A contentious Santa Barbara County District Attorney race culminated in an exultant swearing-in ceremony for Joyce Dudley at the June 22 Board of Supervisors meeting in Santa Barbara.
Flanked by her husband John, mother Norma and two of her sons, Dudley took the oath of office from county Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa, who introduced her to the audience for the first time officially as Santa Barbara County District Attorney.
“There are no words to express the overwhelming honor that I feel, except to tell you that it is mixed with the overwhelming feeling of responsibility,” Dudley told the packed board hearing room. “I will work very hard because you’ve put me in a position where I can make a difference in public safety and ensuring justice for all.”
The supervisors unanimously approved Dudley’s appointment and expressed their support to the former Senior Deputy District Attorney in her new capacity.
“Today we are a better Santa Barbara County because of Joyce Dudley,” 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal said. “I look forward to you working with your office to do all the healing that needs to take place and to continue to exert your leadership and wisdom on behalf of all our residents.”
Outgoing 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno conveyed his assurance Dudley would fulfill the county’s law enforcement needs.
“As I look out here, I see all these great citizens of Santa Barbara County and it reminds me that we have a responsibility to these great folks to render these essential services to them,” Centeno said to Dudley. “I’m confident that you and the quality that you manifest will do just that.”
Dudley’s triumphant moment wasn’t without its detractors. Bob Cullati was one of several members of the public to address the board, demanding an investigation into the events surrounding the recent controversial firing of Josh Lynn, Dudley’s opponent in the June 8 election, from the DA’s office.
“I don’t know the legalities, but if [Dudley] has to be appointed because of the elections, then I think they need to do a serious inquiry,” Cullati said. “Are we going to have to pay millions of dollars for an unfair discharge? That’s wrong.”
Dudley has reportedly denied having anything to do with Lynn’s termination. Under normal circumstances, Dudley would have taken her new post on Jan. 1, 2011, but supervisors expedited her appointment in lieu of the April 25 passing of former DA Christie Stanley. Dudley will finish out the remainder of Stanley’s term before beginning her own four-year term in office.
This article appears in Jun 24 – Jul 1, 2010.
