I have a few thoughts regarding the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Congress coordinated by Donald Trump and his team, and carried out by his supporters. First, to the sadly misguided dupes who believe every conspiracy theory they hear from the far-right extremist media that have infected our nation like a creeping, oozing […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
County let Oceano down
I completely agree with the letters by Cynthia Replogle (“A coming flood in Oceano,” Dec. 24) and Lucia Casalinuovo (“State Parks’ survey was phony,” Dec. 31). Ignored by SLO County supervisors, Oceano deals with outrageous taxes, a blind eye to crumbling infrastructure, and choking traffic and fumes. So-called “abandoned vehicles” are parked in streets and […]
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Pay equity is essential in local government jobs
Anyone who works for a living gets paid to do it; the amount they receive depends on what the employer feels the job is worth. Most employee unions, large employers, and government agencies employ experts to establish what they call “pay equity.” But how do they do it? This is important information when worker representatives […]
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Info underload
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown dropped some jaws on Dec. 1 when he pronounced that most serious violent crimes were up by 10 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, reports of forcible rape were up by 14 percent, robberies by 30 percent, and arson by 41 percent, he told the county Board of […]
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County students, educators, staff share some of their 2020 silver linings and hopes for the year ahead
Looking back, 2020 was a year of downs, ups, backwards and sideways, to say the least. The year was full of reality that seemed unimaginable at this time last year. Far too many friends, family members, and neighbors lost jobs and closed businesses, and a staggering number of individuals lost their lives. The daily interactions […]
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Real struggles
As our cases climb and our ICUs fill, I wonder if our elected officials are still oozing with desire to be separated from the Southern California region on the state’s regional COVID-19 map for stay-at-home orders. Because either way, it looks like Santa Barbara County hospitals are heading for a showdown with the pandemic. Cottage […]
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State Parks’ survey was phony
After years of ignoring Oceano, State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Division distributed a flyer to Oceano homeowners with their water bills from the Oceano Community Services District. It advertises a survey about the Public Works Plan for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA). State Parks Director Armando Quintero and Deputy Secretary for Ocean and […]
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It’s a new era in Lompoc for district-based appointed commission representation
As 2020 comes to an end, it’s time to look forward. This year was one of the most chaotic of any in my adult life. Hopefully, the problems caused by a disease pass by and we can return to what was normal before politicians got into the doctoring business. In September 2017, the Lompoc City […]
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Not nice
By now Santa’s long finished with making and double-checking his naughty and nice list, and though the Big Guy and I go way back, I don’t have access to those confidential papers. So, I’m making my own list. The not-nice list. Complete with North County’s naughtiest naysayers and nincompoops. This biggest bad boy isn’t confined […]
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A response to ‘Woke on the Warpath’
I’ve been trying to fill my head with happy thoughts these past few months, and “Woke on the Warpath” (Nov. 26) put a dent in that. I’m not sure how John Donegan derives his pronouncements if not from breathtaking naiveté. The now-scrubbed material from Cuesta College trustee Pete Sysak’s social media went way beyond calling […]
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Pick up that ear trumpet
I think one of the greatest shortfalls in the upbringing of the current generation is the lack of education regarding critical thinking and manners. When did we become content to accept what we’re told from just anybody, and start clinging to the belief that if it makes us feel good, it must be fact? When […]
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Close the dunes again
Never in our lifetime have we faced a health crisis as we are in now. Getting back to “normal” clearly will not be happening for a long time. Since the county has reverted to purple, concrete action is being taken to limit the number and sizes of gatherings. Given all of the closure mandates in […]
