Time waits for no writer

Cheri Rae says goodbye

By CHERI RAE — Nov. 19, 2009

The stack of unread New Yorker magazines piled high on my nightstand is just one indicator of chasing too many stories with too little time. My publisher’s reminder of the looming deadline for completion of my book manuscript is another.

It’s time for me to get back to writing for an audience far beyond the limits of Santa Barbara’s never-ending political, cultural, educational, financial, development swirl—subjects of endless fascination for this political science major, but not to the exclusion of all else. There are other projects I’ve ignored while pursing the day-to-day, week-to-week minutiae of this town, and I need to pursue them now.

It’s time to finish writing my book, “Bungalow Life.” It chronicles the many joys, as well as the trials, of maintaining a turn-of-the-century home in a neighborhood confronted by bureaucrats and developers determined to demolish anything—and anyone—in their way. Its setting is Santa Barbara, though its theme is a universal one: the conflict between traditional, perhaps anachronistic, values and relentless modernity, advancing relentlessly, often without a moral compass.

Writing this column—which initially focused on neighborhood issues, then expanded to much more—has been a fine experience, one that has revealed many truths about the community, and the citizens who strive to make it better. These days, I receive e-mails and phone calls, letters dropped off in the mailbox and notes left at the door —detailing issues that need attention. And people intercept me when I’m out:  a trip to Trader Joe’s, a wait in line at the post office, a cup of coffee at Peet’s turn into learning experiences—and subjects of columns—as friends, neighbors, and complete strangers share their stories, reveal their secrets, and frequently, ask for much-needed help in dealing with bureaucracies and policies gone wrong.

Unfortunately, the magnitude of the work required to fully explore these compelling stories and situations requires the efforts of several full-time, adequately compensated investigative reporters, not just the work of one columnist.

Questions remain, but time has run out for me to address them in this venue:

--How scofflaw ink artists conveniently located near the high school happily tattoo minors—as young as 14—without requiring identification, risking misdemeanor violations that are never prosecuted. Ditto for the alarming amount of easily available “medicinal” marijuana that’s become such a joke among local teens they report, “It’s easier to get pot than beer.”

--How a community of this size and sophistication tolerates scandalous abuses in the school district, including a determination to de-emphasize fiction and eliminate novels from the curriculum; a shameful truancy program that incarcerates kids who can’t read or write; a virtually non-existent special education department for nearly a decade and a total absence of accountability for it, even in the wake of the disturbing deficiencies revealed in a recent highly critical, independent report, and routine retaliation against those who speak out.

--How insistence on “walkability” translates to reconfiguring streets, but does not extend to fixing dangerous broken curbs and sidewalks, even after they’re pointed out to highly paid local officials who can’t be bothered to follow up.

--How a hospital monopoly manages to hold a community hostage with threats of death and destruction whenever a project or a policy threatens its agenda—and that of its friends in the development community.  

--What’s going on with the local Democratic Party, apparently so unhinged it first endorsed a total neophyte on the political scene, then reversed course with a couple of candidates on record supporting the height limits measure the Party worked so hard to defeat.

--How fairly the recent city-run election was conducted, when a review of tally sheets reveals that proper procedures as specified in the state elections code were not properly followed in the hand count, and city officials admit that voters who did not sign their ballots were contacted—even to the point of having their ballots delivered back to them. 

And there are dozens more issues—where my columns barely scratched the surface—that require follow-up, additional research and analysis before the magnitude of the story can be properly told.

A “thank you” goes to publisher Jeramy Gordon for allowing me to take up this space in his paper every Thursday for the past few years—and to the readers who have generously taken their time to read and respond to the words I’ve written, the stories I’ve told, and the opinions I’ve expressed. Responses—ranging from generous and heartfelt comments to pointedly personalized snipes and snark—have been duly noted, but none taken too seriously or too personally. They reveal far more about the individuals who wrote them—often anonymously—than they say about my work.

Finally, a note of inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi that hangs above my desk: “First you do what’s necessary, then you do what’s possible, and suddenly, you are doing the impossible.”

And an invitation to stay in touch: cheri@thedailysound.com. Ciao for now.

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Good-by Cheri : 11/19/2009

You will be sorely missed.

Penny

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very much missed : 11/19/2009

Your columns, perceptions and way of writing, will be hugely missed. I hope there will be time for occasional guest columns! Santa Barbara desperately needs independent citizen insights.
Thanks for all your insights and good luck with your book.

Betsy

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Best Wishes : 11/20/2009

You will be missed. I look forward to reading your book!

Lisa B.

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Boo Hoo : 11/20/2009

Thanks Cheri. I did not always read your columns. I considered your perspective very introspective. I think your recent political endorsement fits your introspection and it was as crazy as Sarah Palin or Gina Perry. You did bring to light valid points i.e. re-use of existing buildings. You tend to hold a grudge and I think that negatively affects your ability to be "fair and balanced" at times. But that's how we operate and this is an "opinion" column. I am not sure why opinion columnist exists in "news" or that they should. At least with this newer media (internet) we have publishers that allow comments that the old media (newspaper) do not. So please take the long road and "walk" it. Walk out of your own hood and then you'll figure out that what is going on across the street from you bungalow is not the end of your tiny lil world. Best Wishes (p.s. so when is Gina leaving.)

Don McDermott

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Hope for the future : 11/20/2009

Opinion columnists are getting scarce in this town. I hope the Sound can be the next publication to hire someone with journalism credentials who knows how to balance an editorial and avoid rehashing tired topics in our community. We need solid editorials just as much as solid reporting in Santa Barbara.

Sense and Sensibility

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Thanks Cheri : 11/20/2009

You are an excellent writer. Thanks for having the heart to write
about people and events in this community that the status quo
want to keep hush hush. You'll be missed.

Cynthia G

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A good person... : 11/22/2009

Good people do not shrink from hardships and difficulties, nor complain about fate. No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless the wind assails it from every angle. For by it's very tossing it tightens it's grip and plants its roots more securely
in the ground. The fragile trees are the ones that grow in the sunny valley...Good luck on your book.

Boycott Boy

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Quitter : 11/25/2009

I wonder if the editor will hire another punching bag or someone with some style and brains. I'll miss you, Cheri, but for an entirely different reason than most of your other readers/snipers/snarksters/sheeple. Good luck on finishing your book. I'm sure that if you can bring yourself to complete it you can reach untold dozens of people with your keen insight and sharp wit.

MCC

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MCC Wins : 11/26/2009

Looks like you got the best of Cheri Rae, MCC. Good job. Now if you could get Nick Welsh to leave the Independent this would be a better town.

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