Election 2005

By Marty Blum

As Mayor I have been open, accessible, and responsive. I emphasize services for the residents, support economic development, and care for the environment.

I have emphasized services for the residents. Under my guidance, the City has a new neighborhood improvement program, a traffic mitigation program, and a better complaint process. I have championed various health initiatives, the use of the earned income tax credit for low income workers, and family self-sufficiency programs.

The City's economy is doing very well. Revenues are up, and we are working to control costs. As Mayor, I have hosted several breakfasts for various business interests, supported Congress Member Lois Capps' efforts to bring the Small Business Administration to Santa Barbara and initiated improvements to the City's Funk Zone. The arts community is working together due to three symposia I initiated. In addition I signed a pledge to create a plan to end chronic homelessness in Santa Barbara by 2015. The City and Count are working together to write this plan. Our Police Department is cooperating with the Mental Health Association for restorative policing, taking the mentally ill off the streets and to services.

Taking care of our environment is an important priority. The City staff has formed a Green Team, looking at ways to support the Mayors' Agreement on Kyoto and the UN Environmental pledge, both of which I have signed. As a City we have initiated integrated pest management and green gardener programs using the least amount of pesticides possible. Our City fleet has 24 alternate fuel vehicles. Our wastewater treatment plant uses the methane gas to make electricity for the plant. We have adopted a new solid waste plan for our goal of diverting 70% of our waste by 2010. In 2006 my office is planning a Summit for Sustainability to pull together all the community groups working on the environment including the transportation groups. We must support the 101 in Motion efforts ( adding a lane and a train), Measure D reauthorization, and commuter rail initiatives.

There is much to be proud of and still much to be done. Our quality of life is what keeps us going here. With your help our City can continue to improve the lives of all our residents and meet new challenges that come along.

Signed, Marty Blum