Santa Barbara Police Detective Roger Aceves announced he’ll be
competing for one of several seats up for grabs in this fall’s
Goleta City Council race. Aceves – who has lived in Goleta for 24
years – ran for sheriff four years ago, coming in third out of a
field of four. He has also served as El Presidente of Old Spanish
Days. In announcing his candidacy, Aceves sought to distance
himself from the anti-growth/slow-growth polarity consuming the
Goleta Valley, insisting there were other important issues. Still,
Aceves championed a cautious middle ground, supporting neighborhood
preservation and the creation of mixed-use, affordable workforce
housing in Old Town. Aceves joins two other challengers – Santa
Barbara Airbus CEO Eric Onnen and retired firefighter Michael
Bennett. To succeed, they will have to unseat the staunchly
slow-growth incumbents Jack Hawxhurst and Cynthia Brock, as well as
moderate Margaret Connell.
