Former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller Dies

» Tom Roberts on 01.06.10 @ 06:01 PM

A great leader and mentor.

Godspeed Harriet.

Tom Roberts
Santa Barbara City Council (1993-2001)

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» Don McDermott on 01.06.10 @ 09:25 PM

I recall Miller as a status quo politician.  I did not care for her very much.  I found Miller to be a horrible representative and had her mind made up before hearings took place. I recall Miller as a control freak, the type of mayor who banged the gavel and reached for the old gavel, at least a time or two, to cut the public off from public speaking. Miller often required ‘unanimity’ of the council, very undemocratic. Miller’s support for the youth was actually meanly and decisively divisive, seemingly encouraging “youth” to defy their parents. Miller ran her campaigns as a protector of neighborhoods and environmental causes but really cared for little other than the Chamber of Commerce and this unimaginative “Environmental” community’s ordinary land-use and transportation approach in the form of auto-dependent dominating suburban neighborhoods and the required floor after floor of layered concrete parking garages.  Yes to millions in subsidies for “the arts” and it’s parking venues while working class housing advocates relocated to long drives home to Lompoc, Santa Maria and Ventura County. The horrible and impact-full nightclub and bar-district popped up under Miller’s encouraging watch. I only recall one “no” vote from Miller from a neighborhood appeallant even thought Tuesday nights were full of appeals. All NIMBYs I guess. At the public podium, negatively impacted neighborhood representatives sought help from gangs, improper development, over-crowding, and horrible traffic problems. Miller was oblivious, as well as most other council members, due to their view from seclusive hilltop abodes and nice windshields (Francisco, Hotchkiss and Self are in the same representational genre.) Acknowledging some damage, Miller would attend shovel digging and ribbon cutting ceremonies at a new pocket park or two, in impacted, poorer and less represented neighborhoods. Miller was a chemist, tactical politician but was an ordinary and slow learner with respect to land-use and transportation planning. Oh and Miller’s reported meetings at Mel’s for “coffee” to inappropriately discuss council business with other council members is exactly what people hate about politics or “representatives.” Otherwise Miller was a great Mayor!

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» jon bennett on 01.07.10 @ 07:18 AM

Very classy of you Don.

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» BOB DUNCAN on 01.07.10 @ 08:16 AM

Honoring Deceased Citizens with the Flag

In additional to the traditional half-staff salutes when proclaimed by the President, the Flag Code mentions the use of our Flag for honoring citizens who have died, especially government officials and prominent citizens. However, the Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. Examples of deceased citizens that might be honored with by lowering the Flag to half-staff include local religious leaders, youth leaders, honored teachers or sports coaches, local politicians, or a local hero. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. It is important to note that the Flag Code is a code, not a Law, it is intended to provide guidance and is not obligatory. It carries no civil or criminal penalties for “misuse” of the Flag. Individual are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government / public building is the flag code required to be followed.

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» Kathleen on 01.07.10 @ 10:35 AM

Ditto to what Tom Roberts wrote. We will miss this gracious, spirited and civic-minded woman.

Happy trails, Harriet.

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» Nels Henderson on 01.07.10 @ 06:07 PM

It’s a testament to Harriet that Tom Roberts and John Davies sing her praises. Bravo.

I hope some of the others who want to make political statements can look at how she transcended that in so many ways…she actually had as much union support as anyone else you complain about!

She will be missed…

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» B DUNCAN on 01.08.10 @ 08:56 AM

MIKE CAN’T YOU READ PLAIN ENGLISH?

Honoring Deceased Citizens with the Flag

In additional to the traditional half-staff salutes when proclaimed by the President, the Flag Code mentions the use of our Flag for honoring citizens who have died, especially government officials and prominent citizens. However, the Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. Examples of deceased citizens that might be honored with by lowering the Flag to half-staff include local religious leaders, youth leaders, honored teachers or sports coaches, local politicians, or a local hero. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. It is important to note that the Flag Code is a code, not a Law, it is intended to provide guidance and is not obligatory. It carries no civil or criminal penalties for “misuse” of the Flag. Individual are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government / public building is the flag code required to be followed

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» Lee Moldaver on 01.08.10 @ 01:26 PM

Amazing, focused, intelligent, strong-willed leader.

People forget that Harriet originally came here with the idea of “active retirement.”

This was after careers in teaching, academia, public service, and non-profit executive management.

They carried her from Washington state, through Montana, through Washington, D.C., and a couple of other places, before she decided to “retire” to California in her mid-‘60s.

People also forget that much of what Harriet accomplished here was in spite of her
private battles with cancer and heart disease over the last 20 years.

Not to mention the loss of her dear friend, Elizabeth Harrison, whose memorial
marker still graces an ocean overlook at Shoreline Park.

Every Santa Barbara mayor leaves their own special leadership imprint on the area.

Harriet’s mobilized energy, brains, toughness and determination, to get big things
built, and big things done.

Skills and attributes she continued to share as a civic leader after her tours on City
government were done.

RIP. You’ve earned it.

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» God protect us on 01.10.10 @ 10:29 PM

Schneider!—The tax and spend your money nut in control—Union shill??? Hippy’s from New york—WHY???

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