Comments by BusRider
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Posted on October 22 at 9:04 a.m.
An outsider sounds good to me, especially after the fiasco created by the local Democratic Party. Maybe they felt after the Obama victory that the party could take any position it wanted and that Santa Barbara Democrats would follow like sheep. Dave is not a Yes man. I like that. The budget crisis has woken up many city voters and the turnout should be high. Another thing that should get Dave some votes is that he is supported by the great Walter Kohn who is not part of the regular political big cheeses giving a blessing on whomever has raised the most money or made the most promises.
Posted on October 2 at 10:34 a.m.
You should hear my neighbor go off about the public employees unions. They are overpaid! They have too much power! Well, I'm not an insider there, I don't know how much influence they have. My point is that David does NOT owe them anything because the unions are not giving him money or having volunteers help his campaign. I do know he's a working person himself from the Westside so he understands what it's like to depend on a modest paycheck.
Posted on October 1 at 4:48 p.m.
Pritchett is not "in bed with" the public employees union, SEIU. Craig Smith had a round-up of major endorsements. Take a look. White and House are backed by that labor union. I personally don't have a problem with that as my grandpa was in a union. I still like David, however, as he seems independent of all groups seeking favor with City Hall. He's also advocated for better bus service, something very important to me.
Posted on September 29 at 10:46 a.m.
Vote for anyone but the Van Wolfswinkel people! As for true, slow-growthers, voters should remember Bendy White is an agent for developers. He's in the biz of building things. Cathie McCammon is a watchdog on development, and so is David Pritchett. Diane Channing keeps talking about preventing S B from becoming Orange County, so she seems to be a slow growth type. John Tyhne and Bonnie Raisin are in the real estate business. Justin Tevis wants free market enterprise. I think Frank Hotchkiss and MSelf just don't want more poor people here. Get to know the candidates, I keep saying. The Cox Cable government channels have forums, and candidates' statements, etc. Go to channels 17, 18, and 21 for information.
Posted on September 25 at 11:47 a.m.
Bendy White and Grant House approved the big buildings on Chapala. I don't know if that's the kiss of death on these guys, as maybe they were trying to "build up" to maximize housing units and available air space. But I'm not sure that's what most Santa Barbara residents want. I've given up so much to live here (career advancement, home ownership) just because of the small-town feel. The Chapala buildings were a mistake. Perhaps no one needs to be actually punished for that, i'm just sure I'm not voting for Bendy White. He's been in the planning business for a long time. He should have known better.
Posted on September 24 at 10:49 a.m.
I was there and it was a new way to look at the candidates. As usual at these things, David Pritchett was the most versed in issues, in particular the budget and how it related to the arts. I don't think the candidates need to be poets or dancers, but rather they should know how to secure funding for the real talent. Grant House and Helene Schneider also knew what they were talking about. Cushman has good energy, but doesn't seem anchored in reality, government-wise. Final thought: Save the Libraries!
Posted on September 12 at 10:23 p.m.
Why would Self and Hotchkiss seek the police endorsement if they are against labor unions? Why would the police back them and not REAL labor supporters? P-O-L-I-T-I-C-S. Stinky ol' politics. They chose Helene because Iya's departure left them swinging in the wind. (Quick, calculate who's likely to win and back that person!) Dianne Channing never struck me as a progressive candidate, just a little too NIMBY-ish, wealthy retiree from Orange County, doesn't understand people of color. Okay, these are the candidates who will criminalize our youth. Gotcha.
Posted on September 7 at 5 a.m.
The process IS broken because that project has gotten as far as it has already with story poles. At this pace, next year will be another initiative-driven ballot measure to require minimal setbacks just like the measure this year is to limit building heights.
Posted on September 7 at 4:56 a.m.
Sometimes a huge political blunder is just a huge political blunder.
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Posted on November 4 at 9:26 a.m.
So the Van Wolfswinkel PAC didn't slow down Schneider, House, and White. However Channing couldn't compete with the money fueling Self and Hotchkiss. Of the runners-up, David Pritchett is to be recognized for working hard and placing well considering his shoe-string budget. Bob Hansen brought attention to homeless issues, as usual, and that's to be commended. Tevis was a little too radical for this town. Did Garrett run to get name recognition so he could sell more real estate? It's hard to figure why some of the runners-up ran in the first place. What did John Gibbs stand for? Was he bored in his retirement? Measure B: someone came to my door urging a no-vote. No one from Yes on B called or came to my home. Maybe it lost because of a lack of basic campaigning, and it had Van Wolfswinkel money behind it too. Looking for analysis from Poodle on that one.
On Updated Election Results