Williams Makes It Official

Seems we have some revisionist history going on here. Nava never told Williams not to run. Williams told everyone he wasn't running, including the press.

This is an overly ambitious political operative who doesn't seem content to serve the people of Santa Barbara. First he tries to jump off Council by running over Janet Wolf. Now he's running over Susan Jordan.

My water still tastes terrible.

What a guy. (Illegally) rented subsidized housing from his lawbreaker uncle while running for city council. Tried to abandon the council seat by running for County Supe. Failed. Re-elected anyway by mindless electorate in SB City. Said he wouldn't but is trying (again) to abandon council seat by running for Assembly. Not committed. Not trustworthy. Not honorable. Never had a real job. So far sounds like a professional politician frantically trying to build a career. Protege of Taxin' Jackson. If this guy gets elected, then 1) the voters in this district really are stupid and 2) they get what they deserve - another tax and spender who will dig CA deeper into disaster.

Would someone please explain to me what is meant by "social justice connections" and "feminist credentials"?

I am amazed at all the negative comments about Das. Have you ever worked with him? The guy is excruciatingly honest and ethical, and willing to go to the wall on issues that are of no personal benefit to him, but that he recognizes to be important. And why was it wrong for him to run for County BoS? Not that I begrudge having Janet, whom I love, but a City Council starting point is ever y bit as legit as Janet's background.

As someone closely involved with the environmental issue that has divided the area, I understand fully why Das felt compelled to run. With all due respect to Susan and Pedro, who have a legitimate right to disagree with the proposal and for whom I have great personal regard, the overwhelming majority of local environmental organizations strongly back the PXP/Tranq Ridge project -- and it was felt that Susan was less than honest and forthright about blocking it. So Das's decision to run was about having someone in office who shares the environmental viewpoint of that vast majority. Also -- Das has multiple issue interests (social justice, equal rights) where some see Susan as having only an environmental background. It would be good to have that broader palette.

I just can't believe any of you who are dissing him have ever dealt with him. If you had, you'd know what a totally stand-up guy he is, and how smart and politically astute. . . .

As someone also informed on this issue, I'd have to say that while the PXP deal had local support, it is not well respected outside of the small community of locals who negotiated this deal in secret. Those who studied the issue more closely such as State Lands and the AG realized it was not enforceable and vetoed it for very compelling reasons.

Major newspapers like the L.A. Times, plus Sen. Boxer, John Burton and many top environmental groups also oppose the deal. So in the end it was not about Nava or Jordan "blocking" it but major players like Garamendi and Chiang. Jordan was upfront at the beginning about her concerns. The "less-than-honest" observation above is less than honest, quite frankly.

Most of us do feel it was more than this issue that propelled Das to run. And while social justice is a lovely thought, someone with a long history of experience in the business arena as Jordan has would be preferable to a career politician. Not to mention years spent in women's health issues, public policy and statewide advocacy.

I'm not a fan of Janet, either, so using her experience as a justification for Das' doesn't fly. Enviro and social justice (whatever that means) may be important issues, but they rank small behind public safety (gangs) and finances (impending bankruptcy) and management/reduction of the city bureaucracy. SB voters really need a Council that will address the basics first. Special interest single issue voting is killing California/

LeeH - I have spoken with and appeared before Williams at City Council meetings - I came away thinking he didn't grasp the issues, seemed largely disinterested and had little to offer on anything. His primary interest and motivation seems to be furthering his own political career rather than furthering the interests of his constituents.

Williams? Jordan? Stoker?

Surely we can do better than that?

I would assume that in the lexicon of Das and his ilk "real people" are those who pay little to no tax but get great benefit from government income, kinda like Das himself.

Seasoned? Yeh right. Get married, have kids, run a business, come back in 10 years. Then maybe you'll get my vote if you're really sincere about the public's interest.

Williams said he's, "a little too young to retire from politics" (Ventura Star, March 11.)

What too often gets lost in listening to Williams is that politics is not for the benefit of the politician but for the people. To be everything to everyone (an infant in the Ojai Valley, a homeless teenager in Isla Vista, teacher at Antioch (how many classes?) is interesting, but there has to be some depth. Much of his time on the SB city council, where he's had some good votes, has seemed to be in preparation for the next higher-salaried run, Supervisor, now Assemblyman.

I don't know Susan Jordan but I look forward to hearing what she has to say and hope the Indy will do a profile on her, as well as this story on Das.

PS:
As for LeeH's comment above, we in Santa Barbara recently saw Williams "go to the wall" against the citizens' height initiative, trying his hardest to get a council-backed/Flacks-inspired alternative on the ballot. That continuing effort of his lost, thanks to Helene Schneider's courage in not supporting it. It did not show quality leadership. ...I don't think the "vast majority" with an environmental viewpoint on the PXP project share Williams' viewpoint.