Tag archives: Highway 101

Running for Congress I have been called upon by dozens of leaders throughout the Central Coast who believe we need and deserve better representation in the halls of Congress than currently is the case. Whereas, I have never had any personal political ambitions, I am, nevertheless, going to answer that call. That is because, just […]

Several weeks ago, Caltrans closed the Hot Springs 101 offramp, causing huge traffic delays. The intention for the closure was to clean out a homeless encampment – but it seems Caltrans forgot a few things. It’s nice to have the brush cut back – but really Caltrans, finish what you started! Come back and pick […]

Last week, I had lunch with the two people who will either make your life more miserable or much happier over the next 10 years. They are the principal players in the widening of the US 101 as it slowly migrates northward toward Montecito. Scott Eades is the Caltrans point person designated as the Santa […]

It is August, and the living in Montecito is easy… or at least it should be. Gone are May Gray and June Gloom; in their place are sunny skies, a beautiful blue-green ocean and mild temperatures. For the first time in seven years, we have adequate water with no prospect of mandatory rationing. Happiness prevails. […]

Earlier this week drivers may have been caught in heavy traffic in lower Montecito, as Caltrans crews closed the Hot Springs exit at Highway 101 in order to clear out a long-term homeless encampment located under the freeway bridges.  The massive encampment had not been cleared in over three years. The Coast Village Association, the […]

After meeting on Tuesday, July 2, the joint committee of the Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts continues to move forward on several viable water reuse projects.  Water reuse options being pursued involve different treatment levels and different end-uses, including landscape irrigation (purple pipe), which involves treating wastewater for use in irrigation for large-scale commercial and […]

Q. What’s the buzz on privately-owned helicopters landing on private pads inside our community – legal or not?  That high-flying question got grounded! On June 26, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission was set to hear a permit application for a proposed private property helistop at Carpinteria Valley Farms on Lambert Road – and it […]

Just Another 101 Fable J.B.’s editor’s note in last week’s issue re “Failure to widen the 101 in 1993,” reminded me of my 25-year issue on this subject as a retired commuter. So here it is in the following: Another Fable from Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, SBCAG – Updated. In the News-Press for […]

Kardboard Kapers It’s that time of year again: the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s 17th Annual Kardboard Kayak Races are coming to West Beach, Santa Barbara, on Saturday, July 6 from 12 noon to 3 pm. Get ready for some hilarity and family fun. SBMM’s Kardboard Kayak Races challenge families and teams to participate in a […]

Throughout history men have made some bad choices by unwittingly clinging to the past, rather than recognizing and embracing an uncertain future. Here are a few memorable misjudgments: In 1903, the President of the Michigan Savings Bank warned Henry Ford’s lawyer, Horace Rackham, to protect his money. “The horse is here to stay but the […]

At this month’s busy Montecito Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners received a briefing on the roundabouts slated for Montecito at the intersections of Olive Mill/Coast Village/North Jameson and San Ysidro/North Jameson. “These types of meetings are very important to make sure we are having a transparent process and people are being kept in the loop,” said […]

This week, drivers can expect full overnight closures for two nights on Highway 101 through a portion of Montecito as Caltrans crews finish the final touches on the bridge rail replacement project on Olive Mill Road. The work will allow for the removal of the wooden support structure underneath the existing bridge, according to project […]

Referencing Dick Shaikewitz‘s letter to the editor (“Ethics in Journalism,” MJ # 24/51), it is apparent that former Montecito Water District (MWD) Director Shaikewitz and I have a difference of opinion over how to provide water security for the residents of Montecito and Summerland. He believes that, contrary to state law, a written strategic plan […]

The Highway 101 corridor between the Ventura County Line and Santa Barbara is by far the most heavily traveled roadway in Santa Barbara County. Traffic estimates are that by 2020, some 100,000 cars and trucks will pass through Montecito every day. Many of these re-route through local streets, primarily on either the North Jameson frontage […]

To plan for the future, it is helpful to recall the past. Montecito’s relationship with the 101 highway dates back 92 years to 1927 when residents approached the State Division of Highways asking them to pave the two dirt lanes through Montecito. John Jameson led a crusade to design America’s first scenic parkway, using planted […]

Earlier this week, Caltrans released updates on the major construction projects currently underway in Montecito, all related to repairs following the 1/9 debris flow.   According to project manager Jason Kline, the project to replace the bridge rails on the Highway 101 overcrossing at Olive Mill Road is nearing completion; the installation of bridge rails on […]

No need for us to reiterate the national, statewide, and countywide election results. If you are a Democrat, you are ecstatic; if you are a Republican, not so much. It was, however, a good day for supporters of Montecito’s Water Security Team, all five of whom were elected to their respective boards: Cori Hayman, Brian […]

At their meeting last week, the Montecito Association (MA) Land Use Committee received a status update on the expansion of Highway 101. Matt Dobberteen, Alternative Transportation manager with Public Works, said that a design team has been hard at work refining the design of the highway widening through landscaping, hardscaping, and signage. “Because it is […]

Heal the Ocean (HTO) has received numerous (some irate) phone calls regarding the mud being deposited on Goleta and Carpinteria beaches. Television media has also called for a response from us. We told them, and everyone else, we were investigating and would let everyone know when we knew the answer. We at HTO don’t believe […]