"We woke up and there it was, the Chumash Highway.

A representative of the tribe said about the clandestine renaming of Highway 154, “The Chumash Highway represents the respect and recognition that members of the California Legislature have for Native Americans.”

Absent was the respect or recognition that an open process would have provided the local citizenry. In fact, the whole process of introducing and voting on the legislation occurred in Sacramento without any notice to Santa Barbara County officials or any consultation with the community. It was considered a sneaky political maneuver, and public outcry was fierce.

A mock tombstone appeared on the newly anointed highway stating, “RIP Community’s Voice — Sept. 2007 — Killed on the Chumash Buy-Way by government recklessly driving under the influence of power and money.”"

Get the Story:
Donna Will: Chumash highway, but highway to where? (The Solvang Valley News 10/20)

Another Opinion:
Kelly Rose: Wading through the casino confusion (The Solvang Valley News 10/20)

Related Stories:
Richard Gomez: Enough fear-mongering about Chumash Tribe (10/14)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe benefits the community with its casino (10/6)
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe shares facts about land plans (9/29)
Opinion: Neighbors aren't buying Chumash Tribe's story on land (9/22)
Chumash Tribe starts website to support land-into-trust efforts (9/20)
Richard Gomez: Facing the facts on Chumash Tribe's land plans (9/15)
Chumash Tribe to hold public meeting on land-into-trust plan (9/13)
Editorial: Chumash Tribe should be more open about land plan (9/8)
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)