Editorial: Paso Robles makes progress on water issue
Gov. Jerry Brown has proved himself to be adept at the use of sharp elbows and brute power to get what he wants. His water bond is a clear example of the use of power to tame public policy — it paves the way for voters to approve a scaled-down, $7 billion issue that would Read More →
Dubroff: Santa Barbara County’s Economic Vitality Team gets ready for its closeup
Santa Barbara County is about to fill what some people have taken to calling the region’s doughnut hole when it comes to economic development efforts. Thanks to a $150,000 grant in the recently approved county budget, the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce will soon begin development of an Economic Vitality Team. What Chamber President Read More →
Editorial: South Coast shoppers’ hunt for Target continues
Let the Target wars begin. South Santa Barbara County once again is in pursuit of the iconic red logo that has become a destination for typically female middle-class shoppers seeking home goods, back-to-school clothes and food at discount prices. Somehow, the South Coast wound up with K-Mart and Sears stores but Target so far has Read More →
With pension measure dead, Ventura County needs a new fix
“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” Whether or not The Eagles’ classic rock song, “Hotel California,” was written as an homage to the former Camarillo State Hospital, now the campus of CSU Channel Islands, one thing about it rings true. When it comes to the Ventura County pension Read More →
Op/ed: Sometimes you need a fire to set off sparks at your company
By Scott Harris Although it’s a controversial notion to some, most of those who manage our parklands have accepted the idea that forest fires can be good. This idea has even moved beyond letting natural fires continue to burn. We actually have a policy, Hazard Reduction Burning, of starting controlled fires. The theory — and Read More →
Editorial: Measure M stands for government malpractice
“Mistake” might be a good way to characterize Measure M, an initiative that the city of Port Hueneme has hurriedly approved for the November ballot. In case you have not heard about it, Measure M would dispose of a minor tax on home-based businesses that now brings in about $7,000 per year and replace it Read More →
Editorial: Large employers loosen grip on Ventura County
Half-a-dozen years ago, East Ventura County’s economy was heavily dependent on two very large employers: subprime lending giant Countrywide Financial Corp. and biotech behemoth Amgen.
