Santa Barbara County's Third District Supervisor
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Spring 2019
Dear
,
Happy spring! I hope that you are enjoying the longer days and flower blooms across our county. This year’s wet winter was a tremendous blessing as our reservoirs received a much needed boost. While the heavy rains did pose some challenges and road closures, fortunately, we were spared from major disaster. Though all the rainfall helped the water supply, officials still urge conservation as the County is still recovering from years of drought.
The Board of Supervisors just wrapped up a week of budget workshops - the Board’s and the public’s first opportunity to discuss priorities, special issues, and offer direction prior to the completion of 2019/2020 Final Recommended Budget. Thanks to sound planning and preparation, this year’s budget will balance with no cuts in service and features the completion of major capital projects including the Northern Branch Jail, park improvements, public safety radio improvements, and renewable energy upgrades.
The budget will be back before the Board in budget hearings on June 11 and 13th, which will provide another opportunity for your input.
In closing, I hope that you enjoy the spring newsletter and as always please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my staff.
My warmest regards,
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Santa Ynez Valley Two-Wheel Town Hall & Bicycle Tourism Summit
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My office is excited to launch National Bike Month this May with two events in Santa Ynez Valley occurring on
Wednesday, May 1
.
The first is the
Two-Wheel Town Hall
, an easy, noon-time ride through Solvang hosted by Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra, Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn, and me.
This event is suitable for all ages and abilities, and everyone is welcome. We will be meeting at Solvang City Hall at
12 noon
. Please bring a helmet.
Later that day, the
Santa Bicycle Tourism Summit
will take place from
4-6 pm
at Hotel Corque. At the summit we will hear from Russ Roca, a national expert on the economic and social benefits of bike tourism. Russ will share how other regions have maximized bike tourism opportunities and how the Central Coast can benefit from enhanced cycle tourism. RSVPs are requested for both events.
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Lt. Colonel Dean Davidge Recognized as County Veteran of the Month
In March, I was honored to recognize Santa Ynez Valley resident and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Dean Davidge as the County Veteran of the Month. I presented Lt. Col. Davidge a resolution highlighting both his distinguished military service and his youth-focused community service in the Valley.
Thank you Lt. Col. Davidge for your service to the Country and the County!
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Isla Vista Beautification Program Launches
On Cesar Chavez's birthday, March 31st, I joined AmeriCorps and the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) to launch an exciting new community beautification project in Isla Vista. AmeriCorps and the IVCSD have partnered in an innovative program that offers individuals experiencing homelessness part-time jobs that undertake projects including graffiti abatement, trash removal, and other beautification efforts.
This program was created in the spirit of service embodied by Cesar Chavez. This project coincided with similar service projects that launched across the country in celebration of the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.
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Burton Mesa Town Hall Meetings
Early this year, I hosted town hall meetings in both Vandenberg Village and Mission Hills to address wildfire and road safety concerns expressed by residents from the Burton Mesa area. More than 100 community members attended both events where they heard from both Santa Barbara County Fire and Public Works staff, asked questions, and engaged in identifying solutions to safety concerns.
Subsequent to these meetings, fire crews have cleared brush around the Burton Mesa area and our fire department is optimistic about receiving further state funding for fuel treatments and brush clearances in the area. County Public Works has also identified new areas for pavement treatments in the coming year as a result of these meetings.
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Noteworthy Board of Supervisors Agenda Items
(Dates are subject to change)
Board of Supervisors
Annual Overview of the Pension System - 5/7
Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) System Review - 5/21
Public Safety Realignment Plan - 5/21
Regional Homeless Plan Presentation - 6/4
Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund Awards - 6/4
Budget Hearings - 6/11 and 6/13
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Guadalupe Beach Road Improvements Completed
In order to improve access to Guadalupe Dunes County Park and decrease road closures due to flooding, I worked with County Public Works to to elevate the road into Guadalupe Beach.
The new road is complete and was tested by this winter's heavy rains. I am happy to report that new road performed superbly and remained open throughout the winter.
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Celebrating Extraordinary Women in Our Cycling Community
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On May 11, at the Velo Wings Award Ceremony, the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition will celebrate the contributions of three local women who have made positive change in our cycling community.
I am proud to have nominated one of this year's award winners, Santa Ynez Valley High School student Aria Riley.
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Our Town, Our Future
-Guadalupe Mobility and Revitalization Plan Stakeholder Input meetings
On April 22, Guadalupe residents are invited to share their vision for the future of downtown at a special visioning meeting for the Guadalupe Mobility and Revitalization Plan
.
The Guadalupe Mobility and Revitalization Plan is an effort led by the City of Guadalupe, CalTrans, the Local Government Commission, and the Coastal Conservancy to (1) i
mprove safety and conditions for walking, bicycling, transit and driving (2) beautify the downtown and (3) promote business development
.
The plan focuses on West Main Street, Guadalupe Street and access to trails and to the coast.
The event includes a walk of the plan area from 5 - 6 pm, and a workshop from 6 - 8:30 pm to hear the community's input. I hope that you can attend.
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Picking Trash with The Valley Clean Team
On a Saturday morning in February, I along with Meighan Dietenhofer, my Santa Ynez Valley District Representative, volunteered with Bill Connell and the Valley Clean Team to pick up roadside litter. In just a couple of hours, we collected over 115 lbs of trash along Highway 154
!
Anyone interested in volunteering with Bill and the Clean Team on Saturday mornings, should e-mail
wconnell@connellandersen.com
to learn the location of the next weekly clean-up
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OFFICE HOURS
The Third District is geographically the largest and most diverse district in the county, spanning from UCSB, Isla Vista, up the Gaviota Coast, into the Santa Ynez Valley and up to Burton Mesa and Guadalupe. We hold regular office hours throughout the district that are open to Third District residents. Here is where we will be next:
Guadalupe
Tuesday, April 23, from 4 - 6 pm, at the Flapper's Flip - 945 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe
Los Alamos
Wednesday, April 24, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, at Bedford Winery patio - 448 Bell Street, Los Alamos
Casmalia
Tuesday, April 30, from 4 - 6 pm, at the Hitching Post garden patio - 3325 Point Sal Rd, Casmalia
Solvang
Wednesday, May 15, from 1 - 3 pm, at our Solvang Office at 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang
Vandenberg Village
Thursday, June 6, from 10 am - 12 pm, at Vandenberg Village Community Service District at 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 805-568-2192 or e-mail our office scheduler at
gfischer@countyofsb.org
*Office hours can be subject to unforeseen changes, it is recommended to call ahead to verify.
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Out and About in The Community
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Speaking with the UCSB National Political Science Society
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With District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Santa Ynez Valley High School Student Nicole Atiles, who job-shadowed in my office
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The swearing-in of new County Fire Chief, Mark Hartwig
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Presenting a resolution on behalf of the Junior League in recognition of stopping human trafficking in our county
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Speaking at SBCAG's Regional Scooter Summit about innovations in transportation mobility
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Celebrating the Buellton Senior Center award of a County Human Services Grant with Executive Director Pam Gnekow
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Welcoming La Patronal brass band at Guadalupe City Hall
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Meeting with Guadalupe's Community Changers
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Speaking at the City of Santa Maria's first Women's March
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Contact Us
Santa Barbara Office
105 East Anapamu Street, 4th Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2192
Solvang Office
1745 Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-5095
Santa Maria Office
511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 699-1140
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