Ojai Valley News
October 24, 2003
James D. Loebl
Former Ojai mayor and Ventura lawyer James D. Loebl, 76, died of cancer October 19, 2003 at his Ojai home. Born July 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, Jim graduated from Princeton Univrsity and Stanford Law School. His lifelong interest in politics took him to Sacramento to work in the administration of former Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He ran for Congress in 1974 in a district covering Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He worked tirelessly in public service more of his adult life, serving on the Ojai City Council from 1968 to 1996, including four terms as mayor. His vision and leadership were instrumental in preserving Ojai's unique character.
Jim's extensive civic involvement included 10 years on the board of the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, raising funds for the county's public hospital, numerous terms on regional government agencies, and a term as president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 1996, Jim received the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Hirsch Loebl, daughter Ellen, son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Laura, daughter Susan and son-in-law Chris Grasso, and four grandchildren, as well as his sister, Nancy Zuraw, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial is private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would welcome contributions to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at 250 Citrus Lane, Oxnard, CA 93036, the Ventura County Community Foundation at 1317 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, CA 93010, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
--------------------------------------------------
Ojai loses 'larger-than-life' character
By Lenny Roberts
He was described by longtime friend and environmental activist Pat Weinberger as larger than life and the glue that held the community together for nearly 30 years. A retired sheriff's commander, former and current mayor and city manager independently called him their mentor.
Four-time Ojai mayor, Jim Loebl, who was dedicated to protecting the Ojai Valley from uranium mining and a valley-long freeway, died at home Sunday morning. Current Ojai Mayor Joe Devito said his death was a great loss to the valley because he was the "true role model as a husband, father, friend and councilman."
Loebl partnered with Ojai resident William Peck from 1965 until 1980, when Peck became a Ventura County Superior Court judge.
"With Jim Loebl, they broke the mold," Peck said. "He was a remarkably good lawyer and a very close, personal friend. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have known him. The city of Ojai and the people of the Ojai Valley owe Loebl an enormous debt that could never be repaid. He made certain that we were not going to become a suburb of Los Angeles. He got the freeway off of Caltrans' master plan. That sounds like a small thing, but it isn't. What that meant is that they could not revive in three years. He really devoted a lot of his life in preserving Ojai as we know it. I mourn him and my heart goes out to his family."
Weinberger recalled making several trip to Caltrans' offices in Los Angeles, and although Loebl made numerous significant contributions to the community, winning the battle against Caltrans was his most defining time.
"It started out with highway boys," she said. "First, it was the freeway which would have bisected the Ojai Valley. Then, the four-lane widening of Highway 33 that would have destroyed Ojai and made the valley a conduit for development. Jim was absolutely fierce at those meetings. The freeway bisecting Ojai would have been horrendous. The guy was a champion and it was a great privilege to know him for 35 years."
After not seeking re-election to the Ojai City Council in 1998 (CHECK THIS), Loebl continued to practice law, and served as counsel for the Casitas Municipal Water District - a position he held since 1964. In July, in deteriorating health, Loebl left the CMWD post and his private law practice.
Andy Belknap, who served as Ojai city manager from 1989 to 2001, remembers Loebl as both friend and mentor.
"Contrary to popular opinion, being a politician is an honorable calling. Political skills - leadership, defining issues, building consensus, and the ability to make people think of the common good instead of just their own gain - are critical to our society, and in short supply. Jim was a master of all these skills, and Ojai is lucky to have enjoyed his political leadership for an incredible 30 years. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but he literally shaped the town as we know it.
"What I remember most about Jim is his integrity and resolve. He never took the easy way out. He was, as he used to say, 'someone who could fly through the heavy weather.' And, while he could be demanding he was also an especially kind and sensitive person. I never worked harder for anyone, or enjoyed it more. My heart goes out to his family."
Almost naturally, Loebl was born of the Fourth of July, in Chicago in 1927. His son, Jeff, said his father graduated from Princeton University in 1948, the University of Chicago Graduate School in 1949, and Stanford University's School of Law in 1952, and joked that Ojai's annual Independence Day was staged in his honor.
Jeff Loebl grew up in the Arbolada, and currently is president of the South Dakota-based Sioux Falls Canaries minor league baseball. While attending Northwestern University near his father's birthplace, he worked for the Chicago White Sox, who were owned at the time by Bill Veeck, a friend of Jim Loebl since 1941.
At the request of Veeck's family, Loebl was asked to accept Veeck's induction into the Shrine of the Eternals in Pasadena on their behalf. In the early-1970s, he owned a small portion of the team, and reportedly was the only baseball owner to testify on behalf of Curt Flood's effort to overturn the infamous reserve clause.
"Dad enjoyed Ojai a great deal." Jeff Loebl said. "He was very fond of this valley since he first came here with my grandparents in 1948. His enjoyment of his time on the City Council was in trying to preserve the valley. In terms of Ojai readers, he stood for the quality-of-life fights that people don't think of as a big deal. He really was oriented into trying to preserve the valley," including the historic Libbey Bowl.
Before jumping into local politics Loebl served as Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's traveling secretary during his first term as governor of California, and on Brown's campaign committee. He also served as deputy attorney general of the State of California from 1953 to 1958, and director of the California Department of Professional and Vocational Standards (now known as the Department of Consumer Affairs) from 1961 to 1963.
Former Ojai Police Chief and retired Sheriff's Commander Vince France called Loebl a class act.
"He was dedicated to his wife, Dottie, his children, grandchildren and the city of Ojai in that order," France began. "You may not have always agreed with Jim's position in politics, but you always knew exactly where he stood. From a personal standpoint, Jim was a friend, a mentor and one of my strongest supporters on the Ojai City Council. He stood up for me when I was appointed chief of police on a 3-2 vote in 1975, and continued to support me during my 31-year career in law enforcement. Jim's dry wit, total commitment to the Ojai Valley and common sense approach to politics will be sorely missed. He is the only politician I know who can be described as a liberal, moderate, conservative. He shaped the city's destiny like few others before him."
Like Loebl, Chaparral High School principal Steve Olsen was a longtime council member and former mayor. "The city of Ojai," he said, "was extraordinarily blessed to have Jim Loebl. His vision for Libbey Park, his dedicated persistence in protecting and shaping the Ojai Valley and his fearless presence in battling for the things he believed in will never be forgotten. Jim is a true Ojai legend.
"Jim was a mentor to me. When I first ran for office 18 years ago, Jim invited me to his home and explained the do's and don't's of running a campaign. It always worked. Jim also helped others in their quest for political positions. The only one that I remember that was not successful was when Jim invited Vince France and I to play golf with the intent of talking Vince into running for City Council. Vince had no desire to run and did not play golf very well that day."
Private funeral services are planned, and a public remembrance will be held in about a month.
October 24, 2003
James D. Loebl
Former Ojai mayor and Ventura lawyer James D. Loebl, 76, died of cancer October 19, 2003 at his Ojai home. Born July 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, Jim graduated from Princeton Univrsity and Stanford Law School. His lifelong interest in politics took him to Sacramento to work in the administration of former Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He ran for Congress in 1974 in a district covering Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He worked tirelessly in public service more of his adult life, serving on the Ojai City Council from 1968 to 1996, including four terms as mayor. His vision and leadership were instrumental in preserving Ojai's unique character.
Jim's extensive civic involvement included 10 years on the board of the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, raising funds for the county's public hospital, numerous terms on regional government agencies, and a term as president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 1996, Jim received the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Hirsch Loebl, daughter Ellen, son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Laura, daughter Susan and son-in-law Chris Grasso, and four grandchildren, as well as his sister, Nancy Zuraw, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial is private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would welcome contributions to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at 250 Citrus Lane, Oxnard, CA 93036, the Ventura County Community Foundation at 1317 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, CA 93010, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
--------------------------------------------------
Ojai loses 'larger-than-life' character
By Lenny Roberts
He was described by longtime friend and environmental activist Pat Weinberger as larger than life and the glue that held the community together for nearly 30 years. A retired sheriff's commander, former and current mayor and city manager independently called him their mentor.
Four-time Ojai mayor, Jim Loebl, who was dedicated to protecting the Ojai Valley from uranium mining and a valley-long freeway, died at home Sunday morning. Current Ojai Mayor Joe Devito said his death was a great loss to the valley because he was the "true role model as a husband, father, friend and councilman."
Loebl partnered with Ojai resident William Peck from 1965 until 1980, when Peck became a Ventura County Superior Court judge.
"With Jim Loebl, they broke the mold," Peck said. "He was a remarkably good lawyer and a very close, personal friend. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have known him. The city of Ojai and the people of the Ojai Valley owe Loebl an enormous debt that could never be repaid. He made certain that we were not going to become a suburb of Los Angeles. He got the freeway off of Caltrans' master plan. That sounds like a small thing, but it isn't. What that meant is that they could not revive in three years. He really devoted a lot of his life in preserving Ojai as we know it. I mourn him and my heart goes out to his family."
Weinberger recalled making several trip to Caltrans' offices in Los Angeles, and although Loebl made numerous significant contributions to the community, winning the battle against Caltrans was his most defining time.
"It started out with highway boys," she said. "First, it was the freeway which would have bisected the Ojai Valley. Then, the four-lane widening of Highway 33 that would have destroyed Ojai and made the valley a conduit for development. Jim was absolutely fierce at those meetings. The freeway bisecting Ojai would have been horrendous. The guy was a champion and it was a great privilege to know him for 35 years."
After not seeking re-election to the Ojai City Council in 1998 (CHECK THIS), Loebl continued to practice law, and served as counsel for the Casitas Municipal Water District - a position he held since 1964. In July, in deteriorating health, Loebl left the CMWD post and his private law practice.
Andy Belknap, who served as Ojai city manager from 1989 to 2001, remembers Loebl as both friend and mentor.
"Contrary to popular opinion, being a politician is an honorable calling. Political skills - leadership, defining issues, building consensus, and the ability to make people think of the common good instead of just their own gain - are critical to our society, and in short supply. Jim was a master of all these skills, and Ojai is lucky to have enjoyed his political leadership for an incredible 30 years. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but he literally shaped the town as we know it.
"What I remember most about Jim is his integrity and resolve. He never took the easy way out. He was, as he used to say, 'someone who could fly through the heavy weather.' And, while he could be demanding he was also an especially kind and sensitive person. I never worked harder for anyone, or enjoyed it more. My heart goes out to his family."
Almost naturally, Loebl was born of the Fourth of July, in Chicago in 1927. His son, Jeff, said his father graduated from Princeton University in 1948, the University of Chicago Graduate School in 1949, and Stanford University's School of Law in 1952, and joked that Ojai's annual Independence Day was staged in his honor.
Jeff Loebl grew up in the Arbolada, and currently is president of the South Dakota-based Sioux Falls Canaries minor league baseball. While attending Northwestern University near his father's birthplace, he worked for the Chicago White Sox, who were owned at the time by Bill Veeck, a friend of Jim Loebl since 1941.
At the request of Veeck's family, Loebl was asked to accept Veeck's induction into the Shrine of the Eternals in Pasadena on their behalf. In the early-1970s, he owned a small portion of the team, and reportedly was the only baseball owner to testify on behalf of Curt Flood's effort to overturn the infamous reserve clause.
"Dad enjoyed Ojai a great deal." Jeff Loebl said. "He was very fond of this valley since he first came here with my grandparents in 1948. His enjoyment of his time on the City Council was in trying to preserve the valley. In terms of Ojai readers, he stood for the quality-of-life fights that people don't think of as a big deal. He really was oriented into trying to preserve the valley," including the historic Libbey Bowl.
Before jumping into local politics Loebl served as Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's traveling secretary during his first term as governor of California, and on Brown's campaign committee. He also served as deputy attorney general of the State of California from 1953 to 1958, and director of the California Department of Professional and Vocational Standards (now known as the Department of Consumer Affairs) from 1961 to 1963.
Former Ojai Police Chief and retired Sheriff's Commander Vince France called Loebl a class act.
"He was dedicated to his wife, Dottie, his children, grandchildren and the city of Ojai in that order," France began. "You may not have always agreed with Jim's position in politics, but you always knew exactly where he stood. From a personal standpoint, Jim was a friend, a mentor and one of my strongest supporters on the Ojai City Council. He stood up for me when I was appointed chief of police on a 3-2 vote in 1975, and continued to support me during my 31-year career in law enforcement. Jim's dry wit, total commitment to the Ojai Valley and common sense approach to politics will be sorely missed. He is the only politician I know who can be described as a liberal, moderate, conservative. He shaped the city's destiny like few others before him."
Like Loebl, Chaparral High School principal Steve Olsen was a longtime council member and former mayor. "The city of Ojai," he said, "was extraordinarily blessed to have Jim Loebl. His vision for Libbey Park, his dedicated persistence in protecting and shaping the Ojai Valley and his fearless presence in battling for the things he believed in will never be forgotten. Jim is a true Ojai legend.
"Jim was a mentor to me. When I first ran for office 18 years ago, Jim invited me to his home and explained the do's and don't's of running a campaign. It always worked. Jim also helped others in their quest for political positions. The only one that I remember that was not successful was when Jim invited Vince France and I to play golf with the intent of talking Vince into running for City Council. Vince had no desire to run and did not play golf very well that day."
Private funeral services are planned, and a public remembrance will be held in about a month.
Ojai Valley News
October 24, 2003
James D. Loebl
Former Ojai mayor and Ventura lawyer James D. Loebl, 76, died of cancer October 19, 2003 at his Ojai home. Born July 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, Jim graduated from Princeton Univrsity and Stanford Law School. His lifelong interest in politics took him to Sacramento to work in the administration of former Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He ran for Congress in 1974 in a district covering Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He worked tirelessly in public service more of his adult life, serving on the Ojai City Council from 1968 to 1996, including four terms as mayor. His vision and leadership were instrumental in preserving Ojai's unique character.
Jim's extensive civic involvement included 10 years on the board of the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, raising funds for the county's public hospital, numerous terms on regional government agencies, and a term as president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 1996, Jim received the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Hirsch Loebl, daughter Ellen, son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Laura, daughter Susan and son-in-law Chris Grasso, and four grandchildren, as well as his sister, Nancy Zuraw, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial is private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would welcome contributions to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at 250 Citrus Lane, Oxnard, CA 93036, the Ventura County Community Foundation at 1317 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, CA 93010, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
--------------------------------------------------
Ojai loses 'larger-than-life' character
By Lenny Roberts
He was described by longtime friend and environmental activist Pat Weinberger as larger than life and the glue that held the community together for nearly 30 years. A retired sheriff's commander, former and current mayor and city manager independently called him their mentor.
Four-time Ojai mayor, Jim Loebl, who was dedicated to protecting the Ojai Valley from uranium mining and a valley-long freeway, died at home Sunday morning. Current Ojai Mayor Joe Devito said his death was a great loss to the valley because he was the "true role model as a husband, father, friend and councilman."
Loebl partnered with Ojai resident William Peck from 1965 until 1980, when Peck became a Ventura County Superior Court judge.
"With Jim Loebl, they broke the mold," Peck said. "He was a remarkably good lawyer and a very close, personal friend. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have known him. The city of Ojai and the people of the Ojai Valley owe Loebl an enormous debt that could never be repaid. He made certain that we were not going to become a suburb of Los Angeles. He got the freeway off of Caltrans' master plan. That sounds like a small thing, but it isn't. What that meant is that they could not revive in three years. He really devoted a lot of his life in preserving Ojai as we know it. I mourn him and my heart goes out to his family."
Weinberger recalled making several trip to Caltrans' offices in Los Angeles, and although Loebl made numerous significant contributions to the community, winning the battle against Caltrans was his most defining time.
"It started out with highway boys," she said. "First, it was the freeway which would have bisected the Ojai Valley. Then, the four-lane widening of Highway 33 that would have destroyed Ojai and made the valley a conduit for development. Jim was absolutely fierce at those meetings. The freeway bisecting Ojai would have been horrendous. The guy was a champion and it was a great privilege to know him for 35 years."
After not seeking re-election to the Ojai City Council in 1998 (CHECK THIS), Loebl continued to practice law, and served as counsel for the Casitas Municipal Water District - a position he held since 1964. In July, in deteriorating health, Loebl left the CMWD post and his private law practice.
Andy Belknap, who served as Ojai city manager from 1989 to 2001, remembers Loebl as both friend and mentor.
"Contrary to popular opinion, being a politician is an honorable calling. Political skills - leadership, defining issues, building consensus, and the ability to make people think of the common good instead of just their own gain - are critical to our society, and in short supply. Jim was a master of all these skills, and Ojai is lucky to have enjoyed his political leadership for an incredible 30 years. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but he literally shaped the town as we know it.
"What I remember most about Jim is his integrity and resolve. He never took the easy way out. He was, as he used to say, 'someone who could fly through the heavy weather.' And, while he could be demanding he was also an especially kind and sensitive person. I never worked harder for anyone, or enjoyed it more. My heart goes out to his family."
Almost naturally, Loebl was born of the Fourth of July, in Chicago in 1927. His son, Jeff, said his father graduated from Princeton University in 1948, the University of Chicago Graduate School in 1949, and Stanford University's School of Law in 1952, and joked that Ojai's annual Independence Day was staged in his honor.
Jeff Loebl grew up in the Arbolada, and currently is president of the South Dakota-based Sioux Falls Canaries minor league baseball. While attending Northwestern University near his father's birthplace, he worked for the Chicago White Sox, who were owned at the time by Bill Veeck, a friend of Jim Loebl since 1941.
At the request of Veeck's family, Loebl was asked to accept Veeck's induction into the Shrine of the Eternals in Pasadena on their behalf. In the early-1970s, he owned a small portion of the team, and reportedly was the only baseball owner to testify on behalf of Curt Flood's effort to overturn the infamous reserve clause.
"Dad enjoyed Ojai a great deal." Jeff Loebl said. "He was very fond of this valley since he first came here with my grandparents in 1948. His enjoyment of his time on the City Council was in trying to preserve the valley. In terms of Ojai readers, he stood for the quality-of-life fights that people don't think of as a big deal. He really was oriented into trying to preserve the valley," including the historic Libbey Bowl.
Before jumping into local politics Loebl served as Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's traveling secretary during his first term as governor of California, and on Brown's campaign committee. He also served as deputy attorney general of the State of California from 1953 to 1958, and director of the California Department of Professional and Vocational Standards (now known as the Department of Consumer Affairs) from 1961 to 1963.
Former Ojai Police Chief and retired Sheriff's Commander Vince France called Loebl a class act.
"He was dedicated to his wife, Dottie, his children, grandchildren and the city of Ojai in that order," France began. "You may not have always agreed with Jim's position in politics, but you always knew exactly where he stood. From a personal standpoint, Jim was a friend, a mentor and one of my strongest supporters on the Ojai City Council. He stood up for me when I was appointed chief of police on a 3-2 vote in 1975, and continued to support me during my 31-year career in law enforcement. Jim's dry wit, total commitment to the Ojai Valley and common sense approach to politics will be sorely missed. He is the only politician I know who can be described as a liberal, moderate, conservative. He shaped the city's destiny like few others before him."
Like Loebl, Chaparral High School principal Steve Olsen was a longtime council member and former mayor. "The city of Ojai," he said, "was extraordinarily blessed to have Jim Loebl. His vision for Libbey Park, his dedicated persistence in protecting and shaping the Ojai Valley and his fearless presence in battling for the things he believed in will never be forgotten. Jim is a true Ojai legend.
"Jim was a mentor to me. When I first ran for office 18 years ago, Jim invited me to his home and explained the do's and don't's of running a campaign. It always worked. Jim also helped others in their quest for political positions. The only one that I remember that was not successful was when Jim invited Vince France and I to play golf with the intent of talking Vince into running for City Council. Vince had no desire to run and did not play golf very well that day."
Private funeral services are planned, and a public remembrance will be held in about a month.
October 24, 2003
James D. Loebl
Former Ojai mayor and Ventura lawyer James D. Loebl, 76, died of cancer October 19, 2003 at his Ojai home. Born July 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, Jim graduated from Princeton Univrsity and Stanford Law School. His lifelong interest in politics took him to Sacramento to work in the administration of former Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He ran for Congress in 1974 in a district covering Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He worked tirelessly in public service more of his adult life, serving on the Ojai City Council from 1968 to 1996, including four terms as mayor. His vision and leadership were instrumental in preserving Ojai's unique character.
Jim's extensive civic involvement included 10 years on the board of the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, raising funds for the county's public hospital, numerous terms on regional government agencies, and a term as president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 1996, Jim received the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Hirsch Loebl, daughter Ellen, son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Laura, daughter Susan and son-in-law Chris Grasso, and four grandchildren, as well as his sister, Nancy Zuraw, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial is private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would welcome contributions to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at 250 Citrus Lane, Oxnard, CA 93036, the Ventura County Community Foundation at 1317 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, CA 93010, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
--------------------------------------------------
Ojai loses 'larger-than-life' character
By Lenny Roberts
He was described by longtime friend and environmental activist Pat Weinberger as larger than life and the glue that held the community together for nearly 30 years. A retired sheriff's commander, former and current mayor and city manager independently called him their mentor.
Four-time Ojai mayor, Jim Loebl, who was dedicated to protecting the Ojai Valley from uranium mining and a valley-long freeway, died at home Sunday morning. Current Ojai Mayor Joe Devito said his death was a great loss to the valley because he was the "true role model as a husband, father, friend and councilman."
Loebl partnered with Ojai resident William Peck from 1965 until 1980, when Peck became a Ventura County Superior Court judge.
"With Jim Loebl, they broke the mold," Peck said. "He was a remarkably good lawyer and a very close, personal friend. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have known him. The city of Ojai and the people of the Ojai Valley owe Loebl an enormous debt that could never be repaid. He made certain that we were not going to become a suburb of Los Angeles. He got the freeway off of Caltrans' master plan. That sounds like a small thing, but it isn't. What that meant is that they could not revive in three years. He really devoted a lot of his life in preserving Ojai as we know it. I mourn him and my heart goes out to his family."
Weinberger recalled making several trip to Caltrans' offices in Los Angeles, and although Loebl made numerous significant contributions to the community, winning the battle against Caltrans was his most defining time.
"It started out with highway boys," she said. "First, it was the freeway which would have bisected the Ojai Valley. Then, the four-lane widening of Highway 33 that would have destroyed Ojai and made the valley a conduit for development. Jim was absolutely fierce at those meetings. The freeway bisecting Ojai would have been horrendous. The guy was a champion and it was a great privilege to know him for 35 years."
After not seeking re-election to the Ojai City Council in 1998 (CHECK THIS), Loebl continued to practice law, and served as counsel for the Casitas Municipal Water District - a position he held since 1964. In July, in deteriorating health, Loebl left the CMWD post and his private law practice.
Andy Belknap, who served as Ojai city manager from 1989 to 2001, remembers Loebl as both friend and mentor.
"Contrary to popular opinion, being a politician is an honorable calling. Political skills - leadership, defining issues, building consensus, and the ability to make people think of the common good instead of just their own gain - are critical to our society, and in short supply. Jim was a master of all these skills, and Ojai is lucky to have enjoyed his political leadership for an incredible 30 years. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but he literally shaped the town as we know it.
"What I remember most about Jim is his integrity and resolve. He never took the easy way out. He was, as he used to say, 'someone who could fly through the heavy weather.' And, while he could be demanding he was also an especially kind and sensitive person. I never worked harder for anyone, or enjoyed it more. My heart goes out to his family."
Almost naturally, Loebl was born of the Fourth of July, in Chicago in 1927. His son, Jeff, said his father graduated from Princeton University in 1948, the University of Chicago Graduate School in 1949, and Stanford University's School of Law in 1952, and joked that Ojai's annual Independence Day was staged in his honor.
Jeff Loebl grew up in the Arbolada, and currently is president of the South Dakota-based Sioux Falls Canaries minor league baseball. While attending Northwestern University near his father's birthplace, he worked for the Chicago White Sox, who were owned at the time by Bill Veeck, a friend of Jim Loebl since 1941.
At the request of Veeck's family, Loebl was asked to accept Veeck's induction into the Shrine of the Eternals in Pasadena on their behalf. In the early-1970s, he owned a small portion of the team, and reportedly was the only baseball owner to testify on behalf of Curt Flood's effort to overturn the infamous reserve clause.
"Dad enjoyed Ojai a great deal." Jeff Loebl said. "He was very fond of this valley since he first came here with my grandparents in 1948. His enjoyment of his time on the City Council was in trying to preserve the valley. In terms of Ojai readers, he stood for the quality-of-life fights that people don't think of as a big deal. He really was oriented into trying to preserve the valley," including the historic Libbey Bowl.
Before jumping into local politics Loebl served as Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's traveling secretary during his first term as governor of California, and on Brown's campaign committee. He also served as deputy attorney general of the State of California from 1953 to 1958, and director of the California Department of Professional and Vocational Standards (now known as the Department of Consumer Affairs) from 1961 to 1963.
Former Ojai Police Chief and retired Sheriff's Commander Vince France called Loebl a class act.
"He was dedicated to his wife, Dottie, his children, grandchildren and the city of Ojai in that order," France began. "You may not have always agreed with Jim's position in politics, but you always knew exactly where he stood. From a personal standpoint, Jim was a friend, a mentor and one of my strongest supporters on the Ojai City Council. He stood up for me when I was appointed chief of police on a 3-2 vote in 1975, and continued to support me during my 31-year career in law enforcement. Jim's dry wit, total commitment to the Ojai Valley and common sense approach to politics will be sorely missed. He is the only politician I know who can be described as a liberal, moderate, conservative. He shaped the city's destiny like few others before him."
Like Loebl, Chaparral High School principal Steve Olsen was a longtime council member and former mayor. "The city of Ojai," he said, "was extraordinarily blessed to have Jim Loebl. His vision for Libbey Park, his dedicated persistence in protecting and shaping the Ojai Valley and his fearless presence in battling for the things he believed in will never be forgotten. Jim is a true Ojai legend.
"Jim was a mentor to me. When I first ran for office 18 years ago, Jim invited me to his home and explained the do's and don't's of running a campaign. It always worked. Jim also helped others in their quest for political positions. The only one that I remember that was not successful was when Jim invited Vince France and I to play golf with the intent of talking Vince into running for City Council. Vince had no desire to run and did not play golf very well that day."
Private funeral services are planned, and a public remembrance will be held in about a month.
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