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Paul Aijian MD's avatar

The destruction of the beauty of our city and state is the result of electing people like Newsom, Hart, Limon, Weinstein, Pan, etc

These misguided politicians have a radically different view of what Santa Barbara and California should look like. Removing zoning and density control from cities and counties, and turning it over to developers, in order to force the construction of more “ affordable housing”, is a disaster. Santa Barbara has a special combination of history, architecture, climate, and rules limiting obnoxious billboard advertising. It will be a tragedy if people sit on their hands and watch it transformed into just another city.

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S Schroeder's avatar

I will STILL continue to vote Democrat because the Republican party is abhorrent. If the choices are people like Trump, then I'll be Democrat for life.

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TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

Yes, the Republican party is incompetent and full of neoconservatives and those who are only fiscally (not socially) conservative but their platform is still better than that of the democrats if only just and at least they support some of the same things I do.

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Jeff barton's avatar

Your sething repulsion would make Alinsky proud. Proud of himself for correctly identifying that useful simps could be easily manipulated into hating the opposition in a personal way. If you have substantive differences with policies supported by the Republican party you should address them and propose better policy. Instead you are whipped up into a repulsion that blinds you to the issues. Try sitting in your safe space and write down the policies of the repulsive Republican party that have negatively impacted you personally and do the same for Democrat policy, especially that of the last three years. Are you really better off now?

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

No problem, we live in a Free Country FOR NOW and you are allowed to do what you want.

ABHORRENT:

causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred: being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism, acts abhorrent to every right-minded person, not agreeable: contrary, a notion abhorrent to their philosophy, feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred, strongly opposed

Synonyms

awful

disgusting

evil

foul

hideous

nasty

horrid

ugly

revolting

nauseous

WELL ISN'T THAT NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Earl Brown's avatar

Good one Bonnie! :)

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Michael Schaumburg's avatar

S, really not the point, is it.

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Carolyn Aijian's avatar

Indeed, Santa Barbara is no coincidence. We all need to work against the concept of density, which is not healthy for humans. We need nature, space and beauty around us to keep us focused and functional. Our creator put us in a garden, and told us to take care of it. Let’s do just that.

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Jenn's avatar

What do they mean in regard to no single family homes with a yard? How do they plan to accomplish doing this I wonder..

is outdoor space part of fake climate change narrative, own nothing eat bugs b happy? Does this include Oprah and her acres upon acres she bought up after the flood in Montecito or Oprah keeps her land and backyard of 35 acres at her home/estate on E valley road? Will oprah and the like be eating bugs too and having to give up their land?

btw yesterday I came across Santa Barbara County website where they clearly speak of the cloud seeding projects going on over Santa Barbara since 2018 to fight bogus climate change.. not a conspiracy theory anymore … they are poisoning our sky, air and so on ..

we need to get together and do something about their crazy over reach in regard to everything

But it seems the majority does not care

Hopefully I’m wrong and people stand up .. sooner than later

Thank you for the links to get involved

Priceless

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

SB9 and other laws they passed. Senator Monique Limon works with Sen. Scott Weiner on these bills.

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Thomas John's avatar

How is clould seeding supposed to be fighting 'bogus' climate change? I'm confused. I thought it was to try and get more water out of passing clouds during a drought?

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S Schroeder's avatar

Talk about TIN FOIL HATS! Come on, Lady! Climate change is REAL, and no one is eating bugs or forcing that on anyone! Get a grip.

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J. Livingston's avatar

Climate is always changing. Climate Change™ is a hoax.

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Thomas John's avatar

The climate is always changing. Climate Change - the trademarked version - refers to change due to human activities causing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to increase. Yes there are some bright and legitimate scientist that think that this is not occuring - or not occuring to the scale some predict. But that 'some' has equally knowledgeable scientists and several orders of magnitude more of them agree that it is an issue and a problem. In the 30's and 40's (before my time) cigarette companies had doctors say smoking was fine and even good for you. Like so many other topics this has been turned into a right vs. left issue. Such a same.

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J. Livingston's avatar

Please turn "global warming" back on. I am freezing here. If you honestly think you can "change the climate" please tell me how you will change it back if you overshoot your goals.

I am also tired of shallow explanations for massive wealth redistribution for this wholly unmeasurable climate™ affect. Human activity is both causing and cleaning up pollution, which is all I really am hearing. Pollution is not climate change. Just bad public policy.

Your money is on the wrong horse here. But if you just confine this to your own money spent and not my money nor "our money" (tax dollars) chasing this unscientific ephemera, you can continue to wear the climate change hair shirt all you want.

Church of Green (Carbajal, Limon, Hart) must be separated from the "state" (Carbajal, Limon, Hart, etc). Bah.

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Thomas John's avatar

I get that you don't like the 'wealth redistribution" . But what about the science? Globally it's pretty much only the US right that has an issue with this. Maybe it's Exxonmobil

ties?

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S Schroeder's avatar

Oh, you like the separation of church and state, do you?? But you vote Republican?? I am assuming that is what you do because you are disparaging the Democrats so much. Republicans are the ones taking away women's rights because of a religious plank in their platform. GTFO!

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J. Livingston's avatar

You err. It is Democrats who insert their religion into the political debate. Life begins at conception. Biological fact; all other interpretations are personal religious view points. Just admit this, and we can then move forward on this topic - when do we make it okay to take a human life. There are exceptions. Which ones justify the taking of another's life.

Church of Green™ is a superstition cult, not based in science. It has has no place in our political decision-making process, nor our allocation of tax dollars.

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Talk about TIN FOIL HATS! Come on, Lady! Climate change is REAL, and no one is eating bugs or forcing that on anyone! Get a grip.

Again, TIN FOIL HATS??? Please explain. Global Warming became Climate Change.

Let's learn not to name call and have a conversation PLEASE!!

AND your comment again BELOW

"Until Republicans pull their collective heads out of their asses and get the anti-woman/anti-abortion bills OUT of their politics they will continue to LOSE. Bigly."

MY HEAD ISN'T IN MY ASS.... But I will offer a cup of coffee with you to see if we can sit and talk.

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Jenn's avatar

Climate change is not real

The Earth is alive.. the Earth adapts to what is going on with her. Everything on this planet that was created by God is to help her thrive snd evolve. Burying trees, messing with the weather or nature is chaos for the planet. Putting chemicals into clouds that pollute our air water food and humans and animals is insane and causes more harm than good. Killing the food supply does nothing but create starvation and if you look at WEF they say humans need to substitute bugs for animal protein.. it’s out there if you look and see

Heck Nicole Kidman and other celebs went on tv and literally are a plate of worms to help convince the public it’s a good idea

They are making dried cricket snacks passing the out to school children in the EU to brainwash the kids this is yummy and good.

Get with the program please

You seem like a very bright and caring person

We do not need to block out the sun

Leave the planet alone and get rid of big corporations that pollute everything ..

the planet is fine if we clean up the pollution that they create ..

I could go in and on look at electric vehicles.. and busses .. wind turbines need diesel to run

It’s a scam

They don’t work

If you research you will see .. the batteries don’t run in cold weather on the electric cars and they blow up

Anyway have a nice day..

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S Schroeder's avatar

Bonnie, if you are a woman voting Republican, then I'm sorry to inform you that your head is indeed up your bum. Voting for the party that takes away women's basic rights, body autonomy and healthcare is traitorous to ALL women! Shame on you if you vote Republican and you're a woman!

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Jenn's avatar

I’m laughing hysterically

Ok buddy.. that’s the huge problem

You are wearing the tin foil hat my friend.. ugh

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J. Livingston's avatar

You err. You are the ones engaging in both witchcraft and stage craft. Play this game with your own money; not mine.

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Jenn's avatar

I wasn’t replying to your insightful comment

So I’m not sure what you mean

But that’s ok

Mostly I agree with you and what you have to say

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J. Livingston's avatar

Make a pledge to never refer to "the state" nor "Sacramento" as doing this to us.

Call out their names: Senator MONIQUE LIMON AND Assemblyman GREGG HART are doing this to us. They are the state, they are Sacramento, and we the people did elect them. Which means we too are part of the problem - we can't just lazily blame "the state" either. We must become a new 50% plus one next time.

Responding to these alleged "crises" for political gain and creation of partisan slush funds (climate, covid, housing .....) while destroying everything we value in our town, is unacceptable. Today's Democrat party is the party of Big Government which always needs higher taxes to support even Bigger Government. Yet benefits to the vast majority of state residents is missing in action.

This year we harvest this latest Democrat super-majority crisis - the massive $73 billion hole in the budget at the state level and approx $10 million at the city level, as well as deficits in other local tax supported entities. What is the Democrat majority response? Increase taxes, but never reign in ever-expanding expense side of the equation. No, that is something only "mean old Republicans" do. However, tax and keep spending is what irresponsible Democrats do.

There we have it, the ultimate political psycho-drama. Vote for us, we give you free things. Don't vote for them, they take things away. Nanny state (D) meets fiscal restraint (R). MONIQUE LIMON and GREGG HART losing track of billions of our tax dollars with no accountability in Sacramento does not earn their re-election. Bring in a new team.

Thank you again Santa Barbara Currents and watchdogs like Bonnie Donavan, who bring important but buried voices to these critical matters. A shout-out to Bonnie's always excellent suggestion - we must re-engage with the knowledge there are growing numbers in this town who do stand up and are getting counted. Slaying the sense of isolation is an important first step.

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S Schroeder's avatar

Until Republicans pull their collective heads out of their asses and get the anti-woman/anti-abortion bills OUT of their politics they will continue to LOSE. Bigly.

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Earl Brown's avatar

Betcha a buck Trumpy wins BIG and throws the bums out!

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J. Livingston's avatar

Voluntary infanticide is a state issue; not a federal issue. This has been settled in California by a state constitutional amendment. California supports voluntary infanticide; but still abhors school shootings. Some children are more equal than other children.

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TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

Good. If supporting the right things means losing so be it. There will be no compromise on the unborn, you don't have the right to murder them or hold them as hostages over your political opponents.

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Until Republicans pull their collective heads out of their asses and get the anti-woman/anti-abortion bills OUT of their politics they will continue to LOSE. Bigly.

The above comment is exactly why I'm not a Dem. As a Woman, I'm so sick and tired of comments like this. Where has anyone commented anything ANTI-WOMAN???

This 90% of the time comes from women towards another WOMAN.

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Charles Ray Caudle's avatar

In 1955 I was collecting a butterfly collection in vacant fields on upper State street for my high school Biology class. There were numerous avocado & orange groves everywhere. Christmas parades went down State all the way to the beach. After graduation from SBHS, I worked for a total of 28 years for SB Public Works Dept. (with some Navy years in between). I retired in 1990 because of bad health, and at age 51, my pension wasn't enough to stay in Santa Barbara. Nevertheless, I still care about my old home...and follow with concern the changes that have taken place after my departure. My home in Santa Barbara was single family with a yard. And that is the way to bring up a family. Nuff said.

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S Schroeder's avatar

I miss those old days too. Everything changes. Santa Barbara has gotten way too ritzy and now it is only affordable for the super-wealthy. Santa Barbarara has lost ALL of it's soul and many of its true locals. A sad sad situation for a once vibrant city. State street's closing was one of the worst ideas to have EVER come down the pike! And buildings sit empty, the same with houses, which belong to people who have several other houses in other places. It's disgusting.

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Well, it seems you are starting to see things my way, a little. State Street needs to reopen and if that is where you and I start to see things the same, LET THAT BE OUR START!!!

I as a landlord have watched others jump on the bandwagon of rent hikes, but I understand why. You can't see it if you aren't watching and participating in all the meetings.

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Michael Schaumburg's avatar

When State instituted rent control, rents increase to maximum allowed...instantly!

And will increase to max every year. Free enterprise is preferable to rent controls; government doesn't understand business.

Raising parking rates in city to offset parking revenue loses is a perfect example of government "understanding" of business principles.

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Can you talk to Oscar???? I had lunch with him on Tuesday and he just about went nuts when I tried to explain this to him. The problem with district elections is we get less than qualified representatives!! :(

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Michael Schaumburg's avatar

S,

More to the point, good.

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Ranger's avatar

Very informative. Thanks

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Robert Ludwick's avatar

In terms of how best to address our collective/community issues (homeless, development, jobs/housing balance, tourism, parking, etc) we are better off using the language of TRADEOFFS rather than SOLUTIONS.

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J. Livingston's avatar

"Trade-offs" have long been the language of bi-partisan politics. Until recently when it became the Democrat supermajority ..... my way or the highway.

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Earl Brown's avatar

The Commie-Dems are all for compromise. Why just the other day I heard one of them say - “You’re entitled to your own stupid, mistaken opinion” !

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Dan O. Seibert's avatar

I have found the easiest way to watch city meetings is on the City of SB, You Tube channel. On my phone, tablet, or computer. . . at work, at the beach, in my truck, anytime of day all meetings are viewable. And when I watch them live I can back up to see just how dumb the things coming out of the city council members mouths are . . .

During yesterday's Parks & Rec. committee meeting, committee member Mr. Chang made a great comment. He stated the proposed 1/2% increase in sales tax won't help the dire financial situation because it will only match the growth rate of current expenses.

I watch most committee meetings and I hate to say it but a lot of these folks say things that make more sense than the city council. Mayor Rowse, of course is the adult in the room and Eric Friedman is the one member that impresses me. . . except when he starts quoting Kierkegaard or Burke. I think a lot of this is because of our district elections, but that's a topic for another day.

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Michael Schaumburg's avatar

District elections divide the city even more. A Bad idea that hasn't worked well.

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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

So TRUE!!

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J. Livingston's avatar

A few signature features stand out over the past half century living here, that ensured Santa Barbara remained Santa Barbara - all of which are now under attack:

---advisory population limit of 80,000 residents;

---slow growth,

---jobs-housing balance,

---strict design review,

---sign control,

---enforcement of zoning ordinances,

---high level of personal philanthropy,

---grass-roots support organizations,

---community volunteerism,

--- bi-partisan political engagement,

---Adopt-a-Block.

When meeting new arrivals, I would always ask which volunteer group will they participate in because you can never take this wonderful city for granted. You must participate to keep it this way.

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Howard Walther's avatar

I read this article by Ms. Donovan and I quote “There are some great organizations right here fighting for us. I've asked three of these groups to introduce themselves ….... Help us save Santa Barbara.

Let Me Introduce To You ….... In alphabetical order.”

The problems as discussed here in the SB Current are widespread, systemic and irreparable. I have often quoted former FBI Executive Tom Parker's Article “Perceptions of Political Corruption Too Often the Harbingers of Stark Reality.” The only people that can fight for this community and are doing so since 2015 are described in Tom Parker's Article and I quote “While spending nearly 25 years in the FBI and convicting a number of local, state, and federal officials on corruption charges, it did not take long for my colleagues and I to learn how to spot those who had crossed the bright line into unethical, and sometimes corrupt, behavior.”

Howard Walther, member of a Military Family

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Michael Schaumburg's avatar

Just a picky point: EIR (Environmental Impact Report).

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