Regarding the Sept. 19 article, “Santa Barbara Council Votes to Begin Negotiations for Project to Transform Paseo Nuevo Into Housing,” I am writing from Rome, where I lived for several decades after being raised in Santa Barbara.
Rome is a very changed city. The artisans are gone from the city center. So are the small tiny shops.
I’m delighted to hear the Santa Barbara City Council is studying ways to populate downtown by providing more housing in a transformed Paso Nuevo.
I hope the planners will realize that this is also a golden moment to set aside the large ground floor spaces for very low cost “fix and repair” businesses that do not require large spaces.
Instead of “food halls,” we need to provide areas where the disappearing small tradespeople can provide their services. I’m referring to cobblers, tailors, menders, electric appliance repair, etc.
I’m talking craftsmen of every type. I’m talking about stalls where one can find buttons and threads, knife sharpeners.
Help us stop throwing things into the landfill and get back into the habit of fixing things. If we want to make a village, then help build the village.
Rents in Santa Barbara are completely unaffordable for tradespeople. I know it may sound like a pipe dream, but we need to return the soul of the city back to its rightful place.
Take away the trades and you tear the heart out of the city.
Rick Perkins
Santa Barbara
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This is an open letter to the Santa Barbara mayor, the City Council and the State Street Advisory Committee about the State Street Master Plan. We wish to emphasize how important it is to complete a written Requirements Document before any further design work is done.
A Requirements Document lists all the real-world requirements a project must meet to be successful. This document could include such things as building code and zoning regulations, police and fire safety standards, stormwater management, residential density, and many other variables essential in the design of such a large, complex project.
An approved Requirements Document should precede any design work, because this document will create a framework that usefully limits which design choices may be made.
The community has been asked for comments on what it wants for the future of State Street. City staff and the State Street Advisory Committee now need to work with the mayor and City Council to achieve an approved Requirements Document.
As an aside, the outside consultant’s work should be put on hold until this document is approved by the City Council.
A Master Plan is a design tool. But the Requirements Document comes first.
A Master Plan is the “road map” for a project that will be implemented over time, based on the logical sequencing of the overall work, community priorities and available funding.
Listing all the requirements that must be satisfied for the project to be successful will prevent design choices being explored that are infeasible because of regulations, lack of financial resources, or those choices not being desired by the community at large.
Two broad categories of requirements will be included in the Requirements Document.
First, constraints, such as code and regulatory requirements for general and Americans with Disabilities Act access.
Second, desires, such as visionary or “wish list” ideas that might make the area more usable and attractive for business, community members and visitors.
A written and approved Requirements Document is needed to guide the SSAC and staff in creating the State Street Master Plan.
From our perspective, the two biggest requirements that need to be resolved are first, transportation and mobility throughout the study area, and second, the identification and integration of needed housing on both public and private land, both to create a livelier downtown as well as to meet California’s requirements for new housing.
We believe that the Requirements Document must be completed now, before the City Council, SSAC and the city’s consultants move on to the next step: potential design changes to Santa Barbara’s El Pueblo Viejo Historic District.
Dale Francisco, Bill Mahan, Don Sharpe, Addison Thompson and Bendy White
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Sept. 15 article, “Delta Airlines Returning to Santa Barbara in 2024 with Flights to Atlanta, Salt Lake City,” we all read our news through individual lenses.
Where Santa Barbara tourism officials and the Airport Commission might rejoice at this news, residents impacted day and night by thunderous turbojet noise on both ends of runways 25/7 might cringe that six more commercial overflights will be added if Delta goes ahead with its plans next year.
The Santa Barbara Airport has opaquely gaslit residents for many years, claiming to have no control over the FAA and pilots in command of the aircraft.
Add to that the limited geography in which to limit residential overflights during takeoffs and landings and the net result seems to be no mitigation to speak of.
The airport should lengthen and tech up runways 15/33, using every inch of real estate, and have all commercial and corporate jet aircraft arrive and depart over the ocean.
Then it can limit use of what is now the main runway to small private aircraft. That’s mitigation with flight safety.
Expensive? Yes. Innovative? Yes. A willingness to think outside the box to get it done? Not so much.
Maybe the City of Goleta should pass an ordinance banning overflights within city limits. Hmmm.
Frank DiMarco
Goleta
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Regarding the Sept. 18 article, “Santa Barbara School District Develops New Ways to Improve Student Mental Health,” we are failing to create a culture and teach life skills that help teens thrive.
As a local physician and expert in enhancing teen health and well-being, including treating adolescent stress, anxiety and depression, I recommend a comprehensive mindfulness and self-compassion based Stress Ed curriculum.
Offering every freshman Stress Ed is a simple, cost-effective, tier-one way to support student mental health. Mindfulness and self-compassion are scientifically proven to decrease adolescent stress, anxiety and depression, and enhance well-being.
Stress Ed creates a safe place for all students to learn these proven skills. When all freshmen participate, it eliminates the unfortunate stigma of seeking support from a counselor.
Additional benefits of this format are that instructors can identify individuals who need immediate additional support, and serve as safe resources for students at vulnerable times in the future.
Further, students may discover common stresses that can be addressed on both a school and community wide basis. This cost-effective intervention can prevent ongoing mental health issues, high risk behaviors and suicides.
Additionally, offering these mindfulness and self-compassion training to school staff is proven to decrease burnout and compassion fatigue, and increase empathy and efficacy. And offering these skills to parents enables them to truly support rather than pressure their kids.
Amy Saltzman
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Sept. 21 article, “Caltrans Modifies Onramp at Patterson Avenue Near San Jose Creek Bridge Construction Amid Safety Concerns,” the construction for the bridge near Patterson Avenue has modified the north entrance ramp.
It is so short, that it very dangerous.
The traffic on the slow lane does not see you until the last minute, and the cars coming into the freeway have to come at regular speed.
I have had a couple of close calls so I avoid going through there altogether.
Allen Roy Phillips
Goleta
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In his Sept. 15 letter to the editor about Goleta road conditions, Hib Halverson advises against using slurry sealing to repair damaged streets.
I drive daily on Hope Avenue between Highway 101 and Foothill Road and have noticed for months that the new slurry job has already peeled in three spots by the new Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara development.
Surely that job came with some kind of warranty. It’s way too soon for repairs to be needed (before autumn rains begin), and I wonder why the City of Santa Barbara has missed this.
If the city waits too long, a “statute of limitations” might take effect. I know, blame it on COVID-19!
Lee Juskalian
Santa Barbara
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I appreciate the recent letters to the editor calling out those responsible for the deplorable conditions of our local roads. I would like to add Sycamore Canyon Road between Hot Springs and East Valley roads to the list. In my opinion, it’s worse today than it was when dump trucks were using it nonstop after the debris flows.
The bigger issue, as I see it, is where all of our roads funding and gas taxes are going? I recently visited the Texas Hill Country and was struck at how smooth the state highways are, while ours are basically wagon trails. Even the new freeway through Carpinteria is already showing wear and tear.
What gives, California?
Jerry Smith
Montecito
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Thank you for the Sept. 15 article, “Planned Parenthood Book Sale Still Has Shelf Life as 49th Fundraiser Begins in Santa Barbara,” with its wonderful photo of the table showing “banned books.”
We decided to attend yet again just to see the display, which was set right at the entrance where it could not be missed. A little farther off were some of the books that were actually on sale.
They included To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bluest Eye, The Diary of Anne Frank, Water for Elephants, The House on Mango Street and many more. Imagine Anne Frank having to go back into hiding.
One of the volunteers mentioned there had been lots of action. There were even some banned illustrated children’s books that had quickly sold out!
There is something so absurd about banning books that depict the infinite variations of the human condition, not to speak of books that attempt to review the dark chapters of history.
Their truths will not be erased and it is to Noozhawk’s credit for putting it on the “front page.”
Josie Martin
Montecito
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I fully enjoyed Robert Sulnick’s Sept. 21 commentary, “Here’s How Santa Barbara Is Fighting Climate Change,” on what Santa Barbara is doing to combat climate change and prepare for sea rise. It’s sorely needed.
He mentions two organizations fully involved in that: Community Environmental Council and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby-Santa Barbara Chapter. Excellent!
Left out is the Sierra Club’s Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter that has been strongly fighting for the environment and climate change for generations, actually well before the advent of CEC and the Climate Lobby.
While a lot of people think we are “just” a hiking club because we offer free hikes every week and all year, that’s only one part of our strengths of introducing people to the outdoors and its many wonders to be preserved.
The other is as a robust action group, fighting for all these things with a paid membership of more than 6,000 and a willingness to go to court when needed, often through the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara.
Our history here goes back into the 1950s, with actions that are today taken for granted. Just wanted to add our voice, backed by a strong state and national presence.
John Hankins
Santa Barbara
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I write with great pride and admiration for the invaluable work being done by Friendship Center in Santa Barbara, as we come together to celebrate National Adult Day Services Week.
This week offers a poignant opportunity to shed light on the essential role that this nonprofit organization plays in the lives of our community’s older adults and their families.
Friendship Center stands as a shining example of compassionate care and unwavering support for our aging population. It serves as Santa Barbara’s sole nonprofit adult day program, providing a lifeline to countless seniors and their caregivers.
Its mission to enhance the quality of life for older adults through engaging activities, social interaction and specialized care has touched the lives of thousands of families since opening in 1976.
In a society where the needs of older adults often go unnoticed, Friendship Center has been a beacon of hope and assistance. From art therapy and music programs to fitness classes and memory care, the center offers a diverse range of activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Perhaps even more remarkable is the relief Friendship Center offers to family caregivers. Caring for an older loved one can be an emotionally and physically demanding task. The respite provided by the center allows caregivers to take much-needed breaks, knowing that their loved ones are in capable and caring hands.
As we observe National Adult Day Services Week, let us all take a moment to appreciate the profound impact Friendship Center has had on our community. It serves as a testament to the strength of our community and the kindness of its people. This is a place where seniors can age with dignity, joy and a sense of belonging.
I encourage our community to support and celebrate Friendship Center for its tireless dedication to our seniors and their caregivers. Let us recognize the importance of fostering this unique space for our spouses, parents, grandparents, relatives and friends during this special week and throughout the year.
Together, we can ensure that Santa Barbara remains a place where the well-being of every member, regardless of age, is cherished and safeguarded.
Kathryn Westland
Santa Barbara
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