Regarding the commentary, “Eureka! We’ve been selected for a rezone!” by Ken McCalip in the April 2 edition: The idea of affordable housing or low-income housing are another example of government-sponsored socialism at work. The recent example of the federal-level programs is the “subprime loan” national financial crisis that has resulted from the government insisting […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Illegal immigrants cause hit-and-runs and more
Santa Maria
I would like to commend our local police for taking steps to make our streets safer by setting up checkpoints for drunk drivers and unlicensed drivers. Santa Maria is currently the hit-and-run capital for a city its size in our state. I know that this is just one problem of many that plague our city, […]
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Man alive, I’m 55!
One local gracefully reflects on aging
My mother called a few days ago to sing “Happy Birthday,” then asked if I had applied for my AARP card yet. “You’re officially a senior citizen,” she said. Wow, thanks, Mom, you sweet old bat! I just had a birthday, my 55th, and suddenly I began to see things more clearly. Not literally. In […]
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What would you do with your paycheck bump from the federal tax credit?
Nichole Shuman housewife “Use the extra money for groceries or on gasoline.” Polo Perez payroll “I would put it toward my kid’s college fund.” Justin Pardo clerk “Save the money up so that I can buy personal needs.” Adam Spence clerk “Shoebox the money. This is the first time I’ve heard about the tax credit.”
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What’s your view on state budget cuts concerning teachers and education?
Sheryl Shaw customer service manager “I don’t think they should be cutting teachers. We need them to educate our kids.” Alyssa Giorgi business entrepreneur “Well, I know a lot of people who wanted to become teachers, and now they have to change their future plans due to budget cuts.” Dixie Arthur teacher “I’m against it. […]
Posted inOpinion
Eureka! We’ve been selected for a re-zone!
The state-mandated housing system doesn’t actually help the people it’s intended to help
It’s hard to find examples of success in the State Housing Mandate program because there are not many. It’s a program that does not work, but rewards bureaucrats and developers. Those who favored or spoke in favor of high density rezoning in recent county meetings were mostly landowners and bureaucrats whose job depended on the […]
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What’s your favorite magazine?
Michael Conley Albertsons meat cutter “Photo Ad, because I’m always looking for bargains on off-road vehicles.” Shawn Jones Jensen’s assistant manager “Consumer Reports, because I like to know what the best products are.” Deb Reynolds waitress “People magazine, because it has a lot of variety.” Garrett Alford waiter “Skateboard magazines, because I love to skateboard.”
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Who will tell our stories?
A life without theater, without art, can’t be considered a life
“If you must tell me your opinions, tell me what you believe in. I have plenty of doubts of my own.” —Goethe We have tangible and financial needs, but more important than those is the essential and ineffable impact for good we aspire to have in this community. We believe the art of theater […]
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What do you think of the Santa Maria Sun?
Briana MacLaren manager “I think it’s fabulous.” Bob Foster retired “I think it’s a good paper, and it’s very informative.” Stephen Whitham cashier “I think it’s a pretty cool paper. It gives us a broader view of our local news.” [image-4] Laura Ochoa manager “I don’t read the Sun, or any paper at all.”
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President Obama is still my president
Avila Beach
Friends and I have noticed an interesting and nauseating parallel between the postures of our presidential electors: I lived with a liberal during a portion of President George Bush’s recent term whose friends and associates frequently used absurd and caustic expressions portraying and demeaning his character and demeanor. While their man was elected president this […]
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Good work, Assemblyman Blakeslee
San Luis Obispo
Please join me in commending Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee for his work in introducing legislation that would recognize Tibet’s exiled leader, the Dalai Lama, for his “outstanding moral and religious leadership.” It would also declare March 10, the 50th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, as Tibet Awareness Day. The brutal oppression of the […]
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An open letter to Steve Pappas
Santa Maria
I attended most of the candidates’ forums and listened carefully to each 3rd District candidate expound upon why he or she should be elected. One thing came through very strongly about your character: It’s my way or no way. You have proven without a shadow of a doubt that you are exactly the kind of […]
