Questions and Answers

By Marty Blum

The mayor leads the City on a platform that is fair, fiscally responsible, and equitable for all the residents. She works closely with the City Administrator and the City Attorney to make sure their work is done to a high standard and that people are heard in a civil, respectful way. She encourages City Council Members in their work and applauds good ideas among the staff members. She is the chief cheerleader, she sets the agendas for the meetings, and she is a spokesperson, ribbon cutter, and proclamation giver. In addition she advocates for the City at the regional, state, and national levels.

Question 2: What impacts do you think need to be considered in approving new development, and what do you consider to be top priorities for the City?

New development must fit into the General Plan for the City to be looked at as part of a larger picture. Traffic, parking, set backs, drainage, open space, view corridors and beautiful architecture must all be considered. In addition, size, bulk, scale and aesthetics must be looked at carefully. It is important that every interested party have the opportunity to be heard.

For the City the top priority is to update our General Plan which will dictate our growth over the next twenty-five years and beyond. This is an outstanding opportunity to show vision for the future. We celebrate our past, love the present, and are excited about the future of Santa Barbara.

Question 3: What would you suggest as solutions for alleviating congestion for Highway 101 and on City Streets?

There must be a variety of solutions, anyone of which will not solve the problem, but put together, they will make a huge difference. I support the Santa Barbara Council of Government's train and a lane:

Add a lane on 101 to the Ventura Co. line to eliminate the funnel effect.
Have one lane be high occupancy vehicle, bus lane.
Add three commuter rail trains daily each direction, using federal Fresh
Start monies.