ELECTION SECTION

Santa Barbara Sheriff Jim Anderson snagged the
endorsement of the Santa Barbara police union this
week, as well as a nod from all of the county supervisors except
for Joni Gray. Supervisor Salud Carbajal said of Anderson’s
challenger, Lompoc Police Chief Bill Brown, “I’ve got nothing
against Brown; he’s a smart, decent guy, but I have a relationship
with Anderson. He’s always been there for me when I needed him.”
Police union spokesperson Sgt. Mike McGrew stressed the good
working relations between city cops and sheriff’s deputies in his
endorsement of the incumbent.

Billy Connell, owner of Carpinteria’s Surf Dog
hotdog stand, defied conventional wisdom in proving there is such a
thing as a free lunch. On Monday afternoon, he offered dogs, cake,
and Coke on the house to all attendees of his political
candidates meet-and-greet. Carpinteria City Council
candidates Greg Gandrud, Gregg Carty, and Ron Hurd shared their
views on mobile-home park rent control, freeway widening, and
Venoco’s proposal to install an oil rig off Carpinteria’s coast.
School Board member Ron Pulido explained his position against a
proposal to close one of Carpinteria’s elementary schools. Lompoc
Police Chief Bill Brown pressed the flesh, as did Congressional
candidate Jill Martinez, the Democrat challenging incumbent
Republican Elton Gallegly.

Contrary to reports in this paper last week, the final
day for voters to register for the upcoming November
election is Monday, October 23. The three county
election offices will remain open until 8 p.m. on that day to
accommodate last-minute registrations. October 31 is the last day
that voters who are already registered can request an absentee
ballot.

A showdown is looming between the City and County of Santa
Barbara over the cost of elections; both sides
anticipate litigation. The city is chafing at having to pay
overhead costs the county now charges along with fees for counting
city votes. The extra overhead charges boost the cost of elections
from roughly $92,000 to $321,000.

Second District Supervisorial candidates Dan
Secord and Janet Wolf have each been
critical of the other’s supporters. While the Wolf campaign
criticized Secord for accepting contributions for Gaviota Coast
development interests, Secord faulted Wolf for accepting the
endorsement of the Home Builders Association, which is interested
in high-density condo projects.