I was eating breakfast with a friend last week, and the topic of the election came up. “Oh, god, I am so sick of reading about this presidential contest,” she said. "I just avert my eyes from the paper or TV screen whenever I see the two candidates." Her views are similar to those of a lot of others in the country. Recent polls have shown that enthusiastic support for candidates is at historical lows. It seems like some people have the idea that no matter who wins in November, things will not change.
With so much news coverage about the race for president, it's easy to forget that voters will have a chance to decide other issues as well. Many of these local races will impact our lives much more directly then the presidential contest.
For seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Barbara County, one of the biggest issues we are faced with is transportation. Sometimes I feel as though I am trapped in the south part of this county, because travel to communities like Santa Ynez and Lompoc is difficult without a car. The lack of transportation affects many people’s ability to get medical care, shop for food, and visit friends and family.