Voters Guide: The Statements Are In for the Montecito Elections

With three important races happening in our semi-rural town, the MJ reached out to each candidate running in a Montecito election and politely requested their statement. Here is what they had to say…

Montecito Fire Protection District, Board At-large

Five candidates are running for two director seats.

Candidate | Description Listed in County Election Filings

Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Penelope Bianchi – Interior Designer

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California and have lived and worked in Montecito for more than 30 years as an interior designer and small business owner. My professional experience has required careful planning, budgeting, project management, and collaboration with homeowners, contractors, architects, and other professionals.

Having lived through many of Montecito’s devastating wildfires and floods, I understand firsthand the importance of emergency preparedness, public safety, and thoughtful long-term planning. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the critical role the Montecito Fire Protection District plays in protecting our community.

My commitment to Montecito extends beyond my profession. I previously served on the Board of Directors for the Wildlife Care Network and the Montecito Association, where I worked with fellow board members to address issues affecting our community. These leadership experiences strengthened my ability to listen, collaborate, and make thoughtful, balanced decisions.

I am committed to supporting our firefighters, promoting responsible fiscal stewardship, and helping ensure the Montecito Fire Protection District continues to provide the exceptional service our community depends on.

Jason Copus – Appointed Incumbent

I am honored to serve as your appointed Director on the Montecito Fire Protection District Board and respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving our community.

As a lifelong Santa Barbara resident, public service has been a defining part of my life. Since joining the Board, I have participated in decisions involving the District’s long-term financial planning, pension funding, budget development, financial oversight, and policies that help ensure our department remains prepared to protect our community.

I served more than ten years in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and continue to respond to emergencies as a volunteer with Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue. Professionally, I have spent more than two decades leading business operations, overseeing budgets, negotiating contracts, and developing long-term strategic plans.

I will continue to provide thoughtful governance, responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, and long-term planning to help ensure the Montecito Fire Protection District remains financially strong, operationally prepared, and equipped to provide the exceptional emergency services our community depends on. I would be honored to earn your vote.

Jeffrey Guy Gittler – Retired Deputy DA

The Montecito Journal reached out to Mr. Gittler and received no response as of October 20, 2026.

Peter R. Taffae – Retired Entrepreneur

In 2000, I founded an insurance brokering and underwriting company in a two-bedroom, one-bath, rent-controlled apartment. Over 23 years, we grew into a nationally recognized firm, earning awards for innovation and expertise, before being sold to Goldman Sachs in 2023. As founder, CEO and sole shareholder, I was responsible for every aspect of the business – financial management, strategic planning, risk assessment, personnel and long-term decision-making. I learned to identify vulnerabilities before they become problems, ask difficult questions, and make thoughtful decisions under pressure. I will bring that same discipline, independence, and long-term perspective to the Montecito Fire Protection District Board. 

Montecito may feel like a small town, but its 20-square-mile footprint demands a comprehensive, prevention-focused strategy that matches priorities to our human and financial resources. Efficiency, planning, and disciplined budgeting can maximize our return on every dollar. Our emergency environment is becoming more complex, requiring preparation before crises – not simply reaction afterward. With a potentially strong El Niño this fall and winter, we must prepare for both wildfire and flooding, regardless of whether conditions prove wet or dry. That means strengthening wildfire readiness, increasing flood-abatement efforts and inspections, and helping residents identify hazards. My priority: prepare, communicate, and protect Montecito responsibly. 

I will be available via phone and email. Also, I would like to implement “Firehouse Fridays,” where I will be available to meet face to face with residents one Friday a month at the station. 

Jenelle Williams – Public Finance Advisor

As an appointed incumbent on the Montecito Fire Protection District Board, I’m running to continue serving and to put my financial and government experience to work preparing the District for what lies ahead. My focus is on anticipating emerging risks and making strategic decisions today that protect Montecito for the long-term.

For more than 20 years, I’ve worked in public finance, fiscal oversight, and government operations. As a District Financial Advisor, I help public agencies navigate financial, operational, and long-term planning decisions. I also serve on the County’s Treasury Oversight Committee, overseeing a public investment portfolio approaching $3 billion. This experience gives me a practical understanding of how to align resources with priorities, anticipate challenges, and strengthen essential services.

On the Fire District Board, I bring that perspective to supporting the Chief and personnel, investing in preparedness and prevention, and addressing emerging risks before they become urgent demands. With proactive planning we can make meaningful investments that enhance emergency readiness and wildfire prevention while maintaining the financial sustainability residents depend on.

I’m asking voters to let me continue serving, bringing a forward-looking approach to help the District adapt, remain prepared, and deliver exceptional service to our community today, and for years to come.

Montecito Sanitary District, Board At-large

There are two separate Sanitary District contests. 

Director – Short Term – One Seat: Two candidates are running for one short-term director seat.

Candidate | Description Listed in 

County Election Filings

Ellwood “Woody” T Barrett II –

Director, Montecito Sanitary District

Our family has called Montecito home for over 25 years. Our children all attended Montecito Union School. We love and care deeply for this community. Preserving the natural beauty and pristine environment we all cherish is a top priority for me.

I received my BS in Geology and my BA in Political Science from Southern Methodist University, graduating in 3.5 years while playing on the football team in the Division I Southwest Conference and being a member of a fraternity. 

I have served on the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) Board for eight years, three years as the president. The City of Santa Barbara (City) has been recycling water over 30 years and currently provides recycled irrigation water to the Montecito Club Golf Course. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to eliminate the MSD sanitation facility discharge 1,480 feet off Butterfly Beach while implementing recycled water on a regional basis in coordination with other districts; and all of this at a lower treatment cost. How? By sending the MSD wastewater to the City for treatment. My 47 years of geological experience and in-depth knowledge of pumps, pipelines and storage facilities has prepared me to analyze this incredible opportunity.

John E. Murphy – Appointed Director, Montecito Sanitary District

I’m John Murphy, asking for your vote for the two-year seat on the Montecito Sanitary District Board. I bring more than 30 years of financial experience and a simple habit: check the numbers before signing the check. That’s the approach I’ll bring to every decision about your money.

Our wastewater is an underused asset, not just something to send down the drain. We urgently need to examine how reuse or a sensible partnership could put it to work for our community. But a good sales pitch isn’t a plan. Whether we replace our aging plant or send wastewater to Santa Barbara, I’ll ask the same questions: What’s the full cost? What stays on our bill? What do we get?

If the facts favor Santa Barbara, I’ll support it. If they favor another path, I’ll follow the evidence, not the noise. Meanwhile, urgent repairs can’t wait for the perfect answer. Measure twice, cut once, then get moving.

I’ll own my votes, explain my decisions, and keep public health, our coastline, and your pocketbook front and center. Two years is a short runway. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Director – Two Seats: Three candidates are running for two director seats. 

Candidate | Description Listed in County Election Filings

Chris Francis – Financial Consultant

For more than 25 years, I have worked in the finance industry, advising families, corporate executives, business owners, and private investors across the United States on complex financial matters. This experience has equipped me with the skills to evaluate budgets, analyze long-term investments, and make sound financial decisions. I hold a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Development from the University of Southern California and have prior experience in real estate development, providing me with a strong understanding of infrastructure, growth planning, and responsible public resource management.

My family’s connection to Montecito spans three generations, giving me a deep appreciation for our community and the essential services that protect our quality of life. Over the years, our family has shared countless memories of enjoying and swimming at Butterfly Beach. Those experiences have fostered a personal commitment to preserving the health, beauty, and character of this special place for generations to come. It is that connection that inspires my desire to serve on the Montecito Sanitary District Board. 

If elected, I will bring integrity, transparency, and careful financial stewardship while working to protect our community, environment, and quality of life.

Richard “Rock” Rockenbach – Appointed Director, Montecito Sanitary District

I grew up in Montecito and returned home after a career in military and civilian public service. It is an honor to currently serve as President of the Montecito Sanitary District Board, and I am asking to continue that service.

MSD faces serious challenges. Much of our infrastructure is aging, which much be addressed immediately. We must also determine the best location of wastewater treatment. We are evaluating connection to the City of Santa Barbara alongside continued local treatment. I have not prejudged that decision. I believe the Board should obtain the facts we need to compare the alternatives and then choose what best serves Montecito ratepayers.

My priorities: protect public health, maintain reliable infrastructure, control costs, preserve options until the facts justify a decision, and conduct our business transparently. I am my own man: I don’t take campaign contributions, my articles are written by me, my signs are placed by me. I know what I have said and my facts are true.

We face consequential decisions involving tens of millions of dollars of ratepayer money. The facts matter! These decisions should not be based on wishful thinking, predetermined outcomes, or hidden agendas. I offer governance on a solid foundation.

Floyd E. Wicks – Water Resources Consultant

My extensive background in water resources engineering and utility management uniquely qualifies me to serve on the Montecito Sanitary District Board. Having served our community for 10 years on the Montecito Water District Board, I bring firsthand knowledge of local public governance and our region’s critical infrastructure needs.

My technical foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering, focusing on Sanitary Engineering and Hydraulics. This training anchored my 40-year career in the utility industry.

Professionally, I specialized in managing large-scale water and wastewater utility operations. I served 20 years as President and CEO of American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR), where I formed American States Utility Services. It is now the nation’s largest provider of water and wastewater services to U.S. military bases, under 50-year contracts. Afterward, I established H2Options, Inc., a California water consultancy.

If elected, I will leverage my technical expertise, executive leadership, and board experience to ensure the District operates with the highest standards of environmental safety, fiscal responsibility, and sustainability. For the past 10 years, it has been my honor to represent the communities of Montecito and Summerland, as Director on the Montecito Water District. I respectfully request your continuing vote of confidence.

Montecito Union School District, Board At-large

Four candidates are running for three governing board seats.

Candidate | Description Listed in County Election Filings

Anthony C. Hernandez – Incumbent

I have practiced as an ER doctor for over 25 years. My family and I moved to Montecito 14 years ago from Mission Canyon. We have been parents at MUS since then. We did not anticipate the strong sense of community that we have experienced here. That connection has led us to become involved within the community that we love. I had the pleasure of serving on the MUS school board the last two years. We navigated some big hurdles during that time and I became familiar with the state of both our school district and of public education within California. I feel that I have the right amount of experience and energy to help the vision of our district and community moving forward during the upcoming term.

Pierre Labarge IV – Winery Executive

Having two boys at Montecito Union School has given me a firsthand appreciation for what makes this school exceptional. From its teachers to its involved families, MUS offers an educational experience that is increasingly difficult to find. We are proud to be a part of this school.

MUS is a remarkable school, but its success shouldn’t be taken for granted. Maintaining its high standards requires strong leadership and a community committed to its future. Those are the things I want to protect.

As a business executive and former president of the board of the Santa Barbara Vintners Association, I’ve made difficult decisions and balanced competing priorities. Those experiences have taught me the value of sound judgment, financial discipline, and listening to different perspectives.

I believe our school board should be accessible to parents, transparent in its decisions, and disciplined with taxpayer dollars. Most importantly, it should keep its attention where it belongs – on providing our children with an outstanding education. 

I’m running for a board position because I care deeply about this school and the community behind it. I want MUS to be every bit as special for the next generation of families as it has been for ours.

Amy Marie Miller – Community Volunteer

My professional background is in library services, where I coordinated reading programs across 19 branch libraries and secured grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. I later pursued graduate studies in early childhood education. My experience serving on local nonprofit boards has given me a foundation in budgeting and finance, outreach, hiring, and programming.

As a parent of Montecito Union School students, I have volunteered as a room parent and chaperone and currently serve as Garden Club Co-Chair. In this role, I work alongside teachers, administrators, parents, and students to support our school community. I value MUS’s strengths and believe we share a responsibility to sustain and strengthen them for future generations.

I seek to join the long line of community stewards who contribute through service and leadership. This election has brought increased attention to the Board’s responsibilities and the current state of MUS. I will prioritize open, ongoing dialogue with parents and community members, ensuring their voices are heard. Together, we can build on what MUS does well, address challenges thoughtfully, and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our students.

Bradley Vickers – Property Manager

Montecito Union School helped shape my childhood, and today I have the privilege of witnessing my own children benefit from an exceptional education at MUS. This full-circle experience has given me an even deeper appreciation for what makes this school so special & inspired me to run for the board.

MUS is more than an outstanding school – it is one of the cornerstones of our community. The tradition of academic excellence, dedicated teachers, strong athletics, character development, and meaningful family engagement reflects the values that make Montecito such a special place to live.

I am running for the Board because I believe the Trustees responsibility is to support and sustain the people, programs, and values that have made MUS one of California’s premier public schools. I have great confidence in our teachers, staff, and administrators and see the Board’s role as providing thoughtful governance, sound fiscal oversight, and long-term stewardship.

Professionally, I have spent my career leading complex projects, managing budgets, and bringing diverse stakeholders together to solve challenges collaboratively. As a trustee, I will listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, encourage productive dialogue, and provide steady governance that supports our administrators, teachers, and staff in serving every student.