Thursday, July 27, 2017 7
Coastal View News • Tel: (805) 684-4428
City to consider district elections By Lea BoyD
Accused of violating the Voting Rights Act, the City of Carpinteria will hold a special city council meeting on Monday, July 31 to discuss district elections. The city recently received a certified letter threatening legal action unless it adopts district-based elections to resolve claims of “racially polarized voting” in Carpinteria. Several residents spoke out at this week’s regular city council meeting on July 24 in favor of establishing voting districts to promote greater diversity on the governing body. Jatzibe Sandoval said she was very alarmed that in the last 20 years only one Latino had been elected to the Carpinteria City Council. Santa Barbara and Goleta both adopted district elections in recent years, and Sandoval pointed out that in Santa Barbara at least one predominantly Latino district enjoyed far greater voter turnout as a result. Matt Lowe noted that Carpinteria is more than 40 percent Latino. “That’s an important number that needs to be represented and listened to,” he said. Harry Manuras, a longtime Carpinterian who has managed several local election campaigns, pointed out that the existing system has proven results. He thanked the current council and those prior for helping to shape a city beloved by many. “We all get a chance to run for office in this community,” he said. “Let’s reflect on what we have and remind ourselves that we have been successful.” The special meeting on July 31 will begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Mayor Fred Shaw requested that a Spanish translator be on hand.
which do not require sprinklers for additions or remodels, just new homes. Stein said, “In an older home, people that try to remodel aren’t going to be able to afford to tear up the rest of their house and add (sprinkler systems).” The sprinkler conversation started last spring when the fire district initially adopted new code mandating sprinkler systems in homes remodeled by 50 percent or more. Stein and Councilman Gregg Carty, both contractors, argued that being forced to add sprinklers could keep people from upgrading their homes and that smoke detectors are more critical life-saving devices. A misunderstanding of the council’s direction resulted in the fire district revising the proposed code back to existing city fire code rather than state code. This time around, councilmembers characterized the existing city code as unreasonable and clarified their intent to follow the less stringent state code. The discussion prompted Fire Marshal Ed Foster to say, “It seemed reasonable to this city council six years ago, it seemed reasonable three years ago, and I’m somewhat taken aback that for whatever reason you feel that it’s not reasonable to continue the current language that’s in the code from 2010.”
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For the record
Last week’s cover shot featured a photo of Luke Nahookaika-Anderson whose position in the flags competition was misreported. The Carpinteria Junior Lifeguard placed third in the event.
Pacific Village Carpinteria
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MTD updates council
Bus fares collected by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) were down $1 million last year, a trend that may prompt a fare hike or a service cut if it continues, MTD General Manager Jerry Estrada told the city council during an MTD status report on July 24. This year, MTD’s budget anticipates reserve spending, but new state legislation could dedicate additional funds to public transit and save the agency from taking measures such as fare increases or service decreases. In Carpinteria, 86 percent of ridership takes place on the 20 and 21X buses that travel between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara, while the Seaside Shuttle represents just 14 percent of local ridership. New electric shuttles that are 8 feet longer than existing vehicles are on order and slated to arrive in the fall. In anticipation of Caltrans’ Linden and Casitas Overpass Project dramatically changing traffic circulation in Carpinteria, most notably what Estrada called the “punch through” of Via Real, MTD will begin to consider changes to future bus routes.
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Fire code rejected, again
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Led by an adamant Councilman Brad Stein, the city council sent the new fire code back to the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District for amendment before city ratification. Rather than require the installation of new sprinkler systems in homes undergoing additions of 1,000 square feet or more, the council voted to revert back to state standards
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