By Cheri Rae
“Nothing disturbs the feeling of specialness like the presence of other human beings feeling identically special.”—Jonathan Franzen in the 2010 best-seller, “Freedom”
It’s beginning to look like “Santa Barbara Idol,” with a long line of hopefuls preparing themselves for their shot at stardom. They’ve written their statements, submitted their resumes, and are now in rehearsal for their five-minute auditions in the spotlight with the whole world watching, or so it seems.
And just like the reality show, the list of candidates for the vacant seat on Santa Barbara City Council ranges from cringe to fringe—with a handful of well-qualified individuals among them.
In our civic competition, there are twice as many judges as on the television show, but the public doesn’t have a chance to vote: No texting, phone calls or orchestrated campaign can advance a competitor. The judges, Santa Barbara’s six sitting Council Members, have the final say.
One thing we can conclude from looking at the list of 45: we have a lot of citizens who possess plenty of self-esteem and feel pretty special, willing to step up and stand out from the crowd.
Our current City Council Members are burdened with the near-impossible task of sitting in judgment and picking a peer. They alone will determine who among these applicants possesses qualities that will transcend profound differences and still fairly represent community members.
But to satisfy everyone in this deeply divided town, that perfect person will have to simultaneously embrace both high-density development and slow-growth values; straddle the generation gap; welcome the homeless and hold them at bay; approve the General Plan and want to start over; question every staff recommendation and uncritically absorb everything they say; demonstrate outstanding skills at cutting spending and continue the City’s free-spending ways.
Since that’s not going to happen, maybe the best we can hope for is someone who is thoughtful, fair, compassionate, wise and open to good communication with constituents and with other Council Members. If all goes according to plan, by December 14, there will be only one candidate standing, ready to sit on City Council—hopefully, a special person whose only agenda is promoting the good of Santa Barbara.
Great read as usual. The most puzzling person in the whole audition is Barnwell. Guess he hasn’t had enough. And Casabeer, my realtor? Strange to see his name too.
Very good column, Cheri. There’s probably only one candidate who has the important, even the critical skills at planning for the general plan update, which is liable to move reasonably rapidly without Das’s posturing, and municipal budgets. The budget is ALWAYS the major focus in the spring and this spring is going to be again a difficult one. Bulb-outs and all that are minor in comparison.
Even if they’re given ten minutes the whole procession may take days
This is reality?
Barwell will not run for election in 2011. That makes him way more qualified than maybe all of them.
Well we know how well term limit promises work around here…just look at Lois.