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Santa Barbara's Local Heroes of 2017

The 'Santa Barbara Independent' presents its annual ode to some of the amazing people who make up our community.

Santa Barbara's Local Heroes of 2017

“We must become the change we want to see.” So goes the saying often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. It’s a seemingly simple sentiment, yet when applied en masse can have an immeasurable impact on society. It also serves well on a community level, where the benevolent actions of one individual can have life-changing repercussions for many.

Fortunately for Santa Barbarans, our seaside hamlet happens to have a plethora of folks who continually apply their heroic traits — determination, loyalty, courage, perseverance, patience, focus, intrepidity, and selflessness, to name several — to improving life for those of us residing here. To acknowledge and thank the altruistic people who make Santa Barbara such an amazing place to call home, each November, the Santa Barbara Independent publishes its Local Hero issue. Read on to learn about the amazing people being honored this year.

From left: Santa Barbara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Farris, S.B. County Search & Rescue President Kerrie Valdiviezo, County Fire Fire Equipment Operator Mark Linane Jr., County Fire Division Chief Steve Oaks, S.B. County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brian Olmstead, and Dave Dahlberg of the U.S. Forest Service

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