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2022 Voters Guide

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Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our 2022 Voters Guide. Part of the Chamber’s charter and mission is to connect business with the government in meaningful ways. Our annual Voters Guide is not meant to tell you who or what to vote for. That is up to you. Our job is to identify the candidates and measures that are most aligned with our pro-business mission, as it relates to the quality of life in our communities.

This year the Chamber sent candidate questionnaires to candidates running in several local elections of interest to the Chamber. Below you will find the candidates' answers to these questionnaires, along with the Chamber’s endorsed candidates and positions on local ballot measures.

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber 2022 Goleta Voters Guide

District 1 City Council Candidate – Endorsement

Roger Aceves - Incumbent

Councilmember Roger Aceves is a Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce endorsed candidate. With 15 years of experience on the City Council, Councilmember Aceves has proven himself to be a champion for local businesses and residents alike.

District 2 City Council Candidate – No Endorsement

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has not issued an endorsement for the 2nd District Goleta City Council race. Both candidates show potential for this position; James Kyriaco, the incumbent, and Sam Ramirez, Goleta Planning Commissioner. Please review each candidate’s answers to the Chamber’s Goleta City Council Candidate Questionnaire below.

District 1 Water District Candidate – Running Unopposed

Tom Evans - Incumbent

District 2 Water District Candidate – No Endorsement

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has not issued an endorsement for the 2nd District Goleta Water District Council race. Please review each candidate’s answers to the Chamber’s Goleta Water District Candidate Questionnaire below.

No on Measure B

The Chamber opposes Measure B and a new sales tax in Goleta, given the economic uncertainty we are heading into. This is a permanent tax with no expiration date and can only be repealed by a future ballot measure. This sales tax has no oversight component attached to it, and as a general-purpose tax it can be used for any purposes by the current and future City Councils.

Goleta City Council Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Question 1: Candidate Priorities

Please list your personal top priorities for the City of Goleta and provide your plan for seeing these priorities realized.

Question 2: Goleta Business Climate

How would you describe the current business climate in Goleta? How would you describe the City’s current relationship with local businesses? Is there anything you would like to see change regarding Goleta’s business community? If so, how would you work toward that goal?

Question 3: Goleta Sales Tax

Do you support the proposed sales tax on the November ballot? Why or why not? And – in the event that the ballot measure passes – what are your thoughts on a portion of the revenue of the new sales tax be used for visitor services programs, development of economic development programs as part of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, childcare assistance programs that will directly benefit employers and employees in the region, and the revitalization of Old Town Goleta?

Question 4: Old Town

Multiple workshops and city polls have consistently reflected the public’s desire for the revitalization of Old Town. By moving forward with projects like the Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project, the City can begin the process of ensuring bicyclist safety, traffic calming, and the beautification of Old Town to create a more walkable and inviting downtown. The Chamber also supports the creation of a Property Business Improvement District (PBID) to accelerate the process and address the needs of a revitalized Old Town.

Would you support identifying funding to make changes to Old Town? If so, what will you do to push progress forward on a long-term project to realize goals like bicyclist safety, traffic calming, and beautification? If not, why do you feel the status quo is a better alternative? Additionally, what are your thoughts on the creation of a PBID for Old Town?

Question 5: Housing

The Chamber has been an advocate for workforce housing needs for many years and applaud the City’s current and upcoming housing elements for identifying the need for workforce housing in Goleta. While Goleta has made some progress in this area, there is still much work to be done. What do you see as the primary barriers to increasing the housing stock in Goleta? What will you do to address Goleta’s need for additional workforce housing?

Question 6: Visitor Services

The positive economic impact of the tourism industry is a huge piece of the City’s current revenue and potential future revenue. The City’s upcoming Visitor Profile Analysis will serve to further highlight the untapped potential of visitor services in Goleta. What are your thoughts on increased investments in visitor services for Goleta, and how would you envision the City’s efforts to bring more tourism to Goleta?

Question 7: Homelessness

The Chamber supports increasing housing options to transition individuals out of homelessness through both permanent and bridge housing. While we are eager to see the effects the conversion of the Super 8 Motel to Supportive Housing will have on our homeless population, we have concerns about taking a viable business out of the local economy as opposed to building new housing. The Chamber also supports the City’s partnership with SB ACT and the weekly Goleta RAP meetings to address homelessness in the Goleta and encourages elected officials to participate in those conversations.

What concrete steps would you take to address homelessness in Goleta? What are your thoughts on the Super 8 Motel conversion, and what types of alternative solutions would you support?

Goleta Water District Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Question 1: Candidate Priorities

Please list your personal top priorities for the Goleta Water District and provide your plan for seeing these priorities realized.

Question 2: Goleta Business Climate

How would you describe the current business climate in Goleta? How would you describe the Goleta Water District’s current involvement with local businesses? Is there anything you would like to see change regarding Goleta’s business community? If so, how would you work toward that goal?

Question 3: Budget

What are your thoughts on the Goleta Water District’s budget? Does the budget accurately reflect the needs of the District? Do you believe that the District needs to increase or decrease its budget in the short-term? Long-term?

Question 4: COVID-19 Pandemic

In your opinion, how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Goleta Water District? How has the Goleta Water District handled any issues that have arose as a result? Is there anything you would like to see handled differently?

Question 5: SAFE Ordinance

The consequences of the SAFE Ordinance are often cited as the number one barrier to development and growth in Goleta. Given the current track, this does not appear to be changing anytime soon. If the status quo continues as is, it presents a serious threat to the long-term economic development of Goleta.

What are your thoughts on the SAFE Ordinance and its long-term effects on the economic development of Goleta? What are your thoughts on possible solutions the Water District could explore to raise water levels in order to meet the drought buffer.

Question 6: Strategic Planning and Local Partnership

Water is a key issue in California and Goleta. There are many local and State stakeholders and groups working to address water issues and solutions related to our present and future water management needs. One example of one such group is the Integrated Regional Water Management Program of Santa Barbara County. What are your thoughts on the Goleta Water District becoming more involved with local, regional, and State partners to find alternative and creative solutions to our present and future water management needs? What sort of solutions that are currently not a focus of the Goleta Water District would you like to see explored further?

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber 2022 Carpinteria Voters Guide

District 1 Candidate – Running Unopposed

Monica Solorzano

District 3 Candidate – Running Unopposed

Roy Lee

Incumbent

District 5 Candidate – No Endorsement

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has not issued an endorsement for the 5th District Carpinteria City Council race. Please review each candidate’s answers to the Chamber’s Carpinteria City Council Candidate Questionnaire below.

No on Measure T

The Chamber opposes Measure T. The measure’s true purpose is to oppose the Surfliner Inn hotel project, undermining the City’s previous public process. Measure T’s recommendations could lead to unintended land-use consequences for the City and community of Carpinteria, creating potential legal issues for the City and possibly putting Carpinteria out of compliance with State law.

Carpinteria City Council Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Question 1: Candidate Priorities

Please list your personal top priorities for the City of Carpinteria and provide your plan for seeing these priorities realized.

Question 2: Carpinteria Business Climate

How would you describe the current business climate in Carpinteria? How would you describe the City’s current relationship with local businesses? Is there anything you would like to see change regarding Carpinteria’s business community? If so, how would you work toward that goal?

Question 3: Measure T

Measure T has become a controversial issue in Carpinteria due to confusion regarding the purpose and consequences of the ballot measure. Regardless of any confusion, Measure T’s proposed General Plan and zoning changes sidestep the City’s typically public input process and could set a dangerous precedent for land use planning in Carpinteria.

What is your position on Measure T, and why?

Question 4: Linden Avenue and Downtown

Linden Avenue and Carpinteria’s downtown are the heart of the city. Carpinteria’s local businesses are key to the continued success of the downtown region, and the city as a whole. However, there is still much that can be done to help these businesses thrive. What do you see as the areas for improvement on Linden Avenue and Carpinteria’s downtown?

Question 5: Housing

The Chamber has been an advocate of local workforce housing needs for many years. While our region has made some progress in this area, there is still much work to be done. What do you feel is Carpinteria’s part in addressing this challenge? What do you see as the primary barriers to increasing the housing stock in Carpinteria? What will you do to address this local need for additional workforce housing?

Question 6: Visitor Services

The tourism industry’s success on the South Coast offers many economic advantages to local businesses and municipalities. What are your thoughts on increased investments in visitor services for Carpinteria, and how would you envision the City’s efforts to take advantage of the economic advantages of tourism in Carpinteria?

Question 7: Homelessness

The Chamber supports increasing housing options to transition individuals out of homelessness through both permanent and bridge housing. The Chamber also supports the City’s partnership with homelessness focused organizations, as well as neighboring cities’ partnerships with SB ACT to host RAP meetings to address homelessness by bringing together stakeholders like service providers, businesses, residents, city staff, and elected officials.

What concrete steps would you take to address homelessness in Carpinteria?

Tri-County Chamber Alliance 2022 California Ballot Proposition Recommendations