I am compelled to run because this City Council lacks clear mayoral leadership and continuity. Last week, that was highlighted in a rather unfortunate way. This leadership void has led to the sudden announcement from our city manager, Paul Casey, that he will be stepping down effective September 10. This swift departure is unprecedented for this position.
Tone, direction, and decorum is the mayor's primary function in leading City Council. It is vital for the mayor to work in sync with the city’s lead executive. Lacking that teamwork, the city manager's job becomes difficult, if not impossible, to perform well. Staff and uniformed public safety have not been supported by the mayor in these critical times, and we face a period with an interim police chief and city administrator, two of the most critical factors in the continuity of the city’s organization. The mayor’s status as the head of council also was diminished when she diverted her energies to run for State Assembly in the middle of her first term as mayor.
Santa Barbara has always thrived at the crossroads of treasuring our history while embracing progressive new ideas, values, and environmental quality. Currently, we can’t locate those crossroads. Policy and direction are adrift with no forward momentum, and we are scrambling to fill the two most important positions in the city. We can no longer afford to fall subordinate to a mayor’s personal ideologies and political ambitions.