Like a big, out-of-control bully, America strides across the world, making enemies wherever it goes, acting as if there will be no consequences. Both our president and our country are behaving like spoiled children, demanding whatever they want and giving nothing in return. They claim the world is theirs by divine right, and the president’s […]
Gale McNeeley, Santa Maria
Posted inOpinion
PCPA’s current show, Songs for Nobodies, is unforgettable
I have worked in the theater for 55 years and have never experienced a more moving performance than the one given by Bethany Thomas in PCPA’s current production of Songs for Nobodies. In this show, Miss Thomas plays Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas. She also brings to life five […]
Posted inOpinion
An alternative to war
“Now, therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, president of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the cessation of hostilities of World War II, effective 12 o’clock noon, Dec. 31, 1946.” I was a little more than 10 months old when President Truman proclaimed an end to war and the beginning of what the world […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote Karamitsos for council
Dr. Carol Karamitsos will be a great member of the Santa Maria City Council. She brings to this office a lifetime of passion for helping families as their doctor, and 16 years of work on the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board. Like her father, Dr. John Karamitsos, she has birthed hundreds of […]
Posted inOpinion
Where will the water come from?
It is not fair to the taxpayers of Santa Maria for our City Council and Planning Commission to give the developer of the recently approved housing on the site of the old Fallas property in Town Center West $1.25 million in incentives, when he will make millions on this project without taking money out of […]
Posted inOpinion
Democracy is dead in Santa Maria, ‘Waterfield Worm’ lives on in the city’s districts
The leaders of our City Council do not listen to the people of Santa Maria. Everyone who spoke to the council on the re-creation of our voting districts supported a change to four clear quadrants, so we could easily know our district and council person. Alice Patino and Etta Waterfield voted “no.” The mayor asked […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s not too late for Santa Maria leaders to save homelessness project
It saddens me to see some members of the City Council reject funding from the county to house the homeless. They complain about riverbed encampments, then refuse money that could house people who live there. Around the country, cities have found that housing the homeless is key to their success as people. Once housed they […]
Posted inOpinion
Officials must wear masks too
The Police Department held a public meeting at the Minami Center last Monday evening, Sept. 20. There are signs on both front doors saying that anyone who enters any public building must wear a mask. Everyone in attendance did wear a mask over their nose and mouth, except for Councilperson Etta Waterfield. She sat among […]
Posted inOpinion
Continue healing the world with love, understanding
Leonard Flippen was taken recently by valley fever, but he has not been taken from us at all. He lives in each person whom he blessed with his strength and wisdom and healing powers. Leonard was a healer, and he facilitated hundreds of healing circles. He knew that all have been hurt in life. He […]
Posted inOpinion
Elephant, donkey cartoon missed the mark
A cartoon can be ironic or satirical. But when it preaches at us, and lies at the same time, it fails miserably. Take the Mayfield cartoon of April 2. Referring to the recent congressional bailout bill that gave tens of millions of dollars to the middle class, working class, and the poor, and well over […]
Posted inOpinion
Santa Maria should protect renters
On March 16, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order directing local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slow foreclosures, and protect against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19. It would have been appropriate for the Santa Maria City Council to take up the issue on Tuesday, March 17, and move to meet […]
Posted inOpinion
Why I voted for Bernie Sanders
I have waited my whole life for someone like Bernie Sanders to run for president. A good person who has spent his life fighting for justice. Economic justice. Racial justice. Educational justice. Environmental justice. Bernie speaks clearly to me on all our major issues. Health care is a human right, Medicare for all is our […]