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From Joe Positions From Joe's Supporters In the News Announcement NewsPress editorial for Joe Join our Mail List / Volunteer Joe Guzzardi for County Supervisor P.O. Box 6311 Santa Barbara, CA 93160 (805) 448-5227 email: jeguzzardi@msn.com |
DEVELOPMENT I do not believe that our community must continually grow. If this were true, then where would we stop? Our economy must remain vital, however, every segment of our community must learn to appreciate the reality that we, the residents of the South Coast, have limited resources. Every aspect of our community is limited…roads, open space, agricultural land, water, electricity, just to name a few. State mandates that demand ever-increasing housing development will eventually ruin the quality of life for our region, and for the state as a whole. As your representative… ~ I will work to initiate the creation of a Community Plan for the Goleta Valley, and will oppose any rezoning or high-density development until such time that a workable Community Plan is completed. ~ I will work with County Planning and Development staff and Santa Barbara County Association of Government (SBCAG) staff to investigate the Regional Housing Needs Assessment calculations. I will ensure that these numbers are accurate, are the minimum required by law, and focus on minimizing adverse impacts to our community. ~ I will initiate an effort to work directly with State Housing and Community Development, and focus efforts on minimizing the mandated housing numbers. ~ I will work with State legislative representatives and encourage them to pursue policies that will bring control for housing development back to the local level. ~ I will collaborate with fellow Board members in an effort to reach a balance between jobs and housing, thus working to minimize the "need" for housing to keep pace with the job sector. ~ I will seek support for a regional "Measure E" (similar to that of the City of Santa Barbara) that will help to maintain a balance between business growth and housing needs. ~ I will seek support to initiate a Jobs vs. Housing study in order to ensure that the housing needs required by State HCD are actually meeting the needs of those business sectors that are creating the demand. TRANSPORTATION It is my hope that we can eventually move away from fossil fuel vehicles, but the fact is that most travel takes place in single-occupancy automobiles. Freeways, surface roadways and sidewalks are an integral part of our transportation system. We need this system to be efficient, not only for automobiles, but for buses, bicycles and pedestrians alike. With ever increasing populations to our north and south, Highway 101 remains the only available transportation corridor. It should be improved and widened where necessary. Surface streets must also be maintained in a manner to increase efficient travel, no matter the type. I support the concept of commuter rail, but am concerned about the amount of subsidy currently projected, as it could take away from current and future funding for all other forms of transportation. We must continue to explore this option, but only if it can be made cost-effective. I support the continued funding of mass transit. We must make every reasonable effort to make this option more attractive and more available. My priority is to minimize the political rhetoric that has dominated this topic over the years, and to bring a more common-sense problem solving approach to the issue. ENVIRONMENT Restoring and protecting our environment will be a high priority for my office and will be an integral component to every decision I make. Santa Barbara has a long history as an environmental champion, and I intend to continue the tradition. Project Clean Water I will work closely with existing Project Clean Water Program. I will strive to improve the program and find ways to enhance our collective efforts to improve the environmental quality of our creeks and beaches. I will support ample funding for this program so that public education, outreach, and enforcement efforts can continue. Ocean Monitoring Program Working at Environmental Health Services in the mid-1990's, I created this program. Currently, 20 beaches between Rincon and Guadalupe Dunes are monitored on a weekly basis for harmful bacteria. Should bacterial levels exceed health limits, beaches are posted in an effort to protect the public from potential harm. This innovative program was the first step in working to reduce the amount of harmful pollution that enters our local creeks. I will actively work to promote this program, and continue efforts to enhance the environmental quality of our creeks and beaches. Water Quality Many planning decisions have a direct effect on the availability and the quality of our precious water resources. I am registered with the State as an Environmental Health Specialist. My extensive experience in this field gives me a keen perspective on the importance of protecting our water supply, and our environment in general. Green Policies We must encourage the use of electric vehicles, build environmentally sound construction, live within our resources as a community, promote safe energy sources, and conserve where possible. Recycling/Waste Reduction The County has a strong recycling program. I will work to support our existing efforts and continue to find ways to improve. Santa Barbara County has always been the leader in environmental standards. I will fervently protect our local environment. CONTRIBUTIONS My campaign for County Supervisor will adhere to the highest levels of integrity. I intend to reach out to individuals and community groups who support the notion of effective, efficient and transparent government. I intend to bring a new sense of civic duty and public service to local government, and eventually to my role as your County Supervisor. To this end, I pledge to the citizens of the Second District that I will not accept campaign contributions from large housing developers who make a practice of pursuing high-density development in our community. Groups or individuals that seek financial gain at the expense of our quality of life will have no part to play in my campaign. To further clarify, I support many aspects of our business community. I am not an opponent of the good citizens who make their livings in the various construction trades, the service industry, or other retail activities. I am supportive of a healthy and thriving business component to our local economy. |
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