Armond Benson operations manager “Anything black and silver with a skull and crossbones on it.” Shawna Shaber marketing assistant “Charles Russell—because it’s cowboys and Indians. I’m the Indian.” Tanith Ramos administrative assistant “Ornate, colorful tattoos of dragons.” Wendy Knowles retired schoolteacher “Anything pleasing to the eye, or someone’s expression of who they are.”
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Kick smoking out of city parks
Santa Maria
I would like to express my views on smoking in our public parks. This refers to all types of tobacco use in all of our parks. It has been proven that secondhand smoke is as damaging or more so than smoking itself. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is the fourth largest killer in the USA! This, […]
Posted inOpinion
Property owners should be able to build what they want
Lompoc
Just who appointed Mr. McCalip as czar of development in Santa Barbara County (“Just say no to leapfrog developments,” Jan. 29)? His comments on the proposed La Purisima Resort project at the La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc are inflammatory and misleading. We don’t mind that he has a personal opinion, but when the Santa […]
Posted inOpinion
Obama’s president. Now what?
Daisy Flores singer “Change will finally start happening.” Victor Tapere retail “Now what? Now I wait to see what’s going on.” Tina Hall caregiver “I have no clue!” Richard Lara construction “You never know with that guy. … Let’s hope he can come up with some jobs.”
Posted inOpinion
Just say no to leapfrog developments
The La Purisima Resort Project decision is the key to Santa Barbara County’s future�
Driving home from Irvine recently, I noticed how nice it was to leave the Ventura/Los Angeles county areas and head into Santa Barbara County and the open areas of the Central Coast. No wonder tourists like to come here! The squeeze of the shoulder-to-shoulder impact of homes, asphalt, and cars was lifted from my head […]
Posted inOpinion
What do you think Santa Maria could do to promote a healthier lifestyle?
Gari Valdez satellite operator “Expand the city bike trails.” Amber Summerville employment research “Cheaper gyms. A health food store. We don’t have a Trader Joe’s.” Nicole Applegate eligibility interviewer “More walking paths.” Danielle Applegate kids’ club attendant “Everyone should come workout at In-Shape!”
Posted inOpinion
Get the ball rolling toward making a difference
Angel Magaña
It’s a new year, and people have precise expectations for themselves. Some want to improve on their health, and others want to improve their savings account—and nowadays, who can blame them? Those pursuits are great, but I think people should also look outward. Recently, I signed on as a volunteer with an organization that provides […]
Posted inOpinion
Hold the outgoing president accountable
Gale McNeeley
As the Bush/Cheney administration is air lifted off the roof of the sinking White House, giving the thumbs-up sign, we all know better. We all see the results of eight disastrous years. Who will pay? Will it be only our military families, or people losing their homes, or prisoners who have no rights, or Americans […]
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There’s always something to learn
Robert Jones
Regarding Norman Mehl’s letter (“I stand by my original opinion,” Jan. 8) in rebuttal to a rebuttal of a letter from Norman: First of all, I appreciate your Armed Forces service in World War II. And also your service with the space program. Your comment about Obama was disturbing. Okay, so you are not a […]
Posted inOpinion
Every human life has value
Christina Renfroe
U.S. complicity and support for the massacre of innocent civilians in Gaza by Israel must come to an end. U.S. taxpayers donate upwards of 3 billion bloodstained dollars yearly to supply Israel with the F-16 bombers and Apache attack helicopters that are currently being utilized to “teach Hamas a lesson” more for political gain that […]
Posted inOpinion
If you could write a law, what would it be?
Carmen Escalante legal assistant “Public funding for recovery programs—and I would enforce penalties on correctional officers that withhold or delay medication for inmates.” Trinidad Escalante retired “Reform the three strikes law and use it as it was intended: for violent crimes.” William Bell heavy machines operator “I’d make more legal turnout points along the coast […]
Posted inOpinion
Walls will always divide people
Klaus Schumann
Ronald Reagan’s perhaps finest moment came when he stood next to the shameful Berlin Wall and challenged the Soviet premier: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Not too long thereafter, the wall did come down, and with it the Soviet Empire. Now, two decades later, it is the U.S. Empire erecting or supporting shameful walls […]
