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In This Issue:
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: Big development is in the works for Noleta -- Sign our petition if you believe in sensible planning
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Why unincorporated Goleta Valley needs an updated, effective Community Plan
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The Struggle to be Heard: Ann Crosby delivered a heartfelt plea to distracted County Supervisors
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Introducing the Homeowner's Defense Fund
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Questionable Quotes
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Make a donation and receive a GREAT BOOK about the history of Santa Barbara
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How you can help...a small effort (times a thousand) goes a Long Way! BELIEVE IT!
URGENT: Big development is in the works for Noleta
Sign our petition if you believe in sensible planning
You would think it's obvious -- plan BEFORE you build. But government
officials say they don't have enough money to plan first. They've also
indicated that they don't think residents of the unincorporated Santa Barbara
area even want to have an updated plan. Yet, dollars, policies to rezone and bonus incentives are
flowing toward developers to encourage high-density growth in that very same
region.
Here's your chance to speak up. Simply
sign the petition on CSP's website.
We'll count you in as someone who supports sensible planning. You'll also be
added to our secure mailing list if you are not already on it.
Note: The website, mailings, legal fees are paid for by donations. Members
and advocates are NOT paid! Many people volunteer hundreds of hours, because we believe in
the importance of a community voice. But we still have expenses, so please help
us out if you can. Thank you.
Why unincorporated Goleta Valley needs an updated, effective Community Plan
A community plan defines the character of a community. It addresses the limitations of
resources with a community vision in mind. Traffic, air quality, maximum build-out (numbers of units),
parks, open space and agriculture are just some of the important aspects that are addressed and
planned for in a community plan. Without the protection of such a plan, the community grows at the
whim those who stand to gain financially from unbridled growth.
The "current" plan is alarmingly out-of-date to provide adequate protection for unincorporated Goleta Valley.
Since it's implementation in 1993, two major occurences have rendered the old plan to be insufficient:
1. Incorporation of The City of Goleta
2. Goleta Growth Management Ordinance (GGMO) was repealed
Your neighbors and fellow members of CSP believe that these two occurences are "special circumstances"
that make our area particularly vulnerable to future over-development.
For more information:
SBNP: Voice of Gary Earle 02/20/05
SBNP: Voice of Peter Sturken 03/06/05
The Struggle to be Heard: Ann Crosby delivered a heartfelt plea to distracted County Supervisors
Recently, Ann Crosby delivered a heart felt plea for an updated Goleta Valley Community Plan to the SB County Board of Supervisors.
Their collective attention was lackluster; they've heard it all before. Yet, the request goes ungranted. Why?
The Board's answer is "lack of money." That's a sad response for the thousands of taxpayers that live in the region.
To read Ms. Crosby's speech:
SBNP: Supervisors, Can you hear this citizen now? 05/19/05
For more commentary:
SBNP: Editorial 05/22/05
SBNP: County to update design policies 05/29/05
Introducing the Homeowner's Defense Fund
In the quest to defend a community's right to have control over its own development
decisions, a new group has created the Homeowner's Defense Fund. We welcome their
efforts and enthusiasm.
For more information:
SBNP: Group brings glitz... 03/14/05
Questionable Quotes
Here's a Quote...
"I urge all residents to remain engaged and let the supervisors know how much this community values the environment
and the policies that protect Santa Barbara County--policies that are vital to the preservation of this most
special place." -- 2nd District Supervisor Susan Rose, from The SB Independent 6/2/05
...that begs the Question:
Why doesn't Ms. Rose help 2nd district residents get the community plan they so desperately need?
Make a donation and receive a GREAT BOOK about the history of Santa Barbara
Coalition for Sensible Planning exists due to the combined efforts of neighborhood volunteers. Funds are needed to cover costs such as mailers and paid announcements. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.For a limited time, we are pleased to offer a copy of Santa Barbara, Another HarborTown History for every donation of $30.00 or more.
For more information:
Click here for Book & Donation information
How you can help...a small effort (times a thousand) goes a Long Way! BELIEVE IT!
Time is precious! Remember that development policies are usually backed by paid advocates.
-- yet NO ONE is paying you to defend yourself at public
hearings...so when over-development threatens your neighborhood, what can you do?
One effective approach is to band together with others in creating a strong community voice.
Each person's small effort is added to the whole, to strengthen the power of the community voice.
Here are some things you can do to help:
1. Sign the petition (if you haven't already) if you believe in sensible planning.
click here
2. Write letters to government officials.
Send copies
to the local papers and CSP. contact@sbcsp.org
3. Attend public meetings and report back to the community. contact@sbcsp.org
4. Contact CSP to find out about specific volunteer opportunities, or send us an idea! contact@sbcsp.org
5. Make a financial donation to help with expenses.
click here
And remember, all contributions large and small are GREATLY appreciated!!
Please pass this newsletter on to
your friends, neighbors and colleagues. All we ask is that you pass it on
uncut and unedited.
Visit our website at www.sbcsp.org
To send comments about this newsletter, or be removed from this maillist, please contact webmaster@sbcsp.org
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The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can.
--John Gardner
Do you value people who won't benefit you or only those who might
contribute in some way to your success? Great team players truly
value others as people, and they know and relate to what others
value.
--John C. Maxwell
For years governments have been promising more than they can deliver, and delivering more than they can afford.
--Paul Martin
Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
--Thomas Jefferson
Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
--Vince Lombardi
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision.
--Theodore Hesburgh
Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures...
--Harry S. Truman
It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.
--Rachel Carson
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