Morgan Hoover
July 5, 2009 9:35 AM
SANTA BARBARA In Santa Barbara, Republican Leadership Council member David Lack said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has plans to run for president in 2012.
"She's really considering running," he said, calling her decision to leave her position as governor noble.
"She owes it to the people of Alaska," said Mr. Lack. "Some people do run again even though they plan to run for president; she's showing character."
Mr. Lack said that it is too early for him to support a GOP candidate for the White House, but he insists that Gov. Palin has a special place in the party.
"She gives it that real conscious, polite conservative voice," he said, "and today she would be the leading conservative voice in the party."
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Month-long probe of alleged pot growers, dealers yields arrests : Marijuana worth $800,000 is seized
Morgan Hoover
July 4, 2009 7:44 AM
Marijuana worth $800,000 has been taken off the streets by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, which arrested three men after a month-long investigation into cultivators and dealers.
Michael Shapiro, 69, of Goleta, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and cultivation, possession and transportation of marijuana and released.
Misha Ford, 35, of Summerland was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail on suspicion of conspiracy, cultivation, transportation and possession of marijuana for sale and possession of cocaine.
Donald Bullick, 60, of Montecito, was also released after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales and possession of psilocybin.
During warrant searches of the suspects' homes, more than 400 growing marijuana plants were found in what police are calling "sophisticated gardens." Detectives also seized five pounds of processed marijuana worth an estimated $20,000.
On top of the pot, detectives discovered four grams of cocaine, psilocybin, ecstacy pills and $18,000.
Investigators became aware of the suspects when they intercepted a parcel of marijuana that was being shipped to New York.
Investigators say the growing operation was allegedly outside the provisions of California's Proposition 215 Compassionate Use Act.
During the investigation, Mr. Ford allegedly sold marijuana openly in the presence of an undercover officer and he and Mr. Shapiro are alleged to have shipped pounds of processed marijuana to the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey.
These buds won't hit the streets. They were seized by sheriff's deputies after a probe of suspected pot dealers and cultivators.
Three were arrested in connection with a suspected illegal pot-growing and distribution operation.
July 4, 2009 7:44 AM
Marijuana worth $800,000 has been taken off the streets by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, which arrested three men after a month-long investigation into cultivators and dealers.
Michael Shapiro, 69, of Goleta, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and cultivation, possession and transportation of marijuana and released.
Misha Ford, 35, of Summerland was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail on suspicion of conspiracy, cultivation, transportation and possession of marijuana for sale and possession of cocaine.
Donald Bullick, 60, of Montecito, was also released after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales and possession of psilocybin.
During warrant searches of the suspects' homes, more than 400 growing marijuana plants were found in what police are calling "sophisticated gardens." Detectives also seized five pounds of processed marijuana worth an estimated $20,000.
On top of the pot, detectives discovered four grams of cocaine, psilocybin, ecstacy pills and $18,000.
Investigators became aware of the suspects when they intercepted a parcel of marijuana that was being shipped to New York.
Investigators say the growing operation was allegedly outside the provisions of California's Proposition 215 Compassionate Use Act.
During the investigation, Mr. Ford allegedly sold marijuana openly in the presence of an undercover officer and he and Mr. Shapiro are alleged to have shipped pounds of processed marijuana to the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey.
These buds won't hit the streets. They were seized by sheriff's deputies after a probe of suspected pot dealers and cultivators.
Three were arrested in connection with a suspected illegal pot-growing and distribution operation.
Raytheon contract expected to bring new jobs to Goleta
MORGAN HOOVER, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
July 3, 2009 7:24 AM
Jobs will be brought to Goleta thanks to a new a military contract secured by Raytheon Electronic Systems, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Due to the confidential nature of military agreements, officials were unable to comment on the $166.9 million Navy contract for infrared-guided missiles.
The air-to-air missile contract will reportedly provide Raytheon more than 250 jobs in Tucson, Ariz.; Andover, Mass.; and Goleta.
Raytheon officials were unsure exactly how many jobs the contract will provide or which buildings will be most impacted.
"It's too early to tell," said Lewis Brinson, a Raytheon spokesman. "We haven't made that assessment yet."
July 3, 2009 7:24 AM
Jobs will be brought to Goleta thanks to a new a military contract secured by Raytheon Electronic Systems, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Due to the confidential nature of military agreements, officials were unable to comment on the $166.9 million Navy contract for infrared-guided missiles.
The air-to-air missile contract will reportedly provide Raytheon more than 250 jobs in Tucson, Ariz.; Andover, Mass.; and Goleta.
Raytheon officials were unsure exactly how many jobs the contract will provide or which buildings will be most impacted.
"It's too early to tell," said Lewis Brinson, a Raytheon spokesman. "We haven't made that assessment yet."
S.B. at height of year-round fire season : County Fire captain says fire danger level considered high since June 15
MORGAN HOOVER, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
July 3, 2009 7:22 AM
Fire season is now considered year-round in Santa Barbara and the summer months bring the highest danger level to the area, according to Fire Captain Dave Sadecki.
"We're always in fire season," said Captain Sadecki. "Because of the frequency of fires in our area, we now evaluate it in levels, and we've been at the high level since June 15."
Capt. Sadecki said that the combination of heat, lack of rainfall and low levels of moisture in vegetation is the reason Santa Barbara is now at such risk.
"We've been in a three-year drought," he said.
But, he reminds, there are ways that community members can protect their homes.
"We recommend that people look around their homes, continually keep them updated, keep 100 feet of clearance around their homes and keep their gutters clear," said Capt. Sadecki.
The fire department also asks that residents keep their driveways clear so that in the event of an emergency, a truck can get as close to a structure as possible.
"We look for a box 12 feet wide and 13.5 feet high to drive a fire truck through," said Capt. Sadecki.
Something that many may not consider is the visibility of an address from the road.
"Make sure it's visible from the road so we can get there in an emergency," said Capt. Sadecki.
Santa Barbara residents minimized fire damage in the Tea and Jesusita fires by complying with such regulations.
"The folks of Santa Barbara have been very good historically with that," Capt. Sadecki said. "If it weren't for that, we could have lost more structures."
It is recommended that people maintain precautions year-round and not wait until summer because waiting might make the project too overwhelming or, worse, too late.
"We really want people to chip away at it all year," said Capt. Sadecki.
Because the fires have happened in such close sequence, fuel for the fires is running low.
"There have been fire breaks," said Capt. Sadecki. "I have seen pictures in which the black of the Jesusita fire burned right up against the green that just started growing from the Tea fire."
He said the landscape has significantly changed due to the blazes.
"The vegetation that burned was from like 1964," he said. "It was 20 feet high, and now it's almost like a moonscape. We'll have ten years of low vegetation levels now."
Because July 4 is fast approaching, Capt. Sadecki emphasized the importance of fireworks safety.
"Attend a public display to enjoy it in person," he said. "Amateur fireworks can be dangerous and sometimes deadly. Leave the fireworks shows to the professionals."
The fire department will increase its level of staffing today through Sunday, as the weather is predicted to be warmer and drier than normal, according to a press release from the county's fire department.
July 3, 2009 7:22 AM
Fire season is now considered year-round in Santa Barbara and the summer months bring the highest danger level to the area, according to Fire Captain Dave Sadecki.
"We're always in fire season," said Captain Sadecki. "Because of the frequency of fires in our area, we now evaluate it in levels, and we've been at the high level since June 15."
Capt. Sadecki said that the combination of heat, lack of rainfall and low levels of moisture in vegetation is the reason Santa Barbara is now at such risk.
"We've been in a three-year drought," he said.
But, he reminds, there are ways that community members can protect their homes.
"We recommend that people look around their homes, continually keep them updated, keep 100 feet of clearance around their homes and keep their gutters clear," said Capt. Sadecki.
The fire department also asks that residents keep their driveways clear so that in the event of an emergency, a truck can get as close to a structure as possible.
"We look for a box 12 feet wide and 13.5 feet high to drive a fire truck through," said Capt. Sadecki.
Something that many may not consider is the visibility of an address from the road.
"Make sure it's visible from the road so we can get there in an emergency," said Capt. Sadecki.
Santa Barbara residents minimized fire damage in the Tea and Jesusita fires by complying with such regulations.
"The folks of Santa Barbara have been very good historically with that," Capt. Sadecki said. "If it weren't for that, we could have lost more structures."
It is recommended that people maintain precautions year-round and not wait until summer because waiting might make the project too overwhelming or, worse, too late.
"We really want people to chip away at it all year," said Capt. Sadecki.
Because the fires have happened in such close sequence, fuel for the fires is running low.
"There have been fire breaks," said Capt. Sadecki. "I have seen pictures in which the black of the Jesusita fire burned right up against the green that just started growing from the Tea fire."
He said the landscape has significantly changed due to the blazes.
"The vegetation that burned was from like 1964," he said. "It was 20 feet high, and now it's almost like a moonscape. We'll have ten years of low vegetation levels now."
Because July 4 is fast approaching, Capt. Sadecki emphasized the importance of fireworks safety.
"Attend a public display to enjoy it in person," he said. "Amateur fireworks can be dangerous and sometimes deadly. Leave the fireworks shows to the professionals."
The fire department will increase its level of staffing today through Sunday, as the weather is predicted to be warmer and drier than normal, according to a press release from the county's fire department.
IN BRIEF : LAFCO to take up sphere of influence expansion
July 2, 2009 8:16 AM
COUNTY The Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission will hold a hearing today at 2 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St.
The agenda includes talk of a proposed sphere of influence for the city of Santa Barbara by less than one acre adjacent to Coyote Road and a proposed out of agency service agreement on a single-family home on the aforementioned .78 acre lot.
The purpose of these proposals is to provide sewer service to a home that is being reconstructed after it burned down in the Tea Fire.
"We need to expand the city's sphere of influence so that we can provide this house sewer service," said Bob Braitman, LAFCO Executive Officer, "and we need to annex the property."
Mr. Braitman explained that annexing the property would be a time-consuming process, and because the home will be built before that can occur, a recorded agreement will be made by the property owner that will guarantee the city future annexation.
LAFCO also plans to consider adopting a policy of "out-of-agency service agreements that would determine under what conditions urban services may be extended to agricultural parcels," according to the hearing agenda. This policy consideration comes on the heels of an event in which the city had to annex 22 acres of property in order to provide sewer services to only four acres of that land. "We want to avoid that in the future," said Mr. Braitman. LAFCO will also select a temporary committee regarding its staffing and ratify disbursements for June 2009.
COUNTY The Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission will hold a hearing today at 2 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St.
The agenda includes talk of a proposed sphere of influence for the city of Santa Barbara by less than one acre adjacent to Coyote Road and a proposed out of agency service agreement on a single-family home on the aforementioned .78 acre lot.
The purpose of these proposals is to provide sewer service to a home that is being reconstructed after it burned down in the Tea Fire.
"We need to expand the city's sphere of influence so that we can provide this house sewer service," said Bob Braitman, LAFCO Executive Officer, "and we need to annex the property."
Mr. Braitman explained that annexing the property would be a time-consuming process, and because the home will be built before that can occur, a recorded agreement will be made by the property owner that will guarantee the city future annexation.
LAFCO also plans to consider adopting a policy of "out-of-agency service agreements that would determine under what conditions urban services may be extended to agricultural parcels," according to the hearing agenda. This policy consideration comes on the heels of an event in which the city had to annex 22 acres of property in order to provide sewer services to only four acres of that land. "We want to avoid that in the future," said Mr. Braitman. LAFCO will also select a temporary committee regarding its staffing and ratify disbursements for June 2009.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
JUST THE (NUTRITIONAL) FACTS : State law requires some chain restaurants to tell consumers more about the food they eat
MORGAN HOOVER, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
July 1, 2009 7:26 AM
A state law in effect today requiring large restaurant chains to provide nutrition information to the public for all menu items is being met with mixed reviews.
Beth Mansfield, manager of public relations for Carpinteria-based CKE Restaurants, which runs such popular restaurant chains as Carl's Jr., calls the law heavy-handed.
"It should be up to the consumer to handle their dietary needs," she said.
CKE is complying with the law, however, and pamphlets are provided at every restaurant location bearing complete nutrition information.
Drive-through customers will be made aware of the pamphlets by a notification on the outside menu board.
Mrs. Mansfield said that customers who requested nutrition information in the past were directed to posters, which already hung in the restaurants.
"We also have all the information on our Web site," she said, "so they can build their whole meal ahead of time."
The law applies to chains with 20 or more locations in the state. Its author, state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, said he wrote it that way to prevent placing too much of a burden on smaller family-owned restaurants.
Phase two of the law requires restaurants to list comprehensive nutrition information on menu boards.
Non-compliance with the law can result in fines of up to $500, which is a figure that will be determined by local law enforcement, according to Sen. Padilla's chief of staff, Bill Mabie.
"Typically the county health inspector will be the one to make that call," he said.
McDonald's also has posters of comprehensive nutrition information on its wall.
The popular fast -food pillar has offered the information for several years, and before this new law, offered it in five different ways, according to Danya Proud, a McDonald's spokeswoman.
In a statement she said, "nutrition information is currently available on our Web site, via a toll-free telephone number, on select product packaging, in-restaurant brochures and on the back of trayliners in nearly 14,000 McDonald's restaurants throughout the United States, including California."
At the McDonald's on upper State Street, Manager Gabriela Velazquez said she is ready and excited to make customers more aware of what they eat.
"We don't really have to change anything yet," she said, "but we are already trying something new."
She explained that every McDonald's location already has brochures in place to distribute. The upper State location prints the nutrition information for the meal that is purchased on the back of the receipt.
If it proves successful, the system will be used in surrounding McDonald's locations.
"People think that we want to hide it," said Mrs. Velazquez, "but we don't want to hide it! We want people to know we have healthier options."
She said that although McDonald's has already been offering the information for about 30 years, customers still ask for the information.
"They do it especially with new or promotional products that aren't on the poster yet," she said, "but we have that information separately and give it to them when they ask."
On a personal note, she is also thrilled with the law.
"I think it's a great thing as a consumer," she said. "You wanna know what you're eating, and sometimes I am surprised when I go somewhere that they don't have the information."
California is the first state to require chains to disclose the number of calories in each menu item.
The California Restaurant Association, which initially fought the measure, got on board after a provision was added preventing similar ordinances from being implemented on a local level.
Restaurant-goers have varied opinions about the law.
"It's a good idea because people should know what they're eating," said Terry Lammers, a 34-year resident of Santa Barbara. "They shouldn't assume that people will study it on their own."
Mr. Lammers added that "it might make (Californians) healthier."
Darren Gortz, a tour guide who leads people from all around the world through California, agrees.
"I think it's great!" said Mr. Gortz. "It's always good to know what you're eating."
But some are not as excited for the new laws.
Santa Barbara resident Janice Frecker said she hardly cares about the newly-required transparency.
"I wish we wouldn't even have chain restaurants," she said.
July 1, 2009 7:26 AM
A state law in effect today requiring large restaurant chains to provide nutrition information to the public for all menu items is being met with mixed reviews.
Beth Mansfield, manager of public relations for Carpinteria-based CKE Restaurants, which runs such popular restaurant chains as Carl's Jr., calls the law heavy-handed.
"It should be up to the consumer to handle their dietary needs," she said.
CKE is complying with the law, however, and pamphlets are provided at every restaurant location bearing complete nutrition information.
Drive-through customers will be made aware of the pamphlets by a notification on the outside menu board.
Mrs. Mansfield said that customers who requested nutrition information in the past were directed to posters, which already hung in the restaurants.
"We also have all the information on our Web site," she said, "so they can build their whole meal ahead of time."
The law applies to chains with 20 or more locations in the state. Its author, state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, said he wrote it that way to prevent placing too much of a burden on smaller family-owned restaurants.
Phase two of the law requires restaurants to list comprehensive nutrition information on menu boards.
Non-compliance with the law can result in fines of up to $500, which is a figure that will be determined by local law enforcement, according to Sen. Padilla's chief of staff, Bill Mabie.
"Typically the county health inspector will be the one to make that call," he said.
McDonald's also has posters of comprehensive nutrition information on its wall.
The popular fast -food pillar has offered the information for several years, and before this new law, offered it in five different ways, according to Danya Proud, a McDonald's spokeswoman.
In a statement she said, "nutrition information is currently available on our Web site, via a toll-free telephone number, on select product packaging, in-restaurant brochures and on the back of trayliners in nearly 14,000 McDonald's restaurants throughout the United States, including California."
At the McDonald's on upper State Street, Manager Gabriela Velazquez said she is ready and excited to make customers more aware of what they eat.
"We don't really have to change anything yet," she said, "but we are already trying something new."
She explained that every McDonald's location already has brochures in place to distribute. The upper State location prints the nutrition information for the meal that is purchased on the back of the receipt.
If it proves successful, the system will be used in surrounding McDonald's locations.
"People think that we want to hide it," said Mrs. Velazquez, "but we don't want to hide it! We want people to know we have healthier options."
She said that although McDonald's has already been offering the information for about 30 years, customers still ask for the information.
"They do it especially with new or promotional products that aren't on the poster yet," she said, "but we have that information separately and give it to them when they ask."
On a personal note, she is also thrilled with the law.
"I think it's a great thing as a consumer," she said. "You wanna know what you're eating, and sometimes I am surprised when I go somewhere that they don't have the information."
California is the first state to require chains to disclose the number of calories in each menu item.
The California Restaurant Association, which initially fought the measure, got on board after a provision was added preventing similar ordinances from being implemented on a local level.
Restaurant-goers have varied opinions about the law.
"It's a good idea because people should know what they're eating," said Terry Lammers, a 34-year resident of Santa Barbara. "They shouldn't assume that people will study it on their own."
Mr. Lammers added that "it might make (Californians) healthier."
Darren Gortz, a tour guide who leads people from all around the world through California, agrees.
"I think it's great!" said Mr. Gortz. "It's always good to know what you're eating."
But some are not as excited for the new laws.
Santa Barbara resident Janice Frecker said she hardly cares about the newly-required transparency.
"I wish we wouldn't even have chain restaurants," she said.
Neverland attraction could challenge ag land's primacy : Supervisor says temporary permits closer to a post-Jackson reality at ranch
SCOTT STEEPLETON and MORGAN HOOVER
June 30, 2009 7:00 AM
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Doreen Farr, who represents the district where the sprawling Figueroa Mountain Road property is located, said Monday that the 2,800 acres of land is zoned agriculture -- and because the county is so protective of its ag land, granting a permit to honor the King of Pop in the style that Memphis, Tenn., does for the King of Rock 'n' Roll could take quite a while.
That is if it happens at all.
A more likely scenario, said Mrs. Farr, who described herself as a great fan of Mr. Jackson's, is for the ranch's new owner, Colony Capital LLC, to secure permits for two- or three-day events at the ranch.
Questions about what might happen to the property started the day after the 50-year-old's death, when Tom Barrack, Colony's chairman, posted on his blog: "Neverland itself is now a mythical sanctuary to Michael and we are doing our best to accommodate the throngs of global press and fans arriving there to express their grief."
Then on Saturday, the News-Press was on hand when members of the Jackson family arrived at Neverland -- which, upon Colony's acquisition late last year reverted to its original name, Sycamore Valley Ranch -- for a catered lunch that followed a morning meeting in Los Angeles reportedly focusing on Mr. Jackson's final resting place.
Some have said that should be Neverland.
Speaking to reporters in Solvang, Mrs. Farr said she is not aware of anyone at the county level being contacted about his being laid to rest there. She further explained that such issues are a state matter.
As for whether she'd be in favor of a Neverland tourist spot, Mrs. Farr would not say.
"It would be premature to talk about it."
Since his death June 25, some have wondered whether the future would hold for Mr. Jackson what it held for Elvis Presley, whose only daughter, Lisa Marie, for a time was married to Mr. Jackson: interment at a place he called home.
Graceland, in Memphis, is where Elvis is buried.
Some say Neverland could be the King of Pop's Graceland.
Each year, fans of Mr. Presley undertake massive pilgrimages to Graceland on the anniversaries of his death and his birthday.
If activity at Mr. Jackson's final resting place parallels Mr. Presley's, tourists could descend on Los Olivos and the surrounding area on the King of Pop's birthday, August 29, and the anniversary of his death, June 25.
Tourism officials and some businesses say such a burial for Mr. Jackson at the ranch so long known as Neverland would result in a boom for the tourism in nearby Los Olivos.
"If open to the public, it would certainly become a popular tourist attraction, as Graceland is in Memphis and the Père Lachaise Cemetery is in Paris," said Shannon Brooks of the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission.
"Whether or not Michael Jackson is actually buried at Neverland, the property will be a destination for fans seeking a way to connect with him and pay their respects," she said.
Mary Harris, the executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association released a statement Monday that they "are not involved in plans for Neverland Ranch and respect the privacy of the Jackson family."
Los Olivos businesses could reap the benefits of a Graceland-style attraction.
"Michael Jackson is a phenomenon throughout the world," said Z Darghali, who manages the R Country Market on Grand Avenue. "It would be a hundred times the tourism that it is now."
Still, a boon could prove bittersweet.
"It would be good for business, although I hate to see it come from a situation like that," said Mr. Darghali.
Brooke Jones, a store retailer at Back at the Ranch on Edison Street, said she sees such an attraction as a boon.
"The more people up here, the better business would be," she said.
Not everyone who runs a business in the area is so confident in Neverland's draw.
Chuck Carlson, winemaker general manager at Curtis Winery on Foxen Canyon Road is an example.
"I don't think (business) is going to be affected much at all, to be honest," he said. "I think people who are coming to view something like that, we might get some of them, but I don't think they're going to make that part of their destination."
June 30, 2009 7:00 AM
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Doreen Farr, who represents the district where the sprawling Figueroa Mountain Road property is located, said Monday that the 2,800 acres of land is zoned agriculture -- and because the county is so protective of its ag land, granting a permit to honor the King of Pop in the style that Memphis, Tenn., does for the King of Rock 'n' Roll could take quite a while.
That is if it happens at all.
A more likely scenario, said Mrs. Farr, who described herself as a great fan of Mr. Jackson's, is for the ranch's new owner, Colony Capital LLC, to secure permits for two- or three-day events at the ranch.
Questions about what might happen to the property started the day after the 50-year-old's death, when Tom Barrack, Colony's chairman, posted on his blog: "Neverland itself is now a mythical sanctuary to Michael and we are doing our best to accommodate the throngs of global press and fans arriving there to express their grief."
Then on Saturday, the News-Press was on hand when members of the Jackson family arrived at Neverland -- which, upon Colony's acquisition late last year reverted to its original name, Sycamore Valley Ranch -- for a catered lunch that followed a morning meeting in Los Angeles reportedly focusing on Mr. Jackson's final resting place.
Some have said that should be Neverland.
Speaking to reporters in Solvang, Mrs. Farr said she is not aware of anyone at the county level being contacted about his being laid to rest there. She further explained that such issues are a state matter.
As for whether she'd be in favor of a Neverland tourist spot, Mrs. Farr would not say.
"It would be premature to talk about it."
Since his death June 25, some have wondered whether the future would hold for Mr. Jackson what it held for Elvis Presley, whose only daughter, Lisa Marie, for a time was married to Mr. Jackson: interment at a place he called home.
Graceland, in Memphis, is where Elvis is buried.
Some say Neverland could be the King of Pop's Graceland.
Each year, fans of Mr. Presley undertake massive pilgrimages to Graceland on the anniversaries of his death and his birthday.
If activity at Mr. Jackson's final resting place parallels Mr. Presley's, tourists could descend on Los Olivos and the surrounding area on the King of Pop's birthday, August 29, and the anniversary of his death, June 25.
Tourism officials and some businesses say such a burial for Mr. Jackson at the ranch so long known as Neverland would result in a boom for the tourism in nearby Los Olivos.
"If open to the public, it would certainly become a popular tourist attraction, as Graceland is in Memphis and the Père Lachaise Cemetery is in Paris," said Shannon Brooks of the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission.
"Whether or not Michael Jackson is actually buried at Neverland, the property will be a destination for fans seeking a way to connect with him and pay their respects," she said.
Mary Harris, the executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association released a statement Monday that they "are not involved in plans for Neverland Ranch and respect the privacy of the Jackson family."
Los Olivos businesses could reap the benefits of a Graceland-style attraction.
"Michael Jackson is a phenomenon throughout the world," said Z Darghali, who manages the R Country Market on Grand Avenue. "It would be a hundred times the tourism that it is now."
Still, a boon could prove bittersweet.
"It would be good for business, although I hate to see it come from a situation like that," said Mr. Darghali.
Brooke Jones, a store retailer at Back at the Ranch on Edison Street, said she sees such an attraction as a boon.
"The more people up here, the better business would be," she said.
Not everyone who runs a business in the area is so confident in Neverland's draw.
Chuck Carlson, winemaker general manager at Curtis Winery on Foxen Canyon Road is an example.
"I don't think (business) is going to be affected much at all, to be honest," he said. "I think people who are coming to view something like that, we might get some of them, but I don't think they're going to make that part of their destination."
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