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Santa Barbara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
Smart Voter

Take back the city

By Joan Leon

Candidate for Council Member; City of Santa Maria

This information is provided by the candidate
The city council hires only the city manager and city attorney. The council follows the direction of the manager and staff. There is a need for more leadership on the council. I will speak out, ask questions and provide new energy to the council.
The city organization chart shows an elected city clerk and city treasurer. The voters indicated that they do want to keep the city clerk as an elected position. However, the job of city clerk has been reduced from a full time paid position to one of ceremony only. The actual work is done by the deputy city clerk, who works under the direction of the city manager. The elected clerk works in the city managers office. How did the council allow this to happen, given that the voters indicated they want a full time elected city clerk? This elected position should serve as a means of checks and balances.

There is no Human Resources or Personnel Department at city hall. That is also under the city manager's direction.

The council had discussed a municipal electric system, which would have been competing with PG&E and drawing power from the grid. I proposed a wind energy farm, to add to the power supply. There has been nothing said recently about the municipal power aspect.

I proposed solar panels on the new library and even researched the fact that the city is eligible for grants from PG&E. I sent this information to the Utilities Director, but nothing came of it.

The former mayor, Joe Centeno, created a housing task force which, after months of meetings, came up with a list of 37 actions to improve the housing situation. The number one recommendation was to form a Community Housing Development Organization. Nothing has been done to implement the recommendations.

I have been involved in city issues for many years, and can bring fresh new ideas to the council. I want to make a difference in our city.

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