November City Council Race is On
by Bonnie Donovan
My Mailman is Over Six Feet Tall
Our new City Administrator and I had a meeting last week, and I must say, she made a great impression.
She took the initiative to have the weeds removed and the sidewalk cleared beforehand, which was a positive sign.
During street sweeping, she observed a lack of parking enforcement in front of the sweeper, with over 12 vehicles obstructing its path in just a three-block radius. This oversight resulted in missed revenue opportunities that need to be addressed. Not to mention the purpose of the street sweeper is to keep the trash out of the ocean.
I'm looking forward to seeing how our follow-up neighborhood meeting goes and will keep you updated.
Speaking of Trash in the Streets
As I was waiting for the train on West Montecito Street, I noticed a homeless gentleman engaging in a rather peculiar activity. He had a box with him that he carefully placed on the ground. He then gathered all the litter scattered along the street curb and neatly deposited it into the box with his foot. I was fascinated watching him meticulously clean up the area. Once the box was full, he would make his way over to the nearby street trashcan and empty its contents into it. He repeated this process on both sides of the street, ensuring that every bit of debris was properly disposed of. By the time the two trains departed, and we were allowed to continue, the trash can was completely filled. It was truly impressive to see how he even compressed the trash to fit as much as possible into the can.
Just as the homeless gentleman was crossing in front of me, I decided to show my appreciation for his efforts. I honked my car horn to get his attention and rolled down my window. I reached out to hand him a gift card that I happened to have for Starbucks. His face lit up with surprise and gratitude as he accepted the unexpected gesture. It was a small token of appreciation for his hard work in keeping the area clean. Despite his circumstances, he had taken it upon himself to make a positive impact on the environment and the community.
It was disheartening to note that there have been no signs of CityNet or SBACT – the local organizations paid to assist the homeless population – in the vicinity for quite some time. However, observing this gentleman's dedication to cleanliness and his willingness to maintain the area, I couldn't help but feel optimistic about his potential. His commitment to keeping his surroundings clean and tidy demonstrated a sense of responsibility and pride, suggesting that he would likely take good care of any living space provided to him. It is my sincere hope that he is given the chance to secure stable housing and continue to contribute positively to his community.
Attention: Street/Sidewalk Work is Only for Bike Paths
This week, there will be a significant change at the State Street underpass project, which has a budget of $11.5 million. The underpass, which has been under construction for some time now, will be shifting to the opposite side. This development aims to enhance the overall functionality and accessibility of the underpass, providing a more convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
In line with the city's ongoing efforts to promote cycling, another bike path project is set to commence. It is important to note that any construction work observed around town is primarily focused on the development of bike paths.
These initiatives are part of a larger plan to create a more bike-friendly environment and encourage sustainable modes of transportation. While there have been complaints and concerns raised regarding the effectiveness of the existing Paseo bike path, local authorities are committed to continuing them.
For more information and updates on these projects, you can visit the provided link.
Speaking of State Street
It has come to our attention that there is a pressing matter regarding the future of State Street. The State Street Advisory Committee (SSAC) is currently receiving an influx of letters from a group advocating for State Street to remain status quo.
In order to counterbalance this narrative, it is essential for individuals to write letters expressing support for reopening State Street to traffic, while still allowing for street closures for special events and activities such as parades, farmers markets, and other community gatherings.
It is essential to express your thoughts in your own words, emphasizing the importance of restoring State Street and El Pueblo Viejo to their previous state before the pandemic and for the community's well-being, economic vitality, and public safety.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 26. The SSAC plays a crucial role in making decisions about the street's future, and your input can make a significant impact. Your letters need to be in by Tuesday, June 25, 10 am.
In order to ensure your voice is heard, we recommend sending emails to both SSAC Secretary Greta Walters at ssacsecretary@santabarbaraca.gov, and the Santa Barbara City Council at sbcitycouncil@santabarbaraca.gov before June 25th, 10 am.
November City Council Race is On
It is important to remember that if you are interested in running for a seat on Santa Barbara City Council, now is the opportune moment for action. Take the initiative to collect the necessary paperwork from City Hall, gather the required signatures, and officially declare your candidacy. Santa Barbara needs individuals who are committed to making informed and beneficial decisions for the betterment of our community.
If you are interested, the filing period for city council seats is July 15 through August 9.
Solstice Parade This Saturday (June 22) Beginning at Noon
The 50th Anniversary of the Solstice Parade is fast approaching, and this year's celebration promises to be a special one. While the parade will not be taking place on State Street, the excitement and anticipation are still palpable. One of the highlights of this milestone event is the crowning of Robert Johns as the Solstice King.
Robert has been an integral part of the city's cultural fabric, contributing his time and energy to various causes and events. His involvement in the Solstice Parade exemplifies his passion for celebrating the arts and bringing people together in a spirit of joy and creativity.
Congratulations King Robert!
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Bike path update: The West Sola-Castillo Street "Chess Pawn" bike path connector to West Micheltorena: I have now seen three people using it (Or maybe the same person three times?). Build it, and they will come eventually.
However, the "Chess pawn" barriers prevent the city street sweeper from cleaning this now restricted side of the street, which has become heavily littered with tree droppings, many looking like very sharp objects. The adjacent property owners apparently feel no obligation to keep this gutter area clean on their own, now that the city street sweeper can no longer access it. Including several adjacent parking strips also blighted with high weeds which even now spill over into the bike path itself.
Let's hope the new City Administrator with the City Council's strong urging continues to take the "broken windows" approach and stop the slow degradation and neighborhood blight we now see across our once proud city. But more importantly may locals themselves demonstrate pride of place and undertake these projects on their own. Does this very active "bike coalition" feel any duty to help keep these city-provided bike pathways clear of weeds, litter and debris?
However, how much bureaucratic tangle and threats from the city employee unions will this simple volunteer neighborhood clean-up request entail? A great way for the "bike coalition" to say thank you to the city now impacted by their long-standing demands is to spearhead these special bike path clean up needs.
Which bike riders will volunteer to clean up the West Sola-Castillo Street-West Micheltorena connector path clean up?
Thank you. Bonnie, for the State Street update, etc. and the encouragement to write to bring the downtown area back to having an open street to drive through. Although some of State Street's businesses had been declining before the pandemic, the closure as it is now has put the nail in the coffin. If it is reopened, hopefully it can be restored to some of its former uniqueness. Being born and raised here in town I have seen many changes and I am sad to say that most of them have not been good ones, the street issue being one.