Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker swears in the incoming Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury on Tuesday.
Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker swears in the incoming Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury on Tuesday. Credit: Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk photo

The Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury investigates such issues as deaths of people in jail custody, public health, water management and e-bike regulations, and on Tuesday, a new group was sworn in to handle the task. 

“The jury’s informal motto is ‘shine the light,’” outgoing foreperson Dale Kunkel said. “The goal is to bring to the public’s attention what’s working in the county and if anything is not, what is not, and how we could improve it.” 

Superior Court Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly applauded the 2024-25 group for its “invaluable” work, and 12 published reports, during the past year. 

“This Grand Jury did an enormous amount of work; I know, because I read every single report,” Kelly said, receiving laughs from the jurors and others assembled for the ceremony.  

“We’re very proud of the work we’ve delivered,” Kunkel said.

He presented Kelly with a printed and bound copy of the Grand Jury’s consolidated report.

Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker swore in the new Civil Grand Jury members at Tuesday’s ceremony. He read them an oath, and each of them raised their right hand and said, “I do.” 

The members are tasked with investigating issues and are expected to keep evidence and internal votes secret, he and Kelly informed them. 

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly and outgoing Civil Grand Jury foreperson Dale Kunkel during Tuesday's ceremony.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly and outgoing Civil Grand Jury foreperson Dale Kunkel during Tuesday’s ceremony. Credit: Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk photo

“It is significant that secrecy is prohibited in almost every other arm of government,” Kelly said. “Secrecy exists as to the Grand Jury because it is an agency designed to seek out offenses and accusations that would not otherwise be acted upon.”

Jurors have access to Kelly and the county counsel for legal advice or questions about their authority and responsibilities, she added. 

Parker described the Civil Grand Jury as a watchdog of local government that makes recommendations for improvements. 

Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker, front, and Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly thank the outgoing Civil Grand Jury members for their service during the past year.
Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker, front, and Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly thank the outgoing Civil Grand Jury members for their service during the past year. Credit: Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk photo

The 19 members are citizen volunteers who serve for one year, although three outgoing members are returning to the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury to provide institutional memory for new members, he said. 

The 2025-26 members are: 

  • Joseph Guzzardi
  • Sean McDermott
  • Jacqueline Kamlet
  • Eva Macias
  • JoAnne Banks
  • Stacy Mezzetta de Cossio (foreperson)
  • Stephen Pottenger
  • Karen Feldpouch
  • Mary O’Gorman
  • Rodney Brown
  • William Rosen
  • Dan de Cossio
  • Charles Firestone
  • William Wasil
  • Christian Ramirez
  • Richard Edgehill
  • Marcia Green
  • Keith Staub
  • Reynaldo Ybarra

The outgoing members are: 

  • Annie Sancedo
  • Dale Kunkel (foreperson)
  • Kent W. Dunn
  • Sunanda Bhargava
  • Reynaldo Ybarra
  • Keith Staub
  • Daniel Vordale
  • Jeffrey Long
  • Jacqueline Anker
  • Dr. Kenneth Waxman
  • Ryan Brown
  • Marcia Green
  • Carlyle Decker
  • Frederick Cox IV
  • Darren Brown
  • John Richards
  • Gwen Rigby
  • Robert Whittier 

Read Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury reports here.

Read Noozhawk coverage of the most recent Grand Jury report here. 

Noozhawk executive editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com.