- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Lane Anderson’s Council Campaign Offers Different Perspective
Lane Anderson isn’t Santa Barbara’s typical city council candidate. He doesn’t have a phone. Or a computer. He lives on a boat in the harbor with his dog, Betsy, and checks his e-mail every few days on public computers at the library or SBCC. Although he isn’t as connected in more traditional ways, Anderson’s platform is entirely dependent on community.
His campaign strategy relies largely on the concept of “neighborhood exchanges,” with which he’s been involved for years. These gatherings take place with a group of friends or neighbors who exchange produce they’ve grown and get to know each other in the process. He’s been known to ride his bike to these exchanges, with fresh produce that he raises in tow. These exchanges are also crucial to another unique strategy: he doesn’t plan to raise any money campaigning.
“I’m there to learn your experience and your opinion on what should be done at the city,” he said. “If that works, then I won’t need money.”
Anderson said he first noticed the need for community while he worked as a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier on the Mesa for 14 years before retiring. His observation that people tend to stay isolated has reinforced the importance of the exchanges for him, he said.
Anderson’s home is also on the Mesa; he’s given it to his sons while he lives on his boat. When he’s not sailing the seas, Anderson cultivates more than 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables on the family’s property, and is involved with neighborhood exchanges around the city.
Other Santa Barbara residents may also recognize Anderson as an instrumental force behind Arlington West, which began in 2003. The thousands of white crosses on the beach adjacent to Stearns Wharf were erected every week in memory of those who had given their lives in military service. Anderson organized a demonstration that was respectful of what U.S. troops were working to accomplish in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Arlington West was born out of brainstorming between local veterans and a carpenter, Stephen Sherrill.
A Vietnam veteran, Anderson worked as a Navy weapons specialist on a destroyer and said he served before he was 20 years old. Two of Anderson’s friends were killed during his service, and when he returned stateside he immediately became involved with Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
“I finally gave meaning to their deaths by saying that they died so that we would learn our lesson and not do it again,” he said. When the Iraq war began, Anderson saw a parallel between the wars and began protesting.
Along with helping to maintain Arlington West over the years, Anderson said his run for council was inspired after he helped with President Obama’s campaign. Afterward, he went to El Salvador to serve as an elections observer for the country’s elections in January and March, and “witnessed the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history.”
“That got me thinking about change,” he said.
On a local level, Anderson said he thinks the city should give incentives for green businesses, and do more to make sure they stay environmentally sound. “People that come in with hand tools and do maintenance gardening in a different way should be given the advantage, perhaps a free business permit, if they’re fossil-fuel free,” he said.
Anderson also stressed the need to house people.
“One of the keys to our budget is going to be housing,” he said. Because the current city code mandates that every unit contain a kitchen and bathroom, he said he’d like to see more communal housing built. “We need to design our housing as co-housing,” he said. “We’re getting more and more isolated ... I don’t think it’s even good for people.’‘
Anderson’s campaign manager is Dan Litten, who ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in 2007 on an environmental platform.
Anderson admits he’s making a statement by running.
“If I get elected, I’m willing to serve, but I want to make a good showing just to show people that you don’t need to raise a lot of money,” he said.
Anderson said he may even get a cell phone as he continues to campaign, but that he can always be found exchanging produce with neighbors.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 04.26.09 @ 09:48 PM
God help us if this crackpot gets elected. He wants to squeeze everyone into communal housing? I can’t keep my nutty neighbors out of my business with a good fence! I have to share my bathroom and kitchen with him now? There are more important issues than making sure businesses pull weeds with hand tools good Lord what a nut. He will be the first one wasting City Council meetings making sure the world knows that Santa Barbara wants to prosecute the CIA operatives that kept us safe for 8 years!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:21 AM
Yeah what if the commune gets the swine flu?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:28 AM
The proper way to frame Lane’s pathetic, embarrassing displays would be the exploitation of war dead at a mock graveyard to make an anti-war statement. This had nothing to do with honoring the war dead “in memory of those who had given their lives in military service”. This was a shameful display of self loathing of America on display for tourists of all countries, fully supported and encouraged by the Mayor and Council. Lane knows this good and well - the fact is that he misses the attention he got in his glory days of Vietnam Vets against the War from all the hippy chicks and is trying to recreate the experience. Funny how we never saw memorials to the 3000 who died on September 11 on the other side of the pier. This is exactly what we need less of on the City Council.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:40 AM
I think he sounds incredibly refreshing.
He’s running a campaign based on really listening to people and fostering community, he won’t be subject to special interests that donate to him, he’s living simply and debt-free (something we can ALL learn from), he gardens, he supports veterans and is anti-war in a sane way, and personally I find the idea of communal housing incredibly compelling.
What’s not to like? I think the fact that all of these things sound so odd to us is really sad. He’s certainly seems a lot more wholesome than any of the smuts that serve on council now.
He’s got my vote.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:44 AM
I think he sounds incredibly refreshing.
He’s running a campaign based on really listening to people and fostering community, he won’t be subject to special interests that donate to him, he’s living simply and debt-free (something we can ALL learn from), he gardens, he supports veterans and is anti-war in a sane way, and personally I find the idea of communal housing incredibly compelling.
What’s not to like? I think the fact that all of these things sound so odd to us is really sad. He’s certainly seems a lot more wholesome than any of the smuts that serve on council now.
He’s got my vote.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:47 AM
Given the proclivities of SB voters, the guy is a shoo-in.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 05:59 AM
I agree with the poster who wrote “Shameful and disgusting.” As the uncle of one of those “crosses” Anderson erected, I’m furious that he would use my nephew in such a despicable and crass promotion. My nephew gave his life doing what he loved in a cause he completely believed in and was inspired to join after 9/11. Semper Fi. Mr. Anderson, I’ll see you in hell.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 06:09 AM
Activists are bad. We need to elect candidates who are inactive and havem’t done anything with the public whom those candidates want to represent.
A planning commissioner would fit that role nicely.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 06:47 AM
“a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier on the Mesa for 14 years before retiring”
Great. A civil service employee with a generous taxpayer retirement deal. He’ll fit right in.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 07:12 AM
It sounds as though you would have a very intriguing experience living in Mexico or any other poverty stricken third world country, where people live simply and debt free. How about Africa? I’m sure you can find a commune of tribal villagers there that would compel you and intrigue you. You could garden for roots to eat, there are no special interests (except perhaps the ones that have an interest in raping you and giving you AIDS). I guess the only problem might be the warlords since you are anti-war. What the hell are you doing living in Santa Barbara? This guy’s lifestyle is not to be worshipped, he lives simply and debt free because he is a worthless bum you naive fool!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 08:55 AM
Are they still putting up those crosses at West Beach? I’m just curious because now that Bush’s War has become Obama’s War - and Obama has escalated it - there sure doesn’t seem to be much interest on the Loony Left in protesting this “Endless War.”
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 11:26 AM
Interesting approach Lane. Congratulations on standing up for what you believe in. I agree with the incentive based approach for Green Companies, as opposed to a more forceful tactic like cap and trade. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas and debating you, as I am also filed to run.
Justin Tevis
http://www.webstarts.com/tevis4council
http://www.myspace.com/tevis4council
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 12:48 PM
“Santa Barbara boat-dweller describes his reliance on neighborhood produce exchanges as communication, and understanding needs of residents “
If he wants us to live in a big commune, sharing kitchens and bathrooms, and swapping diseases and growing our own vegetables with land that we don’t own, he apparently does not understand the needs of residents very well, other than the ones in his own little world and dream world.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 02:34 PM
I am willing to bet not one of these critics of the memorial, that Lane has devoted so much time to , are actual Veterans of anything other than armchair bitching .
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 04:20 PM
Lane: A website with a link to the issues would be helpful. Simple sound bytes aren’t enough to give us an idea of where you stand on the multitude of issues affecting people locally.
Also, in response to what Curious wrote on 04.27.09 @ 12:55 PM: I agree with you; it’s interesting how Obama’s supporters give him a free pass on the war while demonizing Bush for the war. Also, they remain silent about the fact that he voted for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act back in 2006.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.27.09 @ 04:27 PM
Lighten up! Lane Anderson would be a refreshing, intelligent, insightful change.
He has done a good job highlighting some of the worst aspects of our society - like the thousands killed unnecessarily in Cheney’s and Bush’s lie of a war in Iraq - and has created an awareness that we would not otherwise have locally.
His proposals for incentives for green businesses and co-housing are things that need to be seriously considered, and not categorized before they’re explored.
Glad you planning to run, Lane!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.29.09 @ 07:30 AM
While we mourn those killed unnecessarily in 9/11 and celebrate those whose lives have been saved by Bush and Cheney doing what it takes to prevent any more attacks on the homeland. Defending and protecting America and innocent civilians is not a war crime. Whatever they did, it worked.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Goleta Seeks Public Input on Law Enforcement Services
Participants are needed for two focus groups scheduled for Feb. 15
Goleta Woman Accused of Having Sex with Teen Boy
Sheriff's Department says victim recently came forward about 2008 relationship
Goleta Police Warn Public About Recent Home Burglaries
Witnesses report seeing a suspect going door to door in the neighborhood around Scripps Crescent Street
Approval from Santa Barbara County Supervisors the Last Step for Venoco’s New Pipeline
The board will consider an ordinance allowing the company to begin transporting oil via a pipeline that has already been built, instead of by barge
Pacific Storm Expected to Bring Rain, Wind Back to Santa Barbara County on Tuesday
Weather officials say South Coast could receive up to 1½ inches of rain with wind gusting to 30 mph
Weather: Fair 68.0º
Search Noozhawk »
