Time to vote

Regarding Nancy Crawford Hall’s Opinion in the Oct. 25-31 edition of the Journal, my belief on voting is as follows:

“Vote. I know all of you have got to know how important it is to vote.” These words should read, “I know all of you should know how important it is to vote.”

Unfortunately, many voters ignore the issues and vote the personality, without regard to the consequences. In many instances, these voters do not have the ability to analyze or think critically, they simply believe what some candidate tells them.

The most tragic example is our president. He had absolutely no experience in governance when nominated. His time in the Illinois and U.S. Senates show a person who did nothing but run for office. His tenure as president has proven a disaster financially, militarily and socially as shown by the record, not by those who verbalize against him. Yet there are many people, according to the polls, who still intend to vote for him again despite his record. These people obviously cannot critically analyze his record as president.

When our Founding Fathers wrote the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, they assumed voters were intelligent regardless of their education.

Voting is more than filling in a ballot and casting it without exercising responsible consideration of the candidate beyond his or her ability to qualify for a Carnival pitchman.

Daniel J. Kirk

Santa Maria

It was quite dismaying and bewildering to read that the publisher has declared her support for Abel Maldonado in his race against Lois Capps for the U.S. House of Representatives. Bewildering, because the endorsement came right smack in the middle of a well-reasoned article arguing for a return to fiscal conservatism and integrity in government. This is not the record of Abel Maldonado.

We must never forget that in 2009, a few weeks after promising “to oppose any and all tax hikes,” Maldonado betrayed the people of California (and his own integrity) by casting the deciding vote for the largest tax increase in state history.

To his shame, it appears that he did this simply to further his own political career. We have seen how much good that tax increase has done for our state. Now, will we reward Maldonado with our votes?

Perhaps the publisher thinks that Maldonado has to be at least somewhat of an improvement over Lois Capps. Certainly, Capps’ record with regard to issues of integrity and tax increases is abysmal.

But how does it help to vote for someone just because there is an “R” after his name if his actions and character are no better than the person with a “D” after her name? We could end up being saddled with Maldonado as an incumbent for years or possibly decades to come.

Wouldn’t it be nice if at least we had the option to vote for a “third-party” candidate or even write someone in? But, oh – that’s right, Maldonado was a huge supporter of the successful Proposition that took that option away from us. One has to wonder if he was looking ahead and handicapping his own race, knowing that he could not win the Republican nomination without an “open primary” and that he would not be elected if more than two names appeared on the ballot.

It grieves me to say it, but for the first time in my life – though I am fully informed about each candidate – there will be a blank spot on my ballot in the section for U.S. Representative, 24th District. Perhaps in 2014 we will have a real choice between candidates.

Chet Harter III

Orcutt


City council

During the 2012-13 budget process, it was determined that a possible way to help raise funds for the City of Solvang that would stay in the city and not be taken away by the State of California was to implement an increase of 2% to the TOT, Transient Occupancy Tax, or more commonly called a “bed tax.” Councilman Hans Duus had recommended this possibility and the city council voted to put it on the 2012 November ballot for approval by the voters of Solvang.

I suggested that a citizens group be formed to promote this increase. Since early July, approximately 14 people stepped up, created “Solvang Citizens for Measure Z2012,” filed the necessary documents with the state, raised funds, and have been educating the citizens of Solvang regarding Measure Z2012.

The committee has done an amazing job. They have spoken at city council meetings, written Letters to the Editor, sent individual emails to friends, sat at the Farmers Market with information, spoken to various organizations, walked almost every neighborhood in Solvang leaving door hangers that explain the Measure, posted a few banners in key locations, and created a website (www.solvangcitizensformeasurez2012.com) that explains the measure.

I would encourage the voters of Solvang to pass this Measure. It is not a tax on the citizens of Solvang; it is a tax on the visitors/tourists that stay in our hotels/motels.

The additional funds will help preserve the quality of life in Solvang, plus help maintain many services provided to tourists and local citizens alike: streets and sidewalks, parks, free parking lots, donations to nonprofits, and health and safety issues – to name a few.

A yes vote on Measure Z2012, raising the TOT from 10% to 12%, is a yes vote for the citizens of Solvang. Please support Solvang and vote yes on Measure Z2012. Thank you and thanks to the “Solvang Citizens for Measure Z2012” committee for their efforts.

Joannie Jamieson

Solvang City Council


School bond

Some of the arguments against the bond to improve Santa Ynez High School, Measure L, are perplexing. A new bond will enslave future generations? The only beneficiaries of the bond will be attorneys and Wall Street? Really? How do those people think we got the high school we have today?

Virtually every single academic facility on campus was built by a bond or similar tax measure that was approved by the Valley’s generous voters. For example, a special tax measure in 1908 was used to buy the land for the high school, and a measure in 1934 was used to build what is now the administration building and front row of classrooms (both of which are still used today). A measure in 1955 was approved to build another section of classrooms.

Measures in the early 1960s were used to build more classrooms and replace the old library. A measure in 1974 was used to build the “New Gym” (now 38 years old), vocational building and theater. A measure in 1991 resulted in the science building that you see on the west edge of campus.

Who did all those tax measures benefit? Tens of thousands of our Valley’s children, without enslaving a single one of them. About once a generation, it has come time for those who benefited from having a great local high school – the taxpayers – to agree to make the high school a little bit better for succeeding generations. Measure L is just another in a series of measures to provide our kids a decent, not luxurious, place to go to school. Previous generations of the Valley invested wisely in our kids, now it’s our turn to do the same. Please join me in voting yes on Measure L – for our kids, for our school, for our community, for our future.

Bruce Porter

Santa Ynez


Making a difference

What’s the difference between our Assemblyman Das Williams voting yes on SB1530, the Teacher Predator Bill for the protection of our children, and not supporting it?

$30,000, which he received from the most powerful union in the state, the C.T.A. teachers union in order to buy his vote.

Rob Walter, challenging Mr. Williams for our 37th Assembly District this election, cannot be bought and stands on principle – and has now been endorsed by another newspaper. Our district needs Rob Walter, and Sacramento needs more like him.

What’s the difference between a career politician serving himself and a man of principle who cannot be bought and who would honestly serve the district? The difference is Rob Walter.

Ted Goerschner

Santa Ynez

Abstain. The word means to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy. Ironically, by abstaining twice, Assemblyman Das Williams did the exact opposite of the meaning of the word and engaged in “death by silence” concerning SB 1530. This bill would have accelerated the firing of child predators in the teaching profession. Williams killed SB 1530, written by State Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from L.A.

The California Teachers Union opposed SB 1530. They seemly do “take care” of their own reprobates. CTA has contributed $30,000 to Das Williams. He wanted to please his puppet masters with the cowardly motion to halt action, knowing this would kill the bill. If he had and any courage, he would have voted yes. In addition, Williams spent $7800 from his CTA campaign donation to defeat Prop 32, the one proposition that will stop him and other politicians from getting special interest contributions, which out-fund the people Williams is supposed to be representing, us.

Let’s add some more political incest. A retired District Supervisor has been contributing impressive amounts of money to Williams’ campaign fund. We, the taxpayers, are supporting this former supervisor’s pension and lifetime healthcare. Ladies and gentlemen, your tax dollars at work – against you! Stop cowardice in voting and political incest. Das Williams does not deserve your vote. His political career and persona are stained with an, ominous, indelible badge of infamy.

Vote for Rob Walter and protect the future of your school children and stop special interests from buying our representatives.

Suzanne Petersen, retired

Solvang