Santa Barbara has become a city full of sheep, self-absorbed denizens, most with their head pointed at a phone. Meanwhile, this apathy is resulting in a once great city degrading the quality of life for all.
Agree...reflective of the entire State of California. Observe who are continually elected and/or re-elected to local and statewide offices and the associative nonstop accretion of freedom impinging legislation. Voters have frequently supported increased costs...be it revenue bonds or gasoline taxes...often by large numbers. We make our own beds and the byproduct of a single party state. Explains in no small part the exodus of legal Californians to other state
You state the obvious Mike. What’s the solution? Bonnie’s survey respondents must be passive members of the non confrontational Downtown Improvement Association led by CEO Robin Elander, & Board President David de L’Arbre; even its paid CEO is supportive of State Street closure regardless of member needs.
Seems like only a lawsuit against the City for losses will get Council’s attention. That takes $1M for starters. Are property and/or business owners willing to help pay the cost?
More and more downtown buildings are being exempted from property tax. It’s infuriating to me. Most recently the former Forever 21 was bought by tax exempt Music Academy.
The City is becoming one huge NPO financially dependent on homeowners.
Do you agree? Those property owners with low local property tax payments don’t care; and high +$50K annual prop taxes don’t matter to others. The middle are advised to move or put up/shut up.
I have no solution for our one-party state. I believe it has to crash onto the deck before any substantial change can be made. The cliche "the inmates are running the asylum" applies here.
In June not publishing results of a survey completed in January is reminder that like the results of the votes for the congressional seats in Orange County, the real results can be published instantly but it takes time to alter them to achieve your goals.
I’m interested in survey distinctions: *property* owners as differentiated from *business* owners, leasing a property. Also, response rate.
Posted SIGNAGE is needed on every street corner along Chapala, State, and Anacapa.
We need to know what businesses are on State St that we can’t see! Reps are oblivious.
All parklets need to go immediately. They distract from the exceptional architecture while ruining ambiance. It looks trashy.
If status quo car prohibition is to be maintained: Carve out outdoor dining by widening sidewalks to 18 feet wide. Pedestrians deserve our paid public walkways! Our new car prohibited, ‘bike and shuttle only’ downtown vehicles can function in a 16’ wide area: 8’ each direction.
Agree, Michael. It doesn't fit the desires and needs of residents, but it does fit their vanity. All these old Boomers at the No Kings protest cheering on Carbajal for telling off Hegseth. Why aren't they screaming at Carbajal to fight for their rights, rather than illegals'? Because for a moment they feel like Boomer kids again, without having to pay for Botox.
It is clear that the council serves itself, special interests and their ideology rather than the citizens of our city. It is plain that the State Street closure is unpopular with citizens, tourists and business yet they refuse to reopen to cars. The mystery is why do these same voters who would like to see State reopened, continue to elect ideological baffoons to the council?
Thank you, Bonnie, for reminding me that poppies have …, well, you know. In the midst of all this spending, I'm curious about the “rebranding” committee, DSBIA, that's being funded to further screw up downtown Santa Barbara. How much money are they - or rather, we taxpayers - paying the “consultants” who put together that poppycock questionnaire they sent out? For those SB taxpayers who didn't get this, below are three of their stunningly idiotic questions about how downtown should be rebranded and my snarky answers:
Q: In your opinion, what are the most common reasons people would avoid downtown?
MY ANSWER: Because of what the current SB government has done to it.
Q: What do we want people to feel or associate with downtown Santa Barbara?
MY ANSWER: What they associated with it before the current government screwed it up.
Q: What words or feelings should the new brand communicate? (e.g., coastal, vibrant, historic, artsy etc.)
MY ANSWER: The new brand should shut up and go away.
Government employees are just plain lazy. As taxpayers we are like parents who hold no standards for their children leading to unambitious adults. City employees enjoy good salary and benefits including retirement yet cant be bothered to show up for work or devote any serious effort to productivity. I know everyone wants to lick the boots of a fireman but I have been trying for over a week to get a simple answer to a fire safety question. They rarely answer the phone. The outgoing message promises a call back within half an hour. No call back. When I finally got a person who accidently picked up she did not know the answer and promised to get the answer and call me back within two days. No call back. Two calls later with no answer and unanswered messages I patiently await my answer. The fire department should be privatized such that you receive a bill for service. Fire insurance would cover the fees and they would be glad to do so because a private accountable force would result in less property loss. But what would all those 300k fire captains do? Go on preemptive disability as is ever popular with fire and police.
DLD: in regards to City Council Majority, you post “do-gooders”; I say “Financially illiterate nihilists” determined to destroy business, private property rights, and end all accountability.
Watch out when radical Sneddon runs for Mayor backed by D4 homeowners (Eucalyptus Hill/ Riviera/ Eastern SAN Rogue). These homeowners must be oblivious, or as financially dependents on government checks and pensions support Sneddon who was handpicked by former Mayor Sheila Lodge.
Kristin Sneddon & her husband County Public Works combined get about $750,000 annually from taxpayers. Where is the value? The ROI?
Who can better explain D4 Sneddon-voter mentality beyond that D4 voters are financially dependent on taxpayers for their wealth?
Hmmm…financially illiterate or ‘financially savvy’. Methinks they often act to expand influence & friendships with a desire to line their pockets along the way…what a great life!
Bonnie nicely done logical layout of the failure of 40 years of fantasy planning and multiple broken promises by elected and hired ring kissers.
I worked for a full decade on the 1300 blk. of State. My boss and other businesses watched the accelerated destruction of the business district. The politically correct swells puffed up and said when we are down to Ortega and a shopping mall it will all change. Yep they were right. Again the long term "change" was not for the better and made it worse.
The current administration does not seem to care they are the cover-up crew. The HLC was and is intentionally ignored by a Council that is the exact definition of the "Gang that could not shoot straight."
Cars Are Basic, has repeatedly presented to the Council the option of taking State back to what it was in the 1970's. As a Social Experiment it would be "proof" of which side is best. They had grant money 3 years ago to do it. But then again you have a Council who seem intent on their concept of "proof" is the 4 finger salute and take down 3.
I'll end with this. As long as you have a 3 Brass Monkey Legislature in Sacramento who destroys local zoning based upon what works. As long as you have the same Legislature that changes environmental rules "proving(?)" that impressive air quality clean up is not enough.
You will have strong armed, to heck with the majority, and "you mean businesses have failed?" idiots being elected. I'll repeat a CAB comment stated every year for the past 25 years: If the failures in public transportation policy used the same failure in their private business and banking lives they would be bankrupt.
Come to the CAB monthly meeting on the 25th. Bring Bonnie's article and we'll make a primary topic of discussion and how it applies to other communities. (12 noon Elk's Lodge - Goleta)
When we moved here ten years ago, we loved to stroll and shop in downtown State Street. No more! The Santa Barbara Socialist and incompetent city council has destroyed any appeal that State Street had. All the while, they have wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on consultants and studies that have produced no improvements.
Now, the center of social gatherings, shopping and dining is the vibrant collection of Costco, Home Depot, Home Goods, other national retail stores, a cinema, numerous, popular restaurants, street music a weekly farmers' market and ample parking. Across the street is another popular venue for shopping and dining. Then, there is Goleta old town with its authentic charm and Goleta, Calle Real with Trader Joes and numerous, diverse restaurants.
My parents bought a house in Goleta in 1961 that I live with my husband in now. I love Goleta but it has lousy govt that capitulates to being the lab rat for every stupid urban experiment SB wants to inflict.
ACT: We need D4, D5, D6 business savvy, financial literate candidates who respect property rights and taxpayers to elect to the 3 open seats. All incumbents are termed out.
Submit your name or your recommendations, your suggestions to Bonnie or SBCurrent.
Support the effort. How will you help? Time and/or money? In the past it takes about $150,000 for a Democrat candidate to win a race, with additional union contributions.
It likely will cost more for a non-partisan (No Party Preference) candidate more to win plus lots of volunteer help.
Are you willing to ACT? Complaining, restating our local reality hasn’t moved the needle.
Our City, our streets are a dangerous maze, created by (stupid, self serving) officials. It will take an army but current decline can be successfully reversed.
I moved here 8years ago. State Street was shabby and full of low end stores even then. It’s not about Covid or closing part of it to traffic. There is NO good shopping in SB which is pretty amazing. State Street could be beautiful if the city would really invest in making it more like Carmel than a truck stop for tourists, tattoo parlors and the homeless. It’s really a shame. That said, I have no idea WHY it hasn’t been fixed. I do know it goes way beyond the recent street closure.
Elaine as a multi-generation fellow the answer to your question is: The City "promised" if the narrowing of State did not improve the business district they would reto-fit State."
They lied. The majority elected were there because those who voted could not believe the destruction seen daily would not miraculously turn around. Land was expropriated, failed parking and street design was excused as being "temporary."
UGH! Why not get Rick Caruso to transform it for good!! There is no way the city is making money on what’s there, is there? If residents wanted to put pressure on someone/group, who would that be? Who is “the city”?
Bonnie thank you for being the Warrior who mse heart is in the right place I will be submitting this into ncsdoge.com these ponzi scheme political scams will end we just had our last proclamation at the s
State Capital on the 17th June 2025. It was really unethically sick to see the LBGTQ flag flying with symbolism for ChildSexTraffiking on that flag. This is why NewCaliforniaState.com is coming in to reclaim our new statehood to address all these grievances from the people. We are the only ones who have Constitutional Standing. Our 13th Cobstitutional Convention being held in Visailia California June 30, July 1 2025 is open for people to attend who will be voting on our New California State Constitution. I must have the names of people who are attending if they would like to become citizen delegates and vote. Message me here for more information.
Has anyone noticed that taco is a two week wonder. Everything is two weeks, two weeks, whether there it’s a decision or an announcement, whatever it is, it’s always two weeks from now. For those of you that don’t really listen to what he says, pay attention, anything that he’s gotta use his brain for it’ll be two weeks. To me, he will always be TWO WEEK TACO.
Santa Barbara has become a city full of sheep, self-absorbed denizens, most with their head pointed at a phone. Meanwhile, this apathy is resulting in a once great city degrading the quality of life for all.
Agree...reflective of the entire State of California. Observe who are continually elected and/or re-elected to local and statewide offices and the associative nonstop accretion of freedom impinging legislation. Voters have frequently supported increased costs...be it revenue bonds or gasoline taxes...often by large numbers. We make our own beds and the byproduct of a single party state. Explains in no small part the exodus of legal Californians to other state
You state the obvious Mike. What’s the solution? Bonnie’s survey respondents must be passive members of the non confrontational Downtown Improvement Association led by CEO Robin Elander, & Board President David de L’Arbre; even its paid CEO is supportive of State Street closure regardless of member needs.
Seems like only a lawsuit against the City for losses will get Council’s attention. That takes $1M for starters. Are property and/or business owners willing to help pay the cost?
More and more downtown buildings are being exempted from property tax. It’s infuriating to me. Most recently the former Forever 21 was bought by tax exempt Music Academy.
The City is becoming one huge NPO financially dependent on homeowners.
Do you agree? Those property owners with low local property tax payments don’t care; and high +$50K annual prop taxes don’t matter to others. The middle are advised to move or put up/shut up.
What’s the solution Mike?
I have no solution for our one-party state. I believe it has to crash onto the deck before any substantial change can be made. The cliche "the inmates are running the asylum" applies here.
I stay for the weather.
In June not publishing results of a survey completed in January is reminder that like the results of the votes for the congressional seats in Orange County, the real results can be published instantly but it takes time to alter them to achieve your goals.
I’m interested in survey distinctions: *property* owners as differentiated from *business* owners, leasing a property. Also, response rate.
Posted SIGNAGE is needed on every street corner along Chapala, State, and Anacapa.
We need to know what businesses are on State St that we can’t see! Reps are oblivious.
All parklets need to go immediately. They distract from the exceptional architecture while ruining ambiance. It looks trashy.
If status quo car prohibition is to be maintained: Carve out outdoor dining by widening sidewalks to 18 feet wide. Pedestrians deserve our paid public walkways! Our new car prohibited, ‘bike and shuttle only’ downtown vehicles can function in a 16’ wide area: 8’ each direction.
FIND D4, D5, D6 Candidates!
Thanks Bonnie you’ve again pointed out that our elected officials have an agenda that doesn’t consider the desires and needs of the residents.
So much for a representative government.
It’s called tyranny!
Once again Michael cuts to the chase.
Great comment
Agree, Michael. It doesn't fit the desires and needs of residents, but it does fit their vanity. All these old Boomers at the No Kings protest cheering on Carbajal for telling off Hegseth. Why aren't they screaming at Carbajal to fight for their rights, rather than illegals'? Because for a moment they feel like Boomer kids again, without having to pay for Botox.
It is clear that the council serves itself, special interests and their ideology rather than the citizens of our city. It is plain that the State Street closure is unpopular with citizens, tourists and business yet they refuse to reopen to cars. The mystery is why do these same voters who would like to see State reopened, continue to elect ideological baffoons to the council?
They vote them in because the Dems can still manipulate Santa Barbarans with the “we're not Trump” bs.
Thank you, Bonnie, for reminding me that poppies have …, well, you know. In the midst of all this spending, I'm curious about the “rebranding” committee, DSBIA, that's being funded to further screw up downtown Santa Barbara. How much money are they - or rather, we taxpayers - paying the “consultants” who put together that poppycock questionnaire they sent out? For those SB taxpayers who didn't get this, below are three of their stunningly idiotic questions about how downtown should be rebranded and my snarky answers:
Q: In your opinion, what are the most common reasons people would avoid downtown?
MY ANSWER: Because of what the current SB government has done to it.
Q: What do we want people to feel or associate with downtown Santa Barbara?
MY ANSWER: What they associated with it before the current government screwed it up.
Q: What words or feelings should the new brand communicate? (e.g., coastal, vibrant, historic, artsy etc.)
MY ANSWER: The new brand should shut up and go away.
Government employees are just plain lazy. As taxpayers we are like parents who hold no standards for their children leading to unambitious adults. City employees enjoy good salary and benefits including retirement yet cant be bothered to show up for work or devote any serious effort to productivity. I know everyone wants to lick the boots of a fireman but I have been trying for over a week to get a simple answer to a fire safety question. They rarely answer the phone. The outgoing message promises a call back within half an hour. No call back. When I finally got a person who accidently picked up she did not know the answer and promised to get the answer and call me back within two days. No call back. Two calls later with no answer and unanswered messages I patiently await my answer. The fire department should be privatized such that you receive a bill for service. Fire insurance would cover the fees and they would be glad to do so because a private accountable force would result in less property loss. But what would all those 300k fire captains do? Go on preemptive disability as is ever popular with fire and police.
Thanks again for your hard work, time & energy, bird dogging our local issues…Great situation report.
Q3 tells the story:
3. Has the closure of State Street to vehicular traffic impacted your tenants and related businesses within your property?
a. Yes, positively (15) – 22%
b. Yes, negatively (38) – 53%
c. No opinion (18) - 25%
4. Do you support opening State Street to vehicular traffic and shuttles?
a. Yes (54) - 74%
b. No (18) - 25%
Our downtown, once filled with vibrant activity, has been transformed to mediocrity by the hands of the do-gooders. Sad to see…
DLD: in regards to City Council Majority, you post “do-gooders”; I say “Financially illiterate nihilists” determined to destroy business, private property rights, and end all accountability.
Watch out when radical Sneddon runs for Mayor backed by D4 homeowners (Eucalyptus Hill/ Riviera/ Eastern SAN Rogue). These homeowners must be oblivious, or as financially dependents on government checks and pensions support Sneddon who was handpicked by former Mayor Sheila Lodge.
Kristin Sneddon & her husband County Public Works combined get about $750,000 annually from taxpayers. Where is the value? The ROI?
Who can better explain D4 Sneddon-voter mentality beyond that D4 voters are financially dependent on taxpayers for their wealth?
Hmmm…financially illiterate or ‘financially savvy’. Methinks they often act to expand influence & friendships with a desire to line their pockets along the way…what a great life!
I'm not sure of the motivation, but "financially illiterate" is spot on.
Bonnie nicely done logical layout of the failure of 40 years of fantasy planning and multiple broken promises by elected and hired ring kissers.
I worked for a full decade on the 1300 blk. of State. My boss and other businesses watched the accelerated destruction of the business district. The politically correct swells puffed up and said when we are down to Ortega and a shopping mall it will all change. Yep they were right. Again the long term "change" was not for the better and made it worse.
The current administration does not seem to care they are the cover-up crew. The HLC was and is intentionally ignored by a Council that is the exact definition of the "Gang that could not shoot straight."
Cars Are Basic, has repeatedly presented to the Council the option of taking State back to what it was in the 1970's. As a Social Experiment it would be "proof" of which side is best. They had grant money 3 years ago to do it. But then again you have a Council who seem intent on their concept of "proof" is the 4 finger salute and take down 3.
I'll end with this. As long as you have a 3 Brass Monkey Legislature in Sacramento who destroys local zoning based upon what works. As long as you have the same Legislature that changes environmental rules "proving(?)" that impressive air quality clean up is not enough.
You will have strong armed, to heck with the majority, and "you mean businesses have failed?" idiots being elected. I'll repeat a CAB comment stated every year for the past 25 years: If the failures in public transportation policy used the same failure in their private business and banking lives they would be bankrupt.
Come to the CAB monthly meeting on the 25th. Bring Bonnie's article and we'll make a primary topic of discussion and how it applies to other communities. (12 noon Elk's Lodge - Goleta)
I would be there, but I'm in post-Sepsis recovery and not able to negotiate walking through crowds with my walker yet :-)
It’d all be hilarious if it weren’t so tragic (and expensive!).
Amen.
Goleta is the place to go.
When we moved here ten years ago, we loved to stroll and shop in downtown State Street. No more! The Santa Barbara Socialist and incompetent city council has destroyed any appeal that State Street had. All the while, they have wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on consultants and studies that have produced no improvements.
Now, the center of social gatherings, shopping and dining is the vibrant collection of Costco, Home Depot, Home Goods, other national retail stores, a cinema, numerous, popular restaurants, street music a weekly farmers' market and ample parking. Across the street is another popular venue for shopping and dining. Then, there is Goleta old town with its authentic charm and Goleta, Calle Real with Trader Joes and numerous, diverse restaurants.
Who needs State Street in its current state?
My parents bought a house in Goleta in 1961 that I live with my husband in now. I love Goleta but it has lousy govt that capitulates to being the lab rat for every stupid urban experiment SB wants to inflict.
Bonnie, thank you for your reporting on this topic. The poor management of money in this City is nuts.
ACT: We need D4, D5, D6 business savvy, financial literate candidates who respect property rights and taxpayers to elect to the 3 open seats. All incumbents are termed out.
Submit your name or your recommendations, your suggestions to Bonnie or SBCurrent.
Support the effort. How will you help? Time and/or money? In the past it takes about $150,000 for a Democrat candidate to win a race, with additional union contributions.
It likely will cost more for a non-partisan (No Party Preference) candidate more to win plus lots of volunteer help.
Are you willing to ACT? Complaining, restating our local reality hasn’t moved the needle.
Our City, our streets are a dangerous maze, created by (stupid, self serving) officials. It will take an army but current decline can be successfully reversed.
I hate to re-state the obvious but the closure of State Street is a complete disaster for the town. It has ripped out its heart.
I moved here 8years ago. State Street was shabby and full of low end stores even then. It’s not about Covid or closing part of it to traffic. There is NO good shopping in SB which is pretty amazing. State Street could be beautiful if the city would really invest in making it more like Carmel than a truck stop for tourists, tattoo parlors and the homeless. It’s really a shame. That said, I have no idea WHY it hasn’t been fixed. I do know it goes way beyond the recent street closure.
Elaine as a multi-generation fellow the answer to your question is: The City "promised" if the narrowing of State did not improve the business district they would reto-fit State."
They lied. The majority elected were there because those who voted could not believe the destruction seen daily would not miraculously turn around. Land was expropriated, failed parking and street design was excused as being "temporary."
You have the answer to your question "WHY"......
UGH! Why not get Rick Caruso to transform it for good!! There is no way the city is making money on what’s there, is there? If residents wanted to put pressure on someone/group, who would that be? Who is “the city”?
Elaine, Rick Caruso offered a year ago... He also explained why it isn't working.
That’s interesting….and discouraging. What happened?
Nothing, they didn't take him up on his offer.
Wow….I wonder why. That’s really too bad
Bonnie thank you for being the Warrior who mse heart is in the right place I will be submitting this into ncsdoge.com these ponzi scheme political scams will end we just had our last proclamation at the s
State Capital on the 17th June 2025. It was really unethically sick to see the LBGTQ flag flying with symbolism for ChildSexTraffiking on that flag. This is why NewCaliforniaState.com is coming in to reclaim our new statehood to address all these grievances from the people. We are the only ones who have Constitutional Standing. Our 13th Cobstitutional Convention being held in Visailia California June 30, July 1 2025 is open for people to attend who will be voting on our New California State Constitution. I must have the names of people who are attending if they would like to become citizen delegates and vote. Message me here for more information.
NewCaliforniaState.com/Events
Has anyone noticed that taco is a two week wonder. Everything is two weeks, two weeks, whether there it’s a decision or an announcement, whatever it is, it’s always two weeks from now. For those of you that don’t really listen to what he says, pay attention, anything that he’s gotta use his brain for it’ll be two weeks. To me, he will always be TWO WEEK TACO.
That's it?? Yikes....have great weekend....
Likewise. ✌🏼