I oppose the Santa Maria Measure “U” Sales Tax Increase for the following reasons: The essential services of law enforcement and fire protection should be the top priority of the General Fund and not be exploited for more taxes. The levee and flood prevention is the responsibility of the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District. […]
Commentaries
Posted inOpinion
Finding cash cows starts early in politics
Get to the roots of poor decisions in Lompoc
The floodgates are open with the recent Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case. The recent GOP primary contest has shown us the power of unlimited corporate secret funding in politics. Needless to say, both the public and media need to be extra vigilant pointing out who is behind these massive waves of advertising […]
Posted inOpinion
Puppy love
As National Greyhound Adoption Month comes to a close, a writer reflects on what it’s like to own a ’45-mile-per-hour couch potato’
A couple of months ago, my husband and I took our dog, Sadie, to the Laguna Lake dog park in San Luis Obispo. A woman we know from around town was there with her dog, and as we walked up to her, she smiled bemusedly and asked, “Why does your dog look like a deer?” […]
Posted inOpinion
On the books
Support your local library–and yourself, while you’re at it
Go to the library. That’s basically everything I set out to say to you today. It’s simple, really. Just go to the library. I don’t think I should have to make a case for why this is such a vitally important action for you to take, why an ongoing commitment to literacy, education, and access […]
Posted inOpinion
Cold Springs suicide barriers will help
The Glendon Association’s work with local law enforcement and Caltrans to install bridge barriers demonstrates dedication to increase community safety and decrease lethal suicide attempts
After more than five years of discussion and debate, bridge barriers have been installed on the Cold Springs Arch Bridge to protect vulnerable persons considering suicide, as well as motorists and law enforcement who jeopardize their own safety and are impacted by witnessing fatal jumps from the bridge. The grid mesh barrier has been installed […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics pays
The Golden State is a cash cow for crappy legislators
Tupac said it best: California knows how to party. We’ve got beaches, wineries, ski resorts, and all sorts of delicious fruit. Our movies have the biggest stars and the loudest explosions. We live large, so it’s no wonder our state legislators are the highest paid in the nation, according to a recent report in The […]
Posted inOpinion
We shouldn’t spread ourselves too thin
Be realistic; elected officials have to do the best they can with what they have to work with
In their opinion piece, “One Step Toward Fairness,” (March 25), the Santa Maria Times editorial writers unwittingly identified, arguably, the single largest problem in politics today. Namely, it is the idea that whatever services exist today, because they exist, the citizens have become accustomed to their availability and therefore have a “right” to have them […]
Posted inOpinion
Spring is for detox
Use the new season as an opportunity to cleanse your body
When I take a deep breath, I smell spring in the air. Join me and take a deep breath to awaken your senses. Inhale the cool air, fragrant with blossoming flowers and budding trees. Smell the freshly cut grass, hear the birds singing their sweet, melodic songs. Spring is in the air. The days have […]
Posted inOpinion
Every day is March 10
The Fukushima crisis is far from over
It’s been a year since we sat in front of our TVs, drop-jawed, open-mouthed, watching in horror as an earthquake and monstrous tidal wave engulfed the coasts of northeastern Japan. A year since video of an exploding nuclear reactor played again and again. A year since I called my brother in Tokyo, begging him to […]
Posted inOpinion
Support nonprofits, support transparency
Groups seeking to better the community deserve your help��”and your scrutiny
It is a terrible shame what is happening with—and allegedly by—the Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation. Those of us who work in the nonprofit sector, providing services not readily provided by our government or by the for-profit sector, hate to see any services lost or cut. We know how difficult, and how important, it […]
Posted inOpinion
Get in-FESTED!
Or, how best to fest
OK, this is a bit embarrassing, but I’m just going to admit it now and get it over with. I had already been the director of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival for about a year and a half before I really understood how to “do” a film festival! And when I say “do,” […]
Posted inOpinion
Avila’s voice was heard
Now is the time to remember residents who stood up for their community
The community of Avila Beach is in the news again; attention is being focused on “Lachen Tara,” the community’s affordable housing apartments. It seems timely to think about the history of how this tiny community was able to secure the affordable housing in the first place. It’s a story that needs to be told before […]
