And just like that, it’s September.
Autumn is coming, which for the Central Coast means a scorching Indian summer, an influx of college students, and—everyone’s favorite—election season. Come November, North County residents will hire a new cast of city council members. And in case you’re not sure what your options are, we’ve got them covered.
The Sun reached out to all 26 candidates running for open city council and mayoral seats in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, and Guadalupe. We asked them why they think they should be elected, what their priority issues are, and—to jazz things up a bit—to send in selfies in place of traditional headshots and come up with hashtags to represent their campaigns. (For candidates who didn’t return our calls* or send photos** by press time, we pulled from file photos, candidate statements, and campaign websites to compile their introductions.)
Read up on your city’s candidates so you’re prepared to hit the polls when Nov. 8 arrives:
Santa Maria
Alice Patino**
Running for mayor, Santa Maria
Vote for her because: She has experience serving as mayor and council member as well as in small business and nonprofits. During her time in public service, she has listened to residents and helped provide them with neighborhood upgrades. She has also taken steps toward making Santa Maria safer. She protects and invests the taxpayers’ money wisely and believes in common-sense government.
Her focus issues: Public safety (provide resources for law enforcement), homelessness (reach out to faith-based communities and nonprofits), and revitalizing Santa Maria’s downtown (ensure it remains a safe place to live and work).
#Patino4Mayor2016
Will Smith**
Running for mayor, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: He will work to unify Santa Maria’s residents and improve the city’s socioeconomic base through beautification and bringing in technology and higher-paying jobs. He will incentivize companies to come into Santa Maria and bring in higher revenues. He aims to balance the city budget quickly and without tax increases.
His focus issues: Crime (clean up the neglected areas of the city that “promote crime”), enforcement of immigration laws, side auto dealing (limit how many cars can be on the streets and levy penalties).
#IHaveHeardYou
Terri Zuniga
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for her because: She will represent the residents’ voices and concerns first and foremost. She has lived in Santa Maria her whole life and is invested in the community. She works to serve the diverse ideas, backgrounds, experiences, and needs found among Santa Maria’s residents, and she aims to think outside the box.
Her focus issues: Crime, employment, housing, development, and homelessness. She will approach these issues by consulting directly impacted community members to find solutions.
#zUNIFYSantaMaria
Hector Sanchez
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: Following more than two decades of work in enterprise software and startups, he is qualified to help bring more businesses into Santa Maria to improve the economy. He’s prepared to work with nonprofits and the county to establish youth empowerment programs to tackle violence. He has been in Santa Maria his whole life.
His focus issues: Youth violence (curb fighting in high schools), more well-paying jobs (come up with a strategy to bring in more businesses and rebrand the city).
#SanchezForSM
Michael Moats**
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: He has the experience and drive necessary to be a good council member. He has a background of community service and has knowledge of local needs regarding health care, small business, and politics. He knows the community well and raised his four kids here with his wife.
His focus issues: Public safety (support for law enforcement), providing infrastructure for local startups, and city finances.
#VotesForMoats
John Childers
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: He will represent the values, needs, and desires of the city’s residents to make objective, well-informed decisions to improve their everyday lives. He will act on behalf of all residents to promote the good of the community.
His focus issues: Crime (motivate public to observe and report), homelessness (make mental health and substance abuse resources more available), and jobs (come together with private and academic sectors).
#RepresentingYou
Mike Cordero**
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: He worked for 36 years as a police officer before serving for four years on the City Council. He thoroughly enjoys public service and cares about moving Santa Maria in a positive direction. He believes his ideas could benefit the city.
His focus issues: Safety (address the possibility of terrorist activity in our area), economy (create more jobs and therefore boost the economy), affordable housing, and agriculture.
#CorderoForSM
Ed Hernandez**
Running for City Council, Santa Maria
Vote for him because: He believes the city needs new leadership, because Santa Maria’s past councils haven’t done enough to develop the economy. He thinks the City Council is due for some fresh air.
His focus issues: Economic liability (develop the economy more) and gang violence (team law enforcement with the City Council and the community to lessen gang impacts).
#HernandezForSM
Lompoc
Bob Lingl**
Running for Mayor, Lompoc
Vote for him because: He has served Lompoc honorably for the past eight years, six as a council member and two as mayor. He has brought respect and integrity back to city government, and he represents the citizens of Lompoc. More than 40 businesses have come to Lompoc since he took office two years ago, and the city is at its lowest unemployment rate since 1999.
His focus issues: “The budget, the budget, and the budget.” He will address this issue by continuing to bring new businesses to town.
#LompocRocks
John Linn
Running for Mayor, Lompoc
Vote for him because: Talk is easy, but real results take leadership, commitment, working closely with city staff, and partnering with community members and businesses. As mayor he would commit to bringing in new businesses, jobs, and recreation choices for Lompoc’s residents.
His focus issues: Jobs, shopping choices, and improving the condition of parks and sports fields.
#LinnForLompoc
DeWayne Holmdahl
Running for City Council, Lompoc
Vote for him because: He has lived in Lompoc for more than 50 years, where he has raised a family and run a business. He has 12 years of City Council experience behind him, during which the council completed many important projects and improved the city’s atmosphere for businesses. He was instrumental in approving and supporting businesses that have moved into the city and will continue this work if re-elected.
His focus issues: Economy (remain fiscally conservative and continue supporting planned growth) and public safety (support law enforcement).
#HolmdahlForLompoc
Jim Mosby**
Running for City Council, Lompoc
Vote for him because: Since his appointment to City Council, he has asked the tough questions and followed through with finding solutions. He has the experience and ability necessary to understand the complexities and inner workings of City Hall. He is committed to the community and dedicated to progress.
His focus issues: Fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget (create sustainable growth, enhanced shopping opportunities, and more and better jobs).
#MosbyForCouncil
Jenelle Osborne
Running for City Council, Lompoc
Vote for her because: She will always seek a solution rather than just saying “no.” She is unafraid of hard work, which she believes is at the heart of effective policymaking.
Her focus issues: Business expansion and growth, better paying jobs, and housing (work with contractors to simplify and speed up the process for buildout to address the housing shortage).
#RealizingLompocsPotential
Guadalupe
John Lizalde*
Running for mayor, Guadalupe
Vote for him because: He is an incumbent running unopposed. He previously served two terms on the City Council.
His focus issues: In the past, Lizalde has said he would focus on development in Guadalupe.
#LizaldeForGuadalupe
Antonio Ramirez
Running for City Council, Guadalupe
Vote for him because: He is a Guadalupe native, and as such can represent the various groups that make up the community. He respects the city’s past but will work to move it forward, prioritizing the safety and support of children and families. He will work to listen to all perspectives and hold city officials, including himself, accountable for their decisions.
His focus issues: Sustainable agricultural lands (work with local businesses to make sure they use safe and sustainable practices to protect natural areas), revitalizing the downtown area (advocate for the investment of public funds into the area), build smart (advocate for walkable, multi-use facilities), and youth engagement (create new parks and potentially a new school).
#HomeIsWhereTheBobcatIs
Gina Rubalcaba
Running for City Council, Guadalupe
Vote for her because: She makes decisions she believes are right, fair, and truthful, and that are in the best interest of Guadalupe and its residents. She is unafraid to speak up and defend the community. She prioritizes the city’s budget, hoping to achieve a surplus in the future so Guadalupe can regain its recreation department.
Her focus issues: General fund balance (achieve a balance and work toward a surplus) and informing residents (form a committee to improve community and city staff relations).
#ForgingOnWithGina
Martin Murguia*
Running for City Council, Guadalupe
Murguia is a sales representative residing in Guadalupe.
#MurguiaForGuadalupe
Solvang
Jim Richardson**
Running for mayor, Solvang
Vote for him because: Solvang’s residents chose not to run against him for a reason, and he believes that reason is he’s been doing a good job as mayor and will continue to do so.
His focus issues: Water (work with council to understand the problems with receiving water and the costs involved).
#VoteForRichardson
Hans Duus
Running for City Council, Solvang
Vote for him because: Having served on the City Council for seven-plus years, he has the experience and know-how necessary to get things done. He has lived in Solvang for 64 years and knows the city well.
His focus issues: Water (make sure water will come out of the tap when needed at the most reasonable cost possible), economy (maintain a vibrant economic climate while ensuring quality living), and relationships with the Santa Ynez Valley.
#MagicHammer
Karen Waite
Running for City Council, Solvang
Vote for her because: She’s an active community member, businesswoman, mother, and government official. She’s lived in the valley for 20 years, and is unbiased in making decisions on important issues. She’s deeply involved, and was the first female president of the Board of Trustees for the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation Improvement District No. 1.
Her focus issues: Tourism revenue and the preservation of Danish heritage.
#ConsistentCommitmentToCommunity
Brian Baca
Running for City Council, Solvang
Vote for him because: He is always prepared, and has substantial local government experience.
His focus issues: Youth sports facilities.
#MoreSunnyFields
Buellton
Dave King
Running for mayor, Buellton
Vote for him because: He has experience serving on the City Council. He’s dedicated to serving the best interest of the community, and he does his research on the issues at hand.
His focus issues: Maintain Buellton’s small town character (stop the overdevelopment of corporate stores).
#KeepBuelltonLocal
Holly Sierra
Running for mayor, Buellton
Vote for her because: In her eight years on the City Council (including two terms as mayor), she’s served on several committees, and she’s dedicated to maintaining the quality of Buellton’s air and roads. She takes her fiscal responsibilities seriously and works with council members to create balanced budgets. A 16-year resident of Buellton, she knows how to represent the community.
Her focus issues: Growth (work with Caltrans to solve the problem of fast moving traffic and pedestrians crossing Highway 246, plan for the Avenue of Flags) and safety.
#HollySierraWillWorkForBuellton
Leo Elovitz**
Running for City Council, Buellton
Vote for him because: He advocates for increased transparency with the city’s monetary policies and coverage of City Council meetings. He aims to invest in economic development, preserve police services, expand library services, add architectural review to Buellton’s planning process, and advance plans for disaster preparedness.
His focus issues: Water supplies (enable essential upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure), provision of a vibrant downtown, city services, and expansion of walking and biking opportunities in the community.
#Elovitz4Council4OurCommunity
Foster Reif
Running for City Council, Buellton
Vote for him because: He has a record of service, including more than 12 years in the Air Force and eight as Buellton’s planning commissioner. He has a history of listening to residents on topics critical to the city’s future and promises no political gamesmanship—he tells it as it is without stalemates or stalling tactics.
His focus issues: Tailored development (find a way to grow while preserving the small-town feel), lasting relationships (repair relations with partners in commerce, government, and citizens), and long-term planning (create five-year plans for the growth of Buellton).
#ServingBuelltonsFuture
Marcilo Sarquilla
Running for City Council, Buellton
Vote for him because: Residents should elect someone who cares and takes action to manage and improve the community. He believes that person is him.
His focus issues: Planning for the city’s future.
#TheBestChoice
Staff Writer Brenna Swanston can be reached at bswanston@santamariasun.com.
Correction: In the original version of the article, Foster Reif’s name was misspelled. The Sun regrets the error. Sept. 07, 2016
This article appears in Sep 1-8, 2016.
