Bruce Porter failing to show real commitment
During Bruce Porter’s previous attempt to become Third District Supervisor, I attended some of his public events. They were tightly controlled appearances where his credentials were recited but he took few questions. His campaign office does not return phone calls. And just last week, Mr. Porter was the only candidate who chose not even to appear at a lively forum for voters. Is that a sign of respect and commitment?
In contrast, since being elected as supervisor, Joan Hartmann has been eminently approachable on any matter that concerned me or my neighbors. She has held countless town hall-like gatherings throughout the district, making herself available to listen and respond to all questions.
The job of county supervisor is an important one. Further, the District 3 supervisor has often cast the tie-breaking vote on matters that affect the quality of our lives and the balancing of our budget.
Joan Hartmann has proven that she takes the role seriously and devotes her time, energy and considerable experience to it. She has a proven record of leadership in advancing public health, the safety of our roads and neighborhoods, disaster response and water-wise policies.
Total compensation for the position is over $100,000 a year. Isn’t this enough to ensure that a supervisor is financially able to give full time and attention to it?
Still, after four years, Mr. Porter will not pledge to leave his private job as financial advisor to the wealthy to give more than part-time to the tax payers of the county he would have pay his salary.
Seth Steiner
Los Alamos
We need common sense, not political allegiances
As we approach the unusually early March 3 election, I want to express my support for Bruce Porter in his bid to become the next County Supervisor for the third district.
I’ve known Bruce for several years through his involvement in a number of local nonprofit organizations. In that time, I’ve come to know him as a straight-shooting, thoughtful leader with the ability to find common ground among groups with different viewpoints.
We need more of that in our County politics: someone with an open mind who will listen to the other side and reach a decision based on common sense, not political allegiances.
I’m confident Bruce has the knowledge, tact, and skills needed to serve both the North County and the South Coast on the Board of Supervisors. His voice is one we desperately need in County government.
Rodney Smeester
Santa Ynez
Firestone endorses Porter for Supervisor
I am enthusiastically endorsing Bruce Porter for Third District Supervisor.
Bruce has a wealth of important experience from his years as colonel in the Army Corps of Engineers. This includes road construction, bridge building, water conservation, oil spill clean-up (think Kuwaiti oil disaster) and all aspects of practical infrastructure that is so important to the future of our county.
His after-Army years of active community service, particularly on the Santa Ynez High School Board and other community volunteer work, has demonstrated his desire to serve and enhanced his experience for supervisor. His present career as a financial investment manager further prepared him to deal with county financial issues.
In these days of partisan bickering and political ambition, it is refreshing to have a candidate such as Bruce who is a registered Independent, not interested in partisan politics. He is free from the symbolic issues that have infected our modern governments. He has no interest in future elective office or counterproductive political ambitions. Bruce is very much in tune with the environmental and social traditions of Santa Barbara County.
My four years as county supervisor gave me the experience to understand how important a competent, multi-dimensional, and experienced person is to address the issues of our county, now and for the future. Additionally, the freedom from interest groups and posturing ideology is critical to independent and sound decisions that our county desperately needs.
For all the above reasons I heartily recommend Bruce Porter to be our next Third District Supervisor. And I invite everyone to join me in supporting his campaign.
P.S.: Please be sure to vote on March 3!
Brooks Firestone
