Letters to the Editor

Shuttle ride was great

Ihad a most pleasant experience recently when I opted to take a local shuttle service to connect with a flight out of LAX. The coach was right on time both coming and going, the ride was clean and comfortable, the drivers capable and congenial, and I figured I saved more than $100 just on the price of the flight alone. Couple that with the cost of gas, parking fees, headache and stress involved with driving on your own and its value increases exponentially. Additionally, my connection times were better.

I regret that I didn’t avail myself of this opportunity when I took my last cruise out of San Pedro. I understand that’s another option available to us here on the Central Coast.

Dianne Ellis

Los Osos

More local history

In reference to Joe Dana’s story of his great-great grandfather (April 24), my great-great grandfather, William Benjamin Foxen, was also a ship’s captain. He sailed from England around the Horn in 1817 to the Sandwich Islands, arriving in Santa Barbara around 1818. In 1837 Foxen purchased Rancho Tinaquaic. The ranch is still operating today with cattle and grapevines in Foxen Canyon, Santa Barbara County.

When Lt. Col. John Fremont’s battalion was passing through the area, Capt. Dana warned Fremont of an ambush at Gaviota Pass, which Fremont skirted by taking the San Marcos Pass above Santa Barbara. In Foxen Canyon, there is a Fremont monument with the inscription, “Santa Barbara County dedicates this monument to: John C. Fremont, the pathfinder, and Benjamin Foxen, pioneer. Near this site on the Foxen Ranch in 1846, encamped an American force under Lt. Colonel Fremont warned by Foxen of an ambush in the Gaviota Pass and guided by him on Christmas day over the San Marcos Pass. The Americans took Santa Barbara without bloodshed. Three weeks later, January 13, 1847, California was ceded to the United States.” This monument was dedicated in 1926 with Benton Fremont, grandson of General John C. Fremont, in attendance.

Additional monuments commemorating the Foxen- Fremont journey sit on top of San Marcos Pass on the old road and in the Gaviota Pass.

Howard Getman

Paso Robles

No drop-outs necessary

Some panicked Democrats want to interfere with the outcome of the presidential primary elections prematurely. Bonnie Erbe’s article titled “Exactly which Democrat should drop out?” certainly gives the readers more information to consider.

It is understandable that there is much uncertainty about how to deal with an elongated primary cycle, since usually it is all over after a few small states except for the “shouting.”

There are great problems to be solved in this country, creating a great amount of anxiety within the electorate, which includes Democrats, Republicans, Independents and others. All wish the best for the country, but the 2008 presidential election cycle finds many strong divisions among the people.

There is no real division in the Democratic Party. Democrats are motivated to eliminate the deficit and reduce the debt, strengthen the economy, Social Security, health care system and general security, create jobs and achieve a myriad of other goals for the common good.

Democrats have had a particularly strong field of presidential candidates. When the final selection process is explained clearly, any Democrat who does not support the chosen one is being unfair to a fantastic and historic candidate, whoever it is. For now, I agree with Erbe that neither Democrat should quit!

Carol Anne Moore

Santa Maria

Support for poets

I’d like to add my voice to the letters I read in the April 25 Tribune regarding Dian Sousa’s words about poetry entries and her opinions about poetry in general. I, too, was astonished (and not a little affronted) by her stinging put-down of not only the entries she received but of poets’ genuine attempts at expressing themselves.

I’d like to invite anyone who would like to have their words (poetry or otherwise) treated with the respect they deserve to attend my “Excavating Your Buried Treasure” class (now in its fourth year). There you will find a supportive group of people who all have blossomed into expressive writers. Call or e-mail me if you’re interested at 786-4325 or francescajazzpoet@sbcglobal.net . Francesca Nemko

San Luis Obispo