By Raiza Giorgi
publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
A diverse group of seven City Council candidates agreed at a forum Oct. 3 that keeping Buellton a safe and family-friendly town is among their top priorities.
About 20 people attended the forum, which was sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley News and WE Watch at Oak Valley Elementary’s multipurpose room. It was moderated by Bill Cirone, the former county superintendent of schools.
In the Nov. 6 election, four candidates are seeking two four-year seats: incumbent Ed Andrisek, former council member Judith Dale, and incumbents Dave King and Art Mercado. The third-place vote-getter will take a two-year seat created by a resignation earlier this year.
Seeking another two-year seat are Robyn Albrecht Caplan, Elysia Lewis and John Sanchez. Mayor Holly Sierra is running unopposed and didn’t participate in the forum but watched from the audience.
The first question asked candidates about the city’s Downtown Specific Plan that contains guidelines for future development of the Avenue of Flags.
Andrisek said he is withholding judgment on the plan, as it isn’t in its final version and there aren’t any investors interested in the avenue at the moment.
“The avenue has a lot of different (property) owners and we have to get them together to agree if we want the plan to go anywhere. We also have to expand our Economic Development Task Force to include more citizens in Buellton and experts on the subject,” Dale said.
Lewis said she would encourage people to support the plan and incentivizing current property owners to upgrade or work with developers to update their buildings.
Caplan said the project needs to have the pride of Buellton behind it.
On issues of traffic, the candidates agreed that Caltrans has to be contacted to study the timing of traffic lights, especially during heavy traffic before and after school and work hours.
Mercado said Caltrans has newer technologies that Buellton should pursue, such as installing a sensor at Ballard Canyon Road to give warning to the stop lights on heavier traffic flows.
Dale suggested installing a light at Ballard Canyon Road to help left-turning traffic onto Highway 246.
King suggested working with Santa Barbara County to study construction of a bypass road on the south side of the Santa Ynez River.
Candidates were also asked about their priorities for any additional revenue that may be generated from new hotels and increased visitors to the Santa Ynez Valley.
Caplan suggested expanding on the experiences that draw people to Buellton, adding more family-friendly activities and places.
Lewis said that the funds should go to fixing roads and adding sidewalks to make Buellton more aesthetically pleasing.
Andrisek said infrastructure is vital, and he has been asking for street lights on Industrial Way for six years.
“I would like to see more of a convention center which will bring higher-paying tourists, and marketing to places in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles that look for places for corporate retreats,” King said.
On the subject of having more entertainment and recreation places in Buellton, Caplan said she doesn’t want to see Buellton get too big, but having more family activities would draw more visitors.
“I am anxious for the bowling alley to get built. I think that will draw a lot of good visitors,” she said.
Mercado agreed, saying he graduated in 1976 from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and there wasn’t a lot for kids to do and keep out of trouble.
“If Buellton had more recreation it would drastically help vulnerable youth,” Dale added.
All the candidates said they support a measure by Buellton Union School District that would ask voters on Nov. 6 to approve a $99 tax per parcel for eight years beginning in July 2019. The money would go to improving STEM and arts programs and bringing back a music program at Buellton schools. The measure allows exemptions for homeowners who are 65 or older or who receive Supplemental Social Security Income for a disability.
To watch the full forum, log onto www.santaynezvalleynews.com.
