Joyce Enright Service Announcement
Joyce Enright’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 25 at El Montecito Presbyterian Church from 2 to 4 pm. Donations in Joyce’s honor can be sent to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and El Montecito Presbyterian Church. Please contact Lauren Enright at (805) 252-9031 with any questions.
Citizens for the Restoration of Community Equity
Dear Honorable Leaders – Santa Barbara Mayor and City Council,
Your action as our mayor and council leaders is needed! The Public Realm belongs to the community – for all to use and to enjoy as is agreed through consensus and a formal, transparent, inclusive democratic process. When emergencies happen, temporary measures are necessary, and Santa Barbara did instigate temporary measures when the COVID-19 Global Pandemic came in 2020. Two years is a long time to be temporary. Some businesses have benefitted and done very well, others have seen revenues decline, and bikes took over State Street.
The Mayor and Council now need to work in concert with each other and the City Administrator to provide the leadership necessary to take immediate ‘emergency’ measures and help our struggling small businesses by restoring equity / fairness and refocusing on our city’s culture and beauty. Many cities have made this step and have realized the benefits. Now is that pivotal time for Santa Barbara.
There are so many ideas from our community about how State Street and the public areas should be used. This underscores the reason we need to let the many ideas be hashed out as part of the Master Plan. Everyone has an opinion. Let the Master Plan process help us – as a community – to figure out what Santa Barbara will ultimately decide to do. In the meantime, and right now, let’s get back to what we know has worked for the majority and implement the following:
1. Make permits available rapidly over the counter for outdoor dining on the public sidewalk leased to the business by the city with the following suggested requirements:
–An over-the-counter permit for outdoor dining on public sidewalks requires the applicant to prepare and submit a complete application for approval including a proposed plan layout based upon the area allowed, and specifications for all components proposed for use within the allowed area.
–All applications that are within the El Pueblo Viejo District (EPV) must meet EPV Guidelines.
–The city has the information regarding the area allowed for lease compiled and readily available for each property location.
–The area allowed will not intrude into the area required for pedestrians on the sidewalk.
–The allowed area shall be contiguous to the business and shall not exceed the width of the business’ storefront.
–The rent is based upon a per-square-foot basis.
–A deposit and first and last month’s rent is due at the time permit is issued.
–Monthly rent is due on the first of each month.
–Components shall include:
A. Easily removable black metal posts and rails to contain the space.
B. Outdoor patio chairs and ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant tables.
C. White string lights are allowed low in plants in planters or on black perimeter posts and rails. Overhead lighting is not allowed. City has installed overhead ‘Tivoli’ style string lighting at intersections and is in the process of adding more parallel to the street.
D. Market style umbrellas are allowed in approved designated colors.
E. Potted plants and clay terracotta pots are allowed, other planter types may be approved for the EPV district. Plastic planters are not allowed.
F. Heaters as may be approved.
G. Signage according to the Municipal Code Sign Ordinance.
2. Remove all ‘parklets’
Require removal of all ‘parklets’ as soon as possible and ideally before the end of May to allow the clean-up and restoration of equity and parity to be completed before the high summer season. The removal date shall not be tied to any permit for outdoor dining that may be under consideration or in process. Removal includes but is not limited to:
A. Prefab or custom constructions,
B. Platforms,
C. Debris under platforms shall be hauled away, and properly disposed of to leave area of sidewalk and street (as applicable) cleaned and hosed off.
D. Railings,
E. Overhead elements,
F. Lighting,
G. Heaters,
H. Tables, chairs, planters, and plants. Tables, chairs, planters, and plants may possibly be reused for permitted outdoor dining if they meet requirements of #1 above.
3. State and downtown street use and restoration measures
A. Eradicate – Paint out green bike graphics on the street.
B. Continue bike use on State Street within bike lanes. Restore and refurbish the white lines, where required, to designate bike lanes – down and up State on the sides of street.
C. Maintain State Street closed to private autos. Allow center lanes of street to be used exclusively for:
C.1 Emergency Vehicles
C.2 Delivery Vehicles at specified times of day
C.3 Open Air Trolley: The city considers negotiating with private open air trolley services (at no cost or liability to the city) to allow private trolley companies access to operate and provide service up and down State Street from Cabrillo to Sola.
D. Restore automobile use of Victoria Street.
E. Create a fair and equitable environment by treating all blocks the same from the 400 through the 1300 block (Gutierrez Street to Sola Street).
We ask the Mayor and Council to act swiftly to make these adjustments in the short term to restore equity and the beauty that is Santa Barbara for all to enjoy and benefit from moving into the summer high season. The separate Master Plan effort will take on the work to consider the many ideas, develop design solutions, and help the community reach a consensus for Santa Barbara’s future. Thank you for taking responsible action that will help to restore our community.
Sincerely, Citizens for the Restoration of Community Equity
Kevin Boss, Downtown Property & Restaurant Owner
Cassandra Ensberg, Citizen
Gwynn Boss, Downtown Property & Restaurant Owner
Patrick Casey, Downtown Restaurant Owner
Bill Collyer, Former Downtown Organization Executive Director
Betsy Cramer, Citizen
Mary Louise Days
Ann & Craig Addis, Funk Zone Business Owners
Richard & Sue Ayling, Citizens
John Bennett, Downtown Restaurant Owner
Kelly Brown, Downtown Restaurant Owner
Jacqueline Cacan, SB Native
John Davies, Downtown Business Owner
Lois Ensberg, Citizen
Dale Francisco, former City Council Member
Erin Graffy, Citizen
Jeff Harding, Property Owner
Brian Hofer, Citizen
Ivonne Ibarra, Business Owner, Santa Barbara Resident
Tom Jacobs, Santa Barbara Business Owner
Brian Johnson, Citizen
Jim Knell, Downtown Property Owner
Barrett Reed, Downtown Property Owner
Tara Rizzi, SB Resident
A Call for a New Clerk
Voters want to know the elections are fair and accurate. The Clerk Recorder Assessor (Clerk) certifies the election making it the most important race on the June 7 Santa Barbara County ballot. The vote of the citizens comprises our voice in choosing who represents us. Candidate Elrawd MacLearn says, without honest elections, we won’t have honest elected officials.
Mr. MacLearn’s nine years of experience working at the election polls, a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCLA, Planning Commissioner at the City of Goleta, and three years working as a County Health Inspector uniquely qualify him as Clerk Recorder Assessor. Restoration of election integrity to the voting process is his top priority. Mr. MacLearn will establish systems to more actively update the voter rolls and to increase the precision of signature verification. Using manual tabulation of paper ballots will eliminate the need for any counting machine that can be hacked.
The incumbent Clerk has been in office for 20 years, with only one term having been contested before now. He has yet to recuse himself from certifying any election in which he himself is a candidate. When made aware of voter irregularities in the 2020 election, he refused to conduct an audit. In February 2020, a court decision found against Joe Holland for illegally including two candidates on the ballot for the Santa Ynez Valley Water District, costing the County taxpayers $77,000 in settlement fees. It’s time for change we can trust. Please elect Elrawd MacLearn for County Clerk.
Lisa Sloan
A Well-Run Elections Office
We can all come up with examples of government bureaucracies failing at the simplest tasks: Ever tried to have a question answered by the IRS? Have you ever tried to make a complaint with the FAA? Ever spent your morning in a three-hour line at the DMV? Of course you have. We have all lived through excruciating examples of government offices that don’t work. But in all my life, I have never seen a government office run as well as the Santa Barbara County Elections office.
I work on political campaigns, so I likely have more interaction with this office than most, but we live in an era when elections offices have become a target of the national conversation. Many in our country do not believe in the basic notion that our ballots are being counted correctly. Many also believe that those who run our elections can’t be trusted. But after dealing with them personally for years, I can assure you that they are hyper-competent, incredibly helpful, and downright friendly. I have seen the election workers at our County Elections Office patiently help people who needed a provisional ballot, explained to a first-time candidate what is necessary for them to get on the ballot, and witnessed them work tirelessly in the period after election day to ensure that every ballot is counted.
A few years ago, I was working for a campaign where the ballot counting was tight. Our campaign asked for volunteers to observe the ballot count. Being a person who never asks someone to do something I’m not willing to do myself, I went down to the County Elections office and asked to observe the count myself. Within 10 minutes, I was downstairs, watching a small army of local election workers counting ballots. The official who was tasked with escorting me through the process painstakingly explained every step and showed me every person who was working on the process. I have worked in politics for nearly two decades, but have not once seen such an incredible physical display of democracy.
To those who don’t believe in our elections, or think that they are rigged, fixed, or bought: I challenge you to go down to the County Elections office on June 7 and observe. Chat with the folks running our elections, find out what it takes to count more than tens of thousands of ballots. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, and what’s more, it will likely restore your faith in democracy.
Wade Cowper
Proud of Freedom 4 Youth
Thank you for the excellent article by Steven Libowitz about Freedom 4 Youth’s (F4Y) work in Santa Barbara. It is always so gratifying to read favorable commentary, particularly when hard work is being recognized. The folks at F4Y work long hours, many of them as volunteers. The Executive Director and Co-founder of F4Y 13 years ago, Dr. Billi Jo Starr, was just this year put on salary for the first time!
Their work has reduced the recidivism rates for youth in our county and given an opportunity to so many youths who made mistakes early in life. Most of these kids don’t have the resources and life choices available to many of us and listening to their voices has taught us that giving them a chance now – with support – can make a lifesaving difference.
I am particularly proud of how F4Y works with so many different agencies in cooperation, so that limited resources can be used wisely and efficiently. Together, we can “uplift and empower youth to build safe and compassionate communities.” (Freedom 4 Youth’s mission statement.)
Best wishes,
Susan Washing, Chairperson, Freedom 4 Youth
Firsthand Support for Salcido
I’m voting for Dr. Susan Salcido for County Superintendent of Schools in the June 7th election, and here’s why.
As a former Assistant Superintendent, I know firsthand that the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) serves our school districts in critical ways. This includes: examining and approving school district budgets; staff development; designing business and personnel systems; special and vocational education programs for youths at risk of failure; community partnerships; and many special programs like Computers for Families. The $100,000,000 budget is an indication of the wide-ranging role played by the SBCEO and the County Superintendent of Schools.
Managing and leading these services takes a proven leader who has expertise in educational administration and management. With decades teaching, serving as principal and assistant superintendent, and a PhD in Educational Leadership, Dr. Susan Salcido is that person. Her background in education, and her experience providing leadership at the school, district, and county levels, gives her the knowledge needed to successfully lead such a complex organization. This position cannot be learned on the job!
Dr. Salcido has been and will continue to make sound decisions and provide the leadership we need to continue the high level of services offered by the SBCEO. We need Dr. Salcido’s leadership skills and ability to keep the momentum going in service to our districts, teachers, and students. I urge you to vote for Susan Salcido for County Superintendent of Schools.
Carol Johansen,SBCEO Assistant Superintendent
A Bear Grieves
Carlos, The Bear, dropped his paws from the computer keyboard, took a deep breath and shook his head, tears streaming down his snout. He was in shock. Having opened the Montecito Association’s Newsletter he found that, Carla Bear, his sister, had been killed in a hit and run accident on Ladera Lane, just off East Valley Road, Highway 192. His immediate thoughts were of her cub. Is it going to survive? What will happen to it?
He read further and found that Fish and Wildlife have put up a phone number to call if you spot her cub. So please call Dustin at California Fish and Wildlife at (562) 343-3232 if you see it, so he can come and get it to a rehab center and safety.
The spot where Carla was killed on Ladera Lane is well known not only to Carlos, but to all the local coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, and deer of The Cito. Being not far up from East Valley Road, it is a critter thoroughfare that sadly does not have an illuminated critter crosswalk. It is a place where humans often drive much too fast.
Carlos shut down his computer, slumped into his reading chair and stared at the ceiling of his den. He hoped Carla’s cub would be OK. He hoped that whoever hit Carla would come forward and tell their story. He hoped that the humans who drive Montecito’s roads would slow down, especially at night, not just for the animals’ sake, but for theirs too. He hoped to make sense of this tragedy, but he could not.
All Carlos could do was cry.
Michael Edwards
Grateful for Salcido
Since day one of Kindergarten at Adam Elementary in Santa Maria, Susan Salcido has been committed to and focused on education. Her love of learning and later teaching led her to UCSB where she received a master’s degree in education and later a doctorate from USC.
Dr. Salcido kicked off her career in education at Dos Pueblos High School as a teacher, from there she served as assistant principal of San Marcos High School and later principal of Santa Barbara Junior High School. In 2006, she accepted the position of Director of Secondary Support Services at SBCEO, advancing to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, then County Education Office’s Deputy Superintendent in 2017.
Dr. Salcido’s vision, foresight, and leadership tool bag has and continues to see our school districts through the worst disasters our county has ever endured, beginning with the Thomas Fire to the debris flow to our current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Salcido not once has shied away from the hard things nor has she ever touted easy solutions to complex problems, which are common and cheap soundbites to make when you’re looking to secure an elected position.
Public education is the most complicated institution of our public service system and rightly so – being in charge of our children’s education is not easy, will never be easy, and should never be easy. Having a competent, forward thinking, highly educated, work-with, non-party driven superintendent that can keep all the parts moving while employing the skill set to course-correct and plan for future successes is not a skill most of us possess.
I’m forever grateful to Dr. Susan Salcido’s continued and steadfast dedication to our county schools and know, without a doubt, that she’s the best person for this incredibly important, intense, and complicated position.
Tina Fanucchi-Frontado Poor Overall Leadership in D.C.
I have sincere respect for those who disagree with me. I continue to believe that Joe Biden is, by far, the worst president who has held that office during my 84-year lifetime. It would take far more than the allowable number of words to detail all of the economic and decision-making blunders he has made in less than two years and how quickly he places blame on others for the multitude of problems he create d. But there is opportunity ahead: This is the United States, the greatest country ever created. We have never been perfect and never will be perfect. However, unlike Russia, China, and many other countries, we can speak out and we have the opportunity to replace ineffective leaders. We should also continuously honor those who came before us, imperfect as they were, for building a country that people want to enter. Those who want to leave are free to do so.
Granted, we should definitely learn to be a bit kinder to, and more understanding of those who disagree with our thoughts and beliefs. Our present leaders in Washington, D.C. in both major political parties set very poor examples for us. My genuine feeling is that we should replace Biden/Harris in 2024. And legislators such as Schumer, Pelosi, McConnell and a few others should be removed at the first opportunity. I especially abhor those politicians who use the word “racist” to describe those who disagree with them. Biden surfaces here: On July 22, 2020 he called Donald Trump “the country’s first racist president.”
We’ll survive what I see as a real leadership crisis. I suggest that we use the wonderful rights we have to clean the swamp in Washington, D.C. sooner than later. For those who disagree with me, we are all Americans. I love you all.
Sanderson M. Smith, Ed.D.
