Noozhawk’s Dec. 14 article, “Coastal Commission Denies UCSB’s Project for Artificial Turf at Uyesaka Stadium,” is an example of arrogance on the part of UC Santa Barbara, tearing out the grass before the artificial turf field was approved.
I am always for preserving grass over artificial turf and commend the Coastal Commission for not approving the artificial turf. So if the baseball season is affected because of this decision, blame the university and not the commission.
UCSB probably has the worst fan seating of any university playing major college baseball. That is where the money should be spent.
Jarrell Jackman
Santa Barbara
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In the Dec. 11 news release, “Celebrating the Success of the SBCC Promise,” about the success of the Santa Barbara City College Promise program, a program providing free SBCC attendance for local high school graduates, I thought it interesting, and a bit puzzling, that the accompanying picture showed two students, one waving a Mexican flag and one waving a Liberian flag.
If this program is about local students, perhaps Noozhawk could explain how Mexico and Liberia are considered local.
Art Thomas
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Dec. 5 story, “GridStor Launches Goleta Energy Storage Facility — Largest Power Resource in the County,” I like solar panels and storage batteries for off-grid and emergency applications. I have an off-grid property powered by solar and batteries and a small solar/battery backup system for my home.
However, I’m not a proponent of mandated and/or subsidized wind/solar/battery projects.
Gridstor says it will provide four hours of backup for 30,000 homes in Goleta. The reported cost of $55 billion divided by 30,000 customers works out to $1,833,333 per customer.
If the average Goleta customer pays $180 a month for electricity, that means a day’s cost is $6 and four hours’ worth is $1 times 30,000 customers, or $30,000 worth of electricity in storage.
Almost $2 million per customer is a lot of bread for not much juice financed by an “Inflation Reduction Act” (please don’t laugh).
Add in the cost of a vast area needed for diluted wind/solar energy, destructive mining, unreliability, charging load, wildfire risk, short life expectancy, replacement, disposal, and wildlife destruction (whales, raptors, tortoises, etc.), it doesn’t make any sense at all except to those raking in billions of dollars foisting a scam on taxpayers and consumers.
Renewables, wind and solar, require huge areas to equal the BTU output of energy-dense fossil fuels, thus sacrificing wildlife and the environment in a futile quest to fulfill a “green” fantasy.
“Traditional electricity generation has a thermodynamics problem: Burning fuel to generate electricity creates waste heat that siphons off most of the energy. By the time electricity reaches your outlet, around two-thirds of the original energy has been lost in the process.”
“Solar energy has a density of 1.5 microjoules per cubic meter, over 20 quadrillion times less than oil.”
Steve King
Carpinteria
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It has become obvious — loudly — that drivers here are becoming more and more rude.
I have always been proud of the fact that, “We don’t honk our car horns in Santa Barbara.” But recently I have experienced or heard more annoying honking.
Perhaps these drivers are new to Santa Barbara or are from Los Angeles, but cut it out. Take a deep breath and we’ll all get there in due time.
Sydney Tredick
Santa Barbara
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Residents of Santa Barbara County’s Third Supervisorial District are so fortunate to have Joan Hartmann representing them on the Board of Supervisors.
After Lompoc was moved into the Third District by redistricting, Hartmann embraced the City of Lompoc and went to work, bringing significant funding to the city.
Hartman has long been an advocate for agriculture. She worked ceaselessly to create Measure A, which required any expansion into agricultural lands by the City of Buellton to be approved by a vote of its residents. Hence, Buellton is developing within its city boundaries and doing infill projects, saving valuable agricultural lands in the western Santa Ynez Valley.
Hartmann acted again during a recent effort to annex Bailey Avenue and expand the City of Lompoc to the west. While proponents argued that Lompoc needed to pave over these 148 acres of prime agricultural land for mini-malls and cookie-cutter development, Hartmann listened to the local agriculturalists who had to remind the Lompoc mayor that this land supports the largest and most historically important industry in the Lompoc Valley. The people of Lompoc Valley were not clamoring to lose cherished farmland; only the mayor and developers wanted annexation. Fortunately, Hartmann’s leadership saved the day.
Joan Hartmann is considered a most prepared and dedicated supervisor. The Lompoc Valley is the beneficiary of her strategic expertise and dogged determination to support her district.
I urge all Third District voters to vote for Joan Hartmann for another term as supervisor.
Marell Brooks
Lompoc Valley
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The holidays are a time for community. As we come together with loved ones over the next few weeks, it’s important for us to remember the ways that we can be a beacon of hope for those who need our support and care.
I think of the families whose lives have been turned upside down by emergencies, especially by the growing frequency and intensity of disasters.
In fact, 2023 is a record year of extreme climate and weather events, with each causing losses exceeding $1 billion — including the devastating floods that impacted the Central Coast earlier this year.
Year-round, local volunteers from the American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter answered the call to help in people’s darkest hours, providing refuge, food and comfort for communities throughout Santa Barbara County devastated by disasters, big and small.
But with no signs of extreme disasters slowing down, we must work together to do more.
Please join us to give comfort and hope by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation. You can also help by booking a time to give blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer.
It takes all of us to care for one another. During the holiday season, turn your compassion into action for the families who depend on our collective support.
Tony Briggs
American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter executive director
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