Veronica Meadows Bridge 1

[A Letter to the Editor, SBN-P, 2/26/2005]:

TITLE: Suddenly city takes interest in bridge

The recent article about the new homes proposed off Las Positas Road was very puzzling. Here we have an existing neighborhood that actually supports a new development, something very rare in Santa Barbara. This is because the builder, Mark Lee, is bending over backwards to respect our needs.

To keep new noise and traffic out of our neighborhood, he is proposing to replace a bridge that was in place for generations on an existing easement. Councilman Das Williams is living in a fantasy world if he thinks that replacing this bridge will hurt the environment. There are many other bridges along Arroyo Burro Creek, and this will be the most environmentally friendly bridge of them all.

Worse is the suggestion from a member of the Creeks Committee that "the city does not need the help of this mitigation project."

Does money grow on trees? There are dozens and dozens of miles of creeks in this city that need attention. If Mr. Lee is willing to restore a suggestion at his own expense, taxpayer money will be available to use elsewhere.

Right on Alan Road, backyards are falling into the creek, and the city hasn't lifted a finger. But when someone wants to spend their own money to fix a problem, suddenly the city takes an interest? Something does not add up.

Elaine Bowie, Santa Barbara