Farr Names Planning Commissioner and Staff

While Pappas spent $10,000 to gain one vote yesterday, Doreen Farr named her commissioner and staff

SOLVANG—Today, Supervisor-elect Doreen Farr announced her Planning Commissioner-designate, Marell Brooks and her 3rd District staff, Chris Henson, Stephanie Langsdorf, Esther Aguilera, and Elizabeth Farnum.

Chris Henson will serve as Chief of Staff, and Stephanie Langsdorf, Esther Agiulera and Eizabeth Farnum will serve as district representatives throughout the 3rd District. "One of the main tenants of my campaign was that I would be accessible and responsive to the residents of the 3rd District and County. These experienced individuals will help me in this endeavor", said Farr.

Marell Brooks, 3rd District Planning Commissioner-designate

Marell Brooks is a 30-year resident Santa Barbara County. She currently serves as a Vice President on the board of the Citizens Planning Association, a local non-profit promoting responsible land use planning and environmental protection in Santa Barbara County. Brooks also serves on the Santa Barbara County Commission for Women and as a board member of the Vandenberg Village Association.

Chris Henson

Chris Henson has served as a Senior District Representative to a member of Congress, and as coalition organizer for national non-profit organizations. Henson worked locally for Congresswoman Lois Capps for over 5 years in both Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. His work for Congresswoman Capps ranged from environmental, offshore oil and military issues to telecommunications and healthcare. Additionally, Henson's work for several non-profit organizations included the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a national non-profit based in Washington, DC that serves to reduce tobacco use and its devastating consequences in the United States and around the world.

Stephanie Langsdorf

Stephanie Langsdorf has worked locally for many years on environmental and habitat restoration issues. As the former Executive Director of Growing Solutions, a local non-profit organization focused on watershed restoration and environmental science education, Langsdorf was involved with many restoration projects from Lake Cachuma to the Santa Barbara Airport.

Esther Aguilera

Esther Aguilera brings her experience as a community organizer and social and mental health advocate to Supervisor-elect Farr's office. Aguliera has been involved with numerous local organizations including People United for Economic Justice Building Leadership Through Organizing (PUEBLO) as a Co-Chair, and The Phoenix of Santa Barbara, a local non-profit, as a counselor and case Manager to those with developmental disabilities.

Elizabeth Farnum

Elizabeth Farnum, a resident of Los Olivos, has served Santa Barbara County previously as a 3rd District Planning Commissioner and Deputy County Counsel. Farnum is a Board member for the Fund for Santa Barbara and the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County. She has vast experience on environmental, land use, and housing issues throughout the area. Farnum's work on behalf of Supervisor-elect Farr will be based in the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton and Vandenberg Village.

Dr. Dave Launches First Salvo in 3rd District Race

"Mr. Smyser has some 'splaining' to do!", says Dr. Dave Bearman in an April Fool's Day shot over the bough on the 3rd District Supervisorial race. Saying David Smyser has a "lack of curiosity about the affiliations of his mystery campaign donors", Dr. Dave points to a Santa Ynez Journal article which questions several donations from businesses with apparently no connection to Santa Barbara County. Here's what the good doctor says about it:

So far Smyser has raised $55,000 in campaign donations with over half coming from outside Santa Barbara County. The questions originally arose from a total of $20,000 in contributions from four San Francisco sources, three of whom remain unidentified and are not listed in the California Corporate Record. Currently Smyser only vaguely claims he did not know the identity of his three mystery donors and didn't care to originally find out who they might be. But Dr. Bearman says Smyser has an obligation to investigate or, at least, be curious about his own large campaign donors.

Apparently, many of the donors have associations with Bacara developer Alvin Dworman and Bacara President B.J. Hoppe.

In true Dr. Dave fashion, he brought up a few more issues about growth and "instant cities" in his rather long press release -- the most relevant secondary issue being:

"For some reason, long needed community general plans for the Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Orcutt areas remain delayed and unfunded by the County and that needs to be changed. The people of Santa Barbara County must be allowed to have a voice in their own future. As I was quoted in the Santa Ynez Valley Journal,' Mr. Smyser has some 'splaining' to do.'"

It's hard to fault Dr. Dave for asking these questions for a race that is hardly on the radar for most voters. Mixing Goleta anti-growth politics with 3rd District electioneering may or may not work for Dr. Dave considering the ease at which the Goleta Council saw new faces in the last election. Still, it has been a formula that worked for years -- at least until Brooks Firestone was elected. It's also hard to fault Dr. Dave for trying to distinguish himself from the pack of candidates where he has been seen as a spoiler to Doreen Farr's candidacy. Perhaps the most important aspect of this issue is whether or not Smyser will have the money and stature in the race to at least gain a run off with another candidate. If these donations are indicative of what's to come, he certainly will have the funds to do so.

Desperately Seeking Supervisor

Community Post written by Joe Armendariz

Like many of you I was both surprised and disappointed by Brooks Firestone's decision to retire after serving only one term on the Board of Supervisors. Brooks was a fantastic supervisor and remains one of the great business and political leaders our area has produced. His work ethic was incredible and his mastery of county issues, within a very short period of time on the board, exceeded my wildest expectations.

Personally, I wish Brooks would reconsider his decision, serve another term and finish what he started, particularly in the areas of reforming the county’s land use policy, process improvement and operational effectiveness; important issues all.

But Brooks has been a public servant for many, many years and if anyone deserves to retire and spend more time enjoying his wife, kids and grandkids, its Brooks Firestone. Therefore, I have resisted the
request from many of my friends to join the chorus and call on Brooks to change his mind. Brooks made his decision and I respect his decision. These decisions aren't made lightly.

The question now is who should run to replace him?

There are some potential candidates out there who might be persuaded to run, Goleta City Council members Michael Bennett and Eric Onnen for starters. Another potential candidate that I think would be a compelling choice is Goleta Chamber of Commerce CEO Kristen Amyx. Unfortunately, from what I have heard, both directly and indirectly, none of these stellar individuals are interested in running.

Maybe a draft Bennet or Amyx campaign is an option. If they refuse, who then?

This question is bedeviling many of us who desire common sense leadership for our county. Indeed, it's utmost on our minds as we spin our collective rolodex in search of the perfect candidate. I might have a solution to all of this.

Rather than search for the perfect person who also lacks "baggage", which, by the way, might also mean they lack experience and maybe passion too, why not reach out to the person who has the right experience, knowledge of the issues and is eager to run for the seat as well?

Why not, in other words, try something novel for a change and support a person who is the most qualified, ready and willing to run?

That is what I intend to do...

Firestone Will Not Run

Brooks Firestone, who recently sold much of his winery to William Foley, has announced that he will not run for reelection to 3rd District Supervisor.....here's the story at The Independent.

This would certainly help Doreen Farr who will certainly face a chosen Republican....I've got a lead on who is being considered and will report on this soon. In the meantime, what does this mean to the third district race?