The Strauss Wind Energy farm would never be allowed in its home country of Germany. It does way too much environmental damage. It will kill more than 200 ancient oak trees. It puts 500-foot-tall windmills on top of a mountain so they’re visible all over, when anyone who’s building a house must keep their roofs […]
Letters To The Editor
Vote Bruce Porter for supervisor
As we approach the unusually early March 3 election, I want to express my support for Bruce Porter in his bid to become the next county supervisor for the 3rd District. I’ve known Bruce for several years through his involvement in a number of local nonprofit organizations. In that time, I’ve come to know him […]
Joan Hartmann shows up for the people
During Bruce Porter’s previous attempt to become a Santa Barbara County supervisor, I attended some of his public events. They were tightly controlled appearances where his credentials were recited but he took few questions. His campaign office does not return phone calls. And just last week, Mr. Porter was the only candidate who chose not […]
Bruce Porter’s got what it takes
I am enthusiastically endorsing Bruce Porter for 3rd District supervisor. Bruce has a wealth of important experience from his years as colonel in the Army Corps of Engineers. This includes road construction, bridge building, water conservation, oil spill cleanup (think Kuwaiti oil disaster), and all aspects of practical infrastructure that are so important to the […]
What is environmental justice?
Environmental justice is one of those things most readily understood, and keenly felt, in its absence. If you’re unsure as to the meaning of “environmental justice” and have never felt it, you could also ask the residents of Oceano who can’t afford to live anywhere else, can’t safely use their beach, and face a future […]
Dear Salud Carbajal
I was very sorry to read you voted for impeachment, but not surprised. You have handed the Republicans a major victory in November 2020. The president is not going to be removed from office via impeachment. The Senate will never vote to impeach him. In 11 months, the American voters will decide Donald Trump’s fate, […]
The public can be engaged
Ron Fink’s lament about a disinterested public (“Time for an overhaul,” Jan. 2) isn’t so much about civic disinterest as it is about the changing methods of attracting attention. Most of it has evolved to the # awareness, but even that has morphed to, “OK I passed on a #, so I’m good, did my […]
We need civil discourse
It is with sadness that I feel the need to respond to the letter “Dear Adam Shiff and all Democrats” (Dec. 26). The writer seems to be a big Trump fan and disagrees with impeachment, but he also appears to not be prepared to admit that perhaps the Dems (and many citizens) feel that Trump […]
Thoughts on climate change
Have we seen global warming in Santa Maria? Yes, we have. I remember yearly frosts on the lawn in the mornings after a below-freezing night. In previous years, I’ve lost plants to freezing weather. But it hasn’t happened in years. That could be a short-time anomaly, but likely it’s the world warming, bit by bit. […]
Petty and fascist politics in Oceano
On Dec. 11, 2019, the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) removed and barred one of its board directors, Cynthia Replogle, from all present and future voting and non-voting committees with an aggressive, hurried, and single motion. Directors Karen White and Shirley Gibson claim that Replogle spoke publicly against board policy and presented a divided board […]
Dear Adam Schiff and all Democrats
Sir, on more than one occasion you stated you had proof the president had colluded with the Russians to win the 2016 election. Either you have the proof or you lied. Which is it? Show us the proof. You shift with the wind looking for any case you might manufacture against him. What have you […]
Guadalupe’s gentrification is at hand
In response to: “After years of stalled growth, the city of Guadalupe is rapidly adding homes and inching toward future commercial development” (“Building up,” Dec. 5). As a longtime Central Coast resident, I would suggest editing the title of this piece to read: After years of quiet preservation, the city of Guadalupe is rapidly adding […]

