Letters to the Editor

Compiled and edited by Jim Buckley

Jul 17, 2026

Remembering Montecito and Santa Barbara

GROK offers this time line on the Fourth of July Pits, ending in 1989: History and Timeline Origins (late 1960s–1970s): The tradition started around 1970 or earlier, tied to relaxed beach culture, easy access to Leadbetter Beach (near the harbor and Shoreline Park), and 4th of July celebrations. Locals recall digging pits, bonfires (or fire-adjacent activities), sparklers, and growing fireworks use. Peak (1980s): It became iconic and rowdier, with massive crowds, elaborate setups, and escalating fireworks “wars.” News-Press photographers documented it extensively (e.g., 1981, 1987, 1988 photos).

The museum’s “Stars, Stripes & Santa Barbara” exhibits highlight these as part of local July 4 lore alongside parades and harbor fireworks. Decline and End (late 1980s): By 1989, it was called a “war zone” with heavy fireworks smoke. Increased enforcement, safety concerns, fire risks (in a dry area), litter/cleanup burdens, injuries, and alcohol-related issues likely led to stricter rules on digging, bonfires, personal fireworks, and beach activities. It largely ended or was heavily curtailed after that, shifting to more controlled celebrations focused on the official West Beach waterfront show.

Loweg

Santa Barbara

(Editor’s note: Yes, well, things happen, but still, I loved what I saw as controlled chaos when I and my family moved to Montecito in the mid-‘80s. There were no “participation” trophies being given out then. – J.B.)

The Wisdom of “Risking It All” for Independence

I agree that history should be taught in schools, and I cannot speak for others but at my small parochial school in rural Virginia, history was front, middle, and center stage, at all times.

One of our 1st grade school assignments was to write 500 words on our favorite President of the United States...or Robert E. Lee if we so desired.

I learned more about the day to day lives of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the opinions of strategy and tactics used by individual soldiers in Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, than most people know about members in their own families!

Yes, the founders of our country all had good and prosperous lives under King George III (just like many of us do under Newsom).

What would make a man risk his house, his family, his land, his wealth, everything he had ever built and known...even his very life and the lives of his family and people he had never met? ...all for what?

I often think about it in context of my own life, now. I don’t like or respect many in our government. I think many of them are vain, self-centered, foolish, incompetent morons who I wouldn’t put in charge of my child’s lemonade stand, yet alone an entire state or nation....but it’s not bad enough to risk it all to try to overthrow it.

I came close once during Covid when I learned that the POTUS and my state governor were going to try and force me to inject an experimental drug into the arms of my wife and child, who I swore an oath to protect. All I had to do was show fealty to the king, no?

They backed down of course, but that was as close to flipping my switch to seditious insurrection as I ever hope to get. But it got me thinking like an American again. Something I felt I had lost over the years since I moved from the mountains of Virginia where Robert E Lee was equally acceptable as any President, to Santa Barbara, where “not taking drugs” is considered “violence.”

Lucky me...Lucky them too

Eric Gordon

Santa Barbara

(Editor’s note: You aren’t alone I think we all lost a whole lot of respect for leadership after four years of Biden/Fauci! – J.B.)

The Google “Drive-By” ADA Scam

Regarding Pat Fish’s “The Dreaded Compliance Remediation Demand Letter,” there’s a sub industry doing ADA non-compliance lawsuits without ever leaving the office.

This is a real, well-documented practice — sometimes called “Google lawsuits” or an evolution of “drive-by ADA lawsuits.”

How it works: Some serial plaintiffs’ firms use Google Earth/Street View/Maps to zoom in on a parking lot and check whether it appears compliant — accessible spot markings, access aisles, van-accessible signage, slope — all without ever visiting in person. The “Google lawsuit” label comes from business owners who were sued over violations, like a missing pool lift, that appeared to have been spotted via Google Earth.

Why parking lots specifically: Common alleged defects include a parking-lot slope a fraction of a degree too steep, signage mounted at the wrong height, or missing access aisles — each treated as a separate violation, so damages add up fast. Exterior areas are popular targets because they’re visible without setting foot on the property.

Scale in California: Unruh Act damages (minimum $4,000 per violation) turn what elsewhere would be a simple fix-it notice into a claim worth thousands, and a small number of firms and plaintiffs generate a large share of the filings. Named firms in the space include Manning Law, Cal. Equal Access Group (which often cites parking and entry violations), Seabock Price, All Access Law Group, and others, each associated with recurring plaintiffs.

Legitimate defense side too: it’s worth noting there’s real disagreement here — disability rights advocates argue private enforcement is necessary because many businesses wouldn’t otherwise comply, while business owners argue the system has drifted from fixing barriers toward extracting settlements.

For business owners: the standard advice is proactive CASp (Certified Access Specialist) inspections and fixing obvious issues — a CASp evaluation can identify and fix violations before a plaintiff finds them, and in California can also reduce statutory penalties if used correctly.

J.A.

Santa Barbara

When “Compassion” Turns to Grift

In reference to Pat Fish’s “The Dreaded Compliance Remediation Demand Letter,” The Americans With Disabilities Act was landmark legislation when it was signed into law 36 years ago this month. Consequently, disabled people have access to places formerly inaccessible: museums, shopping in Costco, attending film and live theatre performances, ability to attend school and churches. It was a notable moment. Sadly, though, there are those grifters out there, simply in it for the greed and with no thought to the harm inflicted on small businesses. I recall a grifter team -- San Francisco-based attorney and his handicapped client. They operated around the state about 15, 20 years ago. They’d find a small business non-compliant and shakedown would commence, always over something trivial. They were successful for a time, including in compelling the closure of small businesses because the ask was prohibitive. Then they tried Solvang. Businesses there stood their ground, a judge saw it for what it was, a grift, and ended it. Why must miscreants sully even laws that were written from the basis of compassion and concern for our fellows. Sickens me.

Celeste Barber

Santa Barbara

Newsom is Number One in So Many Things

Love your Journal musings! As a current Cal resident ((you lucky dog) I had to do this one.