Santa Barbara City residents: Have you mailed in your ballot? 

We know parents are busy and thought it might be helpful to have a brief list of the candidates running for Mayor and City Council for Santa Barbara. Some candidates were able to share their platforms and/or websites with us. View below...  If you click through to their websites, you are sure to find more detailed information on interviews and articles related to the election.

This is a Vote-by-Mail General Municipal Election.

Ballots must be received by the City Clerk's Office no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Postmarks do not count.
The official ballots, with prepaid postage return envelopes and the Voter Information Pamphlets, were mailed to all registered voters in the City of Santa Barbara beginning October 5, 2009.

Voters are encouraged to mail or drop off their ballots early. Voters are encouraged to return their ballots by mail in the prepaid postage envelope or deliver the completed ballot to the City Clerk's Office at 735 Anacapa Street, during regular business hours. (Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Voters can deliver their ballots in person at any of the seven Drop-Off Centers on: 

• Saturday, October 31, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. & 
• Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2009, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m

Drop-Off Center Locations:

• Braille Institute Auditorium, 2031 De La Vina Street
• Cleveland School Multi Purpose Room, 123 Alameda Padre Serra
• Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 3869 State Street
• Holy Cross Church Parish Hall, 1740 Cliff Drive
• Pilgrim Terrace Activity Center, 649 Pilgrim Terrace Drive
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Fleischmann Auditorium, 2559 Puesta Del Sol
• City of Santa Barbara City Clerk's Office City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street
  

SBParent.com Team
Rachael, Julie, Irene, Melissa & Alison

P.S. Residents of Goleta, Carpinteria, and Summerland - there are no elections for you this November.

VOTE FOR ONE:

Stephen M. Cushman click here to view website

For the last 20 years, Steve has served as President of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is the oldest and largest business organization in the Tri-Counties. Through its programs and services, the Chamber generates more than $80 million in annual local business referrals.

He has worked in private enterprise, government, universities, museums, and the non-profit sector. He has raised more than $60 million for non-profit organizations in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. He has also developed and operated commercial enterprises, including a health club, bookstore, and the Santa Barbara City Store.

Steve graduated from UCSB in 1968. He is married to Sheila Cushman, director of the Children's Museum of Santa Barbara.

Dale Francisco  click here to view website

Santa Barbara's families rely on the wisdom of decision-maker sacting on their behalf. It is essential that children and their parents be considered during deliberation of every issue.

I am committed to provide a safe, clean environment for families to flourish. My priorities include fully funding our police department, reducing gang violence, stopping the proliferation of marijuana ispensaries, and protecting our neighborhoods.

I will encourage governmental agencies, nonprofits and the private sector to increase access to arts, sports, nature activities-essential for kids in these challenging times.

It would be an honor to serve Santa Barbara's families as your Mayor.

Isaac Garrett  click here to view website

Bob Hansen 

Helene Schneider  click here to view website
Santa Barbara needs a Mayor with the experience and leadership skills to protect community values and embrace the opportunities of tomorrow, even under challenging economic times.I have been a consistent leader protecting our environment, ensuring public safety, protecting neighborhood character, investing in our youth, and reducing homelessness.

That's why I am endorsed by hundreds of community leaders, including Congresswoman Lois Capps, The Sierra Club, City Firefighters Association, the Police Officers Association, Democratic Women, Supervisors Salud Carbajal and Janet Wolf, Mayor Marty Blum, and former Mayor Harriet Miller.

I ask for your vote for Santa Barbara Mayor.

VOTE FOR ONE, TWO, OR THREE:

Rowland Lane Anderson  click here to view website

Understanding that campaign contributions are the primary way by which special interests influence our city's policy makers, and knowing that anyone could have interests before the city, I have not accepted any campaign contributions from anyone nor have I created propaganda, porch litter, signs or sound bytes. A great concern to me is the under representation of the interests of average citizens on the city council and the over representation of the special interests, the very people who donate so much to candidates. An example of the neglect of public interest by the city is the failure to protect the public health by real enforcement of the ban on gasoline powered leaf blowers.

Dianne Channing  click here to view website

As a 20-year resident of Santa Barbara, I have worked to prevent overdevelopment in neighborhoods and downtown. I have worked on our transportation and housing needs, public safety issues such as at risk youth and fire prevention. I have been a small business owner for 23 years. I am endorsed by the Sierra Club, The Firefighters and the Police Officers Associations, Mayors Marty Blum and Harriet Miller, 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, Former Supervisors Susan Rose and Naomi Schwartz, Coucilmembers Roger Horton and Das Williams, SB Women's Polictical Committee, The Democratic Party, Democratic Women and many others. Please visit DianneChanning.com

Cruzito Herrera Cruz 

John W. Gibbs, Jr.  

I'm running for City Council because the current members have lost their connection to the voters. Blue lines, pot 'farmacies' and inappropriate buildings were promoted when the real problem has been our financial melt down. They responded to the economy collapse with pay raises, added vacation time and 'dark' days at government offices. I've accepted no contributions or endorsements thus I have no one but you, the voter, to thank if I'm elected. You won't see glossy photos, mailers or lawn signs touting my virtues but I do promise a high level of honesty and fairness in city government. John Gibbs, Jr., M.D. (retired)

Frank Hotchkiss  click here to view website

Grant House  click here to view website

Cathie McMammon  click here to view website

After 37 years of involvement in the community, I have concluded that we must change the direction of our planning and reform our budget process.

I am for sound land use decisions, living within our resources and fiscal responsibility.
I believe we need sound land use planning to:
• Protect our neighborhoods
• Prevent the General Plan Update from resulting in overdevelopment, increased density and congestion
• Preserve historic resources - Support Measure B the people's Height Limitation Initiative

I support:
• Living within our resources, especially water
• Maintain SB's distinctive character, safeguard our city's charm and small town atmosphere

I will work to reform the budget process:
• Restore our reserves
• Set priorities
• Insure solid financial planning
• Police and fire protection and maintenance of our infrastructure are my top priorities.

For more information please view my webpage: McCammonForSB.com

David Pritchett  click here to view website

I salute City residents who are contentious parents in this tough economy. As an environmental scientist, my life's work is to restore and protect natural resources for future generations. Santa Barbara children must enjoy healthy, pesticide-free parks, as well as clean creeks and beaches, as I already have worked on. As a City Councilmember, I would improve collaboration with schools on recreational, cultural, and educational programs. For the City budget, I would work to limit cuts to library services. I also wish to prioritize pedestrian safety in street improvements. Please visit my website at DavidPritchett.org or call me at 569-3179

Bonnie Raisin click here to view website

I was born, raised and educated in Santa Barbara. I raised four children in Santa Barbara Schools.

As a candidate for the Santa Barbara City Council I urge your readers to VOTE "YES" ON MEASURE C which would give our youth representation at a city level on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

My pledge to take council members to the neighborhoods throughout the city on a rotating basis would include the presence of a youth representative to help address the problems within each neighborhood for young and old. Council members cannot rely on a meeting in chambers once a week - they must integrate and act at the neighborhood level.

Michael Kathleen Self  click here to view website

Justin Tevis  click here to view website

A lifelong local to Santa Barbara County, Justin Tevis will provide the strong leadership needed to preserve small town Santa Barbara, and get our budget back in line without dipping into the City's reserve funds or passing the burden on to Santa Barbara's citizens in these times of economic strife. As a lifelong athlete, he believes that sports are one of the most effective ways to channel youth aggression. Mr. Tevis is a back to the basics type of guy with a business & economics background. He received his B.A. in International Relations and History from Claremont McKenna College.

John J. Thyne III  click here to view website

John J. Thyne III is running to bring his many years of business experience and his moderate, social justice views to the Santa Barbara City Council. John is most concerned by gangs in Santa Barbara and he has recommended a gang injunction that has resulted in a 30% drop in youth violence in nearby cities. John intends to reinvigorate the local economy by working with local business and capitalizing upon emerging technologies. Finally, John will work to protect our neighborhoods and preserve our small town charm. Please vote for Independent, Experienced Leadership, please vote for John J. Thyne III.

Harwood "Bendy" White  click here to view website

Measure B Building Heights

Measure C Parks & Recreation Commission

Measure D Board of Harbor Commissioners

Measure E Architectural Board of Review

Click here to read about the local measures.