Navy League Hoodwink

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article on 8/17/2005 ]

Fee waived for visit by USS Reagan

By SCOTT STEEPLETON
NEWS-PRESS SENIOR WRITER

Unaware Dr. Laura offered to cover tax, Santa Barbara council makes one-time exemption


The Navy League got part of its wish Tuesday when the City Council agreed 4-2 to waive a controversial tax in connection with this week's visit of the USS Ronald Reagan.

Supporters had argued for lifting the waterfront service fee for all port stops by military vessels, but the council passed the broader question of fee-free future visits over to the Harbor Commission and other city agencies.

Whether waiving the fee for the Reagan was even necessary became an issue on Tuesday after Navy League representatives took their plea to the council without mentioning that earlier in the day, radio talk show host Laura Schlessinger had pledged $30,000 to cover the fee...

Not knowing of the generous offer, the council went on to OK the waiver for the visit of the Reagan, Friday through Sunday, and a small Coast Guard cutter in September. In the case of the Reagan, the disputed fee is in connection with ferrying people between the ship and shore.

Casting the yes votes on a motion made by Councilman Roger Horton were Mayor Marty Blum, Dan Secord, Iya Falcone and Mr. Horton.

Das Williams and Helene Schneider said no. Brian Barnwell was absent.

Despite loud applause following the vote, Connie Los, local Navy League president, still was not satisfied.

"They threw us a bone," she said. "I think it's shameful."

But, that Ms. Los made no mention of the donation was not exactly welcome news to Mr. Williams.

"It just proves to me that the public and the council were hoodwinked," he told the News-Press following the meeting. "It seems to me a power play has been made."

The mayor, who was among the yes votes, echoed Mr. Williams' sentiment.

"You can only hoodwink somebody one time," Mrs. Blum said. "They got one shot at us. Let's stop there."

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Fee waived for visit by USS Reagan