Thanks for the information on the new state laws as reported in the Jan. 1 article, “New Laws Taking Effect in California in 2025.”
The ambiguity of government strikes again: “It is illegal to park within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk … (Assembly Bill 413).” So, don’t park anywhere you might think they can put a sidewalk. I guess this means you can get ticketed anywhere a police officer thinks there should be a sidewalk.
State Senate Bill 905: Now they can prosecute a thief from stealing from your car if the door is unlocked. I was wondering if that applies to your home, too. So if a thief comes in your unlocked front door or car door, the state can now prosecute them.
AB 375: Food delivery people now have to show their licenses when they deliver your food. Not sure how this ensures my safety.
AB 1955 prevents schools from telling parents what their kid says at school. So is the next step that the schools can approve sex change operations for your children?
What these new laws tell me is we need to vote in new politicians to straighten up what our state is making into laws.
Ignorance is bliss and running amok when the public is silent.
Wake up and stand up or pay the price for a ticket for parking next to a crosswalk that isn’t there.
Merry Christmas! We just found out how the state of California is going to pay for the gifts it wants to buy in your name.
Bart Bader
Goleta
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AB 1955 prohibits school districts from passing ordinances that require teachers to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender or requests to be referred to by a different name.
AB 1955 was not voted on by the public. It is unacceptable and needs to be abolished. How do we do that?
Andrea Henrikson
Santa Barbara
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Regarding Tom Modugno’s Dec. 30 article, “Weather Wrecks World War II POW Camp Tower on Gaviota Coast,” in 1965, while visiting my cousins’ aunt, Alma Giorgi, in Hamburg, Germany, I met her brother-in-law who told me “I was there.”
My older cousins had told me about the Germans they met working in the orchards and packing houses in Goleta during World War II. It was interesting to me that his future sister-in-law lived only a few miles away in Nojoqui.
Rollie Cavaletto
Nipomo
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Tom Modugno notes that historic structures on private land are often ignored by the land owners. Note that the land on which the tower is located seems to be owned by the regents of the University of California.
Gerry Ching
Noleta
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I miss the old days, a half-dozen years ago, when Santa Barbara’s State Street was open for parades.
Last month I saw every other city in Santa Barbara County, and even Milpas Street, having parades.
In mid-December it was surprising to me to see a group having their own religious procession honoring their culture, enjoy walking up State Street to Sola Street, and over to their church. That was wonderful.
And that is what State STREET should be. Not a promenade, or any other made-up term. It’s our downtown street, and I think it should remain open to all.
Here’s my unimpeachable logic on this: If you read comments on social media you will see many saying, “How in the world can you people say that opening up the streets to cars will increase business?”
And I have to agree. There is no reason to believe it will. But if it’s open I will be able to drive up State Street, like I have done since 1986.
But here’s the real kicker: These e-bike lunatics have spoiled State Street for everyone. And a lot of the city, in my opinion.
I’ll use this as an example: There is a parking lot between the harbor and Shoreline Beach Café at Leadbetter beach. Every day from before sunrise to sunset I see the following use the parking lot: people walking, walking with dogs, running, riding bikes, operating E-bikes (also known as motorcycles), and driving cars, trucks and RVs. Somehow everybody gets along.
But no way on State street. Please, City Council, open State Street to everyone. I have no problem with the 500 block being closed, with removable parklets so they can move them for a parade.
Dan Seibert
Santa Barbara
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On Feb. 4, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is to vote on telecom ordinance amendments to further saturate the county with small and macro cell towers.
Densifying cell towers without setbacks, especially in residential communities near schools and playgrounds, presents unassessed fire risks, confirmed by four recent multibillion-dollar telecom wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The Santa Barbara County Wildfire Plan ignores this risk. One telecom company is openly defying the National Electric Code.
The proposed wireless ordinance amendments violate constitutional due process; environmental and state planning historic site protection laws; and the civil rights of minority communities.
Fiber-to-the-premises is faster, safer, more energy efficient and resilient.
Intelligent solar microgrids, spearheaded in Santa Barbara by a local company, Clean Coalition, can safely provide telecom services during a wildfire emergency, when otherwise power must be terminated.
By collaborating with the community, the Board of Supervisors can demonstrate inspirational leadership, shaping Santa Barbara’s destiny for years to come.
Contact your supervisor to VOTE NO or ABSTAIN on Feb. 4.
Julian Gresser
Santa Barbara
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As a Noozhawk supporter, I’m dismayed to see Michael Rattray’s commentaries on climate change, which is essentially giving space to a climate skeptic without context or response.
What led to this decision?
While Rattray raises some good questions, his take overall is right from climate skeptic talking points and he doesn’t appear to have the proper credentials to be presenting these claims, however “science-y” he might look to the average reader.
Lisa Sideris
UC Santa Barbara Environmental Studies Program professor and Religious Studies Department affiliate
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I salute Michael Rattray for his commentaries. It takes a brave man to take on the “right-thinking sheep” of Santa Barbara.
In Officer Candidates School in the military, they told us to make our men afraid of something big so they would do what we wanted them to do. In my time it was the “advancing Communist horde.” Today, it is the “climate crisis.”
Keep at it. Just ignore the threats, etc. The truth has to come out about the so-called “climate catastrophe.”
Fred Sanford
Santa Barbara
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Regarding Brian Massey’s Dec. 27 letter to the editor about Frank Sanitate’s Dec. 14 commentary, “Could Less Be More? A Call to Reimagine School Learning,” I agree that the principles of “strong character, civility and work ethic” should be included in schools’ teaching, but would add that these traits should be first taught at home.
Parents are the first teachers that children have. Teaching by example is a huge input in young minds.
Michelle Neilson
Santa Barbara
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Regarding Ron Fink’s Dec. 31 commentary, “New Lompoc Mayor Is Up to His Old Tricks,” it is very obvious that Fink holds some sort of personal vendetta against newly elected Lompoc Mayor Jim Mosby. His consistent, biased criticism is not helpful to anyone.
Perhaps Noozhawk could solicit and publish opposing views of the local government as a whole, rather than a constant bashing on one individual who stepped up and is trying to improve our community — whether you like his approach or not.
Diane Long
Lompoc
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