Endorsements Part III

Carpinteria City Council: Al Clark, Brad Stein & Gregg
Carty

Sure, 16 years sounds like a long time, but during those years,
the moderate slow-growth majority controlling Carpinteria City Hall
has done a stellar job. The city’s finances are humming along in
tip-top shape; growth-and-development sensibly reflects the city’s
uniquely small-town flavor; and Carpinteria’s abiding community
spirit is routinely nurtured. Why mess with a good thing? To that
end, we strongly recommend Al Clark, Brad Stein, and Gregg Carty
for City Council. These three will form a new, collaborative, and
environmentally minded council well equipped to deal with the
challenges now confronting Carpinteria: Venoco oil’s proposed
on-shore slant-drilling plant, the widening of Highway 101, and the
host of over-the-top development proposals slated for portions of
the Carpinteria Bluffs. Seasoned by his 16 years on the council,
Brad Stein combines a man-on-the-street affability with political
know-how and an invaluable institutional memory.

Al Clark’s community activism rivals
that of Stein’s, but we also think his bouncy intelligence, sly
wit, and attention to detail will bring fresh energy to council
deliberations. At first glance, contractor Gregg Carty seems almost
too nice to be running for political office. But his experience
with the Architectural Review Board and the Avocado Festival,
combined with deep roots in the community, give him a strong
foundation for public office. Admittedly, we gave short-shrift to
the other two candidates — incumbent Greg Gandrud and newcomer Ron
Hurd — because of their vehement opposition to Measure D, the
congestion relief measure facing voters countywide. While Measure D
is by no means perfect, it’s the last best chance we have to solve
some of our congestion woes. Given the urgency of the problem, we’d
be hard-pressed to support any candidate opposing Measure D.

Goleta City Council: Margaret Connell, Cynthia Brock &
Roger Aceves

At five years of age, the City of Goleta is still weathering
growing pains. Only a few weeks ago, the City Council approved its
first community plan, the blueprint outlining how much additional
growth it wants, what kind, and where it should go. Until this
crucial milestone could be achieved, Goleta’s ferociously
protective stance toward growth and development — often
confrontational and combative — made sense. But with the adoption
of such a plan, we’re hoping the new council can relax just enough
to consider Goleta’s role in the regional housing crisis. More
importantly, we hope Goleta begins to respond more calmly to
requests from residents for housing additions. Given the inflamed
slow-growth sensibilities of the Goleta Valley, however, we
recognize that small, incremental steps are required to achieve
this rather than long, sweeping strides. To that end, we are
endorsing incumbents Margaret Connell and Cynthia Brock, as well as
challenger Roger Aceves. Brock’s environmental bona fides are
secure, having worked long and hard to save much of Ellwood Mesa
from development. Neighborhood advocates and slow-growthers can
rest assured she will not give away Goleta’s open spaces without a
fight.

Connell comes recommended by a lifetime of public service,
coupled with a notably even-keeled disposition. The home she
occupies was considered “affordable” when it was built in the late
1950s, so Connell knows first-hand the benefits of such programs.
Longtime Goleta resident Roger Aceves brings a wide range of
experiences and skills that will be great additions to the
council — not least of which will be his years as a police
detective and hostage negotiator in Santa Barbara. Such training
might help the council navigate more smoothly the passions that so
often erupt in the political life of Goleta. He also has led
numerous organizations, including Earl Warren Showgrounds, through
rocky, argumentative times, finding the common ground that allowed
all parties to move forward together.