Debate Continues Over Agricultural Conflict-of-Interest

The long debate over conflict-of-interest charges levied against certain members of Santa Barbara County’s agricultural advisory committees, related to their personal Williamson Act contract holdings, escalated this week as Bob Field-a former adviser to 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone-filed a request with the California Department of Justice and the California Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate the charges. The county Board of Supervisors is slated to review the issue in early October.