decided it would be nice to have an outdoor concert venue built at the Ventura Fairgrounds. The problem is, however, that there is no room. They have been trying for years to get the fairboard to not renew the lease for Ventura Raceway, the only racetrack of it's kind for over 100 miles in any direction, and demolish it so that they can build their theater. Each year, the fairboard always renews the contract with the racetrack, and all is well.

This year, however, the Governor is up for re-election, and the big-bucks company has become a major contributor to Gov. Davis' re-election campaign. Why is that important? Because in the past few months, the Governor himself has personally appointed 6 new members to the 9 member fairboard, and they are all outspoken against the racetrack.

The vote was to be held yesterday, but so many members of the public showed up in favor of keeping the track, that they postponed the vote for one month. The bottom line is that we are going to lose our racetrack, and it's all because of money. The city will lose money, and the best family entertainment value it has, but that doesn't seem to matter. It just makes me sick.

I love this town more than any other place I have ever been, but crap like this just kills me. Ventura Raceway has been a major part of the community, and a place where families gather on Saturday nights, for over 25 years. This town already has a major concert venue, The Ventura Theater, which has been around forever, and regularly hosts major bands. A new theater is not needed.

Anyway, I just needed to vent about it.

Thanks.

Take care,
~Chris