Voters support pro-unification trio

It's clear that this election's hot-button issue in Camarillo was whether or not Pleasant Valley School District should unify.

With the win by the three pro-unification candidates- Ron Speakman, Jennifer Miller, Patty Lerner-it seems that the people have spoken.

They support the district's bid to acquire Adolfo Camarillo High School from the Oxnard Union High School District.

Now that school board member John Alamillo will step down for newcomer Jennifer Miller, it's more than likely the unification movement will continue to gain momentum until the choice is put to the residents for a vote.

And if the recent election is any indication of what that vote may be, it's quite possible the district will add the word "unified" to its title.

That being said, it's important for the school board members to remember that the move to unify should not come before the overall well-being of the school district.

The plan to unify will of course require money, but it shouldn't come at the expense of school programs and supplies. The public deserves to know all of the costs, personnel changes or whatever else is associated with unification.

To earn the chance to educate high school students, some sacrifices will have to be made. It's up to the new school board to be sure that the public fully understands what those sacrifices may entail.

As for the city of Camarillo, the reelection of the three incumbents provides proof that the City Council is doing its job.

Thanks in large part to the council's careful planning, residents can look forward to the new Camarillo Library, a redeveloped Old Town and a full-service Marriott hotel with a convention center. What's more, the city has done all this and still enjoys a healthy budget.

There are some ambitious projects the council has been exploring, such as the Camarillo Commons and the Springville interchange. If those projects are planned and completed in the same careful manner the residents have come to expect, it looks as if Camarillo's future is quite bright.

Congratulations to all of the winners.