A Message from Supervisor Capps
By Bonnie Donovan
A reader inquired whether I had seen Laura Capps's Letter to the Editor in the Montecito Journal, suggesting it warranted a response. Intrigued, I headed to the newsstand to discover the insights shared by Laura Capps, the SB County Board of Supervisor for District 2.
The letter reads:
“Santa Barbara is a place where we value inclusivity, compassion, and support for all residents, regardless of gender, faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation. There is still more that unites us: we are stronger together.
“Beginning today, we will be even more vigilant to ensure the safety of all people, especially the most vulnerable. Immigrants are and will be safe and supported here. LGBTQ+ people are and will be safe and supported here. Women are and will be safe and supported here.
“I’m committed to working hand-in-hand with you all to uplift a Santa Barbara County where everyone feels secure, respected, and heard. I welcome your ideas and partnership as we move forward with empathy – supported by a unified local government that upholds our quality of life. Santa Barbara will forge a future our children deserve.”
I had to read this again:
“Beginning today, we will be even more vigilant to ensure the safety of all people, especially the most vulnerable. Immigrants are and will be safe and supported here. LGBTQ+ people are and will be safe and supported here. Women are and will be safe and supported here.”
I see exclusion in Ms. Capps’s statement:
Santa Barbara frequently refers to certain groups as the “most vulnerable,” often highlighting the poor, children, and the homeless. However, it is essential to recognize that the handicapped, disabled, and elderly individuals, may represent the most vulnerable segments of our society. Their unique challenges and needs deserve equal attention and support.
Another reader forwarded the following blather and suggested writing about it… Click on this link.
Looking For a Well-Paying Job?
The Santa Barbara County Executive Office is currently looking for an Inclusion Initiatives Manager (Principal CEO Analyst Classification). The incumbent will champion, oversee, and advise, on the development and implementation of the County of Santa Barbara’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and objectives. The Inclusion Initiatives Manager works to promote equity and inclusion in County employment, programs, services, and activities, and to identify and eliminate barriers that result from racial and social injustice and inequities.
The County Executive Office is the heart of the County Administration, responsible for implementing policy directives from the Board of Supervisors, overseeing operations of the 23 other County departments, and working with various community organizations and constituents through collaboration and innovation.
The County Executive Office provides the Board of Supervisors, departments, and the community with expert fiscal guidance, analysis, policy development, and organizational leadership to reach goals. Employees in the department have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of County operations and assist in achieving our goals and objectives.
Closing Date: Monday, December 2, 2024
More Information and How to Apply
To view the full job brochure, click HERE.
Click on the Benefits, it’s a MUST READ!
Higher Pay and Bigger Benefits for Them = Higher Taxes for Us
If you are wondering why taxes continue to rise in Santa Barbara, you now have your answer. That Santa Barbara County continues to hire for a boondoggle program such as DEI is both a mystery and a travesty.
We could surely use a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) instead.
Recall the BLM Movement in Santa Barbara?
Some city council members, including Meghan Harmon and Oscar Gutierrez, were actively supporting Black Lives Matter and advocating for police defunding. Meeting every one of BLM’s demands!
This month brought an amusing twist. The groundbreaking ceremony for a new police station took place, and ironically, two council members who had pushed for defunding were present, even the one who questioned the expenditure on the new facility. What a perfect photo opportunity!
The Evidence Speaks For Itself
As November draws to a close, it is important to reflect on the ongoing issues regarding street and sidewalk maintenance. It has been noted repeatedly that street repairs seem to coincide primarily with the installation of new bike paths, raising concerns about the prioritization of infrastructure projects.
In a recent City Council meeting, city staff shared their progress, stating their aim to establish 91 miles of bike paths by 2030, boasting that they've already reached 98 miles. Seven miles of bike paths ahead of their goal with six years remaining!
However, the pressing question remains: have our streets, pavements, and sidewalks been adequately repaired?
People should know that the DEI position being offered by SB County comes with a starting salary from $137,000 to $177,000. And, naturally, I comes with all kinds of benefits and perks, raising the cost to taxpayers to at least $300,000. Asking for higher taxes of any kind is an intolerable injustice in light of the crazy spending the city and county promote. No doubt a Santa Barbara City/County DOGE would help set things right... Maybe even (do I dare say it?) a tax reduction or rebate would be in order?
Does Laura Capps affirmatively support inclusion of political conservatives? How will she ensure their place in all community wide discussions going forward. Or is she tainted by her own party's misperception that conservatives are racist repressives; instead of mavens for fiscal accountability ala DOGE. Tell us more, Laura.