2024 Voters Guide
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our 2024 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.
The Chamber sent questionnaires to candidates running for Districts 3 and 4 and Mayor in the City of Goleta, Districts 2, 3, and 4 in Carpinteria, and Districts 1, 2, and 3 in Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce also sponsors the South Coast Business Action Fund, a group of business leaders who work together for pro-business political action. We also endorse business-friendly candidates and raise money to help elect Chamber supported candidates, and recruit business leaders to run for office. Visit BAF.SBSCChamber.com to learn more or to donate today.
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber 2024 Santa Barbara Voters Guide
Santa Barbara City Council Candidate Questionnaire Responses
Please list your personal top priorities for the City of Santa Barbara and provide your plan for seeing these priorities realized.
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber 2024 Goleta Voters Guide
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.
To fund public works fully and address the backlog of infrastructure projects. Restoration of
essential city services to fully function in serving the public, enact citywide parking reform and
enforcement, address issues with county housing on city borders, address housing that is not
reflective of the surrounding neighborhood, address fire station/public safety, establish term limits
for mayor and council positions
My top priorities for the City of Goleta are: 1) Housing Affordability & Homelessness Prevention 2)
Infrastructure & Safe Streets and 3) Climate Change & Disaster/Emergency Preparedness. My plan
for seeing these priorities realized will be through the budget process, review of Housing element
programs, policy implementation, and ongoing collaborations with regional stakeholders.
Some of my top priorities include reducing airport noise over residential neighborhoods,
managing the implementation of our housing element, creating our childcare program, restoring the
Ellwood Mesa, and ending homelessness in Goleta. Many of these are addressed below. As such, let
me focus on another area, Public Works: 1. We will be developing a benefit/cost metric for the
Capital Improvement Pan (CIP) to ensure that those projects with the greatest public benefits get
selected. 2. We will be winnowing our list of CIP projects, distinguishing between those that are low
priority and likely never pursued, from those that are important. 3.Regarding pavement, historically.
our budgets both relied on fees, rather than general fund revenues and did not display the
expenditure level sufficient to hit our Pavement Condition Index target. As such, the budget has
underinvested. Creating a new 5-year plan can serve as a roadmap for addressing our road
maintenance needs.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
The City of Goleta has a huge unfunded obligation. Finance Director Rioux described the
budget as structurally solid, but he noted the review did not include the $19.7MM + failing crib wall
on Cathedral Oaks, nor the $65MM in backlogged road maintenance, nor the 5 year capital
improvement program that is underfunded by $140MM. The only suggestion from the city council is
higher fees, taxes or borrowing. I would pursue eliminating grants that have been taken but
unfunded to eliminate ballooning fiscal obligations. Goleta has 11 grant funded CIP jobs that are on
hold for lack of adequate funding. Staff time is freed up by eliminating the soft costs of needless
grants. I would stop the north and south portion of the San Jose bike path. It has mushroomed from
$20MM in grants and $2MM from the city to $30MM from the city. It is a boutique project we
cannot afford.
Economy and Fiscal Responsibility: I’m convinced that increasing access to housing opportunities
affordable to Goleta residents is key. Doing so will sustain and grow our local workforce, and
generate future jobs. A thriving economy, funds vital public health and community services.
Stewarded Growth: I am committed to protecting and preserving the character of Goleta’s
neighborhoods and environment by carefully managing growth and its impacts. I’ll stand up to
minimize impacts of state-mandated housing developments both in Goleta and on our borders,
while working to maximize projects’ affordable units.
Health & Safety: I’m dedicated to ensuring public safety, especially including safe air, water, traffic,
and threats to the environment, such as climate change, pollution and other threats such as fires
and flooding.
All of these challenges must be addressed on a regional basis, and I’ll capitalize on the relationships
and trust I’ve developed with local leaders and organizations.
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?
I will be honest that a huge mistake was made by the council in the Old Town Interim
striping project. It should not have been implemented while the freeway and roundabouts were
under construction. No adequate metrics could even be obtained until the other projects were
completed. The Chamber missed representing the interests of many of the Hispanic and small
business owners in Old Town when they needed the support the most. The attendance and rallying
of bicycle community and Chamber support in attendance of the vote with shirts hurt Old Town
Business owners trust in both Council and the Chamber. Significant work will be needed to repair
that relationship and restore confidence in both entities as well as other long time businesses like
Larry’s auto parts. It’s not about female owned businesses, or businesses of color, it’s about ALL
BUSINESS and policies that put any added support to a certain group create division and conflict with
guiding principles of equity. This may be unpopular, but I believe it’s truthful, and I’m more than
willing to discuss the subject as if it mentionable, it’s manageable.
I think generally the business climate in the City of Goleta is good, although some
pandemic related impacts likely linger. Goleta’s local businesses are part of what we all love about
living here. I think we can always improve our communication with local businesses and the rest of
the community. Better cooperative planning could have prevented some of the traffic issues
Hollister Avenue recently experienced, with the County and CalTrans all working on public works
projects at the same time as the city led to inconvenience to many residences and businesses.
Our goal is to develop a business climate that supports our local businesses. There should
be clear and reasonable explanations for our zoning and permit requirements. Requirement can’t be
rationally justified, should be removed. In addition, especially in a time where on-line commerce
poses such a threat to local businesses, we need to ensure that our city’s regulatory environment is
as transparent and easy to navigate as possible. We recently lowered our permitting fees for
businesses. I also would support the removal of duplicative and overlapping jurisdictions among
regulatory agencies. Finally, we need to be open and receptive to ideas on how can we work
together on policies that make sense and benefit the city.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
The city gives great lip service to the business community but other than banners on light
poles they deliver little. Developers find the city planning department to be slow and difficult to
work with. The Housing Element was a panicked knee jerk at the 11th hour to avoid builder’s
remedy. The council has underfunded roads for ten years. Bad roads are bad for business. In Old
Town the re-striping is a disaster. The businesses I talked to say sales have fallen. The plan made ten
buildings with parking lots inaccessible coming from the west or to turn left when leaving. Forced to
go the opposite ways three streets ban U-turns making it difficult to travel the area.
Our local business climate is good but it’s vital that we constantly work to capitalize on our
opportunities, while facing many challenges – competition from online vendors, high rental costs,
high housing costs inhibiting recruiting new workers, high costs of building materials, and many
more. I’ll continue focusing on increased affordable childcare. I’ll work for more housing that is
affordable, not only by partnering with housing organizations and seeking grants.
I will also continue to press UCSB to live up to its settlement with Goleta and the County. Under the
settlement, UCSB will finally build on- campus dorm rooms for 3,500 beds and housing for the
approximately 1,500 faculty and staff they added under the 2010 Long Range Development Plan
(LRDP).
Question 3: Economic Development
Compare your priorities for economic development within the City of Goleta to the City’s current economic development priorities?
Having been in the Hospitality business for over 26 years I would like to see the culinary
level rise a bit in Goleta. Margins are tight but Old Town would benefit with something to drive
traffic. That will be far off due to Project Connect going on. Goleta has missed a significant economic
benefit to both business, community, energy resilience/security, and tax revenues. I find it absolutely
unacceptable that 3CE is building large scale solar projectsin the desert on fragile ecosystems.
There’s plenty of rooftop in this area that needs to be incentivized with battery. This should’ve been
done long ago, when NEM 1 or NEM 2 were available. The subsidies for vehicles and bikes should’ve
gone here first. Model of letting normal people benefit just isnt alligned with your values. When
Rincon goes down what do we do? Microgrid but you didn’t invest early in your community, created
fixed costs and savings, business revenue from installers, tax from sales, everyone who missed that
opportunity should not be fit to serve the public. Desert wouldn’t suffer either. 3CE is a public
institution accountable to the public, has barred the public from the ability to put an item in the
agenda, and is holding profits that belong to the public. I believe that the Chamber has a
responsibility to hold 3CE our CCA accountable for not providing significant opportunities for rooftop
solar projects and battery storage which has left the local areas from Rincon to Gaviota vulnerable to
power instability and resilience for our entire local grid. Stop building projects on fragile habitat,
Partner with your residents so they can reap the benefits of security and fixed cost. Create Micro
Grids serving hospitals and essential stotage. The chamber needs to change the relationship with
3CE.
The City of Goleta’s priorities for economic development are laid out in a Strategic Plan for
2023-2028. I believe these priorities should be reviewed annually and adjusted as needed so that it
remains a responsive living document.
One approach is to add more housing in areas where it makes sense and reenforces a sense
of community. After completion of the new Train Station (hopefully with expanded commuter
opportunities), we can create a specific plan for the area to adjust the zoning to enable new housing
and manage the development. Similarly, we should create a specific plan by the Ekwill-Fowler
streets, part of Project Connect, to add new housing to leverage these road improvements.
Another way to help our businesses is to attract visitors, both those coming just to shop and eat in
restaurants, and who overnight. We can help develop and support new attractions and public
events so we can we get those visiting from out of town to visit Goleta or just stay an additional
night after a business trip? Another possibility is if we can attract more students to Old Town.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Better streets. Lower fees. Demand the planning process be streamlined.
I believe my priorities square with our City’s current economic development priorities. As I
stated earlier, working to provide more housing affordable to our current and future workforce, and
working on affordable childcare are ways we already are seeking to promote economic
development.
But we can and are doing more. We need to continue identifying and amending city’s processes that
sometimes may inhibit economic development. A recent success is revising the zoning code. It not
only aligned our zoning code with our General Plan. It also increased clarity, consistency and
predictability to our development processes for both developers and the public. We’re dedicated to
continuing to seek ways to streamline permitting, reduce fees where possible, and simplify or
eliminate unnecessary regulations.
Question 4: Housing
What do you believe is the state of housing in the City of Goleta? What are your priorities regarding housing in the City of Goleta?
I think the large slate of projects of housing in Noleta and Western Goleta were not
collectively examined and a good start will be taking a more expanded look at the projects. Mixed
use commercial retail is the mechanism that best serves the needs of the community to spread out
its housing making it more livable with less commute, locally owned bodegas, lower traffic impacts,
allow up more opportunities to address workforce, low, and very low income to thrive and survive.
We can look at monetizing our collective output.
Employers continue to report that high housing costs are a barrier to hiring. Although the
city hit the overall RHNA (Regional Housing Need Assessment) targets in its previous cycle, it did not
meet the estimated need for low-income units and homelessness has seen an uptick. My priority is
to take a balanced approach by focusing on this unmet need and the implementation of the Housing
element programs to promote housing affordability for working families while also ensuring that
impacts to our local infrastructure are mitigated.
We have rezoned sites sufficient to add over new 1,800 units, as well as having additional
infill sites for housing that HCD did not include. Our goals are to work with developers to provide the
maximum number of units affordable to our local workforce. As we incorporate these new units, we
will ensure consistency with the General Plan, including controlling excessive traffic congestion in
the neighborhoods. We also will be evaluating an enhanced local preference ordinance, which will
do two things: first enable those already living in the area priority to receive affordable units, and
second, a preference to those working nearby the new housing. In this way, there is greater
potential for public safety-related personnel such as. police, fire, and emergency responders, as well
as health personnel to receive affordable housing. Moreover, living close to one’s work increases
the potential that alternative transportation will be used.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Costs are too high for many. That said, supply vs demand will always be an inflationary
factor. Sadly, Gov. Newsom seems to think people have a right to live wherever they choose and
communities are obligate to provide housing. ADU’s are being pushed onto single family
neighborhoods. If the goal is to create economically affordable ADU units and any builder density
bonus units should be under some form of rent control. NOT NEW OR EXISTING rental
developments! Homeowners may choose to build and spread out the return or not. We cannot build
our way out of higher prices. New units cost the city. None generate the property tax to cover the
needed public services. I support the Chamber’s Roadmap to Recovery. We need more mixed. Also
rezone commercial property to residential as the market demands.
As in many communities nationwide, our housing situation is sub-optimal. There’s not enough, and
the purchase and rental prices are too high. And, the state-mandated rezoning falls short, seem
likely to produce little affordable housing relative to market rate housing.
Goleta’s role to ameliorate the situation lies in multiple actions. First, it’s to negotiate with
developers to increase the number of affordable units per project. Second, it’s to work with nonprofits such as People’s Self-Help Housing and the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority to find
funding to help produce more units that are affordable. Third, we must continue to press the
University to fulfill its settlements with Goleta and SB County to build units planned for students,
faculty and staff already here, currently driving up housing costs in Goleta. And we must strive to
ensure that new housing is not incompatible with Goleta’s character and dedication to
environmental standards.
Question 5: Energy and Reliability
What do you believe is the state of energy and electricity reliability in the City of Goleta? What are your priorities regarding energy and electricity reliability in the City of Goleta?
The situation is poor, but with Sand batteries, Sodium Ion storage, and other solid state
opportunities, it is possible a better outcome may be achieved. At minimum a decentralized solution
would be in the best interest of public safety and energy resilience and microgrids to overcome
Larger long term power challenges.
I believe Goleta is heading in the right direction and will support ongoing efforts to improve
energy efficiency and reliability. I support ongoing efforts to improve grid reliability with green
energy, battery storage, and other efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to ensure that the
grid is reliable for workplaces and residents. We need to ensure that property owners have
incentives to invest in electrical upgrades if we are going to encourage the use of battery storage,
electric vehicles, and electric appliances. Many residential and commercial properties are over 60
years old, and many have outdated wiring and/or panels.
There are several areas of improvement we can focus on. First, when SCE indicates that
they will test their equipment with a shutdown. If they opt to cancel those tests, they need to notify
the public ahead of time. It has to be very frustrating for businesses that close down, and for
families that must go to a hotel to find out, only that no shutdown occurred. Second, for businesses
that require a reliable energy for their manufacturing and research, we need more battery storage.
The city has a work item in our planning department to identify good locations for new battery
storage. When completed, this mapping will facilitate the process of adding more battery capacity
and ultimately enhance the reliability of the grid.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
I believe they are good. If under the Reach Program demands soar for charging electric
vehicles, So-Cal Edison is obligated to bring in new lines. Electrical service is largely reliable and
when down fairly rapidly restored. We do not have the national grid to support a world of all electric
cars and homes. A single source of power is a mistake. A reliable electric supply includes fossil fuels.
The GridStore battery facility is a bonus for emergency needs.
We currently have a sufficient and mostly reliable supply of electricity. Like every community, fires
and other potential natural disasters pose a threat. And just over the horizon, energy hungry
enterprises, such as artificial intelligence and bitcoin mining, may strain our grid. That is why we
have several initiatives to promote solar energy at residences, businesses, and City Hall, the latter
being 100% serviced by solar panels.
We also are promoting battery storage, such as the recent facility the city approved in West Goleta.
It provides back up for peak periods. And batteries can be recharged during off-peak lower rates.
We are committed to facilitating a reliable and affordable supply of energy, now and for the future,
in the most ecological and safe manner possible.
Question 6: Childcare
What do you believe is the state of childcare in the City of Goleta? What are your priorities regarding childcare in the City of Goleta?
Personally, none. Being a product of the Orfalea Child care center and other after school programs I
have first hand knowledge of the struggles a single parent has. Having ran a title 1 national grant
program at Santa Barbara Junior High I know what those kids need and how best to reach them.
During my ages 10 – 20 I gave back as a youth Umpire for Dos Pueblos Little League and I believe that
creating kids opportunities for mentorship and engagement in service of the youth of this
community is key. I started a volunteer youth umpire program at GVSLL with a friend and had great
success. In general, taking care of the youth is always number 1 on my list. Including more young
adult participation in politics and governance. We are too old, out of touch at times, and less in the
loop about different approaches. Internships for high school kids in both governance, facilities, and
public works. I do want to highlight that there are some that are so rabid in the pursuit of their
causes, willing to accept the infringement on the civil liberties of others. It is wrong no matter how
noble you may believe it to be.
Affordable childcare remains an ongoing challenge for city residents and workers. I would
support efforts included in the city’s Strategic Plan to improve childcare access and affordability for
Goleta residents and city employees.
Adequate and affordable child care can be an economic driver for Goleta. There is a
massive need for more childcare facilities for children age 0-2 and the city will be in a position to add
capacity. When the state’s expands public education for children age 4 (or 3 ½ if special needs), it
will have two impacts. First, some 20% of the childcare spaces now being used will no longer be
used. Because 9 in 10 children aged 3-5 already have childcare, there’s an opportunity to expand
coverage for children aged 0-2 yrs, where only 1 in 8 is being served. Second, the public provision of
TK will lure away current childcare teachers, so preschools may experience a major loss in
personnel. How can the city help offset that?
Another economic development strategy is in developing new childcare facilities. We provided new
funding for WEV to support this initiative.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
This is a major expense for families. The reality is not everyone can afford to live here.
Responsibility for child care falls on the parents planning and preparation. I support any business
that wants to integrate child care into their facility. It would be an attractive bonus and a means for
retaining employees.
Goleta identified the urgent need for affordable, accessible & high-quality childcare to support
working families and our business community over half a decade ago.
Since then, the city has taken aggressive steps to remove obstacles to childcare by changing zoning
requirements, incentivizing inclusion of childcare in new developments, and allocating funding that’s
already resulted in four new family childcare centers opening in Goleta, helping more than 30 local
children and their families.
Looking forward, the city will allocate $250,000 this year towards further expanding access to
childcare in Goleta. Goleta also prioritized inclusion of a new daycare center in the city’s approval of
the future medical office building at Santa Felicia & Storke Avenue. There are also plans to include a
center at the workforce housing development planned for the Yardi site on Fairview Avenue.
Question 7: Workforce Development
What opportunities do you see for the City of Goleta to collaborate with local industries on workforce development?
Yardi will be a big one that is coming up. First responders need to be incorporated into that
hopefully. Having law enforcement as stakeholders in your community is key. Teachers and virtually
every level of the economy needs to be reflected. Renting alone is not enough. Everyone must be
provided opportunities for ownership in the communities. More importantly, Yardi has an amazing
opportunity to help with achieving these goals. The algorithms, front, and back proptech
architecture could be a great tool to optimizing our opportunities to their full potential.
I would like to hear from the local industries about their priorities and needs and explore
how the city can cooperate in workforce development through internships or other programs. SBCC
does an excellent job with career technical training which the city could help publicize.
Part of our economic development strategy is to improve access to economic opportunity by increasing the availability of more livable-wage jobs. Businesses also have a need for new employees – the question is how to ensure that the city can help as a facilitator, supporting job fairs
and coupling UCSB and SBCC students with employers. We are committed to helping with developing more childcare teachers and staff to support our childcare goals. We have been working with DignityMoves to enable more employers to take advantage of a tax credit for hiring of homeless people.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Streamlining bureaucracy is a good and necessary option. Maintaining infrastructure is
essential.
I believe that in answering questions above, I have already identified the key ways Goleta can
collaborate on workforce development. We are receptive to any and all ideas to work on the two
key drivers for workforce development: increasing the supply of housing that’s affordable and
increasing the supply of childcare that’s affordable.
In addition, I believe we need to keep close touch with the University and rapidly expanding high
tech industries to understand and anticipate their evolving expansion plans and related workforce
needs.
What is your vision for Old Town Goleta? What do you believe is the City of Goleta’s role in seeing that vision realized?
I think we are learning a lesson currently. I am going to say that Old Town needs a reinvention after recent events. To the groups who have actively left behind the small businesses of Old Town, you need to take a look in the mirror. That can never happen again. There was too much rush. It was poor timing. If we want to achieve the vibrant model we want to envision as a place of belonging. We have to zoom out beyond just Hollister Ave. Old Town and the historic components must be preserved. Expanding up the corridors towards Carson St. Keep Old Town front facing and work out towards the proposed Yardi housing. That would honor the old, and move forward to the new. Without losing our soul. We have to stop getting focused in on accommodating all modes of travel on one street
Old Town Goleta is truly the heart of the city. I support a vision of Old Town that is informed by the residents and small businesses there. The City has invested in important infrastructure to reduce flooding in the area, add sidewalks for local residents, and to provide public
parking for visitors. With the current public works activity in the area, I think the current focus should be supporting local residents and businesses during construction and to seek ongoing community feedback.
We have started through critical projects such as ending flooding on the eastern end, renovating the Community Center, building Jonny D. Wallis Park, and adding sidewalks. We are currently implementing significant new public works projects in Old Town, including the lane restriping project. It aimed to: (1) provide greater safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers, by adding bike lanes and making street crossings easier. (2) maintain circulation and avoid excessive congestion. We will be monitoring traffic conditions and make adjustments, as needed, and (3) help, not hurt
businesses, both by increasing available parking and by increasing customers by building on Old Town’s unique historical and cultural identity and walkability to help the small, local businesses. We can also fund new events to attract visitors to the area to these businesses. But we will need to monitor the implementation and adjust as needed to ensure that the project is accomplishing its goals.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Time will tell but at this juncture the city has seemed to destroy the Old Town market. Their goal was to force out the 30% of vehicles they called through traffic” but this overburdens surrounding freeway exchanges. It also presumes that none of that 30$% will ever shop in Old Town.
Drive them away and they may never come back. The reality is that the sales tax return from Old Town has been one of the best. Some people’s claims that Hollister is dangerous are not supported by traffic studies, accident rates, or mortalities. The stores provide exactly what the community needs. Merchants fear that fixing up buildings will bring higher rents. In other words, the folks in Old Town were pretty happy.
Our vision and role are to make changes that are necessary to keep Old Town residents and business safe and thriving, but without changing Old Town’s essential character and without fostering socalled gentrification. It’s tricky, but we believe we are on a good path, starting with completing a project some years ago that ended flooding in eastern Old Town. We’ve also made great progress in making the Community Center ADA and earthquake safety compliant. And we have built Jonny D. Wallis Park, improved Armitos Park, established a Community Garden, and provided Pickleball courts, all successfully enhancing leisure activities for all. When completed, the current Project Connect, coupled with time restricted parking and securing 2 lots for public parking just off Hollister should relieve chronic parking shortages. And the addition of dedicated bike lanes should draw more bike riders to shop and dine in Old Town.
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber 2024 Carpinteria Voters Guide
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.
1) Preservation of the Character of Carpinteria: One of my top priorities is to ensure that
Carpinteria retains its unique charm and character. Our town is known for its small-town feel,
natural beauty, and close-knit community, which are increasingly at risk from outside pressures,
including overdevelopment and the pervasive presence of the cannabis industry. While cannabis
has been touted as a financial boon, the reality is that Carpinteria has seen little fiscal benefit,
and the costs—both literal and in terms of community impact—far outweigh any gains. Our
schools are surrounded by cannabis operations, and the daily odor is a constant reminder of this
issue. I am committed to working with residents and local businesses to ensure that any
industry, including cannabis, aligns with the values and needs of our community.
2) Accessibility of Local Government: I believe that every resident of Carpinteria should feel heard,
understood, and involved in the decisions that affect our community. Unfortunately, many
residents have expressed frustration with the current city council’s lack of accessibility and
transparency. I’ve heard from numerous residents in my district who have never met or spoken
with their council representative. This disconnect is unacceptable. If elected, I will prioritize
making our local government more accessible by holding regular town hall meetings, actively
engaging with residents, and ensuring that all council decisions are communicated clearly and
proactively. I want to create an environment where residents feel empowered to voice their
concerns and know that their input will be taken seriously.
3) Public Safety: The safety of our community, especially our children, is of paramount importance
to me. The recent decision by the city council to remove the school resource officer has left our
schools vulnerable, and many parents are unaware of the potential risks this decision poses.
Every time a tragic incident occurs in a school, the community is left in shock, often saying, “I
can’t believe this happened here.” We cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to the safety
of our children. I intend to prioritize reinstating school resource officers to ensure that our
schools are safe environments where students can learn and thrive.
The City of Carpinteria is moving into a lean budget due to stagnant revenue and rising expenditures.
To address this, I support the upcoming TOT measure, B2024, which aims to increase the hotel bed
tax from 12% to 15%, generating local revenue for community benefit. As we plan for the future it is
important that the council make fiscally conservative decisions. Additionally, with California’s recent
housing laws taking local control away, Carpinteria must accommodate unprecedented growth while
preserving open space. We are required to build 901 housing units, with 46% designated for very low
or low-income households over the next seven years. To achieve this, it is important that the city
create a housing committee to develop innovative strategies to balance the need for housing with
open space.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 2: Carpinteria Business Climate
How would you describe the current business climate in the City of Carpinteria, as well as the City’s current relationship with local businesses? Is there anything you would like to see change in this regard?
Carpinteria has a surprisingly robust business community. From large corporations that are based in
the area to many of the thriving small businesses on Linden Avenue, we are proud of the success
that we have had here in Carpinteria. But that success did not come by accident. We have carefully
curated our small business community, supported our local businesses by keeping big box stores in
one area, and continue to encourage new business and entrepreneurship. The relationship that
Carpinteria’s residents have with most of the existing companies in the area is very positive.
As a City Council member, I will make it a priority to thoroughly understand the details of every new
business proposal, while also ensuring that our existing local small businesses receive the support
they need as they recover from the impacts of COVID. I believe it’s essential for the city’s residents
to have clear and transparent information about the costs and benefits of these proposals so they
can communicate their thoughts to me…and I can represent them effectively. Unfortunately, this
level of transparency has often been lacking in many of the city’s past decisions, leaving residents in
the dark.
Finally, I want to ensure that we streamline the permitting process to ensure the success of every
new business venture and create opportunities for growth in our community. We have a special set
of local businesses here in Carpinteria, and we need to ensure that they not just survive but thrive.
I believe there is significant room for improvement to support the Carpinteria’s business climate.
When Carpinteria had its own Chamber there seemed to have been more targeted outreach and
collaboration between the City, Chamber and local businesses. I would like to see increased
communication and collaboration between all parties. I would also recommend streamlining the
cities permitting process and purchasing a database system that would provide real time updates.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 3: Economic Development
Compare your priorities for economic development within the City of Carpinteria to the City’s current economic development priorities?
The priority will always be to keep Carpinteria’s small beach town charm. That said, the city is
currently operating in a financial deficit. Smart residential and commercial growth needs to be
balanced with the priority of keeping Carpinteria’s culture and appeal. We should understand the
details of every proposal and whether it’s a net positive or negative benefit to the city.
As council member, I will ensure that we have proactive community outreach, and work towards
consensus buy-in from folks who will be supporting new businesses.
Carpinteria has an opportunity to build smart, not big and put our locals first. I believe that we can
be an example for the rest of Santa Barbara County about how a local economy can flourish.
Although the city currently lacks a formal economic development strategy, my priorities can still help
shape future efforts. For example, collaborating with local nonprofits or industry professionals to
establish job training programs could compliment potential youth engagement initiatives.
Additionally, focusing on infrastructure improvements and expanding alternative transportation
options, such as our bike trails would lay a strong foundation for future economic development.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 4: Housing
What do you believe is the state of housing in the City of Carpinteria? What are your priorities regarding housing in the City of Carpinteria?
There needs to be more affordable housing in the county. Housing affordability affects every aspect
of life and hinders our local businesses’ ability to hire top-quality employees.
I recently assisted a local elementary school teacher, who is a single-mom, in finding a rental
property here in Carpinteria within her budget. It was a significant challenge. With letters and
creative ideas to improve the property, we managed to convince the landlord to reduce the monthly
rental cost, but this took a team of moms to make that happen. This is simply untenable. Single
moms provide vital assets to our community. Our city is unaffordable for them, as is commuting
from far distances where housing is more affordable.
We need to get creative about finding solutions that address these needs, including housing,
transportation, and infrastructure.
To address housing needs in Carpinteria, we can explore partnerships like Dignity Moves to tackle
homelessness and work with local employers to develop additional workforce housing options.
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 5: Energy and Reliability
What do you believe is the state of energy and electricity reliability in the City of Carpinteria? What are your priorities regarding energy and electricity reliability in the City of Carpinteria?
Overall, electricity in Carpinteria seems to be reliable, and I haven’t encountered any significant
issues personally. However, with California’s upcoming mandate for electric vehicles, I have
concerns about whether our local infrastructure is fully prepared to support this transition. We
currently have limited access to superchargers, and many residents live in townhouses or homes
without convenient charging options, which could present challenges.
Given Carpinteria’s ample sunshine, I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to enhance our
energy reliability by streamlining the permitting process for solar installations and exploring the
potential of microgrids. By making it easier for residents and businesses to install solar panels, we
can reduce our dependency on the grid and better manage the increased demand from electric
vehicles. Additionally, investing in microgridding could help distribute energy more efficiently and
provide backup power during outages, further increasing our resilience.
As a City Council member, I will prioritize these initiatives to ensure that Carpinteria’s energy
infrastructure is not only reliable but also sustainable and capable of meeting future demands. My
goal is to help our community take full advantage of renewable energy resources and build a more
self-sufficient and resilient energy system.
Deferred infrastructure, particularly our roads, need significant repair given its ongoing deferred
maintenance. It is important that the city maintain the roads moving forward
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 6: Childcare
What do you believe is the state of childcare in the City of Carpinteria? What are your priorities regarding childcare in the City of Carpinteria?
Childcare is expensive and there is simply not enough of it. Many residents must commute either
north or south for work and 101 traffic has only gotten worse, forcing parents to spend more and
more time away from their kids. This increases the amount of time per day that parents require
childcare. I’ve personally experienced this with a daily commute to UCSB and being a primarily single
parent at home with my spouse being active duty.
Fortunately, we have some solid before- and after-school childcare programs at the schools and
clubs in town. I intend to ensure that these programs are supported, and even expanded, for our
residents.
Childcare costs are extremely high, requiring many families to choose between working or remain at
home with a single income. In Carpinteria we have a limited number of child care facilities and even
fewer scholarship opportunities. Advocating for more affordable child care and encouraging and
exploring workforce child care is important to the community of Carpinteria
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.
Question 7: Workforce Development
What opportunities do you see for the City of Carpinteria to collaborate with local industries on workforce development?
Carpinteria has significant opportunities to collaborate with local industries such as manufacturing, technology, medical, and agriculture to strengthen workforce development. One key area for growth is in creating certification programs for non-degree fields, particularly in the tech sector,
where there is a high demand for skilled workers. Currently, Carpinteria lacks a dedicated tech school, but by partnering with local industries, we could establish such programs, leveraging their expertise and aligning training with real-world needs.
There are also state grants available that support these types of educational partnerships, which could provide the necessary funding to make this happen. Our city needs more proactive leadership that collaborates at the state and county levels to actively seek out these resources to support our local businesses and workers.
By pursuing these ideas, we can help our residents gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market while supporting our local businesses. I will focus on driving these initiatives forward to ensure that Carpinteria continues to be a hub for innovation and skilled talent.
Carpinteria has great opportunities to partner with local industries on workforce development. Expanding our single workforce housing program could greatly benefit the community, including creating a positive impact by allowing teachers and other essential workers to live in the same community where they work. This would enhance both the quality of life and the sense of
community
No Response Provided.
No Response Provided.