One Crisp Blue Shirt and a Shiny Badge

I did happen to see the News-Press photo of the Falcone press conference late today....I would post a link but they are not available via the News-Press website. The picture clearly shows a man who very much looks to be in uniform. My efforts yesterday to point out that an SBPOA member at the event would not likely have a City of Santa Barbara patch and probably wear an alternate, SBPOA badge are still relevant and we now have visual proof.

I haven't seen that The Santa Barbara Independent has posted an article about the press conference. On Noozhawk, the picture unfortunately just barely crops out the man in the crisp blue shirt with a shiny badge. KEYT had a story on the press conference and had a clear view zoomed in on the crisp blue shirt in question.

My comments regarding the perception of whether a uniformed officer was present or not stands. Really, the issue isn't about SBPOA support for Falcone -- they have every right to do so and considering the filing period hasn't even ended, Falcone has landed a major coup. My congratulations to her stands as well.

The issue is about whether people might think a uniformed officer was present...the gentleman clearly pictured in the crisp blue shirt did not have a City of Santa Barbara Police Department patch but he did have a badge on.

Falcone to receive endorsement of City & County Public Safety Organizations for Mayoral Bid

From Falcone's campaign...the only proviso I would add is that the Deputy Sheriff's Association will usually follow the lead of the SBPOA; and the County Firefighters will usually follow the lead of the City association without much question. Perhaps it is is not so surprising she got all four as supporters (considering her record of staunch support) as it is how early it is in the campaign. Definitely a a good media day for Council Member Falcone tomorrow.

What I hope gets answered during the campaign is what Council Member Falcone's plans are for law enforcement....stimulus monies and long-awaited COPS funding is finally coming through and should translate to more officers on the streets. This is a good thing. Still, will she promise not to cut other services in putting more officers on the street?

That being said -- congrats to some good endorsements! --Sara

Representatives of Santa Barbara City and County law enforcement and firefighting agencies will join Santa Barbara City Councilmember Iya Falcone in an unprecedented show of support for her mayoral campaign at 10:00am Monday....

The Santa Barbara Police Officers Association, Santa Barbara City Firefighters for Better Government, Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association are all endorsing Falcone, based on her long record of support for issues important to local public safety professionals. No Santa Barbara mayoral candidate in recent memory has earned the endorsements of all four agencies.

“As mayor I promise to use my proven leadership to continue to prioritize public safety” Falcone said. “Public safety is the foundation for maintaining a prosperous and vibrant community, and I am truly honored to have the support of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to strengthening that foundation.”

Falcone to Announce Mayoral Bid

Press release from the Falcone campaign...let the games begin! Not like it's Falcone's fault, but I just wish we had a bit more recovery time since the last election....whew!

Citing the need for city government to "get back to basics" by prioritizing public safety, needed infrastructure improvements, and providing for an environment where a vibrant economy can flourish, Santa Barbara City Council Member Iya Falcone will announce her campaign for Mayor at a press conference to be held at 1:15pm Monday, February 23rd at the Storke Placita of De La Guerra Plaza.

"As Mayor I will ensure Santa Barbara remains safe, clean and economically viable. Fixing our sidewalks, and paving our streets, dealing with the gang crisis and graffiti removal may not be glamorous, but they are the heart of what a city must focus on to effectively serve its citizens. I will provide proven, experienced leadership as Mayor."

Falcone is former attorney and crisis counselor who has served for the last seven years as a member of the City Council. Falcone has also worked with developmentally disabled children with autism, downs syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

Falcone received a BA in Child Development from Cal State Northridge, with concentration in abnormal psychology. Falcone earned her Juris Doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in Sacramento. Falcone is a seventeen year resident of Santa Barbara who moved to California in 1967. Falcone has a daughter, Niki, as well as two step- sons, two granddaughters and two twin grandsons from her marriage to her late husband, Vincent Falcone.