Letters To The Editor

Thank You Santa Ynez Valley Journal

I would like to personally thank the Santa Ynez Valley Journal for having the backbone to publish the recent “Tribal Meeting Minutes” which clearly exposed the Chumash Tribe’s true intentions in seeking further casino expansions, additional slot machines, and off reservation annexations despite the their continuous cries of false accusations!

Unfortunately, selected local news publications refuse to publish, and sometimes censor opposing stories and articles regarding the Chumash Casino for fear of losing important advertising revenue generated from the tribe. In fact, several articles and advertisements in opposition of the casino have been rejected by the staff at the Santa Ynez Valley News - yet are quick to publish any favoring articles. Over and over again, I have found the Santa Ynez Valley Journal to be the only local publication willing to publish both sides of this issue.

Journalists normally share a very common code of ethics. These include; truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, neutrality, fairness and public accountability. These ethics apply to all acquisitions of newsworthy information and its subsequent reportage to the public.

Unfortunately, the Santa Ynez Valley News, Santa Barbara News Press, and the Santa Maria Times have decided to do otherwise - and go as far as to take sides regarding any opposition or concerns expressed by the community towards the casino. These publications have replaced your right to know with the all mighty dollar. The people in our community should express zero tolerance and avoid any publication that practices this type of irresponsible journalism.

-Trace Eubanks

Santa Ynez

Dear Trace, we thank you for your support and kind words it truly means a great deal to us to be appreciated for our commitment to the community. We are committed to reporting facts no matter how sensitive the issue may be so that residents can make their own decisions on matters that are important to them.

-Journal Staff

Speak up Valley Residents

The Santa Ynez Valley Journal article on tribal expansion has done its job: people are becoming better informed about the issues. Many people, however, continue to believe they can remain passive and silent because they don’t “do politics.” Politics is the system that makes the rules that we live by. It ensures us our freedoms. How can you not “do politics?” How can you not speak up?

I have been completely puzzled, over the years, when discussing tribal expansion issues and hearing this response. People seemed anxious to bury their heads in the sand so that they did not have to take time to be informed. There are all kinds of reasons. I am so busy. I have friends that are tribal members. I do business with tribal members. If I say anything, I might lose business.

Are you one of those people?

This isn’t about tribal friendships or business relationships. This is about gambling and what it will do to you and your family. This is about speaking out against corrupt politicians who are selling your quality of life down the river for gambling dollars. Your silence allows them to sell you out for what they perceive as “easy money.” Gambling dollars aren’t “easy money.” They financially destroy people. They destroy families. They buy the press through advertising dollars. They are used to make people feel beholden through donations. They buy politicians who make the rules that we live by and who become fearful of speaking out against the corruption because those gambling dollars will be used against them in their next election.

How can anyone, including your tribal friends and clients, be critical of you because you tell them you want a voice in a process that affects you and your children’s quality of life and future? How long will you allow politicians to ignore your quality of life and do what gambling dollars tell them to do?

The Santa Ynez Valley Journal has begun the debate. It is the only local newspaper that is actively seeking information on tribal issues to help inform the public. Other out of area newspapers are actively covering the issue. LA WEEKLY had an article that everyone must read. Go to www.trustandconsequences .com to view this article.

We are Americans. Millions of men and women have died to protect our freedom and allow us a government that is governed by the people and for the people.

This Country will soon be completely controlled by gambling dollars. Locally, we are almost completely controlled. There is still time to stop it. How much do you have to lose before you will speak out and tell politicians to stop selling you out for the “easy money” of gambling dollars?

-Kathy Cleary

Los Olivos

Response to Tribal Minutes Reveal Plans for Expansion

We know that journalists never reveal their source, but I am very curious to know how you obtained these minutes.

This information is dynamite. Why aren't other news services taking it up? Forget the sick and useless News Press. And, congrats on going online. This is a great move. I hope the paper continues to grow, but I do wish you would present a slightly more unbiased view of the news.

This area really needs that, rather than another paper promoting a singular point of view. The former publisher was a rabid and conservative Republican. I would rather not be able to figure out the political party of the current publisher. But I think I know. Darn.

- Bonnie Barber

Santa Ynez

Dear Bonnie, Thank you for your well wishes and kind words. Please continue sending us your thoughts on our publication. Hearing what the community has to say and how they feel, helps us to always strive for improvement.

-MLM

Best Issue Yet!

I just finished reading the Journal from cover to cover. Hands down. It is the best issue yet! Great Cover! Great article!!!! You did a fantastic job simply stating the facts as they are. Great job!

This voice for the valley is so long overdue and I thank you and Nancy for having the courage and the wherewithal to ask legitimate questions and seek answers to questions we all want to know. You may not always have them answered, but asking them is so important.

My appreciation is not for you being a journalist because that is your job; my appreciation is for the courage to stand up and speak the truth in a propaganda driven environment. Thank you for what you are doing not just for this valley but for free speech. My hat is off to you!

Thank you,

-Kathryn B

P.S. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the Journal. It is bright, I can tell you. I have had such positive feedback.People are truly hungry for the truth.

Thank you for your kind words and support. We are committed to bringing you news based on facts no matter what the issue. The Publisher bought the Journal for that very reason. In all of my experiences at different newspaper companies locally and in the mid-west the Journal has my highest respect because the Publisher is hands on and won’t sell out the community to fulfill someone else’s agenda or her own.

-MLM

Dear Ms. Crawford-Hall,

I read the Valley Journal regularly. I advocate the preservation of agriculture in the Valley. I support limiting subdivision and the subsequent loss of agriculture and pasture lands. I also recognize the difficulties of contemporary Valley farmers and ranchers in the global economy where they must compete with producers in countries with minimal environmental protection and few workers rights.

I am sending along a reading list for farmers and ranchers who share my concerns. By providing high quality organically grown grass fed meats to a select clientele of discerning customers we may be able to avoid further loss of agriculture land and jobs to urban sprawl. This is a market which is growing larger as people learn of the value of grass fed stock. I hope the information in these books will help local agriculturists to prosper. Thank you for your kind consideration.

-Elias Chiacos

Santa Barbara

Quality Pasture: How to Create it, Manage it, and Profit from it by Allan Nation

*Knowledge Rich Ranching by Allan Nation

*Grass Farmers by Allan Nation

*The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

*Salad Bar Beef by Joel Salatin

Dear Ms. Crawford Hall, I want to thank you for your attention to the most important issue in the Santa Ynez Valley. My dear friend (and hairdresser!), Debbie Stanton/Scavone, told me months ago about you purchasing the paper to inform and report the news effecting our residents!

And you are doing a great job......everyone comments on how badly you fill a void in reporting stories and new developments on the casino front. For so long the other papers just ignored the issues or were completely one sided. We feel that since you are coming out with such an interesting publication and articles, the other papers are taking notice and now need to respond and inform the public at large about the severe consequences we face. We applaud you and everyone I talk to about your paper has such positive things to say about you and your endeavors! Please keep it up!

Thank you for all your concern and taking your talents and generosity and putting it to great work! Information is power!

-Liz and Chris Knowlton

Santa Ynez

Thank you so much for your support. It is my reason for buying the paper in the first place. I have felt for a long time that the presses, local and nationwide, have been lying to the public on a variety of topics.

I am determined to put the facts out there and let people make up their own minds. They deserve no less. I also want to educate the public about the importance of agriculture to their daily lives and the fraud of a good deal of the "environmental" movement. Again, thank you for taking the time to write.

-Nancy Crawford-Hall

Hi Nancy,

First, let me say that it was a pleasure meeting you at the salon yesterday. I had heard nothing but great things about you and it was great to put a face with the name.

Second.....WOW – WOW - WOW! Just read some of SY Journal paper online (couldn’t’ wait for the real thing!) and was totally surprised and pleased at how much you covered the whole casino thing! How refreshing it is to not only read a paper with great content & local coverage, but to see nothing held back in the quest towards the truth in what is a complicated local matter. I’m sincerely hoping that everyone reads your paper and wakes up to the potential mess our valley could have on its hands should the casino expand (which its clear that they want to) & the tribal leadership get away with their lies.

The people of POLO & POSY should be considered hero’s for their efforts all these years to warn people. They were so way ahead of all of us in this....we should not only all be thanking them for their courage and hard work, but financially supporting their efforts as well. Thanks again for stepping up and being a true community leader by reporting the truths. Where do I sign up for a subscription?

Teri Harmon

Thank you Teri. If you live in the Valley you won’t have to subscribe because we now mail each issue to everyone through out the Valley!

-MLM

Hi Nancy,

I was at two "ladies gatherings" this week. One was last evening. Had my ear to the ground at both. The Journal came up at both and all in the rooms were totally positive and so excited to "hear the truth" in the Santa Ynez Valley Journal. Thanks You Soooo Much!

-Sue Herthel

Thank you and you are soooo welcome!

-Journal Staff

Dear Editor, Shocking Facts about Pet Foods

An Article in the LA Times (May 4) mentioned that 8,500 pet deaths have been reported so far to the FDA and that tainted pet foods were fed to 6,00 hogs and 3 million chickens, destined for human consumption. Since I started cooking for my dogs, they have not been only much healthier, but have lived approximately 6 years longer. After meeting my very fit and active dog, who will soon be 20, many dog owners have asked for my recipe. If your readers may like my recipe, they can get it from a friend’s website: www.Cycle-of.Life.com.

I have read the pet food industry is a multi-million dollar self regulating business. Corporations make millions by rendering garbage and selling it to fancy packaging, then they have the audacity to call it “balanced and nutritious.” I encourage pet owners to learn what can legally be added to MOST pet foods, including euphemized cat and dogs, rodent kill and diseased animals as a protein source. I recently read a book by Ann N. Martin, “Foods Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Foods.”

You will be shocked at the ingredients rendered in pet foods, most of it, is the dogs of slaughterhouses and rendering plants. Michael W. Fox, veterinarian and bioethics stated that every veterinarian should provide copies of Ann Martin’s book to their clients. One vet told me that he was afraid that there would be mad dog disease, due to dogs eating dogs in their food supply.

I questioned to why the very political veterinary associations and the large humane societies with millions in assets have not exposed the “dirty little secret”, regarding pet foods. One has to question if donations from the companies who make pet foods, have muzzled them. If those who CLAIM to care about animal welfare do nothing, who is going to protect these creatures who give us so much pleasure? It is my understanding that the UK and Europe require that only human grade meat be allowed in pet food.

Please, be a voice for the voiceless, by sending E-mails, letters, etc. to your Senate and Congress members and demand that US standards for pet foods should at least be equal to those in Europe. I subscribe to www.animalwellnessmagazine.com. This is a great source of information for pet owners. I learn more, with every issue I read.

-Yours Sincerely, Hazel Mortinsen

Dear Hazel, Thank you kindly for the information. Our cat was affected with the recent pet food disaster, since; we have been looking for alternatives for pet food for all of our animals. I will be visiting the sites you recommended.

-MLM

Dear Nancy

Keep up the good work. Many of my friends who know I am on the POLO board have come to me to find out if I saw the Valley Journal and its article on tribal expansion. They are all so happy that the issue is finally being covered.

I am sleeping a little better at night knowing that we finally have a newspaper that is actively exploring and reporting the facts. If it turns out that your paper finds facts that show benefit to gambling or tribal expansion, then I know that you will report those also. This isn’t about your paper being anti-tribe, this is about reporting the facts. Keep up the good work.

-Kathy Cleary

Thanks, Kathy, for your support. We feel really good about bringing the truth to the public so they can make up their own minds. We will continue to do that as we are beholden to no one. Keep that info coming - we'll print it!

-Nancy Crawford-Hall