Civil Discourse

Just a quick comment on your editorial. Civility is lacking on all levels. This election has highlighted the worst of it. I speak at schools frequently about conduct, civility and decorum in elected bodies as well as day to day life. Our blanket lack of credibility in our elected officials has as much to do with their uncivil conduct towards one another as it does the policies they create. The Harris/Trump and Biden/Trump debates contained almost zero substance and were largely parries and thrusts over personal characteristics. When Walz/Vance happened, it also lacked muscle, but it was so civil that no one cared. It seemed like a breath of fresh air. We have dissolved into cancel-culture ad hominem attacks – an era of car-free road rage. As elected officials, we should be setting the pace for civil discourse instead of reenforcing the frivolous reputations generally associated with all who sit on the dais.

In any case, well said in the MJ.

Mayor Randy Rowse

It’s Called Vandalism

When I was around 12 years old and growing up in rural Britain, I stopped by one of those iconic red telephone booths to look up the name of local hairdressers’ salons. Before the days of online information access, this meant consulting the phone book and its yellow pages located inside the booth. Rather than taking time to copy the data with pen and paper, I ripped out the pertinent page and took it home.

My mother, a kind and lovely woman, frowned. She was appalled. “That,” she said, “is called vandalism. You were not raised to behave like that, and I am extremely disappointed in what you have done. It is inconsiderate of others who might also need that information, and is completely inappropriate behavior.” My cheeks burned with shame. I apologized, learned a big lesson, and never did anything like that again. 

To the person/people who vandalized the newspaper boxes on Coast Village Road several weeks ago and defaced their contents: please read and have a long think about my mother’s comments above. What other actions could you have taken other than vandalism? A letter to the editor, perhaps? A printed placard on a stick and a walk up and down Coast Village Road extolling the virtues of your position? Surely better options than vandalism?

For me, this behavior is not about politics. It is about manners, actions, consequences, how one was raised, being accountable, and treating others and their property properly. My parents worked hard to raise us, their children, properly. It’s that simple. 

So have a long think about it, then, perhaps, take a pen and paper and write an apology, anonymously if you prefer, to the editor-in-chief of the Montecito Journal. I promise you that then, and only then, will you calm your burning cheeks and not feel shame for your behavior – and how it reflects on you and your family — for the rest of your life.

D. Wyn Jones

Democracy Depends on It

Thank you Gwyn Lurie for your editorial in support for Kamala Harris for President. This IS NOT your ordinary R vs. D presidential election… think Bush, Romney, McCain. Kamala Harris is a whip smart, mature, empathetic public servant ready to lead the country with the needs and concerns of the working and middle classes front and center as well as protecting democracy here and around the world. She and President Biden guided the country back from the worst worldwide pandemic in a century and have restored our economy from collapse to its now being the envy of the modern world. The other side… remember family separation at the Mexican border with kids in cages, Muslim ban, false elector slates in 2020, violent insurrection at the Capitol on Jan 6, “poisoning the blood of the country,” retribution against “the enemies from within,” “train the guns on Liz Cheney,” plans to round up millions of “ illegal aliens” placing them in camps and deporting them, a few billionaires bank-rolling his campaign, support from Putin and Orbán who would love to see NATO weakened or abandoned and democracy in Ukraine crushed. I could go on. Gwyn also mentions in her editorial her family’s experience during WWII in Nazi occupied Poland. My family has a close friend here in SB, now 99 years old who was evacuated out of Nazi Germany in the late 1930s in the British “Kinder-Lift” that rescued thousands of Jewish children from the fate that fell upon their parents. She clearly remembers what life was under the Nazi boot. Don’t think that it can’t happen here. I hope that the country votes like DEMOCRACY depends on it… because it does.

Sincerely, Barry Gordon

A Pre-COVID State

At one time, State Street was one of the most attractive and vibrant streets in California. A drive down State Street was a must for visitors and locals alike to enjoy the Spanish motif as well as get a glimpse of the many boutique shops that adorned the street. Equally enjoyable was the convenience of the electric trolleys and, of course, the parades and festivals that make Santa Barbara special.

This changed with COVID as restaurants struggled to survive and the city offered help by closing off State Street and allowing restaurants to erect parklets for outdoor dining. As a result, State Street became less accessible and the parklets turned out to be eyesores as well as breeding grounds for dirt and rodents. Businesses began to close and leave Santa Barbara and the city began to experience a significant loss of revenue from taxes, tourism, and parking.

When it was possible to return State Street to its pre-COVID status Santa Barbara’s City Council decided instead to focus in developing a Master Plan for the future. Mayor Rowse noted that the continued closure of State Street and the ongoing planning process are unrelated. Reopening, cleaning, and improving the lighting on those downtown blocks does not preclude the Master Plan’s eventual completion and might just help spur economic recovery.

A recent research study by Magid, the world’s largest research-based strategy consulting company, reported that 56% of the residents of Santa Barbara supported returning State Street to its pre-COVID status while the Master Plan is being finalized, while only 19% opposed doing so.

Such a move is economically feasible and could be done in time to celebrate the opening of the State Street Undercrossing Project and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.  

George Lilly