A recent write-up in a local paper about the Chumash tribe titled “The rich get richer” was excellent. Most Santa Ynez Valley residents who follow the Chumash’s push to annex Camp 4 into their reservation understand that “it’s all about money.” The Chumash are not being kept from building additional housing for their tribe. They do not want to have county oversight or pay property taxes on their properties. Santa Barbara County local officials understand this and speak for their constituents.
But why are Rep. Young of Alaska and Rep. Denham from California (but not Santa Barbara County) aggressively endorsing this and accusing Santa Barbara County officials of not working with the tribe. We can only assume their outspoken involvement is also “all about money” in the form of campaign contributions or other benefits.
Many out-of-the-area columnists have written that the tribe is willing to work with the county in a “positive and constructive manner” or that the tribe can’t seem to please their critics.
If anyone questions the Chumash’s plans we are labeled “anti-Indian” and not working with them, or trying to keep them from building “needed housing” on their property. The Chumash can start the process to build on their land. Or they could purchase any of the many homes for sale in the Valley. They can certainly afford any home available. But there is so much more to this situation.
There’s county oversight, water issues, density, compatibility with the county general plan, and more.
The Chumash have begun aggressive advertising on TV and in print promoting the tribe. They write “stand up to anti-tribal rhetoric and help us build a united community.”
“Anti-tribal rhetoric” is anyone who has concerns with annexation.
Before assuming a “small group” of individuals are against anything they want to accomplish, learn what the real issues are and that annexation into the reservation is bad for non-Indian property taxpayers.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2015.
