Dear
Editor,
Your
story in the April 17 edition regarding the public access easement and the
beach access trail and parking we built and maintain remind me of the classic, “no
good deed goes unpunished,” saying.
Before
plans for Bacara were approved and the resort was built, there was no public
access to Haskell’s Beach. In fact, the area was hazardous and dangerous, and
the beach was damaged from decades of oil operations. Goleta residents had
access to just one beach.
When
Bacara was first envisioned, we proposed the beach access.
Since the
day the resort opened in 2000, the parking lot, the trail, and the public
amenities have been open for public use.
Bacara
maintains these public amenities at our cost, providing upkeep, removing
graffiti, repairing vandalism, cleaning the facilities, and staffing the snack
bar.
We are
happy to provide access and to continue to maintain it so that the entire
community can enjoy Haskell’s Beach.
Your
article disregards this history, as well as, the facts surrounding our two
years of cooperation with the California Coastal Commission staff concerning
the required relocation of the path as was required by our approved
environmental compliance plan.
Your
article also infers that beach access could be restricted in connection with
the future completion of the resort and the Coastal Commission’s staff cease
and desist order related to this in some way. It was not. The completion of the
resort will honor the beach access Bacara has created and maintained.
Notwithstanding
the statements in the article from the Coastal staff member, Ms. Hagge, the
subject of the cease and desist order was not about a restriction of access,
the future resort completion or even the relocation of the path as required by
the Native American monitors.
The
subject of the cease and desist order was a difference of opinion over the form
of documents Bacara recorded to protect the public’s rights in this matter.
This is easily confirmed by a review of the public records filed in connection
with the April 9th Coastal Commission hearing. The trail and beach access we
provide was never interrupted.
Public
documents at the Coastal Commission and the County illustrate that our approval
from Santa Barbara County and the Coastal Commission required Native American
and archaeological monitors on site during construction to ensure any potential
cultural resources were avoided.
These
monitors were given the authority to require the relocation of the public path
to avoid any sensitive areas on the property.
During
construction of the project in 1999, the monitors halted activities and
required that the trail be moved in order to avoid a sensitive cultural site.
Bacara followed the order given by the monitors, and relocated the route of the
trail. The result was a path that not only avoided a sensitive cultural site,
but was also a shorter and more convenient way to get to the beach.
Upon
receiving the order to relocate the path, Bacara contacted the County and
Coastal Commission to inform them that the path had been moved.
It took
several years before the Coastal Commission took the time to review the
necessary documentation and accept the trail relocation. The monitors who gave
the relocation order even had to write a personal letter to the Commission to
compel them to speed up their review process.
Upon
accepting the new location of the path, Coastal Commission staff required
Bacara to update the documents that formally dedicate the As-Built path to the
county. Shockingly, after waiting almost four years to acknowledge the rights
of the Native American and archaeological monitors to relocate the trail,
Commission staff issued Bacara an order giving us only a month to submit these
documents or face fines. The issue was even placed on the agenda of the Coastal
Commission Board.
Although
dismayed that such an order was issued — especially given the fact that
the Commission staff took years to review the relocation paperwork — we
compiled all of the documentation necessary, recorded a deed and an offer to
dedicate the path directly with the county within 14 days.
This
technical and minor issue should never have gone before the Coastal Commission,
and in fact it was removed from the Board’s agenda, as we complied with all of
the requirements and requests that were given to us by the Commission staff at
the time.
It is
unfortunate that you reported a spokesperson was unavailable for comment as
several calls were placed to your staff writer, Ms. Allen.
We are
more than happy to discuss with anyone, including the Journal, Bacara’s
exhaustive efforts to create and ensure public access to Haskell’s Beach. We
are proud of the fact that we have provided continued public access to Haskell’s
Beach since the first day we opened our doors at the resort.
Sincerely,
BJ Hoppe, President
Bacara Resort & Spa
Dear
Editor,
Supervisors Rose and Marshall perverted the Goleta Growth
Management Ordinance by forcing an amendment, “Affordable Housing well sited
and well designed was exempt from the Ordinance.”
Still hoping for a political future, they decided not to run again
and instead promote clones. Thousands of dollars were poured into the 2nd
district by seated political cronies to support disenfranchising the
unincorporated area of Goleta Valley, high density housing and regaining county
control. They succeeded and elected Supervisor Wolf, who touted the work of the
Goleta Valley Visioning Committee, but at the first opportunity, perverted the
process, “Projects for the Public Good are exempt.” Public Good can mean
affordable housing, higher density, side walks, etc.
Now it’s 3rd District
supervisor race and Doreen Farr, formerly Rose’s Planning Commissioner and
recent Santa Ynez resident running. I hear similar phrases as was used during
the second district race. I see the same political cronies dumping money into
her coffers. I see the same backers (I wonder if J. Butney would be her aide or
planning commissioner).
Would Bulldozer Rose
have someone as her planning commissioner who didn’t support her objectives?
Was Farr’s attitude with the No-Growth City of Goleta, the reason for such a
short tenure? Will she pay her political debt by forcing a “Public Good Policy“,
more motels for gaming to support county money needs and support “Public Good”
projects in all districts? We will be back to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd districts
ruling the county. “County Split?”
William R. Gilbert
Goleta
Dear Editor,
The Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society would
like to say a heartfelt “Thank You”
to the sponsors and donors who once again made our 13th annual Tails on the
Trail a great success. The sponsors were
Bank of America, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Lemos, Sissy’s Uptown
Cafe, Cloud Star, Platinum Performance, Village Properties, C&D CPA Advisors, Owens & Jakkola Tax
Professionals, Rancho San Carlos De Jonata, Butler Animal Health, Nutro
Products Inc., Gigi’s Flying Dog Ranch, Water Store Coffee Cup, and Solvang Veterinary Hospital.
The donors for the wonderful raffle prizes were Chumash
Casino, Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn & Spa, Ruff Stuff Studio, Beckman
Winery, Dogs Unlimited Mobile Dog Grooming, Santa Ynez Feed & Milling,
Sanford Winery, Firestone Winery, Curves, Chef’s Touch, Rabobank, Tensley
Winery, Rusack Winery, Marcia Dunn, Todd Pipe & Supply, Pizza Shack,
Trattoria Grappolo, Antonio’s Pizza,
Harrison’s Hardware, Western Nursery, Bridlewood Winery, Let’s Eat In, El Rancho Market Place,
Bayer Animal Health Care,
Performance Fitness, Quiznos, Pet House Inc., Huber Winery, Paradise
Road Soap, Tina Riedy, Nielsens Building & Material and Bellagio.
We would also like to thank all the volunteers
who worked the day of the event to make it so successful. If we have missed
anyone, please accept our apologies.
Bruce Beeler
President
Dear
Editor,
I urge the Board of Supervisors to do what Santa Cruz County,
Lompoc, Los Angeles (city and county), and Lake County and its cities have
done: pass a law requiring that
most dogs and cats be spayed or neutered.
The proposed ordinance being considered is actually much less
restrictive than other similar laws:
it sets the age for spay/neuter at 6 months (it’s 4 months for Lompoc)
and exempts all registered purebreds as well as all working, service, police
and herding dogs. A veterinary authorization
can also exempt a dog or cat. And
unlike other laws, this one would not require dog owners to buy any additional
permits or pay higher fees.
None of us like the government telling us what we can do with our
property. But animals are more than just things; they are living beings, and
what an owner does with them affects the rest of the community. With 25 percent of the county’s dogs
and cats killed in our shelters each year, it’s time to hold pet owners
responsible for the impact of their actions on those animals and on the rest of
us,
Julia J. Di Sieno, Executive Director
Animal Rescue Team Inc.
Dear Editor,
I want to
tell you how much I enjoy the School Scene column and reports from the 4-H
clubs. We are lucky to have these wonderful youth organizations in the Valley
and it is important for people to know how much they can contribute to a young
person’s childhood. Even if they do not intend to be farmers or ranchers, the
knowledge about growing things and raising animals is life enriching. There is
nothing to compare with seeing the beautiful birth process, as the baby animal
takes his first look at the world.
Caring
for another living being is of great importance to the maturing of a child. How
do I know this? Because I was involved in both of these organizations as a
parent, 4-H leader and Future
Farmers of Americaz helper. And the now grown-up former members tell me about
it. There are many different subjects offered in both of these programs, like
sewing, cooking and various creative projects that strengthen the growing up
process.
Statistics show that young
people who participate in these organizations almost never get into trouble
with the law. One reason is that they have a feeling of being included in
something strong, good and loving. They feel empowered.
Adults can take part in
these glorious experiences by being leaders or offering help in various ways.
God bless the F.F.A. and 4-H.
Sincerely, Pat Murphy.
Dear
Editor,
Tribal Minutes Raise Concern
“Santa Ynez General Council Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10 2004
“Compact Negotiations: The Governor is looking for Tribes to pay
the state for gaming operations.
We are in a unique position. The only thing the state has to offer
is more time. Some tribes are extending their compacts for up to 50 years. Some
are asking for additional machines over 2000. If we go into negotiations with
the state, there are three things we will ask: extension of time, additional
machines in which we all gladly negotiate a percentage on anything over 2000
machines, and the opportunity to open up another facility within the aboriginal
land of the Chumash. (aboriginal lands of the Chumash goes [sic] from Monterey
to Malibu.)
“Supervisor’s race: The Chairman encouraged all members to vote
and commented that Brooks Firestone is the best of the candidates that have a
chance of winning the seat. Firestone would not be a deterrent to the tribe.”
Above are the tribal minutes from Feb. 10, 2004. Since they
describe Mr. Firestone as no deterrent to the tribe, I have to assume that Mr.
Firestone’s hand-picked successor will also be no deterrent to the tribe.
In fact since Mr. Firestone induced Mr. Smyser to move back to
Solvang to fill his seat on the Board of Supervisor’s it has become very
obvious that Mr. Smyser is more interested in promoting the casino wishes than
listen to citizens of the county in the debate last week.
He did attend a party last week at the Chumash Casino where he and
Solvang’s Mayor Linda Jackson were Vince Armenta’s guests of honor. Mr Smyser
two biggest supporters besides the casino are Andy Caldwell and Travis
Armstrong who just so happen to be the biggest gambling and annexation
expansion advocates in Santa Barbara County.
Recently in a radio interview with Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Smyser
reiterated his goal of putting a tribal casino representative on the SBCAG
Board. Since the casino syndicate is run by secret government I am very concerned about a non-elected,
secret government being represented on SBCAG which is a very important county
board made up of elected officials, mayors and supervisors. My concerns with
Mr. Firestone and his hand-picked replacement are becoming more and more well
founded.
Note: The above minutes, along with many others, were obtained
from an 8 week court case Torres vs. Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians., in
which tribal minutes were offered into evidence.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Sorensen