ON THE RECORD (Continued from page 45)
37th Assembly District, particularly with regard to the Montecito community? A. California is at a crossroads and we need to stop divisiveness and solve problems, and I have the knowledge and resumé and skill set to help people work together to solve problems. I retired from political life a year ago and intended that to be it. But I want to be part of the solution. How would you describe the community of Montecito in one sentence? Montecito is a place where fellow Californians live.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to represent our community in Sacramento? I was 12 years on the Ventura County Community College Board, taught 25 years and coached cross-country 22 years. I know I have the experience for state assembly. I view elections like a job interview. It’s for voters to decide who is qualified. What role do you think the state should play in critical local issues like disaster assistance and community rebuilding? Cities like Ventura and Montecito don’t have the funds to provide all the protection. This isn’t going to go away. We are having more fires and natural disasters. We need protection from
fire, and we need to address climate change at the state level to make our citizens safer. Can you point to a creative or out-ofthe-box solution you’ve fought to implement in order to solve a complicated issue? The key to solving complex problems is getting people to sit down and have the will to alleviate something that won’t go away. Some problems aren’t solvable but how can you make things better. In 2008 the district was losing 20 percent of its funds, so the Ventura Unified School District took a 10 percent salary cut, instead of 150 people losing jobs. How would you describe yourself as a leader? What would your supporters identify as your best qualities and what would your detractors say are your faults? I am nice, kind, and want to look at helping everybody. I come from a really poor background and understand people better than most. Some of my detractors will say I am too nice. On the subject of campaign finance reform, would you agree to a universal cap on contributions, and if so what amount? Yes, I have a self-imposed limit of 100 dollars. Our system is based on
who sells the most and our politicians are beholden to these people in D.C. If I am elected, I only want to be beholden to the people.
want to send your kid there? I didn’t have a choice, so personally I would like to be able to get a voucher and go to a charter school or private school.
Charles Cole
How would you describe yourself as a leader? What would your supporters identify as your best qualities and what would your detractors say are your faults? I think the best quality is I am who I am. That’s what all my friends Republican and Democrat say, I won’t BS you. I’m not going to lie to you. What I say to you is what I feel about that issue. If you think I’m wrong, that’s another thing. I will listen to you.
A lifelong resident of the 37th Assembly District, Cole, 22, is both the youngest candidate in the race and the lone Republican on the ballot. Q. Why are you running for California’s 37th Assembly District, particularly with regard to the Montecito community? A. I’m running because I think it’s a time for a change in Sacramento, they don’t listen to their constituents at all. I’m also running to protect Proposition 13, because this year that’s being voted on this year.
On the subject of campaign finance reform, would you agree to a universal cap on contributions, and if so what amount? Personally, I don’t really see an issue with a cap. I don’t want there to be a cap. If people want to give, let them give. As long as it’s from an individual I don’t have an issue with that, personally.
Jason Dominguez
How would you describe the community of Montecito in a sentence? I would say the motto after the flood was strong together. That’s what I believe we are. We are a tight knit community and care about what happens to each other. Why are you the most qualified candidate to represent our community in Sacramento? Because I actually care for the community instead of my position. I want to serve my community, not the government status. What role do you think the state should play in critical local issues like disaster assistance and community rebuilding? For me it’s the government’s job to provide the infrastructure. It’s one of the main things the government should do, work closely with local authorities to make sure infrastructure is up to date. Look what happened with the flood, that debris basin was not okay. There is a lot of mismanagement there. 7 9 6 PA R K L A N E W E S T M O N T E C I T O | $ 5 , 4 5 0 , 0 0 0
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Can you point to a creative or out-ofthe-box solution you’ve fought to implement in order to solve a complicated issue? I am a fan of vouchers for school choice. I went to SBHS and every year I would get the same letter saying the school is failing; are you sure you
“Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” – Oscar Wilde
A former Santa Barbara City Councilmember, Dominguez, 51, is also the founder of the New Civic Forum, a youth leadership program that also provides advance health care directives. Q. Why are you running for California’s 37th Assembly District, particularly with regard to the Montecito community? A. I am passionate about public policy and I feel my experience in several key policy areas, education, public safety, housing and environment are the right mix we need with new leadership in Sacramento. How would you describe the community of Montecito in one sentence? I love Montecito; it’s an amazing place, a tight-knit community with strong family and community values, great amenities and quality of life and a desire to be free from natural disasters and have a little more stability and the ability to redevelop as needed with a government that assists rather than gets in the way. 6 – 13 February 2020