Where there’s water, there’s development
In the early 1990s I rented the old pink cottage at Rancho Monte Alegre in the beautiful Carpinteria foothills. Olive Carey, who starred in campy old westerns, stayed there until she died. I heard a lot of stories from the owners about the old glory days of the ranch. John Wayne and Robert Mitchum used to hang out at Olive’s house while she fixed them cocktails on warm Carpinteria evenings.

During my stay, the ranch was in receivership. It was for sale, but no buyers could be found. I think the asking price was about $10 million. The owners told me, during some informal gatherings, that they wanted to sell off parcels and build ranchettes. However, the water quality and supply at the ranch was not good.

Fast forward to 2004 and the ranch is sold after the Carpinteria Valley Water District installs two underground water tanks. There’s quality and there’s the supply. Development of this rural, beautiful area will surely follow.

For Charles Hamilton of the water district to claim otherwise is laughable. Some of the tactics used by the district should be of great concern to Carpinterians.

Matt Roberts, who is employed by the City of Carpinteria, also sits on the water board and voted to raise my water rates. The conflicts of interest are multiplying and must be addressed. It is my hope that Rancho Monte Alegre will retain its rural character and only low impact development will be considered.

Brain Ehler
Carpinteria

DIFs make a difference
The remarks (Viewpoints, CVN, Jan. 20, 2005) which Carpinteria City Councilmember Donna Jordan made regarding the Development Impact Fees are to protect me, a homeowner, gives me a sense of gratitude that I won’t be burdened by a cutback in services or higher taxes. Let the other guy pay, you bet!

What about the other issues that were raised by Councilmember Greg Gandrud. Those other costs benefit lawyers, planners, environmentalists, et al, many of whom do not even live in Carpinteria. They add thousands, to the cost of a living unit.

Remember Creekwood? How many hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on that doomed development? How many hours of wasted time were used getting to the point where everybody knew it was going to be denied by the Coastal Commission? That developer should have been required to get his zoning first. The costs of all that planning are going into somebody’s house (even though it is not in Carpinteria).

Even with the proper zoning, people are denied the ability to build the allowable number of units. That new triplex that backs up to the tracks on Fourth was zoned as a fourplex. The builder got beat down to a three-unit deal which increased the land factor in the house price by 25 percent. It is also one less housing unit.

How much has Mr. Carnavale spent so far trying to build a even a duplex at the corner of Arbol Verde and Carpinteria Avenue? Of course, the neighbors, including a member of the Planning Commission, want the property for a park and Mr. Carnavale won’t sell for the price that the city is willing to pay. That is his right, by the way.

So, is Donna [Jordan] willing to work toward streamlining the process to get building permits? Let’s keep the DIF and reduce all of the costs that don’t benefit us homeowners. If those lawyers, et al, have to find real work, maybe our children will be able to afford a home here, too.

Larry Melby
Carpinteria

Support is in the details
On behalf of our families, we wish to thank all you Carpinterians for your support and generosity after the La Conchita disaster. Today while running errands, my sister and I couldn’t help but feel good seeing all the posters. Nearly every business has a poster asking for help and support for the La Conchita victims.

We need positive reinforcement to get through this terrible time and you are giving it to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Lynette Malone
Shirley DeFazio
La Conchita

Team effort helps disaster relief
What do Kathy Zonala, Dan Dempsey, Mario Valtierra, Dennis Torres and Ahmed Jahadamy have in common? They all worked together at Albertsons during the La Conchita disaster to produce hundreds of sandwiches for the hungry rescue workers in La Conchita.  

Albertson’s was short 14 employees due to the highway 101 blockage but this group of people put in the extra time and effort to keep the workers energized.  

Their daily contribution, which was unsolicited, was delivered to the site by the American Red Cross.  It was a true team effort.

Bill Hepp
Carpinteria

This is not an apology
In response to Tom Whittaker’s letter (CVN, Jan. 20, 2005), I don’t believe an apology is in order for what I said at the Carpinteria Awards Banquet or I would offer one without hesitation.

I am having a difficult time, however, understanding why  suggesting, in jest, that Senator Tom McClintock decided to remain in Sacramento to  ”balance  the budget” once he learned Pedro Nava would be in Carpinteria giving out an award, was an “inappropriate” joke at an awards banquet. Since when are awards banquets somber events?

It was a joke between a couple of friendly political opponents. I’ve known Pedro Nava a long time and I know him to have an excellent sense of humor. We have a mutual respect for each other after having debated  opposite sides of many issues. 

What Mr. Whittaker doesn’t know is that I told Pedro Nava what I was planning to say, before I got up and said it, and he thought it was funny... that’s why he gave me a hug afterward.

He understood the spirit in which it was intended. What people like Mr. Whittaker can’t  seem to understand is that you can have political differences  with people and still be friendly. In America, you can be political opponents  without hating each other. The day before the awards banquet,  for example, Pedro and I spent  over an hour together, at the airport in Sacramento,  discussing a variety of issues, where both of us pledged to work together for the benefit of Carpinteria. 

We really have a problem in this town if we can’t have fun with each other especially at an awards banquet. If I had said that at a funeral, I would grant Mr. Whittaker  the  description “inappropriate” to describe my light hearted comments. But come on, at an awards banquet? Can’t we stop taking life so seriously long enough to have a little bit of fun with each other and enjoy each other’s company? 

As we have learned rather harshly lately, life is short. And I seriously doubt anybody gets to their final moment in this world  feeling regret over having laughed too much.

Joe Armendariz
Carpinteria

Bigoted, racist and offensive
Regarding the letter from Bud Fink (CVN, Jan. 15, 2005): I found this letter to be bigoted, racist and offensive. The idea that because one fanatical person, from a certain country, was able to lead other deluded and hate filled people to the detriment of Europe, and the world, does not mean that all people from that country should be viewed with distrust and suspicion.

I bet I could find examples of hatred and cruelty in every race, including yours Mr. Fink. Thankfully you, and your letters, do not speak for all Carpinterians, and I wish you could quit acting as if you do.

I also find it disturbing that that such a hateful letter made it to publication. Mr. Fink and Coastal View News owe an apology to the people of Carpinteria, those of Austrian descent and Mr. Schwarzenegger.

David Chamlee
Carpinteria