First let me be clear, searches authorized by a local, state, or federal courts are essential to capturing crooks. This commentary addresses data mining for commercial purposes and government searches without benefit of a search warrant from the court. With today’s electronic technology, folks can “spy” on you anywhere you go without you knowing about […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
County rooster rules will do more harm than good
Not all animal advocates are cheering for Santa Barbara County’s newest rooster restrictions (“Rooster rules,” Jan. 25). In fact, a good number of us—particularly those of us who run hands-on rescues and animal sanctuaries—vehemently oppose rooster bans and restrictions. These sweeping rooster restrictions—touted as an anti-cockfighting measure—promise to hurt more animals than they could ever […]
Posted inOpinion
Projection rejection
Water’s a hot commodity in the Cuyama Valley. So when someone says the word “drill,” people’s ears perk up. This time around, it’s not water they’re looking to store in “frost ponds” on Harvard University’s North Fork Vineyard property in Cuyama. They’re looking for oil. West Bay Exploration Co. wants to drill a probing solitary […]
Posted inOpinion
Grassroots, shmassroots
As if the campaign for Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District supervisor wasn’t already a little weird—with Frank Troise holding his own candidacy hostage by threatening the other two candidates to agree to his budget terms or else he’ll continue running—the race’s finance filings are weirder still. Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne, who surprised everyone with her […]
Posted inOpinion
Ruling Donald Trump stricken from the ballot is a big deal, so don’t take it lightly
Democrats, dispirited after recent polls showing Donald Trump running ahead of Joe Biden and facing the unendurable possibility of another four years of the Orange Beast, finally got a bit of encouraging news. One of their “Hail Mary” passes, the use of an obscure portion of the 14th Amendment barring anyone who has engaged in […]
Posted inOpinion
The Oceano Airport doesn’t serve Oceano
As a concerned lifelong resident of Oceano, I perceive a disparity in the treatment and resources allocated to our community compared to other oceanfront towns. Specifically, using 60 acres of our precious coastal land for an airport is frivolous and unfair to our community. I believe that this property holds immense potential for the benefit […]
Posted inOpinion
Rule the roost
Breeding flocks need one rooster for every 10 hens to be successful. You know, fertile eggs, baby! As in eggs that can produce little chickee chicks. With Santa Barbara County’s new rooster regulations, you can’t really breed a flock of more than 10 hens on less than 1 acre, 20 chickens on 2 to 5 […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc City Council ignites discussion about ‘safe and sane’ fireworks program finances and enforcement
On Jan. 16 the Lompoc City Council reviewed a report on the safe and sane fireworks program, specifically the “Finances and Options for use of Surplus Fireworks Program Funds.” In order to acquire a permit to sell safe and sane fireworks in Lompoc, the applicant must pay a 4 percent surcharge, and according to the […]
Posted inOpinion
Affordable housing is a foundation for strong communities
A crucial concern that directly impacts our citizens’ well-being lies in the heart of our community: affordable housing. As the CEO of the SLO County Housing Trust Fund, a nonprofit affordable housing revolving loan fund, I want to share the significance of this challenge and advocate for its role in shaping our community’s future. Here’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Saddle up
We’ve finally got some races on our hands for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors! Not one supervisor who’s up for reelection is running unopposed in the March primary. Huzzah! Great! What do we have for quality candidates? Mm. That one’s a bit tough to discern. Restaurateur and Carpinteria City Councilmember Roy Lee is […]
Posted inOpinion
The Oceano Community Services District is in disarray thanks to one elected official
The drama from Oceano is so extensive that it continuously reverberates throughout the Central Coast. Every week, newly elected Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) board member Charles Varni publishes verbose, sanctimonious, and self-victimizing diatribes every time someone disagrees with him. Varni completely melts down in a feedback loop of replaying his grievances against the district […]
Posted inOpinion
Too many risks in Oceano
Before the last big storm, heavy rain and high tides were predicted by the weather forecasts. The disastrous washout on Oceano Beach, on Dec. 28, 2023, should not have been a surprise. Several trailers and vehicles were dragged into the ocean where they lost all their contents: provisions, pots and pans, plasticware, trash. The debris […]
