Dear Nancy,
I
keep reading about the “rumored” expansion of the casino. But they have moved
into the old Frederico’s building and are operational
as the “Chumash University.” The Human Resources department is there and plans
to move offices are in the works. It is all casino-related. The Royal
Scandinavian Inn is used by the casino to comp rooms for the “high rollers” and
who knows what else. By the way, a great many rooms have had to be remodeled
because of a huge mold problem.
Positions
are still being created for the special few, like relatives and friends of
those in charge. A business committee relative was even “relocated” because of
an alleged felony conviction. This individual wants to “work” at an off-site
building because he claims he won’t need a background check. That is wrong,
according to the compact, but you can bet it will be waived because of who he
is. The unfairness is rampant in the casino; employees’ rights are stepped on
with regularity. They are afraid to open their mouths because, if they do, they
will be unemployed. The alleged management team of this multi-million-dollar
business comprises friends of the business committee with on-the-job experience
only. They, in turn, give out high paying jobs to their friends or family
members who also have little or no experience.
There
are rules in place, but they do not apply to the chosen few.
I
read in the paper that the Pechanga Casino (in Temecula) had to close its bar
because of alcohol-related problems. The bar at our casino is not much
different from Pechanga’s. It has become a safe haven for those who tend to
drink too much. They can get drunk and not fear arrest because there is little
control. The bar is there for the convenience of a few. Not all incidents are
reported to the Sheriffs’ Department, they are handled in-house.
The
tribe is still in the dark about what is planned. The chairperson does not wish
to give out information to the tribe, who are the governing body, for fear the
“outside” might find out our plans. Is this a democratic government? That’s not
what I call it.
I
don’t like the present relationship we have with the community, which is almost
none. I believe we should have a better working relationship in the community
that we all reside in. I am not just talking about monetary donations. It would
be a better place if we could just live and let live. But I understand our egos
can grow so big we fail to see what is really important.
Yes,
I am a tribal member.
(Name withheld by
request.)
Dear Editor,
I felt
compelled to respond to your article, “What can be done to reduce colon
cancer?” (March 27 — April 2 edition). While the
author’s point, encouraging people to schedule regular screenings if over the
age of 50 and to stop smoking, were sound advice, the dietary recommendations
were not.
No clear
causal relationship between red meat consumption and a higher cancer risk has
ever been established. The author referenced a report released in 2007 by the
American Institute for Cancer Research and said that people should consider
eating less red meat. Your readers should know that the AICR recommendations
about red meat go beyond what science really supports. An independent review of
more than 500 scientific studies involving meat and six types of cancer found
no evidence that red meat causes cancer. In addition, a review published by the
Dietitians Association of Australia concluded, “The evidence that eating red
meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer remains weak and inconsistent.”
The
review author cited two examples:
• A
pooled analysis of 76,000 men and women that confirmed that there is no support
whatsoever [for claims] that vegetarian lifestyle provides any protection from
colorectal cancer.
• Another
pooling analysis at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University
combined 14 prospective studies of 725,258 subjects, and a report of their
findings concluded, “these prospective data do not
support a positive association between higher red meat and fat intake and colorectal
cancer risk.”
Leading
health organizations, such as the American Dietetic Association, continue to
recommend eating lean meat to maintain a healthful, balanced lifestyle. The
dietary guidelines and MyPyramid recommend [that]
adults eat 5 ½ ounces of lean protein each day. Most Americans are already
consuming red meat well within these guidelines. Adults, on average, are
consuming 2.3 ounces of red meat each day.
If you
want to talk about reducing cancer risk, let’s get down to what the science
really says. Research continues to show that not smoking, responsible alcohol
consumption, maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity are
much more important to your cancer risk than eating any individual food.
Jim Elam,
PhD
Santa
Ynez
Dear Editor,
As you
are aware, the Goleta City Council recently approved 65 condos that will
further block access to local surfing and picnicking spot at Haskell’s Beach.
I’ll be getting out a press release soon that will raise the question why
supporting condos for tourists is not development.
That
certainly seems to be [Dave Smyser’s] consistent
theme, first in not being aware that the Bacara was
backing him with out-of-area support to the tune of $20,000, and then somehow
not realizing that he was supposed to report the cost or — apparently — gift of
the February fund-raiser at the Bacara. The campaign
has denied trying to hide anything or being stupid (their word, not mine).
So what
are the options? Well let’s see: maybe Mr. Smyzer, a
lawyer by trade, didn’t know or understand the law; or maybe his staff didn’t
realize they had to follow the law. I could be wrong, but I’m unaware that the
law says you get an extension if the nonmonetary contribution was so large it
takes more than six weeks to figure out how much it is.
Could it
be that the cover up, if cover up there be, is not about concealing the support
of the Bacara developers, whom Mr. Smyser has characterized as providers of tourist
accommodations (which, for reasons still not made clear), Mr. Smyser apparently refuses to recognize … as development.
I’m still trying to understand Mr. Smyser’s position
on that one. Could it be that this curious campaign reporting omission is just
a ploy to cover up that the Smyser campaign staff was
incompetent on this one and didn’t get it right? Inquiring minds just want to
know.
As I said
before, Mr. Smyser “has some ‘splainin’
to do.” He still does, and the list of things he needs to explain is getting
longer, not shorter.
Sincerely,
David Bearman, M.D., Candidate for 3rd District Supervisor
Dear Editor,
At 9 a.m.
on April 26, volunteers will gather at the O’Holland
Animal Care sanctuary in Solvang to help paint & mend fences. This is an
opportunity for animal lovers to show their appreciation for this exceptional
facility, where a variety of animals, discarded by society, are lucky enough to
live out the rest of their lives.
In
addition to Teddy and Sammy, the Belgium draft horses who pulled tourists
around Solvang in a trolley for many years, the O’Holland
family has given homes to many others. These animals receive the best of care
and medical attention.
Those
wishing to help paint or mend fences are required to be 18 years of age.
However, there is no upper age limit. I can still paint at 73. Do be sure to
wear your old clothes that day.
If you
can help, please phone me at 688-7475. Harrison Hardware of Santa Ynez has
generously donated 5 gallons of paint for our use, and Tower Pizza of Solvang
will donate pizzas on the day we gather. I wish to thank both businesses for
their donations. Other than volunteers, I have a short wish list: we need
donations of finger foods, plus more paint, rollers, brushes & roller
trays. All donations are tax deductible.
Sincerely,
Hazel
Mortensen, Solvang
Dear Editor,
It’s time for the county supervisors to show leadership
and courage. They’ve acknowledged county civil grand jury reports before, and
now it’s time to act on its report, done in 2006-2007, “Illegal Immigrants and
the Detention System.”
Its Finding 1: Immigration holds at the county main jail
are not always regularly or completely reviewed by Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, and such inaction likely results in the release of some immigrants
illegally in the county.
Its Finding 2:
The population of immigrants illegally in Santa Barbara County contributes to
inmate overcrowding and incarceration costs in county detention facilities.
Ms. Gray, Mr. Centeno, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Wolf, Mr. Firestone:
it’s time to show best interest in the legal, law-abiding citizens. It’s time
to stop making excuses and find the will to remove illegal alien criminals.
Rebecca Wu
Lompoc