Mayor-Elect Helene Schneider Looks to Bridge Political Divide

Ahead of Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony, she talks with Noozhawk about her plans and priorities for addressing some of the city's top challenges

Santa Barbara Mayor-elect Helene Schneider says she has many goals for her first term at the helm, including managing the city's costs and services and continuing her work on the 12-point plan to end homelessness
Santa Barbara Mayor-elect Helene Schneider says she has many goals for her first term at the helm, including managing the city’s costs and services and continuing her work on the 12-point plan to end homelessness. (Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk photo)

By Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 01.11.2010

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Santa Barbara Mayor-elect Helene Schneider, who will be sworn in Tuesday, knows that the city budget and controversial projects will be on everyone’s mind this year, and said she hopes to work with the new City Council to find agreement among stakeholders.

There’s no doubt there will be debate — and lots of it — on the dais. During campaign season, it became clear there will be many differing opinions among the city’s policymakers.

Schneider said people like a diversity of opinion as long as it’s not negative or bickering. “They want action, not a rubber stamp,” she told Noozhawk.

With the city likely to face additional budget cuts this year, managing costs will be a priority, Schneider said.

Salary and benefits are by far the city’s largest expenditure, and discussions are under way with bargaining units to negotiate costs. The Police Officers Association already has extended its contract until June through mutual agreement.

“We can only cut so many services before we’re not fulfilling our mission,” Schneider said.

New measures of reorganizing the city’s structure, including leaving positions vacant, reallocating staff and reaching out to volunteer organizations, will be necessary to continue providing necessary services to the community, she said.

Massive amounts of retirements — nearly half of the work force will retire within the next 10 years — also will help with cost savings.

However, with the loss of longtime staff members — such as finance director Robert Peirson and assistant city administrator Joan Kent — the city loses a lot of institutional memory, Schneider said.

The council’s experience in city affairs will be less, as well, with the loss of Mayor Marty Blum and Councilmembers Iya Falcone and Roger Horton.

“Das Williams and I have the longest institutional memory, which isn’t long,” Schneider said. Both were elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007.

Councilman Grant House will begin his second term, Dale Francisco is in the middle of his first, and the three new members are Bendy White, Frank Hotchkiss and Michael Self.

During Schneider’s first year as mayor, many controversial projects are slated to come through the pipeline, including Plan Santa Barbara, revisions to the medical marijuana ordinance and several building projects, such as Elings Park, Hillside House and a development near the Arlington Theatre.

Given the amount of attention the building-height issue received during campaign season, Schneider said she thinks the community is ready for a broader discussion about design standards — especially for mixed-use buildings — including maximum unit size, bulkiness and setbacks in addition to height limits.

Personally, she said she wants to continue her work on the 12-point plan to end homelessness and expand the number of detoxification beds, she said. The ACLU has sued the city over bed availability, and Schneider said the lawsuit is to “keep us honest” and continue working on the problem.

She said she also wants to boost the South Coast Gang Task Force and promote local energy efficiency by coordinating with the county.

Most of all, she said she looks forward to bringing different groups together that have common interests — such as the work of South Coast Homeless Advisory Committee of Santa Barbara County. Plans for more detoxification beds and alternative giving programs resulted from just that, Schneider said.

Key people were put into a room to discuss the problems and solutions. “And, by golly, we have a short-term solution coming forward,” Schneider said. “It could have happened ages ago, but there was no one there to say, ‘OK, let’s make this happen.’”

She also hopes to work with other California cities on bigger issues such as sustainability.

“As a councilmember, people tend to answer your phone calls, and I think as mayor that’ll happen, too,” she said.

As mayor, Schneider will be on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and other regional organizations, and most likely will continue her involvement in several city commissions.

Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the second-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 735 Anacapa St. Click here to view it via the city’s live Webstream.

— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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» If the track record is any indication on 01.11.10 @ 08:43 PM

Helene’s “12 point plan to end homelessness” will be to buy everyone a home at your expense. This will create endless homelessness as those who can no longer afford their OWN homes because of these giveaways of their money join their ranks, or leave town and no longer pay taxes to support the handouts. More and more “affordable housing” means less and less property tax revenue, and evictions of current renters to make way for “affordable housing” quotas.

As if the weather were not enough of an attractant, the more and more handouts Helene advocates will bring in an endless stream of homeless and illegal immigrants from other areas. The homeless are well networked and word travels fast.

Welcome Helene, the “social and economic justice” (i.e. socialist) Mayor. Tell me I’m wrong. Please!

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» Your not wrong on 01.11.10 @ 10:47 PM

Helene will continue to spend money the city does not have in her attempt to attain ‘social and economic’ justice.  Hopefully the addition of Hotchkiss, White and Self, along with the current lone voice of reason, Dale, will protect what little taxpayer money is left.

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» RK V on 01.12.10 @ 06:07 AM

Bush Sr. - Perot = Clinton.
Dale - Cushman = Helene.

I had the pleasure to meet Helene when she was looking for a job at SBCC.  As I interviewed her I was struck with two things - 1) that she was after power, and lots of it and 2) that it was a bad idea to give it to her.  Watching her actions on the council after her election I was more convinced than ever that electing her to anything was a really bad idea.  Now it’s too late.  She will end up an embarrassment to our city.

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» "liberal" is a compliment on 01.12.10 @ 06:08 AM

So, social and economic justice are bad things? 

I’m glad we elected a mayor who has a heart as well as a brain.  Money ain’t everything.

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» Richard Saunders on 01.12.10 @ 08:39 AM

Helene should avoid the boo birds and negative idealogues spoiling for a fight.

Santa Barbara will have to make some tough choices and Helene is just the person to be pragmatic without leaving her heart at the door.

Best wishes Helene and please just ignore people whose stock of insults has crowded out any intelligent thought.

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» seve h on 01.12.10 @ 09:41 AM

Schneider Looks to Bridge Political Divide?  How can an ultra-liberal bridge the divide?

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» A Very bad thing on 01.12.10 @ 10:06 AM

“Social and economic justice” in a broke economy is not a bad thing - as long as it is YOUR money they are stealing to enact it. The rest of us are broke and getting broker. A hand UP can be handled by charity and you are free to open YOUR wallet to do that. Otherwise you are not HELPING the poor you are just creating more of them with economic “justice”. You are robbing from the job providers and increasing the ranks of the poor.

How many prosperous countries do you know of that have tried socialism? They are all composed of just the rich and their poor servants, with no hope of improving their lives by climbing to the middle class, because there is no such thing. Even China is gravitating toward the benefits of capitalism. If you really had a heart you would steer away from socialism for the benefit of the poor. Social and economic justice is socialism in disguise, it is welfare in disguise. Both have proven themselves to keep the poor dependent and poor. The only ones that benefit are the politicians who enrich themselves by convincing you that they have a “heart” and the interests of the needy at heart, when to be honest they only have their own political gain at heart.

Yes, it is a VERY bad thing. You will see, we are already seeing.

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» Save me on 01.12.10 @ 10:08 AM

I can’t stand four or more years of this power hungry New York yenta convincing everyone she has a heart for her own benefit by bankrupting the City.

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» Native Barbarian on 01.12.10 @ 11:00 AM

The gap the Mayor wishes to bridge is one dug by the political left who have run government on ideology vs. reality.  Staff salaries used to be based on a 10% reduction from private sector since government “benefits” far outstripped private industry.  Then there is the issue of job security.  (Look at your taxes locally and State wide.)

This is a minority Mayor, elected by a split vote of the majority allowing the minority to win.  She voted for a Planning Commission coup to stack the deck.  Her votes in transportation and parking have had and continue to have detrimental effects on the City.  She continues to support traffic planning the businesses of downtown do not support (anyone seen the empty store fronts from Cabrillo all the way out to 5 Points?).

It is time to cut government jobs.  Back to basics is the theme of education to assure success, government needs the same.  Based on the Mayor’s past record this will not happen.

There will be more “political correctness” in housing, traffic, and expensive “priorities,” good luck Santa Barbara.

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» Back to basics on 01.12.10 @ 11:41 AM

How’s this for common ground, madam mayor: reassign the ridiculous number of transportation personnel and put them to work repairing the broken sidewalks, curbs and streets and cleaning up the rampant graffiti—all aspects of SB that have been completely ignored in the past few years, while silly stuff like getting grants for roundabouts has taken priority. And stop acting like the city is an employment agency instead of a service provider.

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» Infomaniac on 01.12.10 @ 12:22 PM

Tsk, tsk, all that negativity from such losers.

Look, as you all pointed out, we all know what Helene stood for when she ran for election.  She had a long record in the community and at Council.

So the Majority voted for Helene and she represents what the MAJORITY wants. 

Yes, there is a substantial majority that opposed Helene, voted for other candidates, gave money to others.

But the campaign is over and the MAJORITY of voters voted for Helene and her policies.

It’s not surprising, but no less deplorable, that a loud bunch of sore losers chose to continue to complain.  But fortunately, that’s NOT how democracy works.

It would serve all of us better, however, if the noisemakers carried on intelligent dialogue rather than such low, childish name calling. Time to get out of the mud…the campaign is over and the Majority voted for Helene and her ideas.

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» Overtaxed Taxpayer on 01.12.10 @ 01:12 PM

Please cut our taxes and cut government staff and wages 30%, or you will go broke—If the service is in the yellow pages—sub contract it our to the free market—3 bids to properly insured companies—Now thats good management—not what we have now—union controled city council members except Dale—Puppets..

Taxpayer beware

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» Falcone gave Schneider the possition on 01.12.10 @ 01:16 PM

Falcone gave the election to Helene. The tax and spend liberal from New York is bad for Santa barbara—

Corrupt-council

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» sbnative on 01.12.10 @ 02:43 PM

“...Salary and benefits are by far the city’s largest expenditure, and discussions are under way with bargaining units to negotiate costs…”

REALLY? Then why did everyone but DALE vote to INCREASE salaries for city workers in a depression? (Oh, sorry, I know it’s only a “recession”...) Have you SEEN at all the vacant buildings in town? Every time I walk there’s another one and another one.

It’s time for some reality talk about “entitlements.”

It’s also time for politicians, city employees, etc. to have their pay DOCKED if they screw up. As in say, forget/neglect to keep current on the air tanker refueling contract? That only cost us how many houses??? How many millions??? How much grief???????

“We learned a lot” doesn’t cut it out here on Main Street.

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» Actually... on 01.12.10 @ 04:08 PM

The majority did NOT vote for Helene. Helene had 7706 out of 17424 votes cast for mayor which gives her 44%. But lies are persuasive when you don’t acknowledge the truth.

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» Actually... on 01.12.10 @ 04:09 PM

The lies are particularly interesting coming from someone named “infomaniac”.

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» AN50 on 01.12.10 @ 06:22 PM

Infomaniac is a partisan so facts are not part of the discussion. The city long ago divested itself from a diverse economic base. It put all its eggs in the tourist basket thinking it was immune from economic cycles. Oops, I guess that wasn’t so bright an idea, huh? On top of that the city’s voters keep electing economic idiots who think wealth is something you steal from those who produce it. Helene is a very nice person with an incredibly stupid political/economic ideology. She will continue to do stupid things because that is all her liberal bankrupt ideology allows her to do. At some point the city will either recover because the rest of the economy is robust enough to “carry” it or the city will go bankrupt and Helene will be replaced. Either way we are in for some rough times ahead.

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» Union controls our council on 01.12.10 @ 07:33 PM

Thats why we have so many wasteful government possition, and the wages are throught he roof—Just nobody in charge—Sad for us taxpayers..Time to cut the waste, and make the workers do more..

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» Poorly run city on 01.12.10 @ 09:02 PM

This city is so poorly run—Too many employees making too much money—The leadership would be fired in the private sector quickly—They have no business expierence—or worked for the Government-or had failed businesses-x attorneys etc..

Please cut the waste—its our money not your’s..

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» Bill Clausen on 01.12.10 @ 09:19 PM

The problems that affect Santa Barbara run much deeper than Schneider. 

I have no reason to believe that at the end of her term housing will be affordabe to the working class, the gang problem will be under control, of that the aggressive “get out of my way” L.A. driving habits that have infected this place will go away.

Too many people, too expensive to live here for the average person.

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» Sick & Vaction pay outs on 01.12.10 @ 10:08 PM

The city leaders allow the unused sick and vacation time added to their last years pay to raise their pensions—This should not be allowed—its stealing for the overtaxed taxpayer—No leadership in S.B..The vac & Sick time should be limited to three weeks a year max and capped at 160 hours—use it or lose it like the private sector—

Overtaxed taxpayer

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» Daniel Petry on 01.13.10 @ 12:03 AM

It looks like we have our work cut out for us folks.  Should be fun?  Daniel Petry

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» S.B.Native on 01.13.10 @ 12:05 AM

Remember the days when Santa Barbara had the courage and wisdom to deal with social problems without bankrupting the city?  I do.  We’ve elected our very own Obama and although I didn’t vote for her we deserve what we get:  higher taxes, less service, homeless urinating on your front lawn asking for $$$. 

If Helene is such a social justice advocate she should clear out her house and invite the to stay with her!

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» @ Bill on 01.13.10 @ 12:24 AM

“too expensive to live here for the average person” but an entitlement for illegal immigrants.

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» That's funny on 01.13.10 @ 12:16 PM

Helene had no interest in “bridging the political divide” when the entire council thought the way she does. I guess she is feeling the squeeze. Awesome!

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» Tomahawkdeb on 01.13.10 @ 12:28 PM

I just have to add my amusement at Infomaniac’s comment, “It’s not surprising, but no less deplorable, that a loud bunch of sore losers chose to continue to complain.  But fortunately, that’s NOT how democracy works.”  So it’s not deplorable when libs complain (and we all know how loudly and continuously they can and do) but it is deplorable when conservatives do it?  Hmmmm.  That’s kind of a double standard, isn’t it?  Just sayin.

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» Not to attractive on 01.13.10 @ 12:30 PM

She is not the most attractive lady, but lets hope she is smart enough yo cut the size of government?? This city is broke..

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» Schneider the pretender on 01.14.10 @ 12:57 PM

Do you think she has ever broke a sweat working-NO-Yenta from N.Y—Liberalism at its worst..Go back to N.Y and take your tax and spend our money ways wuth you…

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