Victories and Victors

[ Excerpted from: "Triumphant Democrats Gather to Hail Victories and Victors - Awards are handed out left and right — er, left — at annual Roosevelt-Hamer Dinner," By Kenny Lindberg, Noozhawk, 06.28.2009 ]


Celebrating last year’s historic victories for the party, the Santa Barbara Democratic Party held its 2009 Roosevelt-Hamer Dinner on Saturday to honor members’ contributions and build on the grassroots efforts that led to sweeping success in 2008.

The event at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club-Rockwood was hosted by former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson...

Jackson... introduced the many dignitaries present, including Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum; Goleta Mayor Roger Aceves; Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara; and Frank Kelly, founder of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and a former speechwriter for President Harry S. Truman.

Santa Barbara Democratic Party chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall then took the floor and discussed the importance of grassroots campaigns...

Capps then told guests about the new energy bill she helped get through the House of Representatives on Friday, and how the initiative will help the nation by reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 80 percent by 2050.

Awards were then handed out, and Gina Fisher was the first recipient, earning the Democratic Future Award, for her activism as a member of the UCSB Campus Democrats...

The Democratic Leadership Award went to Cheryl Hermann for her grassroots effort to try to recruit liberal voters from the Santa Ynez Valley...

The Democratic Values Award, presented to the elected official who has gone the extra mile to help grow and support the grassroots effort, was awarded to Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams, who is running for an Assembly seat.

“He has always demonstrated outstanding Democratic leadership,” said presenter Vibiana Saavedra, treasurer of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party. “He is truly passionate about grassroot activities.”

Williams thanked his volunteers, then briefly discussed California’s chronic budget woes, saying that “the problems aren’t going to be solved by the governor and not by the Legislature ... it will be solved by grassroots (efforts) to get rid of the two-thirds majority.”

He was referring to the two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature that is required to raise taxes or to overturn a veto by the governor. Democrats are just short of the margin in both the state Senate and the Assembly in Sacramento.

The California Teachers Association was the recipient of the Solidarity Award, for its efforts this past year, including its support of the “No on Prop. 8” campaign in the battle over same-sex marriage.

The last speaker was California Democratic Party vice chairman Eric Bauman, whose loud speech drew frequent applause from the audience...

Bauman’s speech was briefly interrupted when lifelong Democrat Elissa Rubin rose and asked him if he took any donations from corporations. Bauman told Rubin that he wasn’t running for anything, then finished off by reiterating the importance that Democratic Party grassroots efforts will play in the next election cycle.

Rubin said later that there needs to be campaign finance reform because “as long as Republicans and Democrats take donations from corporations nothing is going to change, no matter who is president.”

... The sold-out fundraising dinner [is] named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt and civil rights activist and pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer...

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For full text, please go to:

NOOZHAWK: Triumphant Democrats Gather to Hail Victories and Victors

Mike Stoker Responds

In case you did not see this press release from Mike Stoker, please read on...

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From: Mike Stoker for Assembly 2010
Re: Endorsement of Hanna Beth Jackson of Das Williams
Date: June 24, 2009
Contact; Mike Stoker (805) 478-4975


The following is a statement Mike Stoker released today commenting on the endorsement of Hanna Beth Jackson of SB City Councilman Das Williams:

"I congratulate Das on his endorsement by Hanna Beth Jackson. However it should be noted that Hanna Beth has been dubbed the Queen of Taxes and hence the nickname Taxin Jackson. has picked up the endorsement form the Queen of Taxes herself, Taxin Jackson. And Das has been following in her footsteps ever since his first job for Hanna Beth as one of her field representatives.

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This is exactly why I decided to run for office so the voters would have a choice of more of the same by politicians who want to keep taking money out of our pocketbook's which is what Das and Hanna Beth believe we should do vs. getting a reality check and pursuing policies that will require the state to live within its means. (I issued a statement last month expressing specifying what real solutions the state should pursue at this time and will provide to you upon request to mikestoker@aol.com.)

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Bottom line, me and the vast majority of people in the 35th Assembly District get it and we all voted no to Prop. 1A-1E last month in the special election. (67% voted NO!) Taxin Jackson and her young protege Das Williams didn't get, and still don't, and voted yes. Should we be surprised that Das has teamed up with Taxin Jackson to make his run for the Assembly seat? Absolutely not. I would have been shocked if Taxin Jackson supported anyone other than Das. The race really comes down to two choices....more of the same that got our state into this mess or real solutions requiring fiscal restraint and spending caps as to restore California to the prosperous state it once was?"

Balanced City Budget

NEWS RELEASE, City of Santa Barbara, Contact: Nina Johnson, Assistant to the City Administrator, Phone: 805-564-5307, NJohnson@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS BALANCED BUDGET

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 6/24/09

After two months of deliberations, the City Council unanimously adopted a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2010 on June 23, 2009. The budget includes a total operating budget of $238 million and a capital budget totaling $22 million. The General Fund operating budget is $104 million, providing funding for police, fire, parks, recreation, library, community development, and administrative services.

The City faced an estimated $10.8 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, representing approximately 10% of the General Fund operating budget. The budget was balanced with a combination of reduced costs and enhanced revenue, involving the following measures: 1) department budget reductions; 2) citywide labor measures; 3) increased fees and charges; 4) structural budget changes; and 5) delays to capital improvements.

While most programs and services will continue, the public can anticipate some service changes. All departments will reduce spending on supplies, services, and training. With a hiring freeze in effect and employee positions reduced through attrition, 41.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee positions will be eliminated in the upcoming year. Delays in processing and longer wait times may be noticed at public counters.

Significant cost savings will be achieved through citywide labor measures. These measures include a 104-hour furlough or unpaid leave for managers, supervisors, and general employees over the December holiday and five other dates throughout the year. As a result, administrative offices and non-emergency facilities will close to the public on specified dates.

To generate additional revenue, the City will pursue collection of the transient occupancy and business license taxes for vacation rentals and begin a late payment fee for utility payments. Fee increases are planned for parking citations, vehicle release, building permits, land development applications, dog licenses, and park and facility events hosted by commercial businesses. When appropriate, General Fund costs will be shifted to Enterprise Fund operations where user fee revenue should support such expenses.

Several capital improvement projects will be delayed to curtail spending in the upcoming year. The City’s planned capital improvement program for General Fund facilities was reduced to $600,000, providing funds for the Shoreline Park Safety Improvement Project, Lower Mesa Lane Steps Replacement, Oak Park Restroom Renovation, and other major projects.

Department budget reductions comprise the largest portion of the balancing measures. These cost reductions will result in limited purchases of library books and materials, decreased efficiency in zoning enforcement, and less frequent tree pruning and park maintenance activities. While school crossing guard services will no longer be provided by the City, the Police Department will work with the School District, parents, and volunteers to continue the service.

Recreation opportunities will be scaled back with fewer Concerts in the Park events this summer, cancellation of the Senior Tour Program, and closure of the Lower Westside Center. The 1235 Teen Center will be closed on Saturdays and the Oak Park Wading Pool will remain closed. Thanks to a fundraising commitment by the Friends of Los Banos, the planned elimination of the free recreation swim program at Ortega Park Pool and Sunday lap swim at Los Banos Pool will be restored.

Financial assistance to community organizations will decrease by 8.4%, the same percentage adjustment as City departments. By Council action, the Conference and Visitors Bureau and New Beginnings will continue to receive funding at current levels.

The City Council adopted the budget and acknowledged that the future of the City’s financial condition remains uncertain, as major tax revenues continue to decline and the state budget deficit is unresolved. The Council expressed an interest in becoming a smaller, more efficient organization and revisiting the adopted budget in upcoming months to make modifications if needed.

Videos of Council budget discussions are available on the City’s website at: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov. When completed, the final budget document will be made available to the public at the City’s website, the City Clerk’s Office at 735 Anacapa Street, and the Public Library at 40 E. Anapamu Street.

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See also:

SB Independent: Leaking Budget - "It’s a budget that already has a $1.4 million hole in it." City finance czar Bob Peirson

DAILY SOUND: Budget Balanced For Now - “I’ve never seen it like this. This is my 14th year on the council and it’s never been like this. It’s very worrisome. We don’t see an end to the recession. I don’t think we’ve bottomed out yet.” Mayor Marty Blum

NOOZHAWK: Deficit Looms - “Tonight is not the time to start putting things back in the budget when we don’t even know what the deficit is,” Councilmember Roger Horton - “All the departments have made their best recommendations as to what services to keep to the public as a whole, and I think we should honor that.” Councilmember Grant House - “I think what we’re all saying is that as hard as this year was, we’re nowhere near over trying to figure out the full structural deficit of the city’s budget.” Councilmember Helene Schneider

Hannah-Beth Jackson 4 DAS

A Message from Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (Ret.):

PLEASE JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING DAS WILLIAMS
FOR STATE ASSEMBLY


Dear Friends,

California is in a time of crisis. As the state faces a growing budget deficit, cuts to schools, a shrinking economy and continued environmental challenges, we need a State Assemblymember who can face these challenges head-on and bring real change to Sacramento.

That is why I urge you to join me in supporting Das Williams for California State Assembly District 35.

I was honored to represent the 35th District for 6 years, and I know that Das has the right experience and leadership to be an effective advocate for our interests in Sacramento. I have known and worked with Das for over a decade -- working on issues ranging from the environment and education to economic justice and women’s rights. As a Santa Barbara City Councilmember, he understands first-hand how decisions-made-in-Sacramento affect people in their daily lives.

Das has taken an independent, results-oriented approach while on the Santa Barbara City Council. Under his leadership, the city has balanced budgets, saved for the future, and expanded after-school programs. Das spearheaded initiatives that have made Santa Barbara a model green city, while working with many up and down the Central Coast to protect local businesses and jobs; ensuring working folks get fair and equal pay. It is this kind of innovative and creative leadership that Das will bring to Sacramento.

Das will bring new energy, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to the Democratic values reflective in our community -- values which are desperately needed in Sacramento.

Das’ campaign for the Assembly is in a critical stage. Das is already off to a strong start. We need to maintain momentum by continuing to show that his supporters are willing to step up to the plate with the dollars that are necessary to run a winning campaign. The first deadline to donate is June 30, 2009.

Use the ActBlue form below to make a contribution today. Help bring new energy, new ideas, and real change to Sacramento by donating today.

Sincerely,


Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (Ret.)

My contribution: $

P.S. Please spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors by forwarding this message.

For more information about the campaign and volunteer opportunities please email Das at daswilliams2010@gmail.com - Das is also on Facebook and Twitter

Hanna-Beth and Das Working Together, 2003