Our view: Common sense key trait for city council candidates
As Goleta, Santa Maria and other municipalities contemplate district elections for city council — with dire predictions about anti-business bias among candidates — James Fenkner has a better idea. Fenkner, a self-described “radical centrist,” has launched a talent search for candidates in the upcoming Santa Barbara city elections. He is hoping that through informal networking Read More →
Our view: Infill development critical to meeting housing needs
At a time when hand wringing over the high cost of housing has become more of a political cop out than a panacea, a new study underscores the benefits of infill development. Next 10, a group that relies on interdisciplinary research from UC Berkeley’s law, environmental and business experts, has cited infill housing for many Read More →
Our view: Progress on Highway 101 widening welcome sign
In fits and starts, the inevitable widening of Highway 101 from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara is proceeding at a steady pace. The latest sign of progress on the project is the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments’ approval for building HOV lanes in the Linden Avenue to Casitas Pass Road portion of the project. It Read More →
Our view: Ventura creates model for helping homeless
Amid the turmoil of November’s election results, it was easy to overlook passage of the Measure O sales tax increase for the city of Ventura. The Business Times took some heat for endorsing Measure O, which clearly struck a chord with voters who rejected a countywide transportation tax measure. A transportation tax initiative in San Read More →
Our view: Allan Hancock College perfect for 4-year degree
A bill making its way through the General Assembly holds out the promise of bringing a four-year degree to an area of the Tri-Counties often described as the state’s biggest “academic desert.” State Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, a Democrat from Thousand Oaks, has introduced AB 405, a measure that would create a pilot program for a Read More →
Our view: SLO to Denver flight great for economy
Reports that San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport has landed a coveted daily nonstop flight to Denver came seemingly out of the blue. But, in fact, the announcement was the result of nearly a decade of effort by business and community leaders to give SLO County travelers an option that provides a same day connection Read More →
Our view: Ventura-Santa Barbara rail study a good start
Words of wisdom attributed to Chinese sage Lao Tsu hold that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Perhaps the journey to improve rail transportation between Santa Barbara and Ventura begins with a single grant. That’s at least the promise of a $50,000 award from the Santa Barbara County Association of Read More →
