Pragmatic Leadership

Having known Joan Hartmann for the past six years, it’s obvious why Supervisor Farr selected Joan four years ago to serve on our County’s Planning Commission.

In 2008 Joan provided the leadership for the Measure E campaign to amend Buellton’s General Plan. Buellton voters now enjoy final say in any developments that would expand the city’s boundaries. In 2009 Joan lobbied the mayor and council to sponsor and fund community “visioning” workshops that culminated in our resident’s “Vision Plan” for the city’s future goals. The success of both the Measure E initiative and the Community Visioning Plan helped focus responsible City Planning within our current boundaries and was a vital precursor to what will hopefully be a revitalized downtown in Buellton.

Joan was influential in my decision to run for City Council in 2012. She was a key advocate for me and my platform to promote greater transparency and fiscal responsibility in local government, greater participation and representation of community interests, and a committed investment in planning for Buellton’s economic advancement.

Joan also helped with a grassroots campaign to defeat a local project that would have reversed the county’s long-standing prohibition of billboard-scale commercials on our highways, thus preserving the rural character and beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Joan is pragmatic and logical while being inventive to find sensible solutions that preserve and promote our environment and quality of life, while simultaneously encouraging economic growth and stability. Joan’s election to supervisor is critical to ensure a successful economic future for our county, and to ensure that our county’s unique location, water resources, environment, and quality of life will be protected and advanced for all of us now and in the future.

I whole heartedly endorse Joan Hartmann for county supervisor. She has the experience that matters.

Leo Elovitz is a member of the Buellton City Council.