Regarding the Feb. 19 article, “Santa Barbara Airport Reopens Early Tuesday After Flooding Closure,” after the recent rainstorms and the Santa Barbara Airport being closed because of flooding, the question arises: Does the airport have a serious drainage problem?
I know the airport was originally constructed by the U.S. Marine Corps for a training base in World War II on what was the Goleta Slough, which was filled in to make runways.
Does the drainage from the various streams that drain toward the airport contribute or cause the flooding? Should that whole system be subjected to a major review and potential upgrade?
Bruce Wilson
Goleta
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Regarding the Feb. 16 article, “Storms Bring Down Iconic Palm Trees at Refugio State Beach,” I am not sure if the California Department of Parks and Recreation understands how valuable the palm trees are to the state and park visitors.
They are a big part of the appeal of the cove, and not just aesthetically. They provide much-needed shade for families visiting the beach and habitat for wildlife.
Also this species of trees, Canary Island, are extremely valuable. I know this because I have been approached by parties that wanted to buy a few I had on one of my properties. I am wondering if the state has any idea how much one tree is worth?
Mature trees are easy to transplant and can be resold for tens of thousands of dollars. Hotel and resorts pay good money for the trees.
Here is an idea: sell a few off and offset the cost of replanting the rest of the trees! Win, win!
Save the Canary Island Palms!
Gary Larson
Santa Barbara
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An obvious solution is to plant more baby palm trees. That’s what our ancestors would have done.
First, the welcome cleanup by local and state agencies. Those of us who love the curve of Refugio State Beach and the palms don’t want to lose our favorite surf break at the point!
Joyce Ball
Santa Ynez
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I was disgusted and very disappointed with the Feb. 20 article, “Body of 86-Year-Old At-Risk Man Found in Goleta Valley Creek,” on the death of Dr. Peter Miller.
I am sure his family and all his friends think the same way about Noozhawk describing him as an 86-year-old at-risk man with mobility issues.
The words are very demeaning and inappropriate, and Noozhawk could have written a much better article concerning his demise.
Miller could have been described as a well-known orthodontist and rancher who helped many Goleta Valley families. He was the most giving man I have ever met.
Noozhawk owes Miller’s family an apology.
Bill Oakley Sr.
Goleta
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Just a quick clarification for all those complaining about the price tag of the City of Santa Barbara’s proposed Lower Eastside Bike and Pedestrian Bridge that was described in the Feb. 12 story, “Santa Barbara Looks to Build $32.5 Million Bridge Over Highway 101 to Enhance Mobility for Eastside.”
The city will be applying for a state grant to fund the project. The grant program is for active transportation projects, meaning that if Santa Barbara didn’t apply for the money, another city would and receive it for a similar bike- and pedestrian-focused project.
I wanted to put this out there as I see many complaints being sent in to Noozhawk about “how much money this project will cost us.” That’s the thing, the project will cost local taxpayers little, as money for the actual construction itself will come from the state level.
Besides, if huge budgets is the big concern, comments should be directed at the Highway 101 widening project through Montecito, which has a budget of around $132 million.
Even worse, it probably won’t reduce traffic due to a well-established phenomenon called induced demand in which adding more lanes simply makes room for more cars, not more room for the existing cars.
If you don’t believe me, check out the 405 widening project in Los Angeles that, after $1.1 billion and two new lanes, actually ended up increasing travel times. Even Caltrans has admitted that adding more lanes does not ease traffic.
That’s the great thing about bike and pedestrian infrastructure: it’s cheaper than car-focused infrastructure to build, cheaper to maintain, lasts longer thanks to less wear and tear, and increases safety for those outside of a two-ton metal vehicle.
Those complaining about the proposed Eastside bridge should remember that projects like these are actually more bang for the city’s buck.
Sullivan Israel
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Feb. 22 news release, “Be on the Lookout for Goleta Police DUI Checkpoint the Night of Feb. 23,” I am at a loss to understand why a news publication would want to post a news release warning citizens about DUI checkpoints.
Surely it serves the public best to have those drinking and driving falling into the trap. It is in the best interest of all of us that anyone driving impaired be apprehended before they can injure the innocent.
Pat Fish
Santa Barbara
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As part of Goleta Now incorporation and as first mayor of the new City of Goleta, I want to remind everyone that Joan Hartmann was always a supporter and facilitator of Goleta incorporation.
Hartmann had had her own experience with setting boundaries in her effort to preserve agricultural fields around Buellton. She has since addressed many City of Goleta issues at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, supporting slow growth and protecting the environment, agricultural sites and butterfly habitat, and by opposition to ExxonMobil’s proposal to transport oil through narrow streets in city neighborhoods.
Hartmann understands the importance of preserving the open, rural environment while at the same time recognizing the need for affordable housing for citizens.
Please join me in voting to re-elect Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann on March 5. We need her to keep the Goleta community that we love.
Margaret Connell
Goleta
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The newest political TV ad by the Democrats is “Vote No on Steve Garvey” because he voted for former President Donald Trump. The ad is paid for by Standing Strong PAC, and it says not affiliated with any candidate.
I guess since Adam Schiff’s ads that say “Adam Schiff approves this message” aren’t working … then a blind entity with ties to no one appears. Since Schiff has no qualities that anyone would vote for, just have an ad that says don’t vote for Garvey.
Garvey was a Los Angeles Dodger baseball player who lived the American dream and now wants to make sure everyone has the same opportunity. He is the perfect politician for the people.
And he is not an incumbent. With this country in the worst shape in its history, everyone in office needs to be replaced.
When I see politicians like Schiff and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartman with ads on TV every 10 minutes, you have to wonder where all the money comes from. You have to wonder why our roads and infrastructure are falling apart because of funding, but they have plenty of funds to tell us to vote them back in office.
Wake up and stand up and talk to your friends. Tell them to create a new America with new politicians.
Be kind and try to open their eyes to making America ours again. If we stand up, we can reduce grocery cost, gasoline cost and get our savings back.
Vote no on the Incumbent politicians!
Bart Bader
Goleta
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Whatever the boundaries, Santa Barbara County’s Third Supervisorial District is a handful and needs a committed, capable and exceptional leader. Supervisor Joan Hartmann’s record shows that she has all of these qualities.
Hartmann wasted no time meeting the people of the communities new to the district and finding ways to meet their needs.
Partnering with BayWa r.e., the company that built the Strauss Wind Energy Project, she was instrumental in securing free laptops for students in the FUTURE for Lompoc Youth program. Her ability to locate and leverage state funding for the Lompoc Theatre has given this popular project a valuable boost.
Hartman is skilled at bringing people together to resolve issues; facilitating citizen- government partnerships to improve roads, portable restrooms and sidewalks in Los Olivos and Santa Ynez.
She is a creative thinker who formulates concrete plans to improve the lives of our county’s residents. Recently she has begun an initiative to establish a mobile resource center that will provide farmworkers with better access to employment assistance, financial support and health services.
The state-mandated Housing Element process has been challenging for Hartmann, her fellow members of the Board of Supervisors, and county staff. She is working hard to satisfy the state requirements in a way that preserves agriculture, respects the integrity of neighborhoods and provides the housing that is so badly needed.
She is a 24/7 public servant who believes local government can make our lives better. Please join me in supporting Joan Hartmann for Third District supervisor.
Elizabeth Farnum
Los Olivos
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