Comments by Carmelo
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Posted on May 14 at 3:30 p.m.
I’m a retired economist that depends on Social Security for most of my income. I've been a strong supporter of Rep. Lois Capps, and have volunteered in and contributed to her campaigns. And I support the Chained-CPI, if it can lead to a compromise with Republicans on raising taxes on the wealthy and funding infrastructure projects to curb unemployment. I read the LA Times and NY Times daily and have not seen any arguments by economists against the logic of the Chained-CPI. I believe it’s an accurate observation that the typical basket of goods on which the CPI is based is different for seniors than for the general population. Further, the Chained-CPI does not cut social security benefits; it minutely lowers annual increases scheduled under the current system. Finally, a senior earning the average social security benefit of $13,000-per-year qualifies for Medicaid, meaning their medical expenses are practically zero. While I will continue to be a strong supporter of Rep. Capps, I’m hoping she’ll reconsider her position on this issue based on further input from her constituents. The real problem here is that the Republican Congress is forcing us to discuss this option.
Posted on May 9 at 8:08 p.m.
Back when I had a newspaper in Isla Vista, I interviewed (and published) comments from Foot Patrol folks that I.V. was a much easier place to police when marijuana was the drug of choice vs. alcohol. But let's get back to the topic of street lighting.
What's wrong with using County Service Area 31 (created for street lighting) to light up the town, especially the 6600 block of Del Playa? I mean, that's what it's for. If there is a public safety need to have more street lighting, then use the damn thing instead of waiting on "grants", which primarily upgrade to more efficient light bulbs. Gees.
Posted on May 7 at 3:06 a.m.
It's the Isla Vista Recreation and Park DISTRICT, not department. Gees.
Posted on April 29 at 6:17 a.m.
BC, I agree with your comment: "some people are going to fall off cliffs, . . . because some people simply don't have the judgement to do otherwise."
And I like your suggestion of "posting the names of the maimed and killed on the area where these tragedies are happening. . ."
And please, no sound alarms.
Posted on April 10 at 9:01 p.m.
Gees. Don't you get it? "Deputies were breaking up a party, the newspaper said, and the “environment apparently became chaotic as the party disbanded and authorities suspect that as everyone quickly scattered in the dark, Ayala fell from a cliff.” So it was the police who caused this death!
The continuing question is whether things would be safer if Isla Vista had become a city in the '70s and '80s and its police controlled such events. My belief is that there would be trash barrels and porto-potties on the beach, CSOs urging constraint, etc. -- just like Santa Barbara does for Fiesta! Years of repression by the County and U has shown it doesn't work for Isla Vista; when will the "authorities" wake up?
Posted on March 16 at 6:38 a.m.
Nick,
I thought Attias's parents were well off at the time of his attack, but now he qualifies for a public defender? What's up?
Posted on January 12 at 10:43 a.m.
With redevelopment agencies going dark at the end of the month, it's important to know what's happening with the IVRDA's buildings in the Loop area -- the former Isla Vista Clinic building and the former St. Athanasius building. Plus the plans for a community center. Addressing these issues would be a helpful Eye on IV.
Posted on December 30 at 10:33 a.m.
What will happen now in the Isla Vista RDA? The RDA owns the old medical clinic building (the perfect spot to have a "community center" vs. building a new one out on Estero Rd.) and the old St. Athanasius Church building (a good spot for the Park District offices to move to). What happens to them and the hideous multi-story parking garages that are under construction to accomodate over-flow parking from the UCSB campus?
Posted on May 2 at 6:07 a.m.
Nice column, with some good advice. Because 96% of Isla Vista residents are renters, knowledge of both the rights and responsibilities of tenants is critical to the quality of life. It would be helpful if the Community Housing Office was cited in a high-profile storefront in the center of town.
Carmen Lodise
Author, "Isla Vista: A Citizen's History" (2008)
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Posted on May 16 at 8:29 p.m.
I'm impressed that the Independent did this story -- Isla Vista is mostly invisible beyond its borders. The old clinic building is the best option the town has for a community center and I hope the County realizes its responsibilities and makes this happen -- much like it did for the Goleta Community Center years ago.
On Isla Vista Properties in Limbo