Opinion

Shame on you! I cannot believe you actually printed that vulgar response in your question of the week about your favorite drink (“Streetwise” Oct. 2). A local paper, about local events, and local people. That is a poor representation of an “All America City.” I am too proud of our town to read that garbage. […]

During the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Lompoc Mayor Dick DeWees. In my position as 4th District Supervisor, I serve on numerous committees with Mayor DeWees. He brings a great sense of presence to any table or boardroom. He uses his considerable leadership skills to generate support and […]

There seems to be a lot of misinformation, half-truths, and negativity floating around in this election season. I’ve lived in the Lompoc Valley for the last 30 years, and it seems to me that we have fared pretty well over the last 10 years. We have much-needed new recreation facilities for our young people, such […]

After reading some of the recent letters to the editor in support of John MacKinnon, I’ve realized some people are under the misconception that since he is a D.A., he will extend his prosecuting of cases, if elected, by “making people accountable from the bench.” You could not be further from the truth. The positions […]

I have been a court stenographer (court reporter) for the past 32 years, 14 of them as an employee of the County of Santa Barbara. I was the official court reporter on the Michael Jackson criminal trial presided over by the Honorable Rodney S. Melville in Santa Maria in 2005. I say that not to […]

I am one of the 16 members of the “Committee to Elect Jed Beebe.” In recent weeks, we have all worked extremely hard to get Jed elected to be the next Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge. If you see all of Jed’s red signs out, it’s this committee that has accomplished this. One usually […]

Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor speaks about the important characteristics of a good judge: wisdom, humility, conscientiousness, competence, and high ethics. Attorneys like me have a responsibility to speak out and support the elevation of members of the bar to the bench who demonstrate these important characteristics. We have an opportunity in November to place […]

I recently received a six-page color ad in the mail touting Abel Maldonado as independent leadership. Three of the pages start with independent leadership in large type. Is Abel ashamed of being a Republican? The word Republican is used only once, in small type on the last page. If Abel is so proud of his […]

When people run for office, or citizens put measures or propositions on the ballot, it is their right, and guaranteed by law, to advertise. The cheapest and most common form is to erect yard signs. My complaint, and it’s directed to those individuals who oppose my views, is to leave my signs alone! It is […]