Brown should not sign farmworker overtime bill
With the farmworker overtime pay bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, we’re writing to warn that many of the quick fixes to contemporary problems are not what they appear to be. In a year where Bernie Sanders ignited the Democratic Party with his appeal to the issue of social injustice, the impulse to seize Read More →
Scary fires fact of life in the Tri-Counties
The fires raging up and down the Central Coast remind us of the vulnerability we all face and the historical importance of the environment we pay taxes to protect. The Chimney Fire that briefly threatened the Hearst Castle and the Rey Fire, which appeared to envelope the Santa Ynez Valley in smoke and flame when Read More →
Area code overlay better than breaking up the 805
With the California Public Utilities Commission ready to hold hearings on the future of the 805 area code, the easy call for this newspaper is to urge the CPUC to adopt a so-called “overlay” solution. With an overlay, the existing area code remains intact and a new set of three numbers introduces a new area Read More →
Skies won’t be friendly in Santa Maria anymore
Santa Maria’s relationship with United Airlines was set up for a breakup a year ago when the Chicago-based carrier stopped flying to Los Angeles and shifted its connecting flights to San Francisco. The final blow came Aug. 1 when United announced a suspension of the SFO flights this fall. The Santa Maria-San Francisco service was Read More →
CSU Channel Islands finds solution to housing shortage
Our universities are leading the way toward providing private sector solutions to the region’s chronic housing deficit. It will take courage, but civic leaders and elected officials should take note. The latest solution comes from CSU Channel Islands, where a donation of land for housing has enabled private developers to build quickly and nearly complete Read More →
Life is precious takeaway from terror attack in Nice
Westlake Village financial planner John C. Lindsey had just arrived in Nice for a family vacation when his ordeal began. After an “awesome Bastille Day fireworks show,” the July 14 terror attack started with a crowd running toward him and his son-in-law as he enjoyed a celebratory cigar. They immediately “ducked back into their hotel,” Read More →
Coastal housing advocate Lynn Jacobs left a legacy
First it was providing housing for farmworkers. Later is was building homes for working families up and down the Central Coast. Later still, it was serving in former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cabinet and pushing through a landmark deal to create billions of dollars in home financing. Developing affordable housing remains the No. 1 issue confronting Read More →
