Perhaps fearful that the scheme for downtown would be rejected, supporters are trying to change the subject by attacking people exercising their constitutional rights.
Such a poor opinion piece. I watched multiple city council meetings on this issue time and again, and every single time the majority of those speaking during public comment supported the master plan of keeping State Street closed. If the State St Biz Alliance believes they represent the majority of the will of the people, why did that not appear to be the case during public comment at city council meetings? As the writer herself writes, "It is an enormous decision, with long-term financial and economic consequences that affect the entire community." I wholeheartedly agree, however, that same "entire community" stretches far beyond just Santa Barbara city limits. This idea that this referendum will take this issue to the people is a bald-faced lie. I imagine there are business owners who own and operate businesses on or around State Street who do not live within city limits - under this referendum, they will have no vote and no say in the outcome. Similarly, I'd wager many who work on State Street in the downtown area also don't reside within city limits, and they too will be locked out from this supposed democracy in action. The success of Santa Barbara's downtown core does indeed matter to the entire community, and that community includes Goleta, Isla Vista, Summerland, and Carpinteria- residents of which are completely locked out from this referendum. And ultimately, where has the money come from to push for this referendum? They say follow the money, and we have. Jim Knell has been fully transparent about funding this referendum. Knell, as we know, is the single largest landlord in the downtown area - if you think he is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, I have a bridge to sell you. He has made no secret of the fact he wants to tear down the Press Room and build another unneeded downtown hotel, and he feels he needs cars on State to do so, probably in part due to cars on State increasing the value of his portfolio writ large and thus his ability to borrow money to fund more development no local wants. So please, spare us the self-righteous indignation expressed here by the State St Biz Alliance - we see this effort for what it truly is, a greedy money grab from a small group of landowners. Where was such an effort to ask the community how they felt about an even more expensive project, the new police station? In broad terms, I have no issue with this issue being put on the ballot, but it should be put to the ENTIRE COMMUNITY if this issue truly is an enormous and monumental decision changing the character of downtown for generations to come. This all strikes me as the current state of play in the while of the US - aging boomers used to getting what they want when they want it, on their terms, are starting to age out of power, and a new cohort of younger, intelligent, and empathic people who recognize the value of quality of life and not merely chasing the mighty dollar are beginning to take those same reins of power, and that older generation simply does not like it. But this shift is what gives me hope for our nation. As the old saying goes, great people plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit. Great people would support the brave and bold, ambitious future put forth that is the master plan, not a knee-jerk backwards step to ruin the future.
Excellent article supporting free speech in Santa Barbara. Why indeed are so many supposed Democrats afraid of giving the electorate a direct say?
James - I assume you mean "free speech"? - that in the 1st A...Search and seizure #4 I think...
Such a poor opinion piece. I watched multiple city council meetings on this issue time and again, and every single time the majority of those speaking during public comment supported the master plan of keeping State Street closed. If the State St Biz Alliance believes they represent the majority of the will of the people, why did that not appear to be the case during public comment at city council meetings? As the writer herself writes, "It is an enormous decision, with long-term financial and economic consequences that affect the entire community." I wholeheartedly agree, however, that same "entire community" stretches far beyond just Santa Barbara city limits. This idea that this referendum will take this issue to the people is a bald-faced lie. I imagine there are business owners who own and operate businesses on or around State Street who do not live within city limits - under this referendum, they will have no vote and no say in the outcome. Similarly, I'd wager many who work on State Street in the downtown area also don't reside within city limits, and they too will be locked out from this supposed democracy in action. The success of Santa Barbara's downtown core does indeed matter to the entire community, and that community includes Goleta, Isla Vista, Summerland, and Carpinteria- residents of which are completely locked out from this referendum. And ultimately, where has the money come from to push for this referendum? They say follow the money, and we have. Jim Knell has been fully transparent about funding this referendum. Knell, as we know, is the single largest landlord in the downtown area - if you think he is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, I have a bridge to sell you. He has made no secret of the fact he wants to tear down the Press Room and build another unneeded downtown hotel, and he feels he needs cars on State to do so, probably in part due to cars on State increasing the value of his portfolio writ large and thus his ability to borrow money to fund more development no local wants. So please, spare us the self-righteous indignation expressed here by the State St Biz Alliance - we see this effort for what it truly is, a greedy money grab from a small group of landowners. Where was such an effort to ask the community how they felt about an even more expensive project, the new police station? In broad terms, I have no issue with this issue being put on the ballot, but it should be put to the ENTIRE COMMUNITY if this issue truly is an enormous and monumental decision changing the character of downtown for generations to come. This all strikes me as the current state of play in the while of the US - aging boomers used to getting what they want when they want it, on their terms, are starting to age out of power, and a new cohort of younger, intelligent, and empathic people who recognize the value of quality of life and not merely chasing the mighty dollar are beginning to take those same reins of power, and that older generation simply does not like it. But this shift is what gives me hope for our nation. As the old saying goes, great people plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit. Great people would support the brave and bold, ambitious future put forth that is the master plan, not a knee-jerk backwards step to ruin the future.