Greka Faces Review at Special Hearing

With two criminal convictions, more than 250 environmental violations, and numerous spills, Greka Oil has become Santa Barbara’s favorite oil company to hate. Two hearings have already been scheduled for January to discuss Greka’s perceived failings. The hearings themselves have become the source of competitive tension among regional politicos. First, the county supervisors set aside two hours on 1/15 to take the definitive measure of Greka’s shortcomings. But then Assemblymember Pedro Nava got in on the act, scheduling a hearing of his own for 1/4. County Executive Mike Brown initially indicated that county emergency planners were too busy to participate in Nava’s proceedings, but he has relented somewhat and dispatched his right-hand man Ron Cortez to represent the county Fire Department at the Nava show. Nava’s hearing will take place 1/4 at 630 Garden Street in Santa Barbara, 1-3:30 p.m.