Make California Great Again - throw out Gregg Hart and Monique Limon. Bring back political balance, fiscal sanity and common sense before this entire state is driven off the cliff.
The answer is staring us in the face. Throw out the Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA). Reminder, the "state" who is telling us to do this is nothing more than the collective voices of those we elect to do this do us: Gregg Hart and Monique Limon.
RHNA is an artificial mandate in the first place, when the the state itself encourages both open borders and sanctuary cities. Which in turn manifested itself into very high birthrate illegal immigration. This current open borders status quo is subject to no laws, limits or accountability other than the demand now that local property owners are forced to accommodate these reckless increases in local population numbers that can no longer be absorbed under our previous and thoughtfully planned local development.
The current tight local housing marketplace is the only brake we have left, that counters this highly partisan Democrat agenda to keep growing more Democrat voters, and more easily harvested population-based, low voter registration "rotten borough" voting districts.
We need no other option than finally throwing out those who created and perpetuate this politically self-serving mandate - Assemblyman Gregg Hart and Senator Monque Limon. Guard against replacing them with more of the same. We are currently the victims of those elected to serve us; when they are required to be accountable only to us.
Question: Who owns UCSB? If "UCSB" decided to sell itself, then where would the money go to? Or is it impossible for UCSB to sell itself? Seems like it's a creepy blob that invades different places. I looked up UCSB on Wikipedia and to me it's bizarre and has interesting relationships with the local county and city Dems.
Anytime I see what appears as special benefits, I look for where the money changes hands. Is UCSB in the money laundering business. If UCSB isn't paying money for anything, whether or not it's called "taxes," is the money going into other hands. Is UCSB handing off cash payments to politicians for "special considerations." Instead of money going to the city/county as taxes, is cash money secretly diverted into the hands of select higher-ups in government? Seems that UCSB could actually receive a lot more money than they report. Who does their balance sheet of what comes in and what goes out in cash. It seems like a smelly operation if you ask me.
Most likely there is a separate Housing Corporation for UCSB. Your crack team of local elected state representatives - Hart or Limon - should be able to answer these questions.
I remember back in 15’ when UCSB bought the Tropicana Apartments in IV for $156 million, which at the time was the largest commercial property purchase in SB County history. Back then, Tropicana was paying $1.1 million in property taxes per year.
Now we see UCSB buying up more commercial space on State St. with even more tax base erosion to County coffers. It would seem UCSB is engaging in predatory practices, which is even more outrageous since we support UCSB with our own taxes!
Why is it Randy Rowse in a recent interview was elated when discussing this transaction? He was once an entrepreneur, doesn’t he get it?
We see even more County tax base erosion with the numerous “land trusts” whereby tens of thousands of acres of ranch land, now in the hands of environmentalists so they may study butterflies and milkweed…tax free!
The top 6 employers now in SB County are: UCSB, CHS, UCSB, VSFB, Dignity Health and SBCO itself, all paying squat in County Taxes!
How much longer until we start circling the bowl? I ask again, where are the economic forecasts from UCSB Economics Department sounding the pending economic doom?
Monique Limon often does not vote on locally critical matters - which attempts to keeps her creds with locals, while not alienating her Democrat Progressive Caucus at the same time. This is not good enough for government work, Monique.
Good time to review her entire voting record and compare it to where we find ourselves today, at the mercy of "the state".. How many times did she put party over local concerns? How many times did she cop out and vote present, or not show up at all?
I see Gregg Hart has now officially taken Monique Limon''s place in the California Assembly Democrat Progressive Caucus, after she moved on to the Senate on her march up the Democrat food chain. .
Hopefully the help we get from God is the fog being lifted from voters eyes and the development of clear common sense thinking. Otherwise, we are headed right down the toilet.
Bonnie-another good summary of the unintended consequences of a bad state law (SB1383).
I asked one of the Marborg drivers on my route (Mesa) how they would be able to use the "articulating arm" trucks on our streets due to the number of cars parked on both sides.
He laughed and said it is not going to work in most neighborhoods.
Their automated garbage plan is impossible with on street parking. Maybe all cars can be removed from both sides of public streets on trash days?! Allow residents to use setbacks and front yards for their vehicles.
Bonnie, how dare you "...bicycles on State Street and throughout the city; they wanted free use of our sidewalks and streets as a trial project." Chuckle, the city planners backed by a Council who have repeatedly ignored fierce objections.
There is a pesky item called "equal projection under the law" so how are non-paying "business license" businesses, compared to those who are demanded to pay? Free for one should be free for all.
Here is the hated we told you so comment. Cars Are Basic is 5 months short of 27 years in operation. CAB has repeatedly stated closing streets, removing parking requirements, and of course "kick the can down the street" (contact anyone else but me), and not responding to their own failures of anti car ideology it the truth of bigots.
When you are too busy back this organization who has filed complaints, pointed out voting for illegal legislation is stupid, stood before the Coastal Commission, and you hear the little protest by radical groups and organizations you now have the truth. It is not just a suggestion of a coverup by an elite power group it is in fact a coverup.
I have yet to see any bike riders use the "chess piece" Castillo Street feeder on to Sola Street. Do these bike riders not exist, or are they using other informal access routes to connect to Micheltorena Street and the Westside?
Personally I think they should take those housing mandates and stick them up their you know what. Yes we need housing, but we don’t need mandates. Housing costs more in services than it produces in taxes. Our shopping malls are dying and now we are losing valuable downtown real estate as a tax source. Yikes!
Ya, if you sense corruption is going on, ask Trump to investigate. The FBI isn't going to help because they are swayed by the Dems, at least till the new Sherrif in Town gets a handle on things. Unless Trump starts his own law enforcement organization, it will be difficult to find out what's really happening.
And the "people" have no idea how bad local government is unless they know what's really going on in secret. I know enough to set the City/County governments back millions of dollars in lawsuits ... and that's only the tip of the iceberg. The only solution to local SB government is to wipe the slate clean and start over. The smell inside those government buildings is way too stagnant and needs to be cleared out ... the big, red reset button needs to be activated.
Thank you, Bonnie, once again for a very informative article on the ruination of Santa Barbara. Seeing the ridiculous projects that are being put up in this town and reading your article about the amount of properties UCSB, et al have in this state , I feel like I am living through a scene out of Alice in Wonderland and am concerned that we may have gone down the rabbit hole just a little too far, wondering if we can ever get out. With information like yours, though, and making it available to more and more of the public, perhaps we can.
Make California Great Again - throw out Gregg Hart and Monique Limon. Bring back political balance, fiscal sanity and common sense before this entire state is driven off the cliff.
The answer is staring us in the face. Throw out the Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA). Reminder, the "state" who is telling us to do this is nothing more than the collective voices of those we elect to do this do us: Gregg Hart and Monique Limon.
RHNA is an artificial mandate in the first place, when the the state itself encourages both open borders and sanctuary cities. Which in turn manifested itself into very high birthrate illegal immigration. This current open borders status quo is subject to no laws, limits or accountability other than the demand now that local property owners are forced to accommodate these reckless increases in local population numbers that can no longer be absorbed under our previous and thoughtfully planned local development.
The current tight local housing marketplace is the only brake we have left, that counters this highly partisan Democrat agenda to keep growing more Democrat voters, and more easily harvested population-based, low voter registration "rotten borough" voting districts.
We need no other option than finally throwing out those who created and perpetuate this politically self-serving mandate - Assemblyman Gregg Hart and Senator Monque Limon. Guard against replacing them with more of the same. We are currently the victims of those elected to serve us; when they are required to be accountable only to us.
Question: Who owns UCSB? If "UCSB" decided to sell itself, then where would the money go to? Or is it impossible for UCSB to sell itself? Seems like it's a creepy blob that invades different places. I looked up UCSB on Wikipedia and to me it's bizarre and has interesting relationships with the local county and city Dems.
Anytime I see what appears as special benefits, I look for where the money changes hands. Is UCSB in the money laundering business. If UCSB isn't paying money for anything, whether or not it's called "taxes," is the money going into other hands. Is UCSB handing off cash payments to politicians for "special considerations." Instead of money going to the city/county as taxes, is cash money secretly diverted into the hands of select higher-ups in government? Seems that UCSB could actually receive a lot more money than they report. Who does their balance sheet of what comes in and what goes out in cash. It seems like a smelly operation if you ask me.
Most likely there is a separate Housing Corporation for UCSB. Your crack team of local elected state representatives - Hart or Limon - should be able to answer these questions.
A spark of common sense! Thanks Bonnie.
Make California great again! Including Santa Barbara!
I decided this morning that I will work on Gruesome's recall and I've never done a political thing in my long life. There is hope in the air!
What do you think about Steve Hilton for governor?
Rick Caruso would be great too.
No more foreigners. We’ve many qualified Californians.
Non profit real estate ...the corruption ...it will all be exposed. Thank you, Bonnie Donavan for being the first to confront this .
Thank you Bonnie, I think it will take an act of God for our City, County and State officials to legislate with common sense in our behalf.
I remember back in 15’ when UCSB bought the Tropicana Apartments in IV for $156 million, which at the time was the largest commercial property purchase in SB County history. Back then, Tropicana was paying $1.1 million in property taxes per year.
Now we see UCSB buying up more commercial space on State St. with even more tax base erosion to County coffers. It would seem UCSB is engaging in predatory practices, which is even more outrageous since we support UCSB with our own taxes!
Why is it Randy Rowse in a recent interview was elated when discussing this transaction? He was once an entrepreneur, doesn’t he get it?
We see even more County tax base erosion with the numerous “land trusts” whereby tens of thousands of acres of ranch land, now in the hands of environmentalists so they may study butterflies and milkweed…tax free!
The top 6 employers now in SB County are: UCSB, CHS, UCSB, VSFB, Dignity Health and SBCO itself, all paying squat in County Taxes!
How much longer until we start circling the bowl? I ask again, where are the economic forecasts from UCSB Economics Department sounding the pending economic doom?
Oh that’s right, UCSB is the major culprit!
Thank you for your diligence and common sense.
It’s ridiculous replacing functional garbage cans. Why not wait until they are broken.
It would be interesting know how much property tax is forgiven for the non profits, educational and religious properties in SB.
Monique Limon often does not vote on locally critical matters - which attempts to keeps her creds with locals, while not alienating her Democrat Progressive Caucus at the same time. This is not good enough for government work, Monique.
Good time to review her entire voting record and compare it to where we find ourselves today, at the mercy of "the state".. How many times did she put party over local concerns? How many times did she cop out and vote present, or not show up at all?
She works with Sen. Scott Weiner, read all his bills!!!
Good grief. The worst.
I see Gregg Hart has now officially taken Monique Limon''s place in the California Assembly Democrat Progressive Caucus, after she moved on to the Senate on her march up the Democrat food chain. .
Hopefully the help we get from God is the fog being lifted from voters eyes and the development of clear common sense thinking. Otherwise, we are headed right down the toilet.
Bonnie-another good summary of the unintended consequences of a bad state law (SB1383).
I asked one of the Marborg drivers on my route (Mesa) how they would be able to use the "articulating arm" trucks on our streets due to the number of cars parked on both sides.
He laughed and said it is not going to work in most neighborhoods.
Their automated garbage plan is impossible with on street parking. Maybe all cars can be removed from both sides of public streets on trash days?! Allow residents to use setbacks and front yards for their vehicles.
Fantastic article.
Bonnie, how dare you "...bicycles on State Street and throughout the city; they wanted free use of our sidewalks and streets as a trial project." Chuckle, the city planners backed by a Council who have repeatedly ignored fierce objections.
There is a pesky item called "equal projection under the law" so how are non-paying "business license" businesses, compared to those who are demanded to pay? Free for one should be free for all.
Here is the hated we told you so comment. Cars Are Basic is 5 months short of 27 years in operation. CAB has repeatedly stated closing streets, removing parking requirements, and of course "kick the can down the street" (contact anyone else but me), and not responding to their own failures of anti car ideology it the truth of bigots.
When you are too busy back this organization who has filed complaints, pointed out voting for illegal legislation is stupid, stood before the Coastal Commission, and you hear the little protest by radical groups and organizations you now have the truth. It is not just a suggestion of a coverup by an elite power group it is in fact a coverup.
Bonnie thanks.
I have yet to see any bike riders use the "chess piece" Castillo Street feeder on to Sola Street. Do these bike riders not exist, or are they using other informal access routes to connect to Micheltorena Street and the Westside?
Thank you Bonnie for the great reporting.
Quintessential Santa Barbara is no more than two-stories and deep setbacks.
City needs to run a pro-forma how they can make this work in order to preserve the city's uniqueness. And show us their results and their methodology.
Do city planners make decisions based on their own bottom line needs; or ours?
Personally I think they should take those housing mandates and stick them up their you know what. Yes we need housing, but we don’t need mandates. Housing costs more in services than it produces in taxes. Our shopping malls are dying and now we are losing valuable downtown real estate as a tax source. Yikes!
Nathan, solve for "they".
Why not ask Trump's team for help?
Carol: Team Trump is busy with bigger problems. Our local ones can be solved by electing informed, proven, strong leaders.
Ya, if you sense corruption is going on, ask Trump to investigate. The FBI isn't going to help because they are swayed by the Dems, at least till the new Sherrif in Town gets a handle on things. Unless Trump starts his own law enforcement organization, it will be difficult to find out what's really happening.
As I've said many times, way too much focus is placed on presidents and governors, while state and local politicians are ignored.
So many think the president (whoever they may be) is either the cause of all our problems, or has a magic ability to solve all of our problems.
And the "people" have no idea how bad local government is unless they know what's really going on in secret. I know enough to set the City/County governments back millions of dollars in lawsuits ... and that's only the tip of the iceberg. The only solution to local SB government is to wipe the slate clean and start over. The smell inside those government buildings is way too stagnant and needs to be cleared out ... the big, red reset button needs to be activated.
Thank you, Bonnie, once again for a very informative article on the ruination of Santa Barbara. Seeing the ridiculous projects that are being put up in this town and reading your article about the amount of properties UCSB, et al have in this state , I feel like I am living through a scene out of Alice in Wonderland and am concerned that we may have gone down the rabbit hole just a little too far, wondering if we can ever get out. With information like yours, though, and making it available to more and more of the public, perhaps we can.