Fight Against Passage of Measures P and I Heats Up
by Bonnie Donovan
It is remarkable to observe the resilience and determination exhibited by individuals when they remain steadfast in their pursuits. In Santa Barbara, numerous residents are diligently striving to advocate for truth based on evidence. Their collective efforts reflect a strong commitment to the causes they support.
I extend my gratitude to all those who engaged in research, invested their personal resources, and actively participated in discussions. Your contributions have been invaluable. The opposition to Measures P and I was not based on a singular argument, rather, a multitude of evidence was presented to substantiate the case against these measures. The dedication of one individual in particular was noteworthy, as Denice Spangler Adam’s relentless work often extended into the late hours, driven by the discoveries she and her colleagues made.
Despite the extensive efforts and the press releases doled out to various news outlets in Santa Barbara, it is disheartening that this information has not received the attention it deserves. The lack of coverage raises questions about the dissemination of critical community issues and the voices advocating for change.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Santa Barbara South Coast Media
From: Denice Spangler Adams, Sole Opponent Measure P2024, Santa Barbara County Voter Ballot Guide
NoP4SBCC.com NoP$SBCC@gmail.com
805-881-2484
Date: October 30, 2024
RE.: FILED COMPLAINT WITH FAIR POLICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION 10/29/2024
Under separate cover I will forward to you a copy of my filed complaint. We’ve been tricked by SBCC using the public treasury in violation of both CA Campaign Finance laws and the CA Education Code. Shame on SBCC’s named Trustees, its Superintendent, Foundation, Finance Instructor, and Editor-in-Chief.
At this juncture, I request each of you to set the record straight in your respective publications and broadcasts to ensure readers and listeners that there remains journalistic integrity in this town.
Simply apologize.
You acted on the facts provided to you prior to JR’s Great Debate. You each know that we are known as a forgiving community. I’ve been here since 2/1980 and there have been respected apologies with all soon forgotten.
IT’S UP TO YOU to be direct, truthful, and decent, as locals head to cast their ballots. LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN.
Please note that the filed FPPC complaint does NOT address intentional admitted lies and false fiscal data presented as FACT to the public, to elected state officials, and promoted by media because it’s outside the FPPC’s jurisdiction. Freedom of Speech means say whatever to win at all costs.
Sad to me is the damage done by all those involved from Erika Endrijonas, the five named Trustees, Economic Demographer Lanny Ebenstein, GOP Delegate Tom Widroe, and others have caused irreversible harm to SBCC’s reputation and further eroded public trust in SBCC’s management capability: there is none. The continued distribution of publicly admitted, recorded false representations disclosed during JR’S Great Debate by proponents and advanced by the media regarding bond monetary costs are irresponsible.
Misinformation (aka lies) was marketed and reinforced by the media which now only you can correct.
While you’re at it you might print about the lawsuits related to Erika Endrijonas from bonds issued at L.A. Valley and Pasadena City College: allegations of fraud, racketeering, … I hope this is not another Cold Spring School L2020 Yuri Calderon pending disaster.
Similar to the SBCC football scandal, the question arises: now that SB Current has brought it to light, will others follow suit? Were they attempting to suppress this information until after the vote?
The FPPC Complaint
On Tuesday October 29, 2024, the following was filed: FPPC Complaint Filed by: (an individual) Denice Spangler Adams, Sole Opponent in the Santa Barbara County Voter Information Guide NoP4SBCC@gmail.com (805-881-2484).
Private Citizen, Not an attorney, Elder, 44-year SBCC community volunteer, donor, and past long-serving Foundation Director Executive Committee.
SBCC Co-Founder Business & Industry Associates, Co-Founder Theater Group, Co-Director Adult Ed Campaign, Executive Committee 21st Century Campaign, and …
Trustee watchdog.
Politically Non-Partisan Registered: No Party Preference (NPP)
Campaign Violators:
Santa Barbara Community College District Proponents of Bond Measure P
Jonathan Abboud, President Trustee (TA6) (Jabboud@pipeline.sbcc.edu)
Anna Everett, Vice-President Trustee (TA4)
Charlotte A. Gallap-Moore (TA1)
Robert K. Miller (TA2)
Ellen Stoddard (TA7)
Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent/College President (EEndrijonas@sbcc.edu)
Cornelia Alheimer-Barthel, Finance Instructor, Faculty Association & Union Leader (Alsheime@sbcc.edu)
Cebelli Pfeifer, Editor-in-Chief, SBCC The Channels, School Newspaper (cebelliPfeifer1@pipeline.sbcc.edu)
Santa Barbara Community College Foundation
Bobbi Abrams, CEO, Campaign Treasurer (abram@sbccfoundation.org)
Victoria Dominquez, Development Manager
Jennifer LeMay, Director of Marketing
FPPC Campaign Violations (multiple)
1) Use of Public Treasury, Taxpayer Supported Public Facilities to Organize & Market Yes Campaign (Don’t know FPPC Code #s/ Ed Code Violation 7054, 7055)
2) Disrupting public school normal school activities and campus life by patrician non-stop campaign activities.
3) Organized (Required) Expectation for Taxpaid Public School Employees to Campaign; Emailing on SBCC intercampus publicly owned system using all-faculty staff lists; Requesting Info “with times and days when you are available to support Measure P”; Messaging public school employees at their campus address: “Here are even more ways to get involved”; “directing staff assignments” of so-called volunteer advocates.
4) Yes Campaign (not mere informational) Meetings and Events conducted on SBCC Campus in Public Buildings.
5) Yes Campaign Materials Stored and Distributed on Campus.
6) No Evidence that Campaign Under the Auspices of SBCC Foundation.org on-line prior to 10/28/24 (first post); SBCC Foundation website void of any connection to Yes Campaign prior to 10/28/24; SBCC Foundation committed up to $500,000 for campaign expenditures without full public disclosure; No open books accessible to the public of Yes campaign committee meetings or major donors; By Law, auxiliary organizations, foundations that raise and spend money, must hold public meetings to disclosed; Wrangling up Directors for letters cleansed by paid campaign professionals (support a requirement to volunteer); Foundation CEO Abrams, Campaign Treasurer, highly informed; she knows the law.
7) SBCC Website is YES Campaign Central for Marketing Bond Measure P2024.
8) SBCC Publicly owned Office Equipment used to Market YES on Measure P2024; No Evidence of Rent Paid to SBCC by SBCC Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) for Offices in MacDougall Admin Building.
9) Directly Linking Public School to the Democrat Party Headquarters: EdCode S7050-7058, S82537; Blatant Monopolistic Partisan Campaigning or Politics by a CA Community College is a Violation; Opposition Voices Cannot be Messaged Publicly by Opposing Trustees or By The Channels; Named Trustees holding non-partisan positions all linked to County Democrat Party; Board Censure consequences to Trustees opposing YES Campaign Mandate violating Free Speech of Elected Trustees to Represent Constituents….(more here)
VOTE NO ON MEASURES P AND I
Join Us for Election Eve!
Santa Barbara Current (www.SBCurrent.com) is thowing an Election Eve Get-Together at Cody's Cafe (4898 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA) on Tuesday night, November 5th, from 7pm to 10pm. We would very much like you to join us.
For your admittance pittance, you’ll be privileged to enjoy a Cash Bar, Heavy Appetizers (provided by Cody's Cafe), Mutual Nose-Rubbing, Friendship (real and imaginary), multiple television coverage,and a chance to be among friends and mutual acquaintances as you root for your favorites and against your nemeses.
Will Donald J. Trump become our President-in-Waiting? Will Republicans Sweep the House, Senate, and White House? Will Santa Barbarians defeat the unwanted and unnecessary school bonds? Will common sense school board members and city council members be elected? If the answer to most of these questions is YES, this will be THE place to celebrate. If things go south, you’ll have company drowning your sorrow in a stiff drink.
Please invite your friends. The results of this Presidential Election– from the top of the ballot all the way down –is sure to be pivotal for Santa Barbara, America, and the world. Tickets are $20/in advance (or $30 at the door if still available). Only 150 tickets will be sold, so to ensure your place please order well in advance.
Click here to reserve your tickets.
Santa Barbara Current’s Endorsement List (Nov 5, 2024 Election)
I attempted to expose a similar misuse of staff time at the Santa Ynez High School in 2014 when they were attempting to pass a 30 million dollar bond despite decreasing enrollment. I had documented proof that the administration office was using staff to fund-raise through a fake “Concerned Citizens” group. All but one of the donors were out of town contractors who stood to benefit financially should the bond pass. I won’t get deep in the weeds with the details but it led to me challenged the SYVHS Board President Bruce Porter in the 2016 3rd District Supervisor Primary. All the usual suspects in the GOP, including Mr. Widroe rallied for Bruce. The Santa Barbara GOP refused to allow me to even pitch for their endorsement. The Santa Barbara GOP even sent out a letter calling me a “RINO”. I am so grateful to see others trying to have election laws adhered to. Don’t get discouraged. Keep fighting the good fight. Nothing lasts forever; not even corrupt enterprises.
For the past few weeks, I have worked with Denice Spangler Adams in the fight against SBCC's Measure P. She is an amazing leader and tireless worker. I am full of admiration for her efforts to combat the outright lies and deceptions from SBCC executives and their contractors funding their campaign to deceive voters in order to achieve an increase in taxes of $450million. Yes, SBCC declared the value of the Measure P bond to them at approximately $200 million but not the $250 million of interest on the loan that taxpayers would also have to pay. The main motivation for this bond is to avoid having to downsize the campus facilities and downsize the faculty and support staff, because local student enrollment is down by 35-40%. Also, a very significant number of enrolled students are studying 100% on-line, with no use of campus facilities. A large number of students are studying part-time on-line. SBCC is just another example of city colleges across America that have had to downsize or close altogether because of falling student enrollments.
We all owe Denice our gratitude and support for her magnificent efforts in fighting against Measure P. We need more people like Denice, if we are ever to sever the strangle-hold on power that the Democratic party has on all aspects of life in California