Regarding the Nov. 4 article, “Congressman Salud Carbajal Says Democrats on ‘Mission to Heal’ After Election Wins,” count me out.
Voters gave Democrats the majority in Congress and we expect to see Nuremberg trials in return.
If Carbajal can’t remember who he works for, he can be primaried next time.
Alex Richard
Santa Barbara
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I am in the middle as far as who and what I vote for, mostly conservative. But I believe the big blue wave is an omen as we’ll really see what the so-called Democratic Party is really about.
John Sween
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Oct. 31 article, “Work Needed on New Santa Barbara Renter Eviction Rules, Council Says,” the City Council is working to apply even more heavy decisions and regulations against landlords in addition to the recently approved rent stabilization ordinance.
The disfiguring aspects of their recently proposed additions to the just cause ordinance and Ellis Act show a disdain toward property owners stronger than any city in California, according to Santa Barbara Rental Property Association president Betty Jeppesen.
A new proposal that renters cannot be evicted until a full month’s rent is in default brings new issues.
Tenants can withhold 10% of rent for 10 months as an example and effectively remove the security deposit’s value from a landlord. Or start a default and eviction after having depleted the landlords’ reserves first.
Deciding one segment should pay something better than another is not thinking or problem solving.
Local government impeded, delayed and blocked new housing since the 1990s to “preserve character,” not property owners. Nor did owners cause the current national economy.
The also applies to the registry fee charge to tenants. The ordinance’s language has this as unenforceable, unequally applied compared to property owners and an unjust precept.
Inclusions that only achieve mistreating a different segment deserve ending up back to square one. Inclusions like that made a referendum of the rent stabilization ordinance more valid and possible to succeed in its removal.
A City Council with disdain for any group is not going to arrive at fair and balanced governance while it’s in their hands.
David Sullins
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Nov. 5 article, “Gavin Newsom’s Order Commuting Death Sentences Affects 3 Convicted in Santa Barbara County,” in 2016, Californians voted on two ballot propositions:
- Proposition 62 would have abolished the death penalty and replaced it with life without parole. Voters rejected it, with 53.1% voting no and 46.9% voting in favor.
- Proposition 66 would have sped up death penalty appeals and executions. Voters approved it, with 51.1% voting yes and 48.9% voting no.
Gov. Gavin Newsom just ignored the voters’ will by commuting sentences for hundreds of convicted criminals on death row.
I wonder what other propositions we have voted on, and the results have been ignored by our elected officials.
John Deacon
Orcutt
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What is the City of Santa Barbara doing about homelessness? It seems there are more homeless downtown than the Mesa or Montecito.
Ruben Jaramillo
Santa Barbara
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I strongly object to the unpleasant tone of L. Gutierrez’s Oct. 30 letter to the editor.
Our Cottage Health nurses are vital to the welfare of their patients. It’s true that no one is forced to live here despite the high cost of living, but our community needs nurses and they are committed to their work.
I trust that when Gutierrez needs medical care there will be sufficient staff to attend to them and I am sure that is what he or she expects, too.
Susan Shields
Santa Barbara
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L. Gutierrez said about Cottage Health nurses that “No one is forcing you to live here.” The next time Gutierrez gets sick or injured, s/he should remember that no one is forcing you to to get health care at Cottage Health.
Brian Epstein
Santa Barbara
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What does Karen Telleen-Lawton’s Nov. 2 commentary, “Palestine,” have to do with “Lifestyle”? This is a Santa Barbara issue? This is “hyperlocal”? This is not an “international grievance”?
Does not Noozhawk forbid such content? Guess not.
And if Teellen-Lawson knew her history she would know that in blowing down the walls of Jericho, Joshua was evicting the Canaanites from their own homeland at the command of God.
Sounds like the Israeli settlers are doing the same. So if she approved that action, what’s the problem?
Steve Weiss
Montecito
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Great. My reliable source for unbiased local news is now publishing op/eds with headlines like “Palestine.”
The blue paint isn’t even dry on the election sweep and this is what we have to look forward to the next two years from Noozhawk?
Look on a map. Not only does “Palestine” not exist, its proclaimed location is nowhere near Santa Barbara County.
Just give us local news, please.
Andy Sherman
Santa Barbara
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I’m sorry, but why is Noozhawk publishing a commentary on “Palestine”? What does that have to do with Santa Barbara County?
Cynthia Clark
Solvang
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“Palestine”? Really, Noozhawk? Your writers have run out of hyperlocal issues to write about?
I can get “Palestine” everywhere on the internet. I subscribe to Noozhawk for local news, not international news and opinion.
Do better.
J. Russell
Santa Barbara
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