2nd District Campaign

[ Excerpt from SB Independent, 4/27/2006, article by Nick Welsh ]

... The four candidates vying for the 2nd District supervisor seat struggled to define their differences on slippery issues of growth control, congestion management, and maintaining the South Coast quality of life at a Monday night debate hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Citizens Planning Foundation. Das Williams presented himself as the second coming of Bill Wallace — a former county supervisor who was the godfather of Goleta’s slow-growth movement — and promised to fight the pro-growth board majority. Joe Guzzardi — the no-growth county emergency planner — countered, saying the real future Williams envisioned for the South Coast resembled Manhattan, replete with high-rise buildings, abundant taxicabs, and buses that run every 10 minutes. Williams conceded he supported the latter as a method of alleviating congestion.

Dan Secord — the sole Republican contender and a former Santa Barbara city councilmember — sought to counteract his “Developer Dan” tag; he pointed out that during his 17 years of public service, he’d been culturally steeped in one of the world’s slowest growth communities, and said he supported preserving the Gaviota Coast, Goleta Beach, and More Mesa. But Williams interjected that Secord — as a coastal commissioner — had voted for development on More Mesa. Williams and Secord were briefly united in the belief that growth and congestion are caused by the chronic imbalance between jobs and housing.

Janet Wolf — a former Goleta School boardmember — plugged coveted endorsements she recently secured from the County Firefighters and Women’s Political Committee. Wolf was also the most outspoken supporter of a controversial plan to build affordable housing for firefighters, nurses, and other responders on agriculturally zoned land in the Cathedral Oaks and Turnpike areas. Guzzardi — who works for the County Fire Department — charged Wolf’s endorsement was arranged by sitting supervisor Susan Rose, and claimed he was the only candidate not beholden to special interests. He said the South Coast’s political leaders have rolled over for developers eager to cash in on population growth. The election is June 6. Barring the unlikely event that any candidate wins a simple majority, the top two vote-getters will go head-to-head in November.

The Santa Barbara Independent :: news :: 2nd District Elbow Toss

Harbor Parking Fees

[ Excerpt from SB Independent, 4/27/2006, article by Nick Welsh ]

... Angry boat owners crowded the City Council chambers Tuesday to protest a proposed five percent increase in harbor slip fees, managing to delay action by the Santa Barbara City Council’s Finance Committee. The slip fee controversy arose after Councilmembers Das Williams and Helene Schneider expressed concern that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department was subsidizing the ostensibly self-sufficient Waterfront Department. Parks and Recreation spends $186,000 a year to groom waterfront beaches and maintain its landscaping. Williams and Schneider hoped some of the savings from withdrawing this assistance could fund the labor-intensive work of organic pest control in city parks.

But Harbor Commissioner Frank Kelly argued such a fee increase would accelerate Santa Barbara’s conversion into a “country club harbor” by chasing out middle-class boat owners. Kelly proposed allowing the beaches to remain in their natural state, eliminating the costs of beach grooming altogether. If City Hall wants money to maintain the beaches, he suggested picking tourists’ pockets, since they — not the slip holders — are most likely to use the beaches. Finally, Kelly and others noted that the Waterfront Department was bracing itself for the withdrawal of federal funds used to pay for harbor dredging, which will add another $1.5 million to the Waterfront’s annual payroll. He also suggested the Waterfront Department yield control — and the revenues — of several beachfront parking lots east of Stearns Wharf, which he estimated would yield roughly $150,000 for the Parks Department. That option will be discussed in more detail next week. “I was expecting to get lynched between here and my office,” Williams said. “I was ready for it, ready to fight. I’m still ready to fight, but I’m also willing to listen.”

The Santa Barbara Independent :: news :: Tea Party Averted


(Image courtesy of http://www.zinkwazi.com/blog/images/_dsc1301-1.jpg)

Balanced Budget / Slip Fees

[ Excerpt from SB Independent, 4/20/2006 ]

SLIP FEE BATTLE ON THE HORIZON

The good news is that the City of Santa Barbara’s proposed budget – unveiled Tuesday – is balanced for the first time in five years; the bad news is that a major showdown is brewing between harbor boat owners and City Hall regarding a proposed four percent hike in slip fees. City budget chief Robert Peirson explained city revenues were $2.3 million higher than anticipated and costs were $1.8 million less; as a result, the “adjustments” required – $500,000 worth – were far less than feared. Peirson said city department heads have figured out how to bridge that gap by increasing revenues and cutting costs without cutting services. To that end, Councilmembers Helene Schneider and Das Williams suggested the Waterfront Department shoulder the cost – $186,000 – of sweeping the city’s beaches, typically borne by Parks and Recreation. In turn, the Waterfront director proposed an increase in slip fees, angering the Harbor Commission and boat owners, who are preparing for a political battle.

The Santa Barbara Independent :: news :: SLIP FEE BATTLE ON THE HORIZON:

Parking / Slip Fees

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by Joshua Molina, 4/26/2006 ]

Tensions flare at City Hall over harbor slip fees


An unusually rowdy and hostile crowd filled the City Council chambers on Tuesday, lashing out against a city plan to balance its $99 million budget by raising slip fees for people with boats in the harbor.

The three-member Finance Committee discussed whether to make the Waterfront Department pay $186,000 in beach cleanup costs. The plan has infuriated harbor users, some of whom shouted insults at committee members, prompting Councilman Roger Horton to tell them to be quiet or leave, and Councilwoman Helene Schneider to lose her cool briefly.

The issue has brought out sharp differences between harbor users and top city officials over the best way to spend public money...

In addition to the policy debate over the harbor, further driving the political intrigue in this debate is Councilman Das Williams, who is trying to balance the sometimes conflicting roles of councilman and candidate for 2nd District county supervisor.

He has been the chief proponent of the plan and some harbor officials and their advocates have made his campaign an issue. The waterfront stretches into the 2nd District...

"Politically, nobody wants controversy right before an election," said Mr. Williams. "But I made a promise to the people of Santa Barbara that I was going to balance the budget and that is what I am going to do."

Harbor slip holders always object when the city raises their fees. The fees went up twice in the last five years. John Bridley, Waterfront Department manager, has said that he will raise the fees by 5 percent if the city makes his department pay for beach cleanup. Those services are currently paid out of the city's general fund, which pays for police, fire, parks and recreation and other services.

Much of the problem stems from the unusual funding situation the city has set up. The Waterfront Department collects $659,000 in annual revenue from people who park in waterfront lots. Most of those people use the beach, but the money to clean up the beaches comes from the city's general fund, not the Waterfront Department.

Mr. Williams and his colleague and political ally Helene Schneider think that practice should stop.

"We can't be continuing to give you all the revenue for this while the Parks and Recreation Department gets all the costs," Mr. Williams said.

Harbor users, however, said that it is illogical to make people who use the harbor exclusively pay for beach cleanup.

"Forcing the boat owners to pay for the beaches is like taxation without representation," said Gary Longaberger, who has a harbor slip for his boat.

Some of the biting comments were also directed at Ms. Schneider, who was visibly flustered when people from the audience started hurling comments at her, saying that she and the committee were not listening to harbor users. At one point, her face turned red and her voice quivered at the suggestion that she didn't understand the working people of the harbor.

"I am fully aware of the type of people who live and work at the harbor," Ms. Schneider said sharply. After the meeting, she said the comments directed at her were rude.

Observing closely from the back of the Council Chambers was Councilwoman Iya Falcone, the council's No. 1 harbor advocate and Mr. Williams' No. 1 rival. The two council members no longer speak to each other after she perceived him as quarterbacking an unsuccessful campaign by many liberals to oust her from office last November.

With Mr. Williams running for office now, the political pressure is going in the other direction...

Without mentioning Mr. Williams by name, Ms. Falcone questioned the motives of people who said they wanted to balance the budget by making the waterfront pay for beach cleanup...

Mr. Williams said it would be easier for him not bring the issue up so close to the election. But he said he will "fight" to balance the budget.

"I am going to work as hard as I can to fulfill my promises," he said.

e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com

Santa Barbara News-Press


(image courtesy of Santa Barbara County)

Candidate Differences

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by Barney McManigal, 4/25/2006 ]


... County supervisor candidates faced off in a heated forum Monday night, sparring over the state growth mandate, traffic and the North County conservatives who dominate the Board of Supervisors.

Before a crowd of 80 at the Goleta Valley Community Center, Janet Wolf, Das Williams, Dan Secord and Joe Guzzardi answered several surprise questions aimed to test candidates who often say similar things about the environment and growth...

Hosts from the Citizens Planning Foundation and League of Women Voters asked candidates to explain their positions on a state growth law that would require more than 1,240 high-density homes in the county.

Mr. Williams and Mr. Guzzardi have endorsed defying the law, a move that would leave the county open to court-ordered sanction and risk losing several million in state and federal housing money...

"There are ways to resist the dysfunctional aspects of the (mandate)," said Mr. Williams, who criticized the fact that rezoning land at higher densities would make it more desirable for builders.

Mr. Guzzardi described the mandate as "bad law," and accused Mr. Williams of reversing his position.

Mr. Williams previously did not support resisting the mandate [This is not true. Please see Das' original candidate statements "01-Why I'm Running," "05-Housing," "06-Goleta Community Plan" all written and posted prior to Joe Gazzardi's declaration of candidacy].

... Ms. Wolf and Dr. Secord criticized the law, but urged officials to affirm the law by voting yes on the 2003-08 housing element.

"The period of certifying the housing element has ended," said Ms. Wolf, who said supervisors need to focus on reforming the policy in the future.

Dr. Secord also supported changing the law...

When asked what they would do to cut traffic, all declared their support for renewing Measure D, a sales tax for road repairs that would fund a widening of Highway 101.

All of the candidates said they would reach out to the three North County supervisors who control the board.

But Mr. Williams said he would also stand up to them.

The supervisor hopefuls also cut their teeth on a suggestion made recently by 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, that the county consider creating a new community in North County to absorb unwanted growth across the region.

All except Ms. Wolf leaned against the project, saying that it would create a new bedroom community and exacerbate traffic...

Organizers said they struggled to differentiate between the candidates because they all speak glowingly about the environment and warn against overdevelopment...

e-mail: bmcmanigal@newspress.com

Santa Barbara News-Press

Parking @ The Harbor

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by Joshua Molina, 4/24/2006 ]

Plan to raise fees peeves boat owners


Boat owners are angry over a city plan to increase slip fees for people who park their vessels in the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Several of the owners, along with members of the city's Harbor Commission, are lashing out against the proposal, saying the city is unfairly targeting harbor slip owners in an attempt to balance its $99 million general fund budget for 2007.

"They have the feeling that the city is trying to pick their pockets," said Craig Cody, speaking on behalf of some slip holders. Mr. Cody lives on a $72,000, 36-foot-long boat in the harbor.

The conflict centers around a high-stakes proposal to make the waterfront department pay for annual beach cleanup, about $186,000. Those costs are paid out of the city's general fund, essentially made up of sales, property and hotel bed-taxes.

The city would like to make the waterfront department -- a separate, financially self-sustaining city department -- pay for beach cleanup to free up cash in the general fund, which has faced budget deficits in recent years.

John Bridley, manager of the waterfront department, has said he will pass those beach cleanup costs on to slip holders, in the form of a 5 percent increase...

Some members of the City Council pushing the plan, however, say that since the waterfront department gets the parking revenue from people who park at the beach, it is only logical that the department pay to clean the beach.

The proposal to make the waterfront department pay for cleanup came from Santa Barbara City Council members Das Williams and Helene Schneider, who were looking to balance the city's proposed 2007 budget without spending reserves.

They believe that harbor slip owners reap financial benefits in the form of lower slip fees because the waterfront department collects parking revenue from people who park at beachfront lots -- but don't necessarily use the harbor.

"All of the taxpayers of the city are subsidizing waterfront operations," Mr. Williams said. "That subsidy has to end. If that subsidy is ended, we will balance the city budget. The stakes are very high."

Ms. Schneider said the fundamental question is whether the $186,000 should go toward harbor users only or be spent for things that benefit everyone, such as the library, and fire and police departments, areas paid from general fund dollars. For her, the answer is simple.

"By putting that money back into the general fund, we will be better able to service the entire city in a way that is equitable," Ms. Schneider said...

For many slip holders, the latest proposal to raise fees is over the top. Already, they are frustrated with the waterfront department's decision to increase them by 4 percent in 2001, 2003 and 3 percent in 2005. Fees are set to go up again by 3 percent in 2008.

Further, some slip holders are upset that the waterfront department built a $3.3 million building on prime oceanfront real estate in the harbor to provide offices for department managers and commercial tenants last year. They believe that the increased slip fees are paying for that building, which was opposed by many in the harbor community.

"The administration can look out the window and watch the docks crumble," said Mr. Cody.

He has lived on his boat since 1994. "Initially it was to save money to buy a house," Mr. Cody said. "When houses were $300,000, not $1.3 million. But I have actually begun to enjoy the lifestyle."

... The harbor has 1,133 slips, and 104 people live aboard their boats. Slip fees vary depending on the size of the boat. The larger the boat, the higher the fee...

Slip holders say that since many tourists visit the beach, that cleanup should be paid for out of hotel bed-tax funds.

"What was the bed tax for?" asked Sherry Lutz, a slip holder who said she raised two daughters while living on a boat in the harbor...

Some people believe the slip fee increases will drive people away from the harbor.

"You are going to end up pushing people out," said Helene Webb, who has two slips in the harbor and runs a charter sailing business.

"It's their home. It's their job."

e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com

Santa Barbara News-Press


( aerial image courtesy of http://bio.sbcc.net/ )

Teen Center

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by Joshua Molina, 4/19/2006 ]

Teens chide City Council for delaying youth center


... In a rare display of humility, members of the City Council admitted on Tuesday that they failed many teenagers by not making the building of a teen center at 1235 Chapala St. a high priority. The center is still not open, two years after the council originally approved the plan.

"You certainly put us on notice -- again," said Councilwoman Helene Schneider. "Now it is up to the city to deliver. We need to move forward as swiftly and efficiently as we can."

About 20 youngsters attended Tuesday's council meeting to pressure the members to speed up their efforts to fund and build the center. The council asked that the city staff work to open the center before January of 2007, as is currently planned.

"The teens of our beautiful and well-run city deserve the best possible teen center," said Christina Gonzalez. "This community needs a teen center. Too many kids come home to a negative environment."

Teens -- known as the iGeneration because they have never known life without the Internet -- have spoken at council meetings several times during the last two years to request that the city build the center.

The center would feature a sound studio and mixing room. Young people could also shoot pool or play video games in the arcade, and there would be places for people to study or just lounge around and talk.

Teens could also play Foosball, air hockey or listen to the jukebox.

Including the furniture, the project is expected to cost just over $600,000, which would be funded by the city and through fundraising by teens.

The council members showered the teens with praise for speaking out for their cause. Some of them thanked Councilman Das Williams for reaching out to the group. Mr. Williams says the teen center could help reduce gang activity and methamphetamine use.

"Anybody who thinks it is easy to be a teen and get through that part of life without a few mess-ups is kidding themselves," Mr. Williams said.

The teens agreed...

e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com

Santa Barbara News-Press

Goleta City Housing Plan

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by THOMAS SCHULTZ, 4/18/2006 ]

Goleta's housing policies rejected


For the second time in two years, California officials have rejected the city of Goleta's effort to craft a plan for housing policy, saying the latest draft does not comply with state law.

While the housing section of the city's draft general plan for growth, resubmitted to state regulators Jan. 27 -- after more than eight months of rewriting -- "addresses many statutory requirements," according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development, "additional revision is needed for the element to comply."

Any "revisions" likely will swirl around what percentage of affordable housing the city expects -- city leaders selected 55 percent, a provocative amount that meets one interpretation of what the state has called for but which developers say ignores market realities.

If the final version of the housing element isn't certified, it could land the city in court or render it unable to legally make land-use decisions...

On Wednesday, the city kicks off a series of public hearings on its draft general plan, with housing to figure heavily in the discussions...

At the center of... concerns is an "inclusionary" housing rule that 55 percent of development on five properties along the Hollister Avenue corridor be affordable -- a record rate higher than that found in any of the state's 477 other cities or its 58 counties, where inclusionary programs typically target 15 percent to 20 percent of a project for affordability.

Mandated by California to plan for 2,388 new homes, Goleta focuses the bulk of that building on or around Hollister, at 20 units per acre on some sites.

In approving the 55 percent rule late last year, the city's slow-growth council majority said it was an honest and realistic approach to obtaining the very low-, low- and moderate-income housing opportunities Goleta needs...

In its letter to Goleta sent late last month, the state said the city must further study whether its inclusionary housing plan constrains overall housing construction: "Because these sites represent five of the city's key multifamily development opportunities, the element must be expanded to include an analysis."

State officials also expressed concern that Goleta's housing policies are in conflict with other sections of the general plan, which also focuses on traffic, noise and conservation. And they said the housing plan must be expanded to include more definitive implementation time lines...

When Goleta received its mandated state housing allocation in 2002, it was instructed that 24 percent of the total should go to very low-income workers, 17 percent to low-income workers and 14 percent to moderate-income workers -- numbers that closely resemble similar instructions given to the entire county.

In turn, Goleta in its 55 percent rule precisely applied these percentages to areas between Los Carneros and Storke roads. Other areas of the city are targeted for a 30 percent inclusionary program.

"This isn't outlandish," [council member] ... Jack Hawxhurst said in December. "It's just saluting the state. The state would have to disavow its own rules to disprove us. Should all these threats of lawsuits come to pass in the future, I guess I'd rather be standing in front of the judge having done this than anything else I can think of."

On Monday, Mr. Hawxhurst took issue with the notion that the latest housing plan was "rejected" by the state.

"That isn't the way I interpreted it," he said.

"The tone of their letter was significantly more moderate than the first go-round (in April 2005)," Mr. Hawxhurst noted, adding the state this time "asked for various things to be embellished."

"To me, they were asking for stuff that would normally be in ordinances that follow the general plan," he said...

e-mail: tschultz@newspress.com


-----------------------------------------------------


WHAT'S HAPPENING COUNTYWIDE

Like Goleta, Santa Barbara County is revising its housing policies while searching for spots to locate 1,240 new homes in unincorporated areas.

The state-mandated process has proven to be highly contentious, particularly across the 2nd District, which spans the Goleta Valley.

Joe Guzzardi, a candidate for 2nd District supervisor, on Monday said one lesson to be learned from Goleta's situation is that an inclusionary housing policy that is too steep will not work.

"That would get the county in the same conundrum," he said. Moreover, "we need to fight the mandate and gain local control."

Candidate Dan Secord said the county should not follow Goleta's lead.

"I would hope that the county would not go the direction that Goleta went, because it is untenable. It is unrealistic," he said. "You've got to look at the world like it is. If you choose to look at the world like it is, then 55 percent isn't going to work."

Candidate Das Williams, on the other hand, said the state was wrong to reject Goleta's vision.

"If the state has us rezone land so that it's worth more, I think its perfectly appropriate for us to ask that more affordable homes be built there," he said. "Some people will complain about any requirement. You have to truth test it. Remember that the rezoned land is already providing a benefit to those landowners. I think that people can do it."

Candidate Janet Wolf said she was sure Goleta will work on its plan in good faith. "I'm confident that the city of Goleta will take into account what the state has told them."

- THOMAS SCHULTZ

Santa Barbara News-Press

Granada Theatre & The Arts

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by JOSHUA MOLINA, 4/18/2006 ]


Santa Barbara's grand Granada Theatre moved a step closer to reaching its $50 million fundraising goal, but the City Council on Monday also sent a clear message that smaller arts venues are equally important.

In a special Monday afternoon meeting, the council handed out $8.8 million in redevelopment money -- much of it to arts groups.

Some of the city's most influential power brokers were in the audience -- Michael Towbes, Hal Conklin and Marshall Rose -- to lobby for funds for the Granada Theatre. The city gave the group $1.5 million -- $1 million less than what the board had originally requested, on top of the $3 million the city gave the theater a couple of years ago...

Monday's three-hour meeting was civil with lots of compliments thrown around in multiple directions, but Granada supporters made clear to the council that kicking in more money to fund the restoration of the historic theater was practically a civic obligation.

The business community contends that the city has neglected merchants on the 900 block of State Street and higher ever since Paseo Nuevo was built on the 700 block. Tourists and locals, they contend, mostly flock to the mall, zapping the energy from upper State Street and feeding it to the downtown and lower areas...

Underneath the surface was a feeling among some arts groups and council members that the Granada supporters were pressuring the city into giving more cash and that the movers and shakers who are in charge of raising money were feeling a sense of entitlement.

The eight-story majestic theater is one of Santa Barbara's landmarks. Built in 1924, supporters intend to restore the theater to its original luster...

All of the council members are supportive of the Granada's restoration, but only Roger Horton pushed to give the project more than the $1.5 million.

"We gave $3 million already," said Councilwoman Helene Schneider. "That's a significant amount of money. "I think for now I am fine with the ($1.5 million).''

Councilman Das Williams also brought up the 570-space Granada Garage and asked that the supporters of the theater acknowledge one of the main reasons the council built the garage -- to provide plenty of inexpensive parking for arts patrons.

"I wouldn't have voted for the Granada Garage if it were not for the needs of this facility," Mr. Williams said. "Normally big parking structures don't get me right here," pointing to his heart.

In addition to the Granada Theatre, the city also gave $1.5 million to the Trust for Historic Preservation, which is partnering with the Ensemble Theatre to renovate the Alhecama Theatre on Santa Barbara Street...

The council also gave money to smaller arts groups such as The Santa Barbara Channels, Arts Alive!, Center Stage Theater and the Lobero Theatre.

The council gave money to fund some of its own projects, such as $1.25 million to pay for sidewalk improvements to West Beach and a slew of other changes focused on the Sea Landing area of the harbor, including new crosswalks, lighting and signs.

"That is one of my long-standing projects that I have been fighting very hard for," said Councilwoman Iya Falcone, a member of the private Santa Barbara Yacht Club, who often pushes to fund harbor and waterfront projects.

Gary Longaberger, president of the Harbor Merchants Association and captain of Sunset Kidd, a charter sailing service in the harbor, spoke in support of the pedestrian improvements...

The city also gave $1 million to a fund a remodeling of its main fire station on Carrillo Street...

e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com

Santa Barbara News-Press

Letter to Goleta Valley

[ Below is the letter recently written by Das to residents of the Goleta Valley ]


Dear Goleta Valley Resident,

Environmental protection and open space preservation are the most pressing issues facing the 2nd District and the County as a whole. Our elected leaders in Santa Barbara County must change direction in regards to their land use policies that bypass open and public planning practices and encourage over-development of our neighborhoods, agricultural lands and open space.

A major factor contributing to this problem is the State Housing Mandate. I am troubled by the push for Santa Barbara County to blindly submit to a mandate dictated by people 500 miles away in Sacramento. The Housing Element process is seriously flawed. It is flawed because it only addresses one aspect of comprehensive community planning - land use. Appropriate community planning must consider the whole picture. In addition to land use, effective community planning must include circulation and traffic impacts, creek setbacks to avoid flooding, park locations, public services, neighborhood character and natural resources. This comprehensive approach to community planning must ensure that all constituencies have the opportunity to participate fully in the process.

Instead of the state demanding a new housing element every 5-8 years, it should mandate community plan updates created by local residents working together. I was the first candidate for 2nd District Supervisor to call for the completion of a comprehensive community plan before any re-zoning takes place. There is absolutely no reason to rush into choosing housing sites before the completion of a new Community Plan for the area. The resources that are now going into the process of trying to choose housing sites should be going into the drafting of a new Goleta Valley Community Plan.

One example of where Santa Barbara County has been successful in putting the Community Plan process before the Housing Element process is the Santa Ynez Valley. The draft Housing Element for the Santa Ynez Valley has a "white hole", with the notation that housing allocations will only be made within the context of the Community Planning process. That Community Plan is in progress. If this is allowed in the Santa Ynez Valley, then why not complete a full Community Plan before allocating Housing Element sites in the unincorporated Goleta Valley?

Furthermore, no new projects, either residential or commercial, should even be considered for your neighborhoods until this new Community Plan is in place. One example is the new proposal at the site of the old ARCO gas station at 80 South Patterson. The last proposal was turned down because of serious traffic problems. This new proposal should be put on hold until you, the residents of the unincorporated area of the 2nd District, have completed the new Community Plan. Continuedo

As your Supervisor I will insist on the prompt completion of a full Community Plan for the Unincorporated Goleta Valley. Unfortunately the majority on the County Board of Supervisors seems intent on rubber-stamping the State Mandates and using them as an excuse to approve poorly planned developments.

The board majority could impose re-zoning on the 2nd District even without the consent of the 2nd District Supervisor or the completion of such a Community Plan. For this reason I have argued from the beginning of this campaign that if the Board continues to act contrary to the interests of the citizens of our county by encouraging over-development then zoning authority should be removed from the Board.

One way this could be done is through a SOAR (Save our Openspace and Agricultural Resources) initiative such as those passed in Ventura County that would require any re-zoning be approved by a vote of the citizens of Santa Barbara County.

If the Board majority continues to ignore the wishes of the majority of the residents of the 2nd District and Santa Barbara County as a whole then as 2nd District Supervisor I will help lead a community effort to pass a SOAR type initiative that will protect our environmental heritage and ensure our community's quality of life is preserved for our children and generations to come.

I hope I can count on your support June 6th.

Please join my campaign, volunteer, make a donation or endorse my candidacy by visiting: www.daswilliamsforsupervisor.com

Sincerely,

Das Williams


Das Wiliams | Goleta Letter

Mini-Roundabouts

[ Excerpt from SBN-P article by JOSHUA MOLINA, 4/12/2006 ]


In front of a packed room at City Hall, the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday night rolled forward with its plan to install mini-roundabouts in the St. Francis neighborhood, to both the delight and the dismay of Santa Barbara residents.

The council agreed to permanently install seven separate traffic-calming devices, such as the roundabouts, traffic islands and curb "bulbouts," which are concrete protrusions that narrow the road. The devices had been set up for a trial period.

Intended to slow traffic, they won favor with many nearby residents, but also drew scorn from those who felt they were unsafe and that they created more harm than good.

But the council said the mini-roundabouts and other changes ultimately will work to slow traffic. To please those who think they are unsightly, they must be approved by the city's design boards.

"Let's put them in -- in a permanent way, in a beautiful way, in a way that is safe," said Councilwoman Iya Falcone, who said she was swayed by the testimony of the police officers and firefighters who spoke at the meeting in support of the devices. "We do need to slow down."

The vote was 7-0. In a separate vote, the council also agreed to eliminate a lane for cars on upper Chapala Street and add a bike lane...

The issue has sparked wide community interest. Neighborhood groups are increasingly complaining that traffic congestion is getting worse and that government should do more to curb the speeding and reckless driving on the part of some motorists.

Others, however, contend that the city is proposing to build roundabouts in intersections that are too tiny, that bigger cars and trucks have to swerve around them, and that they are unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians. The city has about $800,000 in grant money to make the changes in the St. Francis neighborhood.

Samarkand resident Michael Self, head of a group called Coalition for Safe Streets, led the charge against the traffic-calming devices...

Ms. Self angered many of the alternative transportation advocates because she gathered 300 signatures in opposition to similar changes in the Oak Park and Samarkand neighborhood. Those signatures were enough to defeat the proposed changes, called the Oak Park Neighborhood Management Plan, for that area...

Supporters of the roundabouts said it will take time for people to get used to the devices.

"Controversy is an essential element of any traffic-calming project," said Dru van Hengel, the city's mobility coordinator...

City Councilman Das Williams said that voting in support of the mini-roundabouts was tough because he saw both sides of the issue.

He suggested that the council look at the collision rate at the new intersections and consider removing any devices that lead to a pattern of accidents.

"I just don't think there can be this much outcry without some problem at the design level," Mr. Williams said.


Santa Barbara News-Press

SB Westward

[ Excerpt from the DAILY NEXUS, article by Nikki Moore, 4/12/2006 ]


Members of the Santa Barbara City Council unanimously voted yesterday for a proposal that could extend the city’s boundaries to include unincorporated areas of east Goleta.

The council amended the city’s general plan to include Las Positas Valley, Mission Canyon, Hope Ranch and parts of the Northside to Highway 154 in the city’s “sphere of influence” - an outline of the city’s future boundaries that includes areas the city officials would like to ultimately annex. Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum said the city will determine the development standards and zoning requirements for the unincorporated areas and then the Local Agency Formation Commission, which determines the physical boundaries of the city, will decide whether to allow the city to annex those regions...

Blum said the council decided to amend the city’s general plan after receiving over 4,500 petitions from residents in the unincorporated area. She said the city’s reach would not extend to mobile home parks in the area because those settlements are under guaranteed rent control and, if they were incorporated into the city, they might lose it.

Council Member Das Williams said he is excited the city may soon represent the previously unincorporated areas.

“I feel like we did something really good today,” Williams said. “It’s an idea that I’ve advocated for the past couple of years.”

...

SB City Council Votes in Favor of Westward Expansion Planning - Daily Nexus Online

Important Recent Endorsements

(Painting of Coal Oil Point, courtesy of Peter Pierce)

[ Press Release from the Das Williams for 2nd District Supervisor Campaign, 4/11/2006 ]

Das Williams secured four major endorsements in his campaign for 2nd District Supervisor. Adding to the growing list of supporting organizations, community leaders and 2nd District voters, the local Democratic Party, Sierra Club, Young Democrats and Democratic Women concluded their interview and endorsement processes by giving a favorable nod to Mr. Williams in this contested campaign.

Running on a campaign of environmental and neighborhood protection Das Williams said "I will prioritize environmental protection and open space preservation in the slow growth tradition of Bill Wallace. I will continue to represent community values and provide assertive leadership in the fight to protect the Gaviota Coast, urban agriculture, More Mesa, and the Foothills."

In their press release announcing support Democratic Women said "Das Williams has a proven record of delivering on the promises he made to the city of Santa Barbara. Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County is confident in his ability to run a vigorous, successful campaign and to follow through on his commitment to serving the constituents of the 2nd District."

In making their decision the Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club looked at long-term environmental policy ramifications ultimately offering Mr. Williams an endorsement. "Santa Barbara County faces numerous challenges in the coming years and we need someone with the leadership skills to unite the community around sound policies to protect our environment, neighborhoods and quality of life. Das Williams has a proven record of environmental protection that will serve the residents of the 2nd District well in protecting their neighborhoods from traffic congestion and rampant over-development" said Sierra Club Political Chair Ada Babine.

Contrary to some elected leaders' early choices, the official Democratic Party endorsement went to Das Williams when he receive the 60% supermajority of votes from party officials. "While we know that it has been difficult for some Democrats to choose among candidates they know and respect, our Party felt an obligation to offer guidance to the tens of thousands of Democratic and other voters who will face the same choice in the June primary" said Vernon Schabert, Chair of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee. Their official press release went on to say that Das Williams is the best candidate for 2nd District Supervisor because "the breadth and depth of his experience will prove invaluable as the county works with state and local policymakers on the most important issues facing our county."

"The SBCYD are proud to be in agreement with the Democratic Central Committee and the Democratic Women by endorsing Das for 2nd District Supervisor. Das has shown a strong commitment to core Democratic values, and we are excited about supporting him" said Courtney Weaver, co-chair of the Santa Barbara County Young Democrats.

Record of Accomplishments

The official website of Das' campaign for 2nd District Supervisor has been updated, with lots more info, online forms to volunteer and donate.

Here is the inventory of Das's accomplishments listed at the DasWilliamsForSupervisor website:

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Das Williams is the candidate who can deliver and has a proven record of accomplishments.


Environmental Protection

• Das promised to protect open space. To that end he fought projects that would have built luxury homes in creek corridors or on hillsides.

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

• Das committed to reducing pesticides in City Parks, and now 97% of city parkland is virtually pesticide free.

• Das worked with the Creeks Division to crack down on polluters, including initiating a policy of more severe punishment and hiring an additional enforcement officer.

• Das introduced a resolution opposing the Department of Fish and Wildlife's otter relocation program, allowing Southern California Sea Otters to return to the central coast.


Neighborhood Protection.

• Das made sure neighborhoods were represented in the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance update

• Das upheld setback requirements.

• Das said no to the wrong kinds of development, such as The State Street Lofts project and Los Positas projects.

• Das worked to remove mobile home parks from the proposed Santa Barbara sphere of influence expansion in order to preserve rent control.

• Das fought for the strongest measures to prevent mansionization during update of the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance.

• Das was the sole vote opposing demolition of St. Francis Project.


Transportation Solutions

• Das prioritized alternative transportation as a way to deal with our traffic problems.

• Das fought for transit improvements, including increased bus frequency.

• Das is getting plan approval from City committees to ensure bus frequency on the 4 most important transportation routes occurs every 10 minutes during peak hours.


Economic Accomplishments

• Das attended Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Economic Forecast Event in April 2005

• Das reduced film fees in Santa Barbara to promote film business.

• Das directed more development projects to a staff hearing officer to improve department efficiency.

• Das sped up plan check review with slightly higher fees requested by builders to offset the cost of excessive delays.

• Das allocated Redevelopment Agency funds to improve the walkability of the downtown and waterfront areas to increase the numbers of visitors and patronage.

• Das initiated the process of bringing a high tech firm to the airport property which will create 100s of new jobs at an average of 70k a year.

• Das worked to get local assembly representative to embrace the concept of a tip credit to relieve the burden of a minimum wage increase from restaurants


Das Wiliams | Record

RESISTANCE

[ The following was written by Das and published in the SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS, 4/4/2006 ]

Opinion: State mandates: Resistance defines who we are


Never accept the inevitability of bad policies that hurt our community. Supervisor Brooks Firestone wrote a guest commentary last week basically telling us: There is nothing the Board of Supervisors can, or will, do to resist the state mandates of rezoning agricultural land for development. Accept it, go home, stop complaining, is what Mr. Firestone seems to say.

I say we don't give up without a fight. If Bill Wallace, or others who fought rampant growth in the 1970s and '80s, had accepted the inevitability of the growth machine, Goleta would have ended up three times as large, with five times the traffic jams. Instead, they organized, and articulated a vision for a more environmentally sustainable Santa Barbara County.

It is my life's work to resurrect that vision, one that protects our open space and agricultural land, and has adequate planning for traffic reduction. That's why I've worked hard to elect environmentalists for 14 years and that is why I am running for 2nd District supervisor.

Both Santa Barbara and Goleta residents will be better off with the city and county moving together toward a better future, instead of the current situation where the city is taking two steps forward, while the county takes three steps back.

One of those steps back is accepting state mandates to rezone 62 acres of agricultural land and/or open space to at least 20 units per acre. The people who came up with the idea never foresaw that in Santa Barbara such actions drastically increase the value of the land, so much that housing won't be affordable, even at such a high density.

Some tell us to ignore the state mandates, break the law and tell the state to stuff it. We need to handle this smarter than that. There are many ways to deal with the mandate that don't break the law but resist the detrimental effects on our community:

• Allow Goletans to shape their own destiny by preparing a complete community plan before any land is rezoned.

The selection of housing sites is being suspended in the Santa Ynez Valley until residents complete a community plan. Why can't the Goleta Valley have the same opportunity? A complete community plan must look at all aspects of the future of Goleta Valley, not just where housing should be allocated, but how to ensure there are new parks for children to play in, emergency services to keep the public safe, and stream buffers for flood control and to reduce pollution. We must look at all of this, but most of all we need adequate transportation planning, because our community needs strategies for reducing traffic, not increasing it . The preparation of a community plan must not only be allowed, but funded and respected by the board.

• Rezone commercial land for affordable housing instead of losing agricultural land.

This will create slow redevelopment, because it converts existing commercial structures, where housing is placed close to shops. On the South Coast, where we have too much low-wage retail, converting commercial areas into residential will reduce overall traffic. Existing parking lots can be converted to below-ground parking with affordable housing at street level. As long as the overall square footage of commercial space is reduced, this can be done in a manner that reduces traffic.

• Change state law to allow local communities to place their own restrictions on how the land is used.

I worked for years as an aide in the state Legislature, for two speakers of the Assembly and for Hannah-Beth Jackson. From that I know that the law can be amended. It isn't easy, but it would help if the county would join me in my request of our state Assembly member to carry legislation on this matter.

• Adopt a countywide SOAR (Save our Openspaces and Agricultural Resources) initiative.

If our county leaders aren't willing to protect our precious places, the voters can remove zoning authority from the board and make any changes to current zoning go to a vote of county residents.

I believe if we resist, we can preserve the beauty of this community. We will not win every fight, but I ask Mr. Firestone: Is change made by those who accept that "resistance is futile"? Or is it made by those who believe change is possible, and who work hard to transform that belief into reality?

I believe if we resist, we can preserve the beauty of this community.

Das Williams

Santa Barbara News-Press: "Williams"

Das Campaign Video

As we have been walking precincts in the 2nd District, Das' campaign volunteers have been handing out a DVD to voters who have DVD players. The 16 minute DVD is one I made about my son, giving more detail on where he stands on the issues and why he is running for 2nd District Supervisor. This DVD has now been converted to Internet-accessible MPG format. To view it, click on the following link and follow the options available through your browser:

http://www.legendarysurfers.com/das/DasWilliams2006.mpg

Caution: file size is 201.1 MB, so, depending on your Internet connection and speed of your computer, this file may take a while to play or download.

After viewing the video, I'd appreciate reading any comments you may have about it.