Obama’s public health insurance option would save us up to 30 percent on our insurance premiums by being more efficient and driving down prices across the board, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. The insurance companies are against the proposal because if the system is efficient they will not make as much money in profit.
Support the Obama health plan
Posted inOpinion
Salazar takes a balanced approach
Since taking office in January, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Salazar has made renewable energy a priority, putting the brakes on the preceding administration’s full-steam-ahead approach to destructive oil-shale development and canceling oil and gas leases on the edge of Utah national parks as well as in historic sites on nearby public land. […]
Posted inOpinion
Property equals liberty
Only when property rights are protected do average people have a shot at both liberty and prosperity. The question of property ownership goes far back into human history. The right to private property evolved out of a basic moral notion: Private property rights are the hallmark of liberty. According to the Property Rights Alliance, which publishes the annual International […]
Posted inOpinion
Attend the NRC meeting
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold two public meetings in San Luis Obispo on May 28, four days before PG&E plans to begin removing spent fuel from densely-packed pools and loading the first dry cask at Diablo Canyon. This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and state opinions. The San Luis […]
Posted inOpinion
You get what you pay for
It is clear that some investments really pay off but not yours and mine, currently. The banks have been investing in politicians, and they are getting their money’s worth. Banks get bailed out, and we don’t. What if we invested our money in politicians and what if banks, corporations, and lobbyists were prevented from doing so? What if we […]
Posted inOpinion
Attention to arts is appreciated
I am a member of the Town Center Gallery and the Los Padres Art Guild in Santa Maria. I would like to thank and commend Shelly Cone for her continued support and appreciation in print of the many artists in and around our area. These two groups are avenues for artists to not only develop […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 5-21
TUESDAY, MAY 26 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at http://bos-agenda.sbcgov.net. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the […]
Posted inNews
The United Nations comes to Orcutt Academy
More than 100 ninth graders—each representing a specific country—swarm around the Orcutt Junior High School gym enticing each other to sign resolutions they’ve written to address the effects of global warming. “If [the resolution] doesn’t serve the self-interest of your country, don’t sign it,” Sharir Chan, Orcutt Academy’s world civilizations/world history teacher, tells one student. […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen
Breakfast Rotary Club Luau “Fun” was the key word at the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club’s annual Hawaiian Luau, also billed as a Barn Party and Auction. This five-star event was held on May 9, at where else but the big barn-like building at the west end of the Fairpark. When I arrived at 5:30 p.m., […]
Posted inNews
Swine flu tests SM manufacturer
The recent outbreak of swine flu has had Santa Maria-based Hardy Diagnostics working overtime to meet demand. The medical device manufacturer made the equipment used to transport viral specimens to labs for analysis and identification. More than 6,000 labs are serviced by the company, which manufactures all of its products in Santa Maria. Jay Hardy […]
Posted inNews
Plumbing company celebrates award
Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine recently recognized local father and son plumbers Juan and Eric Rodriguez for owning the nationwide publication’s May Truck of the Month. The award recognizes the plumbing profession’s most clean and organized service vehicles. The Rodriguez’s company, JES Plumbing, received a resolution of recognition for the award from the Santa Barbara County […]
Posted inNews
PathPoint open house
On May 28, PathPoint, formerly known as Work Training Programs Inc., is hosting an open house to celebrate both its recent name change and 45th anniversary. The open house will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the organization’s North Santa Barbara County location, 2450 Professional Parkway in Santa Maria. Local elected officials and […]
