On March 16, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order directing local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slow foreclosures, and protect against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.
It would have been appropriate for the Santa Maria City Council to take up the issue on Tuesday, March 17, and move to meet the governor’s direction. The county of Santa Barbara has. So have the cities of Santa Barbara, Camarillo, Ojai, Goleta, Lompoc, and Oxnard. Why is the city of Santa Maria not joining the rest of the state? Especially because most big lenders have offered forbearance on mortgage payments for landlords.
The mayor and City Council should meet in special session to do what the governor has required of them. They must put personal interests aside and do what is right for their constituents, who, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs and cannot pay their rent. Santa Maria voters are watching to see how this important matter is handled.
Gale McNeeley
Santa Maria
This article appears in Apr 9-16, 2020.