Opinion

Proposition 21 asks us to approve an $18 increase to our vehicle license fees to preserve and improve state parks. State parks bring visions of open space, forests, streams, meadows, and beaches. The wording in Proposition 21 states that the revenue generated will be used for: (b) Wildlife conservation and protection of natural resources, including […]

I am supporting John Linn for mayor of Lompoc and Dirk Starbuck for City Council. These two small business owners have the life experiences necessary to help guide Lompoc through these tough times. They have made decisions that allowed their businesses to stay open and keep people employed, and I have all the confidence that […]

Your Sept. 30 issue carries a “paid advertisement” (page 4). It does not mention who paid for it. I assume Andy Caldwell. This “ad” is negative toward our excellent Congresswoman Lois Capps. The “ad” encourages phoning or e-mailing Lois to get her on Caldwell’s program, which he claims is the “only show” in the afternoon […]

What’s happening in the elections, to the members of Congress who have been obstructing almost everything our nation’s administration appoints/proposes? Obstructionist candidates are being weeded out within political parties by voters in their primary elections. Now, the weed-out process will continue in the general election, when voters will again transcend political party affiliation to cast […]

Please take off one of your editorial shoes and throw it at that Iranian dog, Ahmadinejad. He’s itching for a showdown, and we’d best be giving him his heart’s desire before he becomes too powerful. We dilly-dallied on Hitler, and look where that got us.

To help inform the public, the League of Women Voters takes positions on ballot measures after study and research. The leagues of Santa Maria Valley and Santa Barbara support Measure S, the countywide measure to secure funding for public safety. We recommend a yes vote on Measure S. The State League recommends support for Proposition […]

CHP Officer Joe Vega is, well, wrong (“Keep the left lanes on freeways for passing only,” Sept. 16). “Slower traffic keep right” is the law in California regardless of the speed limit. Vehicle code 21654(a): “Notwithstanding [despite] the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal […]

It’s bad enough that we have an elite group using our highways that is above trivial things like speed limits; but now the road bullies want the cops to ticket people who don’t get out of their way fast enough? Gene Gisin’s opinion article about the left lane being for “passing only” (“Keep the left […]

I have a suggestion for Gene Gisin (“Keep the left lanes on freeways for passing only,” Sept. 16): Next time you find yourself trying to push someone down the freeway, remember that the left lane is not the passing lane in California’s Vehicle Code, so if they’re going the speed limit or more and they […]

I second Mr. Gisin’s comments (“Keep the left lanes on freeways for passing only,” Sept. 16). I was pulled over yesterday for tailgating a fast lane slow-mover just north of Gaviota. I argued that I was “encouraging” the slow-mover to move to the slow lane. The slow-mover just stared at me in her rear view […]

The guy who complained about speeders in the left lane (“Keep the left lanes on freeways for passing only,” Sept. 16) is exactly why a law should be passed to make it illegal to drive in it. The left lane should be used for passing only. Anybody in it should be using it as such. […]