Our view: SLO invests in future by approving housing
These days, the headlines on the housing front are grim indeed. The New York Times described Coastal California as being in the middle of a full blown crisis with average home prices crossing $500,000 and making much of the state out of reach for all but the wealthiest families. Gov. Jerry Brown has not yet Read More →
Housing should be for residents, not tourists
By Anna Marie Gott “The use of residential units as short-term vacation rentals and/or only occupied as second homes poses a housing challenge to the city because these uses decrease available long-term housing opportunities for local residents as well as contribute to the increase in housing costs.” This quote comes directly from the Santa Barbara’s Read More →
Our view: Fire season has begun; region better prepared
The brush fires that scorched more than 40,000 acres in the tri-county region after the July 4 holiday are a reminder that spring growth after winter rains fuels danger in the summer. Fire is an ever-present danger in the West, as fires raging in California, Canada and Colorado remind us. As the current round of Read More →
Storytelling can breathe life into your business
By Jodi Hill Marketing is an essential component of starting a small business. However, many entrepreneurs find themselves with a great product or service but little funding and no idea where to start. A familiar term associated with low-cost promotion is grassroots marketing, a process that involves targeting a small niche group of people and Read More →
Our View: Santa Barbara sales tax measure could be tough to sell
With one survey indicating solid voter support and a willing city council going along, Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider has gotten the votes necessary to place a 1 cent general sales tax hike on the ballot for November. The June 28 vote caps a discussion that began earlier this spring when the idea of a Read More →
CFOs recognize value of diversity, inclusion
By Mark Riley Many middle market companies are considering ways to create a diverse and inclusive environment. But their employees aren’t the only ones to benefit. Companies are seeing the advantages of embracing the different ages, ethnicities, genders and education levels of their employees to create an inclusive, creative and collaborative workplace. Those currently entering Read More →
Our view: Minimum wage hikes are hurting workers
California appears to be headed toward a political showdown over the $15 per hour minimum wage law. A widening chorus of restaurant chains, individual eatery owners, small businesses, nonprofits and even municipal and county governments are joining the call for a rethink of the $15 per hour timetable. We editorialized in the June 23rd edition Read More →
