• Gov. Jerry Brown issued the following statement on the 2016 presidential election and the transition to a new administration:
“Today we saw the beginning of the transfer of power to the president-elect.
“While the prerogatives of victory are clear, so also are the responsibilities to ensure a strong and unified America. As President Lincoln said, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ With the deep divisions in our country, it is incumbent on all of us—especially the new leadership in Washington—to take steps that heal those divisions, not deepen them. In California, we will do our part to find common ground whenever possible.
“But as Californians, we will also stay true to our basic principles. We will protect the precious rights of our people and continue to confront the existential threat of our time—devastating climate change. E pluribus unum.”
• The Lompoc annual Children’s Christmas Season Parade is on its way, and applications are being accepted for those wanting to take part. This year’s theme is “Christmas Trees and Memories.”
The parade is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, and applications for parade entries are due by Friday, Nov. 18.
Individuals, groups or businesses interested in participating in this year’s parade are required to complete an application and submit it to the Lompoc Recreation Division at the Anderson Recreation Center, 125 W. Walnut Ave. Applications are available at the Anderson Recreation Center or online at: www.1.cityoflompoc.com/parks_rec/pdf/2016ChristmasParadeApplication.pdf.
• The city of Buellton seeks applications for two positions on the city’s Planning Commission. The Planning Commission makes certain decisions on land-use planning related matters, and also advises the City Council on all matters subject to the jurisdiction of the City Council pertaining to land-use planning related matters. Applications reviewed include, but are not limited to, general plan amendments, zone changes, subdivision maps, conditional use permits, and development plans for a variety of residential, commerical, industrial, mixed use, and public projects.
All applicants should reside in, and be a registered voter of the city. Applications are available at Buellton City Hall, 107 W. Highway 246, Buellton. Applications will be received until the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Applicants will be required to attend the City Council meeting scheduled for Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. to present their qualifications for appointment. For more information, call 688-5177 or email marcb@cityofbuellton.com.
• City Manager Rick Haydon has named Leonard Champion as the city’s new fire chief and removed “interim” from the title, after reassessing the city’s needs and recruitment efforts.
“Since making the announcement of Battalion Chief Champion’s interim appointment, I’ve received a tremendous amount of unsolicited positive feedback about him from the fire department, those in the fire service, as well as from those in the community,” Haydon explained in a press release. “I’ve had an opportunity to sit down with him and discuss a number of key issues facing the department and have come to this conclusion. I’ve known him for more than two decades and have a tremendous amount of confidence in his abilities.”
Champion will succeed Scott Kenley, who served as interim fire chief for about a year.
Champion began his fire service career with the Santa Maria Fire Department as a reserve firefighter on March 24, 1990.
Champion holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the California State University, Long Beach, and teaches at Allan Hancock College in the Fire Science Division. He is heavily involved in the countywide delivery of emergency medical services and is a member of the Santa Barbara County EMS Advisory Committee.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2016.