Excellent, Bonnie. Thank you for everything you do for *us,” as opposed to our government which does everything for their own personal gain. You make me feel like being a taxpayer doesn't put a bullseye on my wallet, which is how our “elected” “officials” (can't we come up with better words - how about “grifting” “knuckleheads”?) behave towards us.
I agree with you; we need a better name for "elected officials." If you read the article about the typical democrat placement of their climbers... (County Planning Commission). Capps is putting Kate Ford in the newly vacant seat. In chess, we are the pawns, and they are the King, Queen, Knights etc etc.
And they couldn't win at real chess because they're such dimwits, so they rig the game. That's why they hate Trump, because he is a brilliant chess player.
Bonnie- I always appreciate your columns as they regularly expose the rampant corruption in the city, county and state. Today we learn yet another UCSB Environmental Studies major will be hired by the city. Next up someone needs to dig into the massive cost overruns taking place in the construction of the Police station. More taxpayer pain on the horizon.
Mobility coordinator??? Alternative transportation??? What has worked???
How about this George Gerth (a nice guy) working as the City of SB Transportation Engineer was a proud backer of bikes, buses, and rail... Gerth failed in all of the above. When the group Cars Are Basic, Inc. started reviewing bike counts they found that there were more bike riders on the streets without a single bike path on the streets (1981-82-83). The number dropped almost in direct relation to the number of miles of bike paths. (Oh and I forgot to mention without notice to the Council he moved the Granada Parking Garage 20 feet towards Anacapa because he failed to account for performance buses having access to the theater. That move made exit dangerous and removed the planned for turn out lane to the garage.)
Mayor Blum touted the final connection of bike paths with the Mission Street underpass. The numbers continued to drop. The bike guys admitted to failure of safe routes to schools to promote more students instead of parents driving them.
MTD Shuttle failed with 2 different options (1 open parking lot shuttles and 2 new electric shuttles). Fact presented to SBCAG. MTD "Last Mile" failed to attract work commuters to use rail and then get to work by bus. Presented to SBCAG.
Who was the last "Mobility Coordinator" that was highly touted? Ah, it was a member of the bike guys (now Move), a female (automatic success?), a Ph.D., and the person who reported the last official bike count by the City of SB showing literally hundreds of fewer bike riders in the City. (pull the video she almost choked on that report knowing CAB was in the gallery) Then when she was shown the door, her job was filled by a male.
A fellow who stated before the Finance Committee and then Councilman Gregg Hart that walking planning had failed with the statement "You cannot get people to walk 5 minutes." This is the same fellow who promoted downtown living and the minute he had the chance he moved north of Foothill and drove his truck to work every day. Did I mention he was heavily involved with b-Bike that to this day still does not pay a red penny / let alone a dime, for its use and rentals of e-bikes? Eventually he also ran himself out of his job and claimed discrimination? Ah, forgot when he was asked by CAB to list the costs of the initial closing of State St. he ran for cover like a scared rabbit.
Sure with a deficit and cities all over the state failing with their visionless "Vision Zero" let's get another sucking sound on the taxpayers wallet with a "Mobility Coordinator"...........
MIG and narrowing State St. failed! The Bike riders failed. The infill sidewalks failed. MTD shuttles and routes failed. Destroying a 100 year old successful transportation grid has failed. Pouring literally 10's of $millions on fantasy transportation for the past 3 decades has failed.
Now faced with growing deficits and reduced tourist trade, sure let's hire another dolt who will build his retirement on the backs of the taxpayers.
Understand this comment is just "part" of Donovan's article. List the failures of local government that is the totality of this and the grinding under of Santa Barbara, even the other side should finally get it.
As the boomers fade and those with backbone stood formation at 0400, the soft and entitled sitting at their keyboards want to know why they are not getting theirs.
Just because a hand book says this is the outcome does not mean the premise is correct. Taking your freedom is a fool's folly.
I just hate to see what is apparent waste of our tax payer dollars (this coming from your stated “highest tax remiter SBHIC) on things that are of only secondary importance. The aging and now inefficient Laguna Canal and its half broken flood gates need immediate attention as I have been mostly asking of the City since the last big El Niño flooding of 1995 (NOW 30 YEARS) post the Caltran’s rebuilding of the new elevated freeway through down eliminating the four cross freeway signal lights. Overtaxed storm drain waters beforehand, such as in ‘83 and ‘69 would flow down street arteries and across the freeway without resultant property damage we now risk with heavy precipitation episodes. Hundred of millions of dollar in repair costs occurred from 95’s flooding and many additionally since with repeated floodings more minor but significant enough to cause property damage. The City finally has some FEMA funds thanks to Mayor Rowse and my entreaties with Salud, but much more work needs to be done beyond the scope of those monies to protect property, which to me should absolutely be a City top priority. Let’s stop wasting money on consultants that don’t fix our dreadful State Street or create unnecessary jobs (sounds like to me) such as this job position described by Bonnie and fix things that really matter such as the Laguna Canal!!
Great work as always. Retired here in Orcutt and I read your column in the morning. Not especially good for my blood pressure. But I do like to know what's going on. Your reports on SB City malfeasance are mind boggling! Thanks for bringing attention to UCSB’s Community Labor Center and its socialist indoctrination programs. I knew that our universities were very progressive, but actual training grounds for activist leftists under the guise of "helping workers" & paid for by taxpayers is criminal. But this is California after all. Keep up the great reporting.
The City is quickly collapsing. Major spending cuts are needed. Fiscal demands on property owners paying taxes will continue to increase, as more “property tax exempt housing” is added to squeeze out middle and professional class homeowners. Seems majority work for the government, a NGO or NPO. Your weekly articles remind us with updates, Bonnie.
We need solutions! Stellar business experienced candidates for D4, D5, D6; major spending cuts; a business friendly government, fewer NGOs and NPOs, and informed, involved citizens. The City, County, Country are in a spending crisis with a huge leadership void.
How do we to make voters aware assuming the majority of voters even care, when an estimated 70% — or perhaps more — benefit from spending, corruption, and exiting chaos? How do we convince informed, qualified, locals to run when too few voters are willing to actively support the candidates we need in leadership positions?
The only hope on the horizon is Congressional Candidate Bob Smith. We need him! Our County ranks in the bottom 10% of recipients of federal dollars (with the exception of Vandenberg). The status quo isn’t delivering needed results.
How can I find out how how the SBGAG housing study work?
Also, how can we get something on the ballot for the city?
Also, it doesn’t matter what fund is paying for the Mobility position. We don’t need or want any more intrusion into local mobility. NEW CONCEPT. City, save the money.
Anne-Marie, contact your city council member and ask your questions. Let's see if they give you the answer. Please forward me their response to you. Meanwhile, I will ask.
Every time I drive down a narrowed single-lane one-way street and see nary a bike in sight, dodging potholes, I think of the old saying "The state of a City is shown in the state of its streets." I came here in 1975 and so have watched the imposition of most of the one-ways. We are a TINY city, and yet the Government imposes Urban Planning as if we need to accommodate the plans for the great Bicycle Future. I say the best idea in the comments is that effective immediately rescind all reserved parking spaces for Government employees, most especially elected "representatives" on City Council and Board of Supervisors. Require that they ALL bicycle to work. In the immortal words of Slick Willy Clinton, let them "Feel our Pain."
Bonnie, another gem about city government. "Mobility Coordinator" Here is another mid-level, permanent, bureaucrat position, whose job is to be an assistant to a more highly paid manager to shuffle more paper and write reports that nobody reads. You need to read the job description more than once. What does the job really achieve in practical, measurable terms in benefits to city taxpayers? Oh yes, don't worry! The salary and costs of expensive benefits won't be coming out of the operating budget. Let's all swoon with relief. But it will be coming from taxpayers, whatever source is identified.
Bonnie, when I first saw the headline I assumed the we’re going to be working at a job. What the hell does teaching about organizing rallies ,etc do to prepare those kids for a future? Unless of course that future is government funded.
The more I read the less certain I am that we are going to make it into the future. We are on so many wrong paths it’s a joke.
For change to happen in future generations we need to start at the elementary level. The indoctrination, not education, of our future generations is feeding the fire for failure. This has got to stop!
So we are going to have a special election to determine if there will continue to be a two party system in California. Add that $200m on top of multi Billion state deficit, thanks Gov for all that due.
Gotta hope that there is a better tomorrow out there somewhere. Cheers
Thank you for writing. Following a Ventura to SB commuter bus that was spewing very visible exhaust says it all for me about pollution remedies and more supervisors. Why should it cost the city anything to require restaurants to suck in their now very generous dining space (on the street)? Hopefully restaurants have saved a few $$ (over the last five years) to remodel their store fronts. What took so long to realize how unrealistic parklets are after Covid scare (council egomaniacs)? How could there be corruption involved with new police station? (It's not a hen house, you know); they're the police!
Maybe Bridley can be convinced to run for Assembly or State Senate. Laura Bridley has depth of knowledge, experience, thinks analytically, and is a proven leader.
Excellent, Bonnie. Thank you for everything you do for *us,” as opposed to our government which does everything for their own personal gain. You make me feel like being a taxpayer doesn't put a bullseye on my wallet, which is how our “elected” “officials” (can't we come up with better words - how about “grifting” “knuckleheads”?) behave towards us.
Good Morning, Polly!
I agree with you; we need a better name for "elected officials." If you read the article about the typical democrat placement of their climbers... (County Planning Commission). Capps is putting Kate Ford in the newly vacant seat. In chess, we are the pawns, and they are the King, Queen, Knights etc etc.
And they couldn't win at real chess because they're such dimwits, so they rig the game. That's why they hate Trump, because he is a brilliant chess player.
Great article today
The title should be "Anti Mobility Coordinator"
They're doing enough damage to our transportation system already.
The fuel taxes are paying for this anti mobility nonsense.
Bonnie- I always appreciate your columns as they regularly expose the rampant corruption in the city, county and state. Today we learn yet another UCSB Environmental Studies major will be hired by the city. Next up someone needs to dig into the massive cost overruns taking place in the construction of the Police station. More taxpayer pain on the horizon.
Mobility coordinator??? Alternative transportation??? What has worked???
How about this George Gerth (a nice guy) working as the City of SB Transportation Engineer was a proud backer of bikes, buses, and rail... Gerth failed in all of the above. When the group Cars Are Basic, Inc. started reviewing bike counts they found that there were more bike riders on the streets without a single bike path on the streets (1981-82-83). The number dropped almost in direct relation to the number of miles of bike paths. (Oh and I forgot to mention without notice to the Council he moved the Granada Parking Garage 20 feet towards Anacapa because he failed to account for performance buses having access to the theater. That move made exit dangerous and removed the planned for turn out lane to the garage.)
Mayor Blum touted the final connection of bike paths with the Mission Street underpass. The numbers continued to drop. The bike guys admitted to failure of safe routes to schools to promote more students instead of parents driving them.
MTD Shuttle failed with 2 different options (1 open parking lot shuttles and 2 new electric shuttles). Fact presented to SBCAG. MTD "Last Mile" failed to attract work commuters to use rail and then get to work by bus. Presented to SBCAG.
Who was the last "Mobility Coordinator" that was highly touted? Ah, it was a member of the bike guys (now Move), a female (automatic success?), a Ph.D., and the person who reported the last official bike count by the City of SB showing literally hundreds of fewer bike riders in the City. (pull the video she almost choked on that report knowing CAB was in the gallery) Then when she was shown the door, her job was filled by a male.
A fellow who stated before the Finance Committee and then Councilman Gregg Hart that walking planning had failed with the statement "You cannot get people to walk 5 minutes." This is the same fellow who promoted downtown living and the minute he had the chance he moved north of Foothill and drove his truck to work every day. Did I mention he was heavily involved with b-Bike that to this day still does not pay a red penny / let alone a dime, for its use and rentals of e-bikes? Eventually he also ran himself out of his job and claimed discrimination? Ah, forgot when he was asked by CAB to list the costs of the initial closing of State St. he ran for cover like a scared rabbit.
Sure with a deficit and cities all over the state failing with their visionless "Vision Zero" let's get another sucking sound on the taxpayers wallet with a "Mobility Coordinator"...........
MIG and narrowing State St. failed! The Bike riders failed. The infill sidewalks failed. MTD shuttles and routes failed. Destroying a 100 year old successful transportation grid has failed. Pouring literally 10's of $millions on fantasy transportation for the past 3 decades has failed.
Now faced with growing deficits and reduced tourist trade, sure let's hire another dolt who will build his retirement on the backs of the taxpayers.
Understand this comment is just "part" of Donovan's article. List the failures of local government that is the totality of this and the grinding under of Santa Barbara, even the other side should finally get it.
Don't bet on it.
Shamrocks to you...*S*
Epidemiology made your point in the 1960's.
As the boomers fade and those with backbone stood formation at 0400, the soft and entitled sitting at their keyboards want to know why they are not getting theirs.
Just because a hand book says this is the outcome does not mean the premise is correct. Taking your freedom is a fool's folly.
I just hate to see what is apparent waste of our tax payer dollars (this coming from your stated “highest tax remiter SBHIC) on things that are of only secondary importance. The aging and now inefficient Laguna Canal and its half broken flood gates need immediate attention as I have been mostly asking of the City since the last big El Niño flooding of 1995 (NOW 30 YEARS) post the Caltran’s rebuilding of the new elevated freeway through down eliminating the four cross freeway signal lights. Overtaxed storm drain waters beforehand, such as in ‘83 and ‘69 would flow down street arteries and across the freeway without resultant property damage we now risk with heavy precipitation episodes. Hundred of millions of dollar in repair costs occurred from 95’s flooding and many additionally since with repeated floodings more minor but significant enough to cause property damage. The City finally has some FEMA funds thanks to Mayor Rowse and my entreaties with Salud, but much more work needs to be done beyond the scope of those monies to protect property, which to me should absolutely be a City top priority. Let’s stop wasting money on consultants that don’t fix our dreadful State Street or create unnecessary jobs (sounds like to me) such as this job position described by Bonnie and fix things that really matter such as the Laguna Canal!!
Great work as always. Retired here in Orcutt and I read your column in the morning. Not especially good for my blood pressure. But I do like to know what's going on. Your reports on SB City malfeasance are mind boggling! Thanks for bringing attention to UCSB’s Community Labor Center and its socialist indoctrination programs. I knew that our universities were very progressive, but actual training grounds for activist leftists under the guise of "helping workers" & paid for by taxpayers is criminal. But this is California after all. Keep up the great reporting.
Once again, Bonnie, you have nailed it. Thank you for your ongoing battle to show how our city is being destroyed from within.
The City is quickly collapsing. Major spending cuts are needed. Fiscal demands on property owners paying taxes will continue to increase, as more “property tax exempt housing” is added to squeeze out middle and professional class homeowners. Seems majority work for the government, a NGO or NPO. Your weekly articles remind us with updates, Bonnie.
We need solutions! Stellar business experienced candidates for D4, D5, D6; major spending cuts; a business friendly government, fewer NGOs and NPOs, and informed, involved citizens. The City, County, Country are in a spending crisis with a huge leadership void.
How do we to make voters aware assuming the majority of voters even care, when an estimated 70% — or perhaps more — benefit from spending, corruption, and exiting chaos? How do we convince informed, qualified, locals to run when too few voters are willing to actively support the candidates we need in leadership positions?
The only hope on the horizon is Congressional Candidate Bob Smith. We need him! Our County ranks in the bottom 10% of recipients of federal dollars (with the exception of Vandenberg). The status quo isn’t delivering needed results.
I concur. Excellent post.
How can I find out how how the SBGAG housing study work?
Also, how can we get something on the ballot for the city?
Also, it doesn’t matter what fund is paying for the Mobility position. We don’t need or want any more intrusion into local mobility. NEW CONCEPT. City, save the money.
.
Anne-Marie, contact your city council member and ask your questions. Let's see if they give you the answer. Please forward me their response to you. Meanwhile, I will ask.
Every time I drive down a narrowed single-lane one-way street and see nary a bike in sight, dodging potholes, I think of the old saying "The state of a City is shown in the state of its streets." I came here in 1975 and so have watched the imposition of most of the one-ways. We are a TINY city, and yet the Government imposes Urban Planning as if we need to accommodate the plans for the great Bicycle Future. I say the best idea in the comments is that effective immediately rescind all reserved parking spaces for Government employees, most especially elected "representatives" on City Council and Board of Supervisors. Require that they ALL bicycle to work. In the immortal words of Slick Willy Clinton, let them "Feel our Pain."
Bonnie, another gem about city government. "Mobility Coordinator" Here is another mid-level, permanent, bureaucrat position, whose job is to be an assistant to a more highly paid manager to shuffle more paper and write reports that nobody reads. You need to read the job description more than once. What does the job really achieve in practical, measurable terms in benefits to city taxpayers? Oh yes, don't worry! The salary and costs of expensive benefits won't be coming out of the operating budget. Let's all swoon with relief. But it will be coming from taxpayers, whatever source is identified.
Previous UCSB Chancellor boasted about targeting out of state, specifically Chinese, students over local & CA residents.
Community City College, a two year well maybe 4-5 in reality, also boasts targeting out of state & foreign students.
Why? Money baby!
Who cares about local kids, not our colleges.
Who displace working families in the name of profit.
So not only do our children get overlooked for bigger paying students. They kick hard working families out so these foreigners have a place to live.
Increasing the demand for housing. Increasing the cost of rents.
Coupled with the illegal occupiers, 44,000 in SB County per the Independent.
There is no housing for working Americans.
Thank you Randy, Mike et all for not caring about Santa Barbarians.
Yet they blame the “rich” while they sell out & screw over working Americans.
Bravo.
Bonnie, when I first saw the headline I assumed the we’re going to be working at a job. What the hell does teaching about organizing rallies ,etc do to prepare those kids for a future? Unless of course that future is government funded.
The more I read the less certain I am that we are going to make it into the future. We are on so many wrong paths it’s a joke.
For change to happen in future generations we need to start at the elementary level. The indoctrination, not education, of our future generations is feeding the fire for failure. This has got to stop!
So we are going to have a special election to determine if there will continue to be a two party system in California. Add that $200m on top of multi Billion state deficit, thanks Gov for all that due.
Gotta hope that there is a better tomorrow out there somewhere. Cheers
Chuck, the State is billing every city and county the cost of this special election. :(
Can you imagine the slugs that will apply for that ludicrus job posting?
Thank you for writing. Following a Ventura to SB commuter bus that was spewing very visible exhaust says it all for me about pollution remedies and more supervisors. Why should it cost the city anything to require restaurants to suck in their now very generous dining space (on the street)? Hopefully restaurants have saved a few $$ (over the last five years) to remodel their store fronts. What took so long to realize how unrealistic parklets are after Covid scare (council egomaniacs)? How could there be corruption involved with new police station? (It's not a hen house, you know); they're the police!
https://www.noozhawk.com/kate-ford-nominated-to-replace-laura-bridley-on-county-planning-commission/
Maybe Bridley can be convinced to run for Assembly or State Senate. Laura Bridley has depth of knowledge, experience, thinks analytically, and is a proven leader.