Das' Announcing Statement

[ Announcement given at More Mesa, 1-17-2006 ]

I'm here today to formally announce my campaign for 2nd District Supervisor.

I am deeply concerned that our County has strayed from the balanced perspective that leaders like Bill Wallace and Tom Rodgers fought so hard to establish and uphold.

3 years ago, when I met with people one by one at their door, I said what I meant. Since that time, I have done what I promised.

Right here is the list: I promised to protect open space. To that end I fought the Veronica Meadows project that would have built luxury homes in the creek corridor of
the 2nd District.

I talked about dealing with pollution problems that come from old and decaying sewers. With Councilmember Horton's help, I obtained $2million to address sewer overflows.

I committed to reducing pesticides in City Parks, and we now have 97% of city parkland virtually pesticide free.

I promised to fight for neighborhoods, and I made sure neighborhoods were represented in the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance update, upheld our setback requirements, and said no to the wrong kinds of development.

One reason I know being an environmentalist and neighborhood preservationist is important is because everyone claims to be one at election time. Unfortunately, in politics there is sometimes a gap between word and deed.

I am the candidate with a proven track record you can trust, one of working to improve water quality, preserving neighborhoods and open space, and making it possible for more people to use our transit system.

As I work on local solutions to our most pressing problems, more often then not, I have found root causes that originate in regional land-use & transportation planning. To make real headway on the issues of open space preservation, traffic reduction, and pollution requires effective advocacy at the Board of Supervisors level.

I am running to serve the people of the 2nd District on these same issues.

I grew up in the Goleta Valley, and I started my public service 13 years ago walking precincts for Bill Wallace. When a pro-growth majority seized control of the Board of Supervisors, it was painful to watch places that I loved be bulldozed and developed. We can't get those special places back again, but we can and we must stop this trend. What was done to western Goleta, it seems the Board majority has accepted will happen to the Gaviota Coast, open space areas like More Mesa, and the our urban ag lands that characterize the 2nd District. LANE farms, Fairview gardens, San Marcos growers and many others These farms are a part of our history and way of life in the Goleta Valley. We must fight to ensure that natural space is preserved and that local farms remain viable businesses that sustain our regional food supply.

Those of you who know me, know that I work very hard to make sure my constituents have a representative they can count on, who wont shy away from controversy if I can help them, and who will engage in honorable opposition to policies that threaten our quality of life. I am honored by the endorsements I have from men and women like Bill Wallace, Hannah-Beth Jackson, my colleagues on the City Council, and neighborhood and environmental leaders. I have a proven record of standing by my values and vision even in the face of opposition. With your help, I will continue to serve, and to stand up for all of the 2nd district.