Know your 2016 candidates

Lee Central Coast Newspapers A Special Supplement

Learn what local candidates have to say about issues in your community as you go to the polls Tuesday.

Third District candidate profiles In-depth looks at the five candidates in this race PAGES 4-8

Closing Remarks Read closing campaign statements from all of your candidates in the 24th, 3rd and 4th districts PAGES 2-3

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, June 5, 2016 |

Know your 2016 candidates

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»»Arguing their case

Nine candidates on ballot in 24th Congressional District race Polls open at 7 a.m.

Tuesday, close at 8 p.m.

Kenny Lindberg

A2 | Sunday, June 5, 2016 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

K L INDB E RG @LE ECE NT RA LCOASTNEWS.COM‌

‌With Congresswoman Lois Capps retiring at the end of her term, nine candidates from across the Central Coast have stepped forward in hopes of replacing her in what is widely regarded as one of California’s most competitive local elections.

The top two candidates chosen by voters in the June 7 primary will go head-to-head in the runoff election in November. The two remaining candidates can represent the same party — an eventuality that could occur if voters from either major party fracture its vote.

Ballots have been delivered to mailboxes across the Central Coast, giving voters a chance to cast their vote early — a practice heavily utilized by residents of the Central Coast, according to voter data.

In fact, more than two-thirds of eligible district voters have opted to vote-by-mail in the past two election years, which include both the primary and general elections.

The 24th Congressional District contains all of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, along with a sliver of Ventura County.

Polling will take place Tuesday, with precincts opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

The nine candidates were each asked to give a one-paragraph closing statement, provided here:

Katcho Achadjian

“In Congress, experience matters. You can’t show up in D.C. and expect to affect change if you’ve never built consensus before. I’ve worked across the aisle at the county and state level to balance budgets,

help improve the economy and create jobs, and fight for working families, small businesses and public safety.

Now, I’m ready to take that experience to Washington, D.C. I’m Katcho Achadjian, and I’d be honored to have your vote.”

Salud Carbajal

“I am running for Congress to ensure that working middle-class families continue to have the same opportunities my family and I were given here on the Central Coast. I have a proven track record of bringing Democrats and Republicans together to solve problems and get results on preserving our environment and open Carbajal spaces, creating jobs through rebuilding roads and highways and expanding health care for our children. I love our communities and have spent my entire professional life serving them. I hope to continue that strong record of effective service for the Central Coast in Congress.”

Justin Fareed

“Political insiders care more about winning their next election than they do about all of us and the future of our country. I’m running for Congress to bring next generation leadership to Washington in order to restore integrity to a broken institution, and to put forth 21st-century solutions that will strengthen our nation’s economy, create jobs and Fareed keep our nation secure for generations to come. Most importantly, I’m running to get Congress working again and to truly represent the people of the Central Coast.”

Steve Isakson Achadjian

“While many problems must be addressed by the dysfunctional Congress, one of the most important is the budget/debt, which will cause major

economic turmoil in the next few years. Einstein once said: ‘We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.’ I am your independent candidate, without campaign obli- Isakson gations, that will be able to work with individuals from both sides of Congress to find and implement solutions for the problems we face in the coming years.

Matt Kokkonen

“There are definite differences among the candidates, such as on immigration ... and voting to give driver’s licenses to the illegals and giving them work permits. Also, at the Cuesta debate, when we were asked if we would repeal the abortion law Roe v Wade, (some candidates) refused to give a direct answer, but I stated I Kokkonen would repeal it. I am the legal immigrant for Congress and will not put up anymore with the spineless politicians or candidates who won’t even vote for a balanced budget or to keep the jihadist murderers and illegals out of America.”

Helene Schneider

“Congress is plagued by partisan bickering and gridlock. I’m running to change Washington by shaking up the status quo and its establishment by bringing my experience as a local mayor and my can-do approach to problem solving in order to get things done for the Central Coast. We need less politics, as usual, and more common-sense Schneider solutions to tackle issues ranging from environmental protection to job creation, and from public safety to better schools and a stronger America.”

Benjamin Lucas

“I, Benjamin Lucas, pledge to give the constituents of the 24th District my full-time and full attention in Congress. I will not spend two-thirds of my time as a telemarketer raising Lucas money for the DNC, as was recently reported by an undercover investigation for ‘60 Minutes.’”

William Ostrander

“The gridlock in Congress and the vitriol between the two major parties can be traced back to one thing: money in politics. Until we remove the obscene amount of money heaped on a chosen few candidates and officeholders, nothing of substance will ever get done. In order for a democracy to thrive and Ostrander for the political process to produce outcomes that advance the interests of the public, citizens must have faith that the system works. That’s why I’m running for Congress. I want to change the system and ensure that regular folks like you and me have a fair shot at becoming successful and the ability to achieve the American dream.”

John Uebersax

“A failed political system and twoparty tyranny have made voters feel angry, frustrated and powerless. My independent, antiwar, anti-Wall Street candidacy gives people a way to fight back, be heard and make a difference by voting against war — and the political insanity and corruption that go with Uebersax it. An election isn’t about winning but doing the right thing and using our freedom and democratic institutions to gradually, one vote at a time (your vote), make a more just, prosperous and good world.”

4th District candidates give closing statements Kenny Lindberg K L IN D BERG@ L E EC E N T RALCOAST NEWS.COM‌

I‌ n Santa Barbara County’s only supervisorial race to include an incumbent, one challenger has emerged hopeful that his message will resonate with 4th District voters before they cast their ballots.

Eduardo Ozeta is that challenger, hoping to lead the district that stretches from Orcutt to Lompoc.

Meanwhile, Supervisor Peter Adam seeks re-election for the first time after winning the 2012 election against then-incumbent Joni Gray.

Polling will take place June 7, with precincts opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

The following are closing statements from both the 4th District candidates:

Eduardo Ozeta

Peter Adam

“When I ran for office more than four years ago, I promised to say the things that needed to be said, no matter how hard they were to hear. I have lived up to that promise. I have prevented my colleagues from giving themselves a giant pay raise. I have made deferred maintenance an issue that will never be ignored again.

I have Adam fought to make practitioners in our mental health department accountable for the successful treatment of their clients. I have pushed to increase county discretionary revenues by approving reasonable development.

Admittedly, I have only been able to do so much because I have been on the short end of a long majority. However, in my next term I look forward to serving with people who share my concerns. There are many at the county who do not appreciate my prescription for economic sustainability. But I don’t work for them. I work for you, the taxpayer. I would appreciate your vote on June 7.”

Kenny Lindberg KLI ND B E RG@ LE EC E N T R A LCOAST NEWS. CO M‌

The race to lead Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District — the largest supervisorial district geographically — has five candidates vying to represent the highly diverse electorate.

While the race could end in June, provided a single candidate gets more than half the vote, it is widely regarded as likely that two candidates will remain after the primary and go toe-to-toe in the general election in November.

Voters have started the decision process, as vote-by-mail ballots have begun to hit mailboxes.

The 3rd District stretches from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

The last day to register to vote is May 23, according to the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder.

Polling will take place June 7, with precincts opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Voteby-mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

The following are closing statements from each of the five candidates.

Bob Field‌

“I am an old-fashioned conservative who believes that first we must conserve what is wonderful about our county and then work smart to make it Field better in the future. Specifically, we

must conserve our rural/ agricultural character (which is the reason we choose to live here and the reason tourists choose to visit), create better paying jobs, and get the government to spend less on itself and return more to taxpayers in the form of efficient services and quality infrastructure. I am the most qualified and experienced candidate on all of these issues, I am not taking money from any unions or special interests, and you can count on me to work full-time to serve the residents of Santa Barbara County.”

Jay Freeman‌

“I want us to rethink the relationship our county has with the people it is serving. Instead of a top-down approach to government, we need to regain local control — especially in our Freeman unincorporated communities — by establishing Municipal Advisory Councils that can inform the Board of Supervisors. I’m tired of the establishment telling us what to do, and as your Supervisor I’ll do everything I can to allow you to take control of your future.”

Joan Hartmann‌

“My top priorities are to promote a healthy economy and ensure public safety—high quality police and fire protection as well as safer roads, a more reliable, safe water supply, and a healthy environment. My experience as

a local volunteer advocating for neglected and abused foster Hartmann children; a leader in developing an award-winning program to enhance water resources by restoring rivers, streams and wetlands in Coastal Southern California; college professor, and County Planning Commissioner have prepared me to serve as your supervisor. I’m committed to serving you full-time, and more, with regular office hours in each community, and I will respond to your calls and emails within 24 hours. I would be honored to represent this amazing place where we are all so fortunate to live.”

Karen Jones‌

“On June 7th voters in Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District have an opportunity to cast their vote for someone other than the business as usual, career bureaucrats who are Jones sponsored by the two establishment political parties and their surrogates in the local media. If there was ever a time for voters to break from the dutiful routine of punching the box next to the names of the chosen two; the candidates endorsed by establishment Democrats and the Republicans, that time is now. If the rise of

unconventional, refreshingly unfiltered candidates on the national political stage is any indication, voting for the candidate who best expresses the anxiety and outrage of the individual citizen and rejecting the top down ‘we know best crowd’ from Washington DC will not just be a symbolic vote.

Casting a vote for me is taking responsibility for the representation of our home by voting with your heart and your head to put an end to political-media complex that has infested Santa Barbara County.”

Bruce Porter‌

“In the same way I served in the Army and as a member of the local school board, I will serve as county Supervisor as a solemn duty to all our residents Porter to make our county a better place.

I will work hard to find equitable solutions on the tough issues we face, such as fee-to-trust, pressures on agriculture and ranching, maintaining our rural character and quality of life, re-prioritizing government spending, shortfalls in water and other infrastructure, protection of habitat and environment, and regulatory burdens that challenge all of us. I’ll use my engineering and financial backgrounds to work with all sectors of the community to ensure decisions are based on sound economics, common sense and practicality; not ideology or extremist politics.”

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“Servant Leadership and dedication to our community are two of the things that very important to me as a supervisor. As the son of a pastor and as a veteran of the U.S. Marines, faith, integrity, dedication and hard work are values that define me.

Ozeta I want to be accessible to the people of the 4th District and have given out my personal cellphone on Facebook, on mailers and at all three candidate forums, 314-7293.

As a common sense conservative, I believe you have to build consensus in order to make the changes you want to see.

Ideas are great, but if you can’t move them forward and find consensus, all the yelling and shouting will do you no good. I will fight for working families, seniors, veterans, to cut red tape for businesses, make public safety a priority and improve our infrastructure in a meaningful way, not just the hot mop method that is done now on roads, but actually repair them.”

3rd District candidates give closing statements

»»Third District

Jones’ focus is opposition to Chumash casino expansion Kenny Lindberg K L INDB E RG @LE ECE NT RA LCOASTNEWS.COM‌

‌Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor.

The district stretches from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

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aren Jones recognizes that she is a dark horse candidate for Santa Barbara County’s third supervisorial district, but still, she believes the post is well within her reach.

“Once in a while, Seabiscuit does win and that’s why we’re going to have this election,” Jones said. “People can giggle about this crazy Jones lady, ‘she’s going to get her 20 votes,’ but I think I’m going to blow some minds.”

The 57-year-old housewife joined the crowded 3rd District race on the very last day one could declare candidacy, submitting her paperwork 30 minutes before the election office closed.

She is a staunch critic of the casino expansion by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and has made it her main platform issue. She also describes herself as business friendly and hopes to bring much-needed jobs to the county.

“I’m fearless,” Jones said. “Take your best shot. This is my life. You can say whatever you want to say about me, you can do whatever you want to do, but I push back.”

Jones moved to Santa Ynez in April 1995, and is married to a multi-generational 3rd District native, she said.

“The first thing that sets me apart from my opponents is my connection to the 3rd District,” she said. “I have lived here longer.”

Jones considers herself a passionate watchdog, but not a politician.

“I never wanted to be a politician,” she said. “I don’t like politicians. Once again, they are the people that won the lying contest and then they go and make a big fuss of handing out the money they take by force from the people they represent.”

And that’s especially troublesome, given how difficult it is to just get by, she said.

“I would bet that I’m the only candidate that clips the coupons in the Sunday paper,” she said. “That’s my job, to keep

us living on a tight budget, because this is a very expensive place to live unless you are a government employee or you retired wealthy.”

But Jones has been able to get by.

“I have a wealth of friendship and I think that’s what’s going to carry me,” she said.

And while money is important, it’s not the currency she uses.

“Money is fun to have, but it’s not my favorite currency and it’s not the currency I use,” Jones said. “I use it at the grocery store and making my house payment, but my currency is love (and) good will. I have a lot of exchanges with people where we help each other just out of mutual desire to support each other because that’s what we do.”

As a supervisor, Jones said she will make it a priority to listen to all sides of an issue.

“People say both sides, what world do they live in?” Jones said. “There’s not two sides to anything. There’s 100 sides, but you just got to narrow it down, prioritize, decide what you’re trying to achieve.”

On dealings with the tribe and their expansion efforts, Jones said she wouldn’t handle things much differently than incumbent Doreen Farr.

“I think she did a good job opposing fee-to-trust (and) I believe she did good faith negotiations in this latest round of negotiations with the tribe,” Jones said.

“So I would be similar to Doreen Farr in how I conducted myself.”

Jones is also against the planned residential development on the 1,400 acre Camp 4 site.

“I know exactly how I will deal with the Chumash need for housing. I’ll say, ‘why don’t you do what everybody else in the 3rd District does?’” Jones said.

“Buy a house that’s already built or go pull permits, buy a lot, and build your dream house.”

While many tribal members are her friends and neighbors, Jones doesn’t like what she says is going on.

“I’m representing everyone, including the 140 people that get the check, and a lot of them as individuals are my friends and neighbors, but as a special interest group being by assisted by politicians to do a ruse, I’m calling that out,” Jones said. “I’m against the casino. I’m not against any individual but I’m against a racket and I’m running to stop the racket.”

Kenny Lindberg, Staff‌

Karen Jones is running to represent the Santa Barbara County as 3rd district supervisor.

Freeman ‘prepared to lead’ as 3rd District supervisor Kenny Lindberg K L IN D BERG@LE ECE NT RALCOASTNEWS.COM‌

‌Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor.

The district stretches from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

W

Kenny Lindberg covers Santa Barbara County for Lee Central Coast Newspapers. Follow him on Twitter.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, June 5, 2016 | A5

hile he may be an unknown to some around Santa Barbara County, Jay Freeman has enjoyed significant prominence in the technology world.

“I’m somebody who is actually fairly famous,” Freeman said. “I don’t just have a Wikipedia article because I wrote it, I have a Wikipedia that is very well cited and is something that many other people have edited over time.”

In fact, Freeman is recognized for his Cydia software, which is an alternative to the app store for jailbroken iPhones.

Freeman and his software have been featured in Forbes and The New York Times.

Freeman also enjoys popularity online, where he has nearly half a million Twitter followers — easily the highest figure of the five supervisorial candidates for the district.

“I’m more connected with what’s current, so I’m involved in social media,” Freeman said. “I bring a level of understanding about what’s important to the future of the current generation of people.”

In Isla Vista where he lives, Freeman is known for his work on community issues, including his work on putting together a financial feasibility study for self governance, and for working with state Assemblyman Das Williams on a plan to develop a community service district in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County.

“The idea that maybe someone will be stepping in who doesn’t have Isla Vista’s needs in their hearts will be a serious problem for us and so I saw that when Doreen (Farr) was stepping down I immediately started looking into running,” Freeman said.

On the issues, Freeman said the biggest need for the county is to address climate change.

“This is something we can look at locally here with relations to the oil industry,” Freeman said.

Which means he would vocally oppose drilling on the Gaviota Coast and slant drilling into the offshore oil beds, he said.

Groundwater issues are also important, Freeman said, especially as they relate to failing septic tanks, which in Los Olivos is a major concern.

Having a government that can deal with problems before they arise is vital, he said.

“There’s this attitude that I’ve been seeing among the county where they will hear about issues and not pay much attention to them until people come in droves clamoring, angry, pitchforks in hand in order to try to get the problem,” Freeman said. “I think it’s important to determine problems that are going to happen, before they end up happening.”

On negotiations with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Freeman favors continued conversations, but thinks they should be more productive.

“At no time were any of the ideas from the community, as far as how to resolve the conflicts, ever brought up during negotiations,” Freeman said.

His position stemmed from the fact that no one has discussed the possibility of moving the tribe’s planned residential development on the 1,400-acre Camp 4 site, to a triangle of property owned by the tribe closer to its reservation, despite the fact that the issue was brought up by the public.

Improving infrastructure by investing in fiber optic cable is something the county should look at as well, Freeman said.

“We need to figure out ways of getting better infrastructure for modern companies and modern businesses in North County.”

While he considers himself socially liberal, Freeman won’t be voting along party lines if elected, he said.

“I don’t particularly like voting along a party line. And I also don’t think you’ll find me voting along a location line.”

Kenny Lindberg, Staff‌

Jay Freeman is a candidate for 3rd District supervisor.

Field ‘ready to represent’ 3rd District as next supervisor Creating jobs, preserving rural areas are platform highlights Kenny Lindberg K L INDB E RG @LE ECE NT RA LCOASTNEWS.COM‌

Editor’s Note: ‌This is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor. The district spans from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

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etired venture capitalist Bob Field says he knows what it takes to create jobs, and will do so while preserving the rural nature of Santa Barbara County if elected to the post of 3rd District Supervisor.

“The most important thing for Santa Barbara County is to conserve, protect, preserve what is wonderful about this county and I think that’s the rural agricultural nature of our neighborhoods,” Field said.

“This is not San Diego or Orange County, this is Santa Barbara County and everybody that is here stayed here because they love it, or came here because they love it, so we have to protect and preserve that.”

While preserving the district is one of his priorities, so is job creation.

“In my career, which was in hightech and venture capital, I participated directly in the creation of over 100,000 jobs through startups and investments,” he said. “I know what it takes to get it done and I’m not sure any of the other candidates in this race have created a single job in their lives.”

To get the job done, Field will focus on teamwork, especially from the dais.

“I’m not sure that I’m so much of

Contributed‌

Bob Field is running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor.

a leader as a team player,” Field said.

“But I am goal-oriented, practical, persistent, and I think with a team and bringing people together, we can accomplish amazing things.”

On relations with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Field said he hopes to continue government-togovernment talks, although he said lawsuits filed by various people in the

Santa Ynez Valley over land issues are essential because they facilitate the discussion.

“I think the fee-to-trust process is badly broken in this instance,” Field said. “I lived in the American southwest and I understand impoverished tribes.

“I don’t think an act passed in the middle of the depression to get impoverished tribes off the welfare rolls should be applied to 21st Century casino-owing tribes who are trying to get off the tax rolls,” he said. “I think it’s a misapplication of the law. I respect the tribe’s position and history and would try to work with them.”

Field, who described himself as the “most financially conservative person in the race,” is also passionate about slimming down government.

“I think that government is too big,” he said. “I think it spends too much money on itself and I think there are ways to deliver more of the taxpayer money back to the public in terms of services and infrastructure.”

Field is also passionate about campaign finance reform, especially as he says it pertains to the supervisorial race.

“Any individual or any corporation can contribute an unlimited amount of money,” Field said. “We end up with candidates who are financed on the right by big oil and other special interests and on the left, by unions.

“I don’t think that’s the right option to give voters so I’m going to come out soon with my campaign platforms and one of them is going to be finance reform and I’m going to walk the walk.”

Kenny Lindberg covers Santa Barbara County for Lee Central Coast Newspapers. Follow him on Twitter.

“In my career, which was in high-tech and venture capital, I participated directly in the creation of over 100,000 jobs through startups and investments. I know what it takes to get it done and I’m not sure any of the other candidates in this race have created a single job in their lives.”

Bob Field

Porter running to represent 3rd district as supervisor Jobs, infrastructure are among some of his priorities Kenny Lindberg K L IN D BERG@LE ECE NT RALCOASTNEWS.COM‌

Editor’s Note: T ‌ his is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District supervisor seat. The 3rd District spans from Isla Vista in South County, to Guadalupe near the San Luis Obispo County border, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

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Len Wood, Staff

Bruce Porter is running for the 3rd District supervisor’s seat in an attempt to succeed Doreen Farr.

much better jobs in North County.”

A new job initiative could also positively impact the environment, he said.

“That will be even less pressure on the environment to have fewer people driving such long distances for jobs,” Porter said.

Fiscal responsibility is a priority as well.

“We have a lot of needs for services in our county and we need to make sure that we are spending the money where it truly needs to be spent,” he said.

One area that needs extra attention is infrastructure, Porter said.

“We need to do a much better job of repairing our roads, maintaining our county buildings and our parks,” he said.

As for relations with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Porter favors a different approach.

“The previous approach up to now has got us to the point we are right now,” he said. “We are deeply divided. We are suspicious of each other and we have a 12-story hotel in the middle of our county that no one seems to want and nobody seems to like, but the process that we’ve had so far got us here and we need to take an entirely different approach in relations

between the county and the tribe.”

If elected supervisor, Porter doesn’t see himself aligning to either North or South County interests.

“I am politically agnostic,” he said.

“My vote will not be based on if the South County votes this way or if the North County votes that way, it’s going to be based on what’s best for the county overall, based on a big dose of common sense.”

Kenny Lindberg covers Santa Barbara County for Lee Central Coast Newspapers. Follow him on Twitter.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, June 5, 2016 | A7

fter a 24-year career in the Army, which included a leadership role at the Pentagon, retired Col. Bruce Porter says he is ready to lead Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District as its next supervisor.

“When I graduated from the military academy in 1976, I raised my right hand to take an oath not only to defend the nation and to serve in the Army, but to engage in a lifelong service to the nation,” Porter said. “After I got out of the Army, I found ways to do that, such as with the Red Cross and the Boy Scouts and the school district here and for me, this is just the next natural progression.”

As supervisor, Porter said he will focus on job growth, housing, the environment, fiscal responsibility and infrastructure.

“I have a passion for this beautiful place that we live in,” Porter said. “I have a passion for the fabric of the community. It’s knit together so closely and I think that passion, combined with my leadership capability is going to help lead the county in a good direction.”

Job growth is something the county certainly needs, especially in North County, where statistics show that there is an excess labor capacity, he said.

“I think the biggest thing for North County is to improve the job opportunities that we have for our graduating college students as well as our families,” Porter said. “We also live in a beautiful part of the county. But it shouldn’t be that we have to drive to the South Coast for great jobs, so the county must develop a strong initiative to provide

Hartmann ‘ready to take on role’ as 3rd District supervisor Kenny Lindberg K L INDB E RG @LE ECE NT RA LCOASTNEWS.COM‌

‌Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor. The district spans from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

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fter three years on Santa Barbara County’s Planning Commission, Joan Hartmann said she’s ready to lead the 3rd District as its next supervisor.

“Having served on the planning commission for three years, I believe I have a good grasp of many issues facing the county,” Hartmann said. “I believe I have the experience and the temperament and the hard work ethic to do a very good job as supervisor.”

Hartmann, who relinquished her role on the commission shortly after announcing her candidacy to focus solely on her campaign, said she’s ready to listen to voters and respond to their concerns.

“If you have a city government, you can call your city representatives,” Hartmann said. “But if you’re in the county, it can seem so far away, so I think we have to make a real effort to be responsive.”

Part of that effort will include a new 24-hour response time for those with concerns, she said.

“I am planning, as supervisor, to within a 24-hour period have a system for responding to people’s concerns and calls and emails,” Hartmann said.

Government accountability is one of Hartmann’s core platform issues, along with creating an economic viability strategy and incentivizing long-term agriculture.

“Santa Barbara does not have an economic viability strategy — other counties do,” Hartmann said.

While the private sector creates jobs, Hartmann said she still believes the county has a role to play in bringing key people and businesses together to help develop the market.

“The county can help pull the pieces together that need to be in place to pursue this kind of strategy,” she said.

Hartmann said she is also a proponent

Daniel Dreifuss, File photo

Joan Hartmann is running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor.

“Having served on the planning commission for three years, I believe I have a good grasp of many issues facing the county.”

Joan Hartmann

of the Williamson Act, which gives some property tax relief for farmers and ranchers who keep their property for agriculture use for an extended period of time.

“In the Gaviota Coast Plan, a working group has come up with a set of incentives, trade-offs, that the county could

offer that agriculture might like,” Hartmann said.

Those incentives could include a second residential unit on agriculture property in exchange for a conservation easement or trail.

“There’s a very thoughtful product that has come out of the process that I would like to see explored and discussed,” she said.

As for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Hartmann said she appreciates their cultural contributions, but not their efforts to acquire and develop land.

“I have enormous regard for the cultural contributions of the Chumash peoples,” Hartmann said. “I, however, do not support more land coming into

trust. I think the problems are related to cost in perpetuity, environmental impacts especially as they might relate to water and the proposed development on Camp 4 is not consistent with the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan.”

As diverse as the district is, Hartmann said she’s ready to lead and doesn’t see herself aligning to either North or South County interests.

“I don’t see myself as aligning either way,” she said. “I think maintaining my independence would be a much smarter strategy and give me a lot more persuasive ability.”

Kenny Lindberg covers Santa Barbara County for Lee Central Coast Newspapers. Follow him on Twitter.