"Around the Santa Ynez Valley, there is probably no issue that gets local folks more revved up than the Chumash tribe proposing to take more land into its reservation.

Tribal officials say they want to subdivide part of the land into residential parcels where, presumably, tribal members could build homes to live in.

However, local residents are fearful of a giant commercial enterprise sprouting on those 1,400 acres as well, perhaps even a new, bigger casino and resort.

The larger issue is a matter of trust — or the lack of it — between the tribe and its critics.

Much of that mistrust is a result of the tribe insisting that, as a sovereign nation, it is above local land-use rules."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Building trust where it’s sorely lacking (The Solvang Valley News 9/8)

Other Opinions:
Doreen Farr: Measuring effects of tribe’s proposal (The Solvang Valley News 9/8)
Lee Rosenberg: Farr missing a Valley connection (The Solvang Valley News 9/8)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Some 'facts' about Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bid (9/2)
Vincent Armenta: Opponents cry wolf over Chumash trust bid (9/1)
Opponents raise alarms about Chumash Tribe's trust land bid (9/1)
Chumash Tribe describes plans for housing on 1400-acre site (8/30)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe aggressive in pursuit of land-into-trust (8/25)
Opponents to host meeting to discuss Chumash land-into-trust (8/12)
Opinion: Stop Chumash Tribe from placing new property in trust (8/5)
Group seeks field hearing on Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bid (7/28)
Chumash Tribe wants to discuss land-into-trust bid with county (6/30)
Opinion: Enough is enough with Chumash Tribe's land grab (4/14)
Opinion: Evidence shows Chumash Tribe's legitimacy in doubt (4/8)
Column: The Chumash Tribe and a fix to land-into-trust ruling (3/31)
Letter: Rep. Gallegly plays politics on Chumash land-into-trust (3/24)
Editorial: Chumash Tribe should forego land-into-trust process (3/17)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe lobbying Rep. Gallegly on land-into-trust (3/10)
Local official claims Chumash Tribe doesn't need land-into-trust (3/8)
Opinion: Groups fight Chumash Tribe land-into-trust application (2/24)