Election Time Correspondence

By Martha Sadler —– Original Message —–
From: martha sadler To: dan@dansecord.com Sent: Monday, October 09,
2006 5:44 PM

Subject: endorsements and contributors

Dear Dan Secord, this is Martha Sadler at the SB Independent. I
have a couple of questions.

First, I’m sure you’ve heard that the SB City Council all
endorsed Janet Wolf.

What is your take on why they did that? They deny it’s a
Democrat/Republican thing, but do you think it is?

What 6-1 votes were there on the council, with you in the
minority? Or even 5-2. Were there many? Also, word has it that some
of contributors to your campaign in this last round are Gaviota
Coast developers, in particular John Vallance of MAZ properties,
which manages the Rancho Tajiguas property. Also Andi Culbertson, a
planner who has represented Dos Pueblos Associates, and a Dave
Neish a coastal development planner. Finally, is there anything at
all you would like to say about wolf’s campaign finance statements?
–Martha

Secord responds:

The Santa Barbara City Council will follow party lines. That is
the simple truth. That has led to a Wolf campaign about politicians
and unions who like her instead of a campaign of ideas and plans.
That is why her campaign has fallen flat of late. As a rule the
city council had very few 6-1 votes and I enjoyed a productive and
friendly relationship with each member of the council. Who took
money from property owners and developers has become a joke in this
campaign. As Mrs. Wolf talks about who donated to me – she accepts
checks from the same or similar people. Mrs. Wolf has received
donations from developers directly and through other politicians.
In fact, 41% of her money in just this period came from other
politicians and special interest labor unions. The most breaking
news of this campaign is that the Home Builders Association called
me last week to share they had chosen to endorse Mrs. Wolf. The
shared with me and others that they do not like the fact that I
oppose Susan Rose’s high density housing plans, that I proposed a
Planning Commission in Goleta and that Joe Guzzardi endorsed me.
The fact that the developers and builders support Mrs.Wolf and
neighborhood activists support me is very telling. My goals are:
Wise planning: A planning commission for the
unincorporated area. Personal and financial security for the
County residents: Oversight with a finance committee to dig
into the financial crisis that is ahead. Improved health
care: Who better than a physician to help? It’s a shame when
political machines try to dig for dirt, but don’t want to find the
roots of truth. With respect to MAZ properties: I met John
Vallance attended an event where I spoke and he liked what he
heard..And he sent the check. Before I deposited the check I looked
into whether or not MAZ had a project before the County. I checked
with him and also checked with the County.The home project
(Beanblossom) was approved by the Planning Commission then appealed
to the Board of Supervisors and the appeal was withdrawn following
a settlement agreement, which itself was approved unanimously by
the Board of Supervisors including Mrs. Wolf’s mentor, Supervisor
Susan Rose. So this is a non-issue. Dave Neish is a consultant at
the coastal commission and someone who respects my thought process
– he represents no projects in Santa Barbara County – he is a
personal friend. Andi Culbertson was a partner years ago with Dave
Neish – and I did discover she worked with the defeated Dos Pueblos
golf and no longer represents anyone in this county. I hope to see
equal coverage and research of Mrs. Wolf’s money including every
donor to Supervisor Salud Carbajal and Congresswomen Capps who have
given tens of thousands to Mrs. Wolf. –Dan B. Secord, M.D.