[image-2] It seems like just yesterday Santa Barbara County residents were waiting to see who would replace the retiring Brooks Firestone as 3rd District Supervisor. And now, a little more than a year later, the race to replace 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno—set to retire in 2010—is well underway.
The election is set for June 2010, and so far two people have announced their intentions to run for the North County seat: Steve Lavagnino, deputy chief of staff to Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura/Santa Barbara counties), and Santa Maria City Council member Alice Patino.
The two longtime Santa Maria residents recently agreed to participate in an e-mailed Q&A with the Sun to shed more light on their respective campaigns. Here’s what they had to say:
Sun: What are the cornerstones of your campaign?
Lavagnino: I think the average American understands that our government at every level is broken. Santa Barbara County is no different. It spends too much money, over-regulates our small-business community, and instead of enhancing our quality of life, it is destroying the ability for many to make a living. My campaign will focus on reducing the size and scope of our local government. We need to understand that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take it away. I’m a strong believer in personal property rights, fiscal restraint, and self-determination.
Patino: The cornerstones of my campaign are based upon the needs of the 5th District: our jobs, public safety for communities, housing, and the need for fiscal responsibility in local government. In order to keep our communities safe places to live, I am committed to maintaining current levels of patrol officers, while at the same time working with law enforcement officials to develop and implement intervention, prevention, and re-entry programs that work. Our communities, in addition to being safe places to live, also need to be economically viable. Right now, Santa Maria unemployment is at 13.2 percent with a negative impact on our way of life. This also affects the safety of our communities: As unemployment rises, so typically does crime. More than $40 million in federal stimulus money is due to come to our district through 2011 to repair the levee. If done correctly, this money can be the largest single source of new jobs for our residents in the near future. Another $4 million-plus has been awarded for two fire stations in the city of Santa Maria, again providing job opportunities for our local folks—job opportunities that our local leaders must aggressively and effectively pursue.
Sun: What do you think qualifies you for the position of 5th District supervisor?
Lavagnino: I think a lot of people are qualified. Our forefathers wanted
average citizens to spend time helping run their government. My wife, Marian, and I are just like everyone else here on the Central Coast: We have a mortgage and college tuition to pay, bills to juggle, and a daughter that needs a ride to cheerleading practice. But the time seemed right for me to serve, and I feel extremely qualified. Since the county receives 40 percent of its revenue—nearly $300 million annually—from state and federal sources, it seems wise to elect someone with experience at those levels of government. I’ve spent the last 11 years gaining experience at both the state and federal levels, with the last six and a half years spent working for Congressman Elton Gallegly as his deputy chief of staff.
Patino: As a current member of the Santa Maria City Council, and as an assistant to the 4th District county supervisor, I am not only familiar with local and countywide issues facing the 5th District, but more importantly, my experience and my familiarity with the inner workings of local government (both the city and county) make me uniquely qualified to develop working solutions to those problems. I have had the experience of working on nonprofit boards that address the needs and issues of many diverse populations. Nonprofits are able to provide services more effectively and efficiently than government to those in need. As a businessperson in the Santa Maria Valley, I know what it is to meet a payroll. I know what it is like to deal with government intrusion when trying to run a business. Small business is the backbone of our country, providing employment opportunities while contributing to the tax rolls.
Sun: Like most local governments, Santa Barbara County faces a formidable task in balancing the county budget each year. What methods do you propose the board use to handle the budget?
Lavagnino: The most significant impact to the budget over the last few years has been the explosion of the county employees’ retirement costs. No budget-fix scenario can be discussed without admitting to the realization that the current system is unsustainable. I want to be clear here that Public Safety employees perform a job that is drastically different than the rest of the county’s workforce. I support their benefit and retirement packages and am grateful that men and women continue to enter these professions knowing the risks they routinely encounter. For the rest, however, costs more than doubled in the last four years, and future projections indicate a serious crisis is around the corner. My goal is to listen to the concerns of the nearly 4,200 county employees and work with them to achieve consensus on a new system that protects their futures without bankrupting the county.
Patino: The bottom line in balancing any budget, whether it’s your budget at home or the budget at the county is simply this: You can’t spend more money than you have. In a weak economy like we are experiencing, tax revenues are down, so it follows that expenses need to be cut accordingly. Too often expenses are added to budgets in “good years” without adequate long-term revenue projections. Establishing and funding new, ongoing programs from one-time revenue sources rather than from clearly defined on-going revenue streams is not fiscally responsible and certainly not good budget planning. The key to cutting expenses is knowing where to cut. No cuts are easy. It really comes down to deciding which cuts will affect services to our residents the least. And that’s all about setting priorities. I believe I have the experience and the knowledge of local programs and expenditures to be effective in addressing these issues as a county supervisor.
Sun: If elected, what do you think will be the biggest challenge—other than finances—facing the county and/or you as 5th District supervisor? How do you plan to address these challenges?
Lavagnino: My biggest challenge will be trying to implement a new countywide system that would require individuals who are receiving taxpayer-funded benefits to be citizens of this country. My wife, along with a majority of Santa Maria’s population, is Hispanic, and most are hardworking American citizens. I just believe that if you aren’t here legally, you should not be receiving any taxpayer-funded government assistance. I will work to implement an electronic verification system, similar to the federal e-verify program, that would prohibit noncitizens from acquiring any county benefits.
Patino: Other than finances, we have several big challenges affecting the county and the 5th District. As I stated earlier: Public safety in our communities is always at the top of my list as an issue, and a challenge particularly in a time of budget cutting. Maintaining our infrastructure at an acceptable level without enough gas tax, state money, or federal money to pay for needed repairs will be costly in the future. As we are challenged particularly in a time of budget cutting, we need to bounce back economically not only so that we can take pressure off the need for cutting, but also provide jobs and make our communities financially viable. As I mentioned earlier, more than $40 million of federal stimulus money is due to come into our district through 2011. This can be the largest single source of new jobs for our residents in the near future. We need to continue to oppose mandates from the state that come without the financial support for implementation. We cannot continue to run businesses out of the county of Santa Barbara nor the state of California by overregulation and continuously increasing fees only to enhance revenue at the state level. We have oil sitting off the coast of Santa Barbara County that can be a viable solution to our budget problems without damaging the environment. This is an opportunity that many other counties do not have, an opportunity to help the residents of Santa Barbara County.
Sun: What does the 5th District have going for it? Against it?
Lavagnino: The 5th District is probably the most diverse of the five. The blend of cultures makes for an exciting and vibrant community. We have the most connected and caring community, always willing to lend support to a good cause. The main downside I see is our growing gang problem. I would like to see the county work jointly with the city, private industry, and law enforcement to identify problem areas and allocate the resources needed to eliminate our gang problem.
Patino: Our biggest assets in the 5th District are our people and their spirit. We have folks who are entrepreneurial, people who have good ideas, and people who are not afraid of hard work. These are the folks who will help us bounce back from the current economic situation we find ourselves in. We have some of the most generous people who give what they can monetarily, but give everything of themselves. On the downside, we have issues unique to North County and are sometimes overlooked, misunderstood, or held to another standard. North County is an area where the main industry is agriculture. Our agriculturists have kept and protected the land and its resources. We need to develop a greater understanding and respect for our growers who have the knowledge on how best to manage the land and its resources.
Sun: What issues are unique to North County, as opposed to the county as a whole?
Lavagnino: A vast majority of the agricultural base is in the North County. Our farmers and ranchers have been the lifeblood of this county for more than a century, and yet our county leaders continually erect roadblocks to stymie their success. Ag was a $1.3-billion industry in our county last year! We should be doing everything in our power to facilitate its success, not limit its growth.
Patino: Issues unique to North County are farming, cattle ranching, and North County land-use needs. Although in good times the tourism industry supports South County economic activity, tourism is at the mercy of the economy. When the economy is down, tourists have a tendency to stop coming. Farming, on the other hand, which is the “economic engine” of North County, drives the county’s economy all the time. Farming is a more reliable income generator than tourism. When the economy is bad, people may stop traveling—but they don’t stop eating. It is important for the 5th District supervisor to have an educated understanding and be supportive of farmers and farming in North County. To be otherwise does not serve the interests of the 5th District. The county seems to be operating on a “one-size-fits-all” land-use policy countywide, even though North County needs and the North County environment have little in common with the South. As a county supervisor, I would work to re-vamp policies to be more responsive to the local needs.
Sun: How do you plan on balancing the needs of the district with the needs and/or wants of the county?
Lavagnino: Although my vote counts for the entire county, I will be particularly beholden to the people who put me in office—the people of the 5th District. I will be an energetic and forceful voice fighting to make sure we always get at least our fair share. I will also try to ensure that we get fair and accurate district maps when the new lines are drawn after the next census. There should be no place for gerrymandering; political games will need to be put aside and statesmanship will need to prevail.
Patino: In many instances, the needs of the district and the needs of the county are identical, or at least compatible. When addressing issues concerning our farms or affecting land-use decisions, my experience in local government, I feel, will uniquely position me as a county supervisor to develop and present viable solutions that will work for North County. I have seen land-use decisions made in the city of Santa Maria be based on practicality while serving the needs of the applicant without compromising the position of the city. It takes all sides working together achieving solutions—not unrealistic or burdensome demands.
Sun: How would you characterize the public perception of a north-south split on the Board of Supervisors? In Santa Barbara County? How does that perception (or reality, if you agree) impact board dynamics? Is it a help or a hindrance for the 5th District?
Lavagnino: I was never in favor of a county split due simply to the economic factors involved, but I do understand why people supported the concept. When folks begin to feel that their voices aren’t being heard, they resort to more extreme tactics. I have a cordial relationship with the South County supervisors, and I respect that they need to represent their constituencies, but I also expect them to understand that their decisions sometimes negatively impact our communities. I look forward to helping educate our southern neighbors about agriculture, oil, and small business.
Patino: The public perception is that there is a definite north-south split on the board with the three from the south being more aligned with one another. I don’t think it is the perception, as it is the reality that impacts the dynamics on the board. They are answering to a different constituency than we are here up north. We depend on a different economy, our population is more diverse, and our geographical environment is less restrictive. We need to address the issues at hand in a strong, clear manner respecting those differences.
Sun: Any thoughts on your fellow candidate(s)?
Lavagnino: Alice is a nice person—a personal friend—in fact we go to the same church. I just think we are at a critical time that requires an energetic, proactive person who can bring new ideas to the table. I hope we can stay friends throughout the process and may the best candidate win.
Patino: I am confident that this will be a positive campaign. However, as it is still early, there could be other candidates.
Sun: Is there anything else you would like to add or comment on?
Lavagnino: I invite people to go to my website, stevelavagnino.com, to take a look at my endorsements.
Patino: Other community involvement: Santa Barbara Human Services Commission, City of Santa Maria Code Compliance Board, Marian Medical Center Foundation Board, Guadalupe Dunes Center Board, Methamphetamine Leadership Council of Santa Barbara County, California Coastal Commission (alternate), Partners for the Environment, Santa Barbara County Steering Committee for the Housing Advisory Committee, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, and others. Organizations: Rotary Club of Santa Maria, California Women for Agriculture, Minerva Club, Friends of the Library, League of Women Voters
Contact News Editor Amy Asman at aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 15-22, 2009.