Vote Jim Anderson
Of the four candidates for Santa Barbara County Sheriff, Jim Anderson has demonstrated his integrity, leadership and achievement of his goals in that position. He would continue to do an outstanding job and has been endorsed by many organizations and Civic Leaders.
Crime is down and the county is safer. There are more deputies and correction officers on the job than previously. I personally feel much safer with Jim Anderson. It is reassuring to see an occasional sheriff's car in the neighborhood as a deterrent to potential crime.
He has the education, background and ability to continue his outstanding job. I urge your vote for Sheriff Jim Anderson to continue his demonstrated leadership as Santa Barbara County Sheriff.
Mrs. Merritt E. Ro berts
Vandenberg Village
Refreshing candidate
The article in the newspaper about Anderson and Thomas quibbling over campaign tactics only confirms my choice to vote for Bill Brown for sheriff. I've seen the TV ads with these two slamming each other and I find it refreshing that Bill Brown is about him and his accomplishments. As much as I hate to lose him as chief of police in Lompoc, I think he is the perfect candidate to take over the position as sheriff. He will be able to add integrity and respect into our county law enforcement office.
Bradley Damschroder
Lompoc
Project praise
On behalf of Lompoc NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), I want to commend the many people who participated in bringing about a decision by the Lompoc City Council to allow a $7.2 million dollar project to move forward. A large number of residents, including representatives from local churches, came to the May 16 City Council meeting to be counted. Having many people standing behind a project is a big influence on achieving success. Thank you!
When completed, the facility-apartment complex, to be built on North G Street, will be occupied by people with mental disorders and by low-income individuals. The project will have all the components needed to make it successful in improving the lives of these tenants. It will be a good thing for our community.
Phyllis Daniels
Vandenberg Village
Vote no on split
This letter is being written to urge a NO vote on the County Split Measure H. This measure, if passed, would create the new Mission County. A person just needs to ask themselves how this county split would benefit those of us living in the North County; I personally do not see any advantages. Several questions come to my mind, but the biggest one being why Vandenberg Air Force Base is excluded from the new Mission County when it is right smack in the middle of the proposed new county. The answer may be that Vandenberg pays a large amount of taxes to the existing county. Do you think the new Mission County really can afford not to have Vandenberg be a part of it? I don't think so.
The split will certainly cause a layoff of some of the current 4,000 employees of Santa Barbara County, which will in turn cause other economic hardships to both the North and South counties. As the old saying goes, “Stuff rolls downhill.”
I, too, have been unhappy with some of the policies of Santa Barbara County, but I don't want to create a new county. If you are against the county split but think there should be some changes made within the county you can do something about it. You can change things by exercising your right to vote. Vote out the incumbents and most certainly vote NO on Measure H.
Cynthia Morr Helms
Lompoc
Lompoc Hospital provides best care
When it came time for me recently to have a total hip replacement, someone asked me if I was going to a Santa Barbara or Santa Maria hospital. My answer was a resounding, “No way!”
Lompoc is our home, my husband and I live minutes away from Lompoc Hospital, and one of the best orthopedic surgeon in the world, in my opinion, is right here in Lompoc. Thank you, Dr. Wellborn, for giving me back my normal life, without pain.
My thanks also go to many people who contributed to my recuperation from the surgery. First, my gratitude to Lompoc Hospital staff. The rooms may be a little antiquated, but the care provided to me during my stay was first class. From the anesthesiologist, from Amy, the director of Med/Surg, who visited me and made sure that all was well, from all the nurses, an international team with smiling faces and impeccable efficiency, from a young nursing assistant, Margo, and from the physical therapists who helped me taking my first hesitant steps, for everyone my most sincere thanks and gratitude.
There is no place like Lompoc Hospital when you need to be there. You get the best of care and you feel like you are among friends. My stay at the hospital was short, but coming home was another pleasant surprise. Beside my husband taking good care of me, I had a physical therapist, Sue Mintz, who helped get me started on the road to recovery. Then, it was outpatient therapy with David Munar, who has been wonderful. He motivated me to do my best for the past month, and now I can enjoy my life again.
It takes many people to make it happen and I like to thank each and every one who helped me through this.
Jacqueline Graybill
Lompoc
Illegal is illegal
One of the newspaper photographs taken during a recent protest/boycott/march depicted an individual draping our American flag around his shoulders as if it were a serape! Another one of these disrespectful march participants was parading down the street with our American flag wrapped around his body from head to toe. How sad and disgusting that we Americans must withstand such atrocities demonstrated by those lacking morals and respect of any kind for others.
Right is right, wrong is wrong. Legal is legal, illegal is illegal. Such unlawful behavior is 100 percent wrong and illegal.
Bob and Karen Towers
Lompoc
Defending martial arts
This is in response to the letter by Daniel Varela regarding a story “sending the wrong message” about martial arts.
People begin martial arts for different reasons. If someone was hurting your mother again and again, I am sure you would want to defend her and if you are 4-feet-11 you may have to take a martial art class. When Tash Bjokrkman did kick her mom's boyfriend, it was after she told him several times to leave her alone. You and I were not there, so we can not say how she felt before she kicked him. Was she scared? Did this grown man who was obviously bullying a 95-pound 17-year-old deserve to get kicked? Did she injure him or did she hit him just to let him know his actions will not be tolerated? Ask yourself these questions before you say her actions did not merit a kick. He walked away uninjured, not bleeding or requiring medical attention.
I think every female should know how to defend themselves and martial arts is a good way to achieve that goal. I agree there is a lot of violence in the world. That is why we, as adults, should teach our children to be strong and stand up for themselves so they do not get victimized again and again. Everyone has an opinion and I respect that but until you see the program Tash Bjorkman is a part of, you should not criticize it.
James Parson
Lompoc
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