Tag archives: Meagan Harmon

Appealing Santa Claus Cannabis
By Montecito Journal   |   November 1, 2022

I will not be able to attend the Santa Claus cannabis retail store appeal hearing on November 1, 2022, however I would like to convey my opposition to its approval and impending existence in this message.  Three things you should know about me before I address my reasons for concern: My family has lived, worked, […]

Randy Rowse Sworn In
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   January 18, 2022

Nearly 200 Santa Barbara and Montecito residents gathered downtown Tuesday to celebrate the swearing-in of new Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. The outdoor ceremony, which would normally take place within City Hall, also touched on the work of outgoing Mayor Cathy Murillo, and served to also swear in council members Kristen Sneddon – who represents, […]

To Control (Rent) or Not to Control ‘Tis the Hot Question
By Nick Masuda   |   December 21, 2021

While Kristen Sneddon has long been an advocate for tenant protection, particularly against inordinate rent hikes, she was also the first person to question the rushed timing of the controversial proposal to cap annual residential rent increases as 2% — brought to council by outgoing Mayor Cathy Murillo and councilmember Oscar Gutierrez. The District 4 […]

While Unofficial, Rowse Likely Next Mayor; Council Incumbents Well Ahead
By Nick Masuda   |   November 5, 2021

A familiar face will likely be returning to City Hall, as former Santa Barbara City Council member Randy Rowse has unofficially won the six-candidate mayoral race, with final and confirmed results expected late Thursday. Rowse would be the city’s first male mayor in almost 30 years, while also taking office as a no-party candidate, moving […]

Desperate move? Mayoral Incumbent Cathy Murillo Falsely Links Opponent Randy Rowse to Trump
By Nick Masuda   |   October 31, 2021

Santa Barbara’s incumbent mayor Cathy Murillo has gone on the attack just four days ahead of the 2021 mayoral election, with a mailer paid for by her campaign tying non-partisan candidate Randy Rowse to “Trump Loyalists and Republican Donors” — something Rowse told the Montecito Journal on Saturday that he outright rejects. The ad says “Rowse says he is a ‘non-partisan,’ […]

DCC Puts Thumbs on the Scale for its Curated Cadre of Candidates
By Nick Masuda   |   October 26, 2021

When back room deals and influence peddling are discussed, certain places come to mind. Chicago. New Orleans. Atlantic City. Could “sleepy” Santa Barbara be headed in that same direction?  With Election Day looming, political posturing is expected. Less expected was Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams‘ recent meeting with mayoral candidate Deborah Schwartz, wherein he […]

Jason Carlton: Challenger, District 6, Santa Barbara City Council
By Nick Masuda   |   October 5, 2021

The makeup of the race for Santa Barbara City Council’s District 6 seat took on a dramatically different feel late in the filing period, with three candidates jumping into the fray to take on incumbent Meagan Harmon. Jason Carlton, a well-known local business owner, is one of those that chose to challenge the seat; he […]

Nina Johnson: Challenger, District 6, Santa Barbara City Council
By Nick Masuda   |   October 5, 2021

The race for the District 6 seat on Santa Barbara City Council has turned into a four-person race, with City Hall insider Nina Johnson creating plenty of buzz in choosing to “pull her papers” at the very end of the filing period to take on incumbent Meagan Harmon.  Johnson isn’t just taking on Harmon, but […]

Meagan Harmon: Incumbent, District 6, Santa Barbara City Council
By Nick Masuda   |   October 5, 2021

The race for the District 6 seat on Santa Barbara City Council is a four-person race, with incumbent Meagan Harmon being challenged by Jason Carlton, Nina Johnson, and Zachary Pike. Harmon, also a representative on the California Coastal Commission, is facing her first election, as she was appointed to council in 2019. Each of the […]

Zachary Pike: Challenger, District 6, Santa Barbara City Council
By Nick Masuda   |   October 5, 2021

Zachary Pike is the “everyman” in the race for the District 6 seat on Santa Barbara City Council, as he will take on incumbent Meagan Harmon, City Hall insider Nina Johnson, and local business owner Jason Carlton in the 2021 Election. Pike has made a conscious decision to not chase endorsements of organizations or other […]

The Battle for Downtown: Where Do District 6 City Council Candidates Stand on Key Issues?
By Nick Masuda   |   September 9, 2021

“The best part of competition is that through it we discover what we are capable of — and how much more we can actually do than we ever believed possible.” — Anonymous When it comes to Downtown Santa Barbara, these words ring truer now than ever before. The pandemic has brought massive change to the […]

Thanks for Speaking Up
By Montecito Journal   |   August 31, 2021

I’m grateful for Gwyn Lurie’s “Candid Condescension” in calling Ed St. George out for his condescending, patronizing attack on City Councilwoman Meagan Harmon. St. George felt entitled to tell Councilmember Harmon that she should be focusing on her children and husband rather than serving in public office and working. Really? It’s 2021 and we still […]

Planet of the Apes
By Montecito Journal   |   August 24, 2021

RE: Ed St. George vs. Meagan Harmon (from the Montecito Journal on August 12, 2021)  Frankly to me her personal workload seems a little nuts. Lawyer, councilperson, Coastal Commission czar, wife, mother, and now feminist icon. Fortunately for Ms. Harmon her current endeavors are highly subjective and success, failure, or even competence cannot be judged […]

Candid Condescension
By Gwyn Lurie   |   August 19, 2021

Amidst the national news that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned for his misogynistic and retro (at best) workplace behavior, I wouldn’t want you to miss our own local cringeworthy episode. Not much shocks me these days. But yesterday, while watching local journalist Josh Molina interview influential Santa Barbara real estate developer Ed St. George […]

Santa Barbara Finally Getting Some Traction with Its Homeless Population
By Zach Rosen and Nick Masuda   |   August 5, 2021

Amid a 120-day cleanup of homeless encampments, the question becomes: What happens on Day 121? You might not have noticed Joe — or maybe you did but kept your eyes on the road in front of you. Joe, a senior citizen, would panhandle at numerous off-ramps around Santa Barbara, spending 16 years sleeping on the […]

Underfunded or Overhyped? Defining the California Coastal Commission’s Impact on Montecito
By Nick Masuda   |   July 8, 2021

For Sigrid Wright, she can’t help the fleeting thoughts that she has as she drives down the 101 toward Ventura, and it has nothing to do with the anger-inducing traffic caused by endless construction. She wonders if the roadway will even be visible in 10 or 20 years. What will the impacts of climate change […]

Her Star is Rising: Built on Family and Wanderlust, Meagan Harmon Earns Coastal Commission Nod
By Nick Masuda   |   May 20, 2021

On May 4 — a day already close to her heart as a self-proclaimed Star Wars “nerd”— Meagan Harmon did something that many local political pundits didn’t think was possible when she received a call that a handful of other veteran politicos were waiting for.  The call was from the governor’s office inviting Harmon to […]

Did Cannabis Baggage Derail Das Williams’ Coastal Commission Bid?
By Nick Schou   |   May 20, 2021

On May 5, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Santa Barbara City Councilmember Meagan Harmon to the California Coastal Commission, one of the state’s most powerful institutions, which serves to preserve and protect the coastline from commercial and development interests. A New York University trained lawyer and Harvard graduate from Lompoc, who is a relative newcomer […]

Police Reform En Route?
By Jun Starkey   |   July 30, 2020

Santa Barbara City Council looks into forming civilian review board The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer more than two months ago has shaken a nation that is still dealing with the fallout.    Thousands of protesters remain in the streets of Portland in a tense standoff with police and federal agents […]