For a change

I know first-hand how difficult ID1 (Santa Ynez Water District) can be to work with, and I heartily support the change that will come with electing the new candidates: Karen Carroll, Dennis Beebe and Larry Musgrove.

Bonnie Ottoman

Santa Ynez


It’s business as usual with ID#1, as evidenced by the statements from Trustee Jeff Clay in a recent interview (Valley Journal, Sept. 16-22). Rather than take responsibility for the problems at the District, he is blaming others, including me. Mr. Clay says that he doesn’t know what is wrong, as no one has told him. Apparently, he never read the letter I personally handed him at the June 2009 board meeting. In the letter, I spelled out my concerns with facts, and neither he nor any other board member responded in any manner whatsoever.

For Mr. Clay to say that criticism is primarily coming from Bob Field and Mike Hadley and most of the customers are happy shows he is either misinformed or naïve. Although not a customer of ID#1, I do live within their district and I am constantly running into people in this Valley complaining about their service. Mr. Clay claims that $400,000 in legal bills was reimbursed by the South Coast, presumably through CCRB, yet there is nothing in the District’s financial statements indicating this reimbursement. Information provided under a CPRA request show Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has billed more than $600,000 from July 2009 through June 2010. These bills do not include the fees of Gregory K. Wilkinson from Best Best & Krieger, who is used for environmental issues. Best Best & Krieger fees are billed through ID#1, but CCRB reimburses 90 percent of those bills.

I don’t think Mr. Clay has his “thumb on the pulse of everything that is going on.”

Mike Hadley

Santa Ynez


Home of the free

We pay tribute to our Armed Forces, for all they have sacrificed for the United States of America. Our nation is blessed with men and women who are ready to be in harms way, to support the freedoms we all enjoy.

When you see a Vet and when you see an active duty, no harm saying, “Thanks for your service,” you can even shake a hand or pat a shoulder. This old gal also thanks our police, Sheriff and Fire personnel.

In the news of the 21st century we always hear of the gangs fighting on our streets. Please remember and honor the gangs called: Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve, Air Force, Police, Sheriff and Fire personnel. As I thank them all for keeping my country strong.

Too many hundreds of thousands since the founding of this Great Nation have paid the ultimate price for service to their country. Families of our service members have paid. There are many who came into this world not knowing the feeling of a hug from their fallen hero. Please know there is a world full of thanks and we are so sorry for your loss. Please know you should be proud. I’m one of many who honestly believe a strong military helps keep our land free and all of us safer as well as having police and fire personnel to keep us safe.

Please stand up and register to vote, then vote. Too many U.S. citizens can’t be bothered to vote. You really don’t believe this country is worth keeping strong? That you will let a few voters have a say in how you will live your life?

Whether you agree with the platform of a party doesn’t do a damn bit of good, unless you are a registered voter and the get the vote out. You don’t even have to leave the house to be an educated voter.

Gwyneth DeBiase

Lompoc