"Who's
Really in Charge of Goleta" Santa
Barbara News-Press op-ed WHO'S IN CHARGE?This week, candidates for Goleta City Council had the opportunity to answer questions from residents concerned about the future of our city. It was clear from the questions that the number one issue on the minds of voters is growth. We couldn't agree more. Five years after Goleta voted for cityhood, development interests, led by the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, decided that Goleta needed to grow faster. Much faster. Not satisfied with provisions in the General Plan for affordable housing and ample commercial and industrial zoning, development interests funneled over $100,000 in donations from developers and other special interests to candidates Michael Bennett and Eric Onnen. Almost immediately after an election where these developer backed candidates promised to protect Goleta's environment and ag lands, while only "tweaking" the General Plan to help home owners, the City Council voted more than $500,000 to fund major General Plan revisions. These included amendments written by the same development interests that spent heavily in the recent election. Sadly, councilmember Jean Blois voted with the new Council Majority to ignore the voices of the majority of Goleta residents who wanted to maintain General Plan protections for agricultural lands and open space. Blois, Bennett and Onnen ignored input gathered at a series of well attended workshops and public meetings, voting for changes that will gut the General Plan, especially its environmental protection policies. As we walk the neighborhoods of Goleta and talk to our friends and neighbors we are consistently asked the same question: Who's in charge - residents or the developers? Based on recent developments, it's a fair question. Just recently, in a move that opens the door to eventual development of Bishop Ranch, these three voted to initiate a process that will lead to rezoning of the Shelby Property, an agricultural parcel near Bishop Ranch. When this subject came up at the candidate forum, Blois gave a series of contradictory answers, leaving it unclear what her position really is. Blois said she did not vote for the project, only to move it forward for review by staff, then later said she was against any rezoning of agriculturally zoned lands. Why would she vote to initiate a rezoning of agricultural land if she knew she was going to vote against it later? As the expression goes: that dog won't hunt. Bishop Ranch has been put on hold until after the election. However, Michael Keston, the developer and one of the largest contributors to Bennett and Onnen in 2006, can resubmit his project just as soon as he sees a majority who will approve it. Jean Blois has already voted to initiate one agricultural rezoning. If re-elected, will she vote for another? Rezoning of agriculture. Massive campaign contributions from special interests. Is this what you wanted when you voted for cityhood? Goleta deserves leadership that listens to residents, and leaders whose votes are not for sale at any price. Goleta is a small town and decisions should not be made by those with big money. Goletans deserve campaigns that are transparent, with clear and timely disclosure of all sources of campaign funding. We propose the following modest change to our elections: Voluntary Reporting of all contributions of $250 or more within 48 hours of receiving the gift with the source clearly identified. This can be done to an independent source, such as the News-Press or Valley Voice, or to a website. Voters need to know where candidates are getting their money. Our opponents have expressed great reluctance to join us in disclosing significant contributions in a timely fashion, saying that it could cause too much of a burden on their campaign treasurers. We hope they will reconsider. Our treasurers haven't complained. Lets make this campaign be about the issue that faces our city, controlling its growth, not special interests fundraising from outside our community. |