Community Voices LETTERS
by Andrew Firestone
Andrew Firestone was born and raised in Santa Barbara County, and is the Founder and Principal of StonePark Capital. Andrew supports dozens of local non-profit groups supporting children and family services
Ready for the Rush
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ver the past 10 weeks, Santa Barbara, along with the rest of the world, has been paralyzed with fear over the scourge of COVID-19. People remain frozen in fear of venturing outside, of touching a foreign or unknown object, and in fear of coming within six feet of another person. As the medical community grapples with the disease and understanding those most at risk, our economy crumbles. Like many Santa Barbarans, my wife and I volunteer to help those most vulnerable and most at risk who live with food and/or shelter insecurity, many of whom need family services and domestic abuse prevention help. This is the time of year when my weekend is generally spent hosting and auctioneering fundraisers, trying to help community organizations raise much-needed funds. But COVID-19 has canceled all such get-togethers. It now looks as though fundraisers this fall will be canceled as well, leaving organizations scrambling to meet their budgets. These non profits work tirelessly to ensure that no family is without services and support, but are we forgetting them during this COVID-19 crisis?
There is little chance of a swift and sudden recovery given the
structural damage to our economy as our reaction to COVID-19 continues to crush local businesses. The time to act is now.
The shelter-in-place order was intended “to flatten the curve” so that our healthcare system would not be overwhelmed. The media predicted rationed medical supplies, shortages of personnel and insufficient hospital beds, but the story turned out differently: Santa Barbara’s nimble and flexible healthcare professionals reacted quickly and repositioned resources where needed. No one was denied treatment. Cottage quickly set aside portions of its hospital and prepared for a rush of COVID-19 patients. Cal Poly’s 900-bed Alternative Care Site was constructed in record time. Fortunately, as of today, there are only 10 patients recovering in the ICU. Was this an overreaction? Absolutely not. We faced a virus we didn’t understand so we prepared for the worst. Meanwhile, these past two months provided critical data to identify who was at risk for fatality and how to protect them. Months ago, we discovered that anyone could become infected and anyone could be killed by the virus. We now know the first is true but we also know that the disease largely preys on a specific at-risk group: the elderly and those with certain medical conditions. With precious few exceptions, the young and healthy remain asymptomatic or suffer simple flu symptoms. A 40-year-old with underlying medical conditions should not be lulled into thinking this is a disease of the aged or infirm, as this virus preys mercilessly on the at-risk group and we must continue to protect them. We now have tens of thousands of Santa Barbara County residents out of work and relying on government support. Each day, more and more businesses are closing their doors and leaving countless employees searching for work. There is little chance of a swift and sudden recovery given the structural damage to our economy as our reaction to COVID-19 continues to crush local businesses. Most importantly, it has created enormous pressure on countless families in our community who are already at risk, not for COVID-19, but for myriad other socio-economic issues. The time to act is now. Life is not without its risks: we make the decision to venture onto roads and highways knowing that 38,000 people will die annually in horrific accidents. We must focus on the data that identifies who is at risk and who is not. We must have the courage to venture out and protect our economy and our society. With courage, we can protect those at risk of COVID-19 fatality while not forgetting those vulnerable residents dependent on our charity and outreach. We can take measures to ensure employees and customers feel safe. I pray that our governor and local officials will take immediate steps to allow businesses to return, while sheltering and protecting the at-risk group. •MJ
10 MONTECITO JOURNAL
TO THE EDITOR
If you have something you think Montecito should know about, or wish to respond to something you read in the Journal, we want to hear from you. Please send all such correspondence to: Montecito Journal, Letters to the Editor, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite H, Montecito, CA. 93108. You can also FAX such mail to: (805) 969-6654, or E-mail to letters@montecitojournal.net
Tribute to a Community Treasure, John Venable
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t’s extremely rare to find a person that gives so much of themselves unselfishly to their community as John Venable. John was always “there” and “ready” for whatever task that lay ahead. He was the first to volunteer to help organize and videograph our first Village 4th Parade (1996 & on). Beautification Day saw John picking up trash for his community. Decorating the Community Christmas (Hathaway Memorial) Tree was a favorite task. He was a Civic superstar having been on the Board of the Montecito Association. A passion in nature and hiking, John became long term Trails Foundation President. John and I served on the Montecito Fire Protection District where he played a key roll in a variety of Director functions. Last year John was rightfully nominated to be the Montecito Village 4th Grand Marshall. Normally, the Grand Marshall has his “own” parade vehicle. John asked to be with me on my Fire Engine, I was humbled and honored! Thank you for your grace and wisdom. Our entire community will miss you! Dana Newquist
Reject the Roundabout
My sons are fourth-generation Montecito Union alumnae. It goes without saying how much we regard our community. Some time ago the County of Santa Barbara sent quite an elaborate mailer at tax-payer expense to our home. I never learned the scope of their target, but it should have reached every resident in our county. With an elaborate layout and lots of color these are the points they hope to convince us of: • Create a welcoming pedestrian feel and ease-of-use • Promote bicycle accessibility for kids to experts • Use drought-tolerant landscaping and visual improvements • Maintain a semi-rural feel for a freeway frontage road • Educate drivers to slow to 25 mph
“Biologically speaking, if something bites you it’s more likely to be female.” – Desmond Morris
John Venable RIP
around roundabout (current speed is 35 mph) My maternal great-grandparents settled in my neighborhood prior to 1900. I am quite familiar with the intersection. Beach-goers and other pedestrians will not feel welcome. (How many pedestrians do you see using the Hot Springs roundabout?) How will children and/or experts feel safe riding in vehicle lanes? How will landscaping be handled when the current visuals are unacceptable? How would a huge roundabout “maintain a semi-rural feel”? Stop signs are in place. The current speed is 0. I’m asking you and the other commissioners to unanimously reject this. It doesn’t belong in our community. Sincerely, Pamela Boehr
Different Strokes
Mr. McGinity’s comments about Ashleigh Brilliant are, in the former’s own words, “somewhat off track.” To find fault with Brilliant that he did not give any support for his thesis that there is no God is not countered by McGinity’s evidence that there is one. The jury is still out on that one. Mr. McGinity’s guess that Brilliant is unhappy seems to presume that to be happy one must have kids or grandkids. This is a narrow perception of the great world beyond Montecito, where there are many fulfilled people who have elected not to have children. Finally, that Brilliant should convert to Christianity in order to have a rewarding life is absurd. (Christopher 21 – 28 May 2020
