Ricardo Batalla was chosen to represent the voters of District 1 on the City Council by Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmembers Gloria Flores and Maribel Aguilera at the April 7 council meeting. I wish Mr. Batalla, father of three and director of youth development at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, the very best. He will […]
Gale McNeeley
Posted inOpinion
The world needs to tell the U.S. and Israel, ‘No more war’
While polls revealed that 70 percent of Americans opposed war with Iran, why has our government, at the behest of Israel and without a vote by Congress, begun bombing Iran’s major cities? The truth is that this war has been planned for 19 years. In March of 2007, Amy Goodman interviewed retired Gen. Wesley Clark, […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time for Americans to speak truth to power
On Aug. 25 Israel attacked Nasser Medical Complex, the largest health facility in southern Gaza, and murdered 20 innocent people. They used what is called a “double tap.” First they attacked the fourth floor stairway of the hospital with a drone strike, killing two and injuring dozens. The attack gathered rescuers, aid workers, doctors, and […]
Posted inOpinion
America must do all it can to prevent nuclear war in the Middle East
The war in Israel and Palestine did not begin Oct. 7, 2023. It began before the state of Israel was created. In his book, Gaza: An Inquest into its Martyrdom, noted Israeli historian Norman Finkelstein writes, “In 1947, the U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution partitioning British-mandated Palestine into a Jewish state incorporating 56 percent […]
Posted inOpinion
Peaceful student demonstrations shouldn’t be disrupted by the university or police
American college students should not be forced to give up their constitutional rights to free speech, to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. That is what is happening today on college campuses across the country. It began when protesters set up tents on the South Lawn of Columbia University […]
Posted inOpinion
Santa Maria leaders should follow all the rules, including their own
There is a sign, topped with the city’s logo, posted on Santa Maria city buildings. It says: ATTENTION in capital letters, and shows the picture of a mask. It then says, in capitals: MASKS ARE REQUIRED INSIDE CITY FACILITIES. This is followed by the words: “Thank you for your cooperation.” Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmember […]
Posted inOpinion
Why you should vote in the recall election
If Gavin Newsom does not receive more that 50 percent of the vote on Sept. 14, one of his opponents can become governor with as little as 5 percent of the vote. That’s right, a majority is needed to vote Newsom out of office, but a majority is not needed to choose his successor. The […]
Posted inOpinion
How can we do better to serve the most neglected and overlooked?
The current world health crisis shines a light on two groups of Americans we seldom want to see: the homeless and the incarcerated. It is time we looked directly at them and asked ourselves. “Can’t we do better for our fellow human beings? What can we do to help improve their lives?” The poor and […]
Posted inOpinion
Why our for-profit health care system is unprepared for this current crisis
Every family in America has a horror story to tell around our current health care system. You know what it is. The high cost. The inability to be seen. The denials. The long waits for appointments. The cost of the cure. Many, who have cancer, have gone bankrupt trying to save a life. We all […]
Posted inOpinion
Where will some Measure U funds go?
Who would have thought that our Measure U tax dollars would allow the Santa Maria City Council to give tax rebates to the auto dealers waiting to create an Enos Ranch auto mall? We are talking about a tax revenue loss of close to $4 million. Here is what the city has to say about […]
Posted inOpinion
Bright young leaders vs. old business as usual
We have a clear choice in the Nov. 6 Santa Maria City Council elections. We can re-elect the same old people who will continue business as usual, or we can choose Rafael Gutierrez and Gloria Soto: two visionary, energetic young leaders who will give our city 20-20 vision. Santa Maria is the largest city between […]
Posted inOpinion
If you run, we’ll support you
If you feel the leaders of Santa Maria do not represent the needs and concerns of all of the people in your community, then run for City Council. November 2018 begins our first district elections. If you are a registered voter and at least 18 years old and you live in the southeast or southwest […]