Reasons to like Old Town plan

I have lived in Santa Maria for about 30 years.

When my family first came to this area in the mid 1970s, plans were well under way to demolish anything with history, character or personality in the downtown area. The portions of Broadway and Main, which were once conducive to strolling, eating a meal and catching a movie, were torn down to erect malls.

Without a quaint central hub for walking, dining, shopping and enjoying leisure time, my family often winds up in neighboring cities such as Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Los Olivos or State Street in Santa Barbara, spending our time and money and regretting that there is no such place in the Santa Maria Valley.

I have to say that this is the most poorly planned city I have seen! It has become a pit stop for chain restaurants and big-box stores.

Now, the residents of Orcutt have a group of people with vision and passion who are working to create a place the community can truly enjoy in Old Town Orcutt.

While change is a tough pill to swallow for some people, the overwhelming majority of us welcome an inviting atmosphere with some imagination and esthetic value.

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These changes are not meant to serve tourists as the few dissenters seem to say.

Rather, they are for all of the people in this area who want a good reason to stay home and enjoy their own community!

To those who live a stone's throw away and are complaining, why wouldn't you want an area within walking distance that is both beautiful and functional? You will benefit the most!

Creating a place for Orcutt, Santa Maria residents to finally be proud of is absolutely no reason to be divisive. Those of us who are excited for change are all long-time residents who say it's about time!

Kirsten Spallino

Orcutt

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Problems with market's plan

On Nov. 16, the Planning Commission will be reviewing a proposal to have a FoodsCo Fuel Center at Enos and Broadway.

Currently, the FoodsCo managers are unable to control the impacts their business is having on the residential area west of their store when they allow shopping carts to be brought into our neighborhoods and make no attempt to pick them up or disallow this action altogether.

Our complaints to management have been completely ignored. What unforeseen problems will the new fuel center have that we'll have to tolerate because management is unable to do anything about them?

In addition, the traffic flow at the south end of the shopping center is poor to begin with. Now, they want to add to the problem even more.

If FoodsCo is unable to manage its current facility and show any concern for the surrounding neighborhoods, why should it be allowed to expand in any capacity?

The proposed site is too close to a residential area and will be managed by a company that has a proven track record of disregard for its impacts on a community.

Stephanie Swarner

Santa Maria

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Insults aplenty from Caldwell

I am writing regarding columnist Andy Caldwell.

On Nov. 9, while listening to the radio, I discovered Mr. Caldwell not only writes, but speaks on “Taking Care of Business.”

As I listen to his various reasons for the governor's defeat, I was shocked to hear his opening question to “Joe” of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers' Association.

Andy asked, “Do we live in the stupidest state in the union or what?”

Mr. Caldwell goes on to offer various reasons for the propositions failing besides “being stupid.”

One was “the Christian right didn't turn out.”

Well, Mr. Caldwell, just because the propositions you support fail doesn't mean anyone is stupid. Your comment was an insult to those “no” voters and “yes” voters. The only thing stupid would be complaining about an issue and not voting at all.

Your guest of the SBCTA said something even more shocking. When you discussed the high percentage of “no” votes in San Francisco and “what can we do, Joe?”

He responded, perhaps it will slide off someday (or words to that effect) and Mr. Caldwell chuckled.

I can't believe discussing a city devastated by an earthquake is funny to anyone.

This brings me to my idea of why the “Christian right stayed home.”

There was an abortion issue on the ballot.

If that didn't bring them out, perhaps it was advocates such as you two - laughing at thoughts of a disaster, never mentioning the cost of the election to taxpayers, and calling their home state “stupid” - which made them stay home in shame.

Michael Allen

Lompoc

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Work together for the animals

The subject of the new animal shelter may seem a little tired but if we stop writing about it, we may stop thinking about it, too.

That would be very sad for our homeless, four-legged friends.

I've been in this shelter twice now, most recently on Nov. 8.

The place has potential. It just needs some humane adjustments.

To start with, those in charge need to knock out some walls and double the size of some of the cages, especially the cages for the larger dogs.

Next, the fans need fixing, or open the doors if the fans aren't fixed yet.

More people need to be hired to clean the cages and walk the dogs.

I talked to a volunteer who told me that some dogs go a whole week without a walk.

They should turn one of their large offices into a “Doggie Romper Room” for the dogs that aren't getting walked.

It's very difficult to become a volunteer, for liability reasons, but the employees could be more friendly and seem to care more about the animals.

The building is there, the millions have been spent.

Maybe if we all keep writing, thinking, talking and caring, this facility could emerge into a place we can all be proud of. Sometimes it really does take a village.

Robin Said

Santa Maria