Regarding the April 9 article, “Developer Rick Caruso Makes Surprise Visit to Meeting About His Miramar Project in Montecito,” I was one of the supporters of the Miramar project who attended the April 9 Montecito Association meeting but did not have the opportunity to speak.
As San Ysidro/Monte Vista roads residents with two young daughters (23 and 20 months), we believe this project will greatly enhance our community’s walkability and family-friendly appeal.
Our daily beach walks through Rosewood’s public access are a necessity, as one daughter suffers from severe car sickness.
Rosewood provides one of the few safe places to let our children roam freely. The expansion promises a secure, engaging environment with additional dining and shopping options.
Owner Rick Caruso’s commitment to affordable employee housing is commendable, reducing arduous commutes for hardworking staff. The Rosewood’s reputation as a thoughtful neighbor preserving Montecito’s spirit instills confidence.
This project aligns with our desire to maintain the community’s charm while improving walkability, and we are in favor of increasing housing options for both Miramar employees and for current Montecito residents looking to downsize.
We’re grateful to call Montecito home and support initiatives enhancing its livability for families.
Adrienne Bamford
Montecito
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The kerfuffle around State Street continues. State Street started losing businesses long before it was closed to automobile traffic.
Does no one remember businesses closing after the mortgage meltdown? Does no one remember people going to the Funk Zone after wine bars, brew houses and new businesses opened there?
And the reason there was no plan when State Street was closed was because no one planned for a pandemic. State Street was dying long before it was closed.
So many of people’s complaints would be solved by implementing Cass Ensberg’s plan. Just do it already!
Brian Epstein
Santa Barbara
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Thank you for the opportunity to express your readers’ thoughts. I will be brief.
Please, Santa Barbara City Council, PLEASE return our beloved State Street back to a pre-pandemic state. The various reasons for my comment have been stated over and over again by many others.
Robin Cederlof
Goleta
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I see bicyclists riding the wrong way in the bike lane multiple times per week. This is incredibly dangerous and nobody seems to care.
Luke Thulin
Goleta
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R. Merrifield’s March 29 letter to the editor criticizing Joe Guzzardi’s March 24 commentary, “Weaponized Immigration Wrecking Sovereign America,” tells me he has forgotten what the Founding Fathers had envisioned for this country, i.e. the God-given right to self determination and freedom of expression.
Guzzardi’s attention to the facts is something members of our mainstream media long ago abandoned in favor of parroting an elitist agenda that bodes ill for the survival of this republic.
As a retired Chicago print journalist, I say without hesitation that Guzzardi’s commitment to backing up everything he says reflects what responsible journalism should look like.
I would remind all those who support Merrifield’s line of thinking never to lose sight of these words from John Adams: “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
Dave Gorak
La Valle, Wisconsin
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In his April 5 letter to the editor, Justin Ruhge trots out the usual Republican talking points that would dramatically reduce voter participation.
Rather than voter lack of confidence in Santa Barbara County’s election system, clearly the absence of a competitive presidential nominating process for both major parties is what diminished voter interest/participation last month.
The county Elections Office staff have shown themselves to be highly competent in conducting local elections with minimal problems and errors.
As always, it comes down to Republicans wanting fewer people to vote and Democrats wanting more people to vote.
Bob Shapiro
Goleta
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