How Now, Bow-Wow

Although there are a lot of us out here who really like the way Francisco handles himself at Council meetings and how he votes, I will be surprised if his Prop 8 support does not disqualify him in the minds of the overwhelmingly Democratic liberal voters in the City. It used to be Falcone's to lose, now it is Helene's to lose. I expect her to be our next Mayor which of course opens up another Council seat.

Yes, it's a race between Dale and Helene. Cushman offers no valid alternative to the fanatical pro-growthers.
Go Dale!

It makes one scratch his head and wonder if Iya's mishap wasn't intentional and strategic. if so, it's just more crooked politics in SB. She certainly understands campaign strategy, and I don't for a second believe it was an "accident" that she turned in so few signatures.

I agree that it's going to be between Dale and Helene. I for one have been very impressed with Dale Francisco, and I think his experience is something SB really needs. His stance on controlling and limiting over-development is issue number one for me, so Dale has my vote.

Normally I agree with all things Dog. But I think Angry missed this one. Helene is way too "spendy" for most local voters for the Mayor's position. On the Council OK, but way too left for us in the middle. Dale, a sort of "kinder, gentler" Republican, is likewise good for the Council. He actually has some economic sensibility. However, I am shocked that he supported Measure B, and it points to his willingness to follow the wacky rightwing "conservative mantras" radicalizing a once proud Party. The winner in the 10-Little-Indians scenario is Cushman - a Conservative Democrat, now happily occupying the ENTIRE middle. My money is on him.

Following the wacky rightwing? Or doing what he feels is right on specific issues?

We don't always have to look at this as right/left, blue/red and following one side or another. We the people always say we want bipartisan elected officials, and candidates that will "work across the aisle" ... But when they do, we label them wacko, or somehow abandoning a side, color or party. I don't agree with everything Dale has done, but I do admire his professionalism and ability to look at the issues for what they are, and hold his ground for he feels is right... er, I mean correct ;)

It's understandable why Iya is out of the race since there are many things that are more important than running for office. But it's too bad that maybe the most qualified candidate is no longer a choice.

Left unbarked by the Poodle is the position that middle-class, neighborhood Dems are now in with the only viable Dem option being a Pro-developer Democrat.

A while back, it seems some SB Dems/Libs decided it was OK to get into bed w/ developers to enable development just so long as "affordable housing" was included. Simply put, there many ways to make SB more affordable, and continuing this "build more" policy that has been condo-izing Santa Barbara in the last couple of years shows a lack of imagination.

However, the biggest bummer is that this "build more" policy is walking away from SB middle-class neighborhood families who make the choice - and who work very hard - to live here.

Choosing between a Yes on Prop 8 but largely pro-neighborhood Republican or a Pro-Developer but largely solid liberal Dem forces voters like me to choose between quality of life issues and our principles. Candidates always evolve during campaigns as new information becomes available. Maybe Schneider can review Measure B again, and clearly state her unequivocal support. This would make it a lot easier to show up for her in November.

Building heights and gay marriage, THESE are the paramount issues of our time? I don't think so. You people deserve the idiots you vote into office if that's all you can talk about. How about gangs, sanctuary city politics, overpaying UNIONS, and undercutting resources like fire & police. Dale Francisco is the only real choice but Dale, listen up man, 60 feet is fine. It's inclusionary housing that's causing the problem. LISTEN and LEARN from those who really STUDY these problems (i.e., Bill Fulton in Ventura if you want to "take it out of town"), not just the local special-interest wankers. Our city DOES need more workforce housing but we could be RE-HABBING areas like the Westide, Mesa and Upper State for a while. Very few buildings are actually being built in the city core anyway, the hysteria is out of proportion. Dale, you have a good mind--use it. As for gay marriage, I'm sorry, it's just NOT a defining issue for a candidate. UNLESS of course you're trying to create a diversion (ah, you guys wouldn't do that, would you?) Yeah, we thought so...

Several things to remember about this local election;

1.) The economic problems experienced by the city are the same economic problems experience globally and were induced by conservative and specifically right wing policy.

2.) Gangs are the result of on going conservative social-economic disparities, abusive labor and immigration policy and ineffective "drug wars," again products of conservative values, specifically right wing inspired.

2.) This is what conservatives do to get elected, find wedge issues like "bulbouts" to springboard support and when they get elected assert a right wing agenda.

3.) Right-wing conservatives always use divisive scapegoat tactics to divide and get elected i.e. ethnic and gender disparities, homeless, gays and lesbians, non-evangelical christians especially, etc. Your current liberal council members are also being scape-goated when indeed they are all very intelligent and hard-working.

4.) Modern "Traditional Marriage" no longer requires asking ones father for a hand in marriage. Gay and Lesbian couples, should not have to ask secure single straight men such as Dale Francisco if it is o.k to marry. Francisco's financial involvement is documented here>>>http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/?appSession=370104618324280

5.) I believe Dale Francisco is hiding his far right wing authoritarian anti-democratic personality. While Nick Welsh states he is "cool-headed" I would suggest that Francisco is rather calculating, disingenuous and has typical finger-pointing, conservative passive aggressive behavior patterns. If you are not on Francisco's team of the "like-minded" Francisco will react very aggressively and inappropriate to his duty as a public servant. Take time to view this July 28th council meeting, 18 minutes 20 seconds into the video found here>>> >>>http://santabarbara.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=6

Cushman is moderate and against Measure B. Francisco is extremely conservative and for Measure B. I'm liberal and don't care either way about Measure B. I'm supporting Schneider.

Maybe Francisco just likes the letter B. Maybe he's neither anti-gay or anti-tall buildings. Maybe he just likes B.

No comment on what the police and fire unions are going to do now? They won't set it out. One assumes they will be for the candidate that has proven to be supportive--Helene Schneider, and against the candidate that is overtly hostile--Dale Francisco. If the past is prologue we should assume that expensive full color fliers of uniformed safety personnel will fill the air and mail and frighten people into voting for their choice. This does leave room for thoughtful conservatives to rally behind Steve Cushman but we need to remember where and how he has made his living. The idea of another Downtown Organization shill leading policy should make us consider if we are happy with the direction the city has taken for the past few decades. I for one don't think tourism should be the highest level of economic aspiration and would like to believe that voters want some attention paid to the real neighborhood problems that continue to be neglected. Sidewalks in communities without them, affordable housing (yes including renovation of neighborhoods, more apartments and encouragement of multi-family sharing of large homes by allowing rental of rooms and "mother in law" conversions are issues that would make our town a better place. The Poodle cold shoulder and denigration aside, some of the other candidates do have ideas that we should consider, like Isaac Garretts' proposed district elections.

As the population increases, so will the need to build.

Zero growth anyone?
Be unreasonable anyone about keeping what St Barb has rather than changing it to what we do not want?

I am a liberty loving, tree hugging, carcass eschewing, effete intellectual, bourgeoisie, honky assed liberal.

Those who subscribe to inevitable politics, such as more people must mean more buildings, such as pounding yet again on criminals rather than devoting resources to reform through education, such as telling others what to do in the bedroom, create their own reality by reaction rather than active direction. I think we all want the freedom of choice to do what we want. John Locke started it. We are here to continue it. Freedom from fear. Freedom from want. Freedom of worship. Freedom of speech. God bless America, and even those who think I am an idiot.