Johnnie is a Living Treasure who has been hiding in plain sight. He epitomizes what it means to do the right thing when no one is looking. Johnny can be found picking up trash along Creek Road and the acorns to protect the deer. He received the Ojai Valley Defense Fund's prestigious James D. Loebl Award as someone who has played a leading role in protecting the environmental quality of the Ojai Valley. He served as city manager in the 1970s and was pivotal in preventing the State of California from building freeways throughout the valley. As Ventura County CEO he was so loved and respected that the road encircling the Government Center bears his name. He was Ojai's first elected mayor, running on a platform of civility in politics and fiscal responsibility. His philosophy is that we should respect the past but prepare for the future.
