In an effort to save on the cost of legal services, the City of Goleta has opted to hire Tim Giles as a permanent, in-house attorney. Although Giles will be paid $160,000 plus benefits, a study conducted by the City Council determined that having a full-time attorney would be less expensive than the current contract rate of approximately $230 per hour. (/timgiles)
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Business owner and activist Lauren Hansen announced her candidacy on 7/29 for one of the three open seats on the Goleta Water Board. Stating the need for a water board that is more responsive to the needs of customers, Hansen has pledged adherence to the SAFE water supply ordinance guidelines enacted in the 1990s. She is backed by a slate of environmentally minded community leaders, including 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf.
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Goleta City Councilmember Jean Blois announced her bid to run for reelection last week. Blois is a veteran of Goleta’s School Board, the Goleta Water Board, and has served on the Goleta City Council for the past six years, with a turn as mayor in 2007. Blois stated a desire to continue the direction of the current council to amend the General Plan, which she said does not work as is.