As part of Noozhawk’s Nov. 3 election coverage, we are publishing Q&As with board candidates for some special districts and education districts, including the Isla Vista Community Services District.
Candidate answers may have been lightly edited for spelling and formatting, but are otherwise presented as they were submitted.
The Isla Vista Community Services District was founded in 2016 and was granted a board mandate to serve the needs of over 15,000 residents in the neighborhood. The local governmental body consists of a board of directors made up of seven members. The IVCSD provides resources to improve the safety and well-being of the community.
Catherine Flaherty and Daniel Mitchell are running for one of the board seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Noozhawk: Why are you running for the Isla Vista Community Services District board?
Catherine Flaherty: As a third-generation Gaucho, I have felt a strong tie to Isla Vista from a young age. Because I am now a part of the community, I want to serve and give back in any capacity that I can! I know that Isla Vista can be better in areas like sustainability, safety, and long-term planning, and I am committed to working with fellow board members to make that happen.
My current connections in Isla Vista and my role in student government have prepared me to serve as I work to enhance the quality of life for all residents of our community. I also believe that there needs to be women representation on the Board of Directors and, if elected, I would be the only woman serving on the board. Although it would be just a start in increasing representation, I think that different perspectives are critical in guiding discussion and aiding in decisions that affect the entire community.
Daniel Mitchell: I am running for the Isla Vista Community Services District because I want to make sure every resident of Isla Vista has their basic needs met and feels safe in this uncertain time. I have, for a long time, valued public service and local activism, and translated those values into legislation and community organizing. Now more than ever, we need public servants who put their constituents first.
Noozhawk: What personal and/or work experience would you bring to the organization?
Catherine Flaherty: I am involved in student government at UC Santa Barbara and currently serve as an Off-Campus Senator in Associated Students, where we are responsible for allocating and spending the Association’s annual $14 million budget. As an elected Off-Campus Senator, I am responsible for authoring bills and legislation that represent UCSB’s 23,000+ undergraduates.
Before this year, I also served as a cabinet member for the Associated Students Office of the President under Alison Sir. During this time, our office hosted UCSB’s first Mental Health Town Hall, and I served on the Associated Students Strategic Vision 2025 Task Force and COVID-19 Task Force. I have also interned at UCSB’s Alumni Association, where I built on my communication and project management skills. I believe that these positions have been valuable in shaping my leadership style and priorities as well as connecting with members of our community.
Daniel Mitchell: I have been a sitting senator in UCSB Associated Students since November 2019. In AS, I have written and cosponsored legislation pertaining to free meals, art programs, and environmental justice initiatives. In addition, I have served on the AS Finance and Business committee, where I helped allocate funds for student clubs, special events, and educational opportunities.
Apart from AS, I am an active member of the UCSB Campus Democrats, where I registered IV residents to vote and campaigned for progressive politicians like Salud Carbajal and Joan Hartmann. I believe my experience in both a legislative and organizing environment will help me properly serve Isla Vista, and I will do whatever I can to reach out to every one of my constituents.
Noozhawk: What do you see as the top issue facing the district right now, and how would you address it?
Catherine Flaherty: Improving safety is my top priority and is especially relevant in our time of COVID-19. We must all work to social distance and stop the spread of the virus, which jeopardizes the health of all residents and disproportionately affects underserved communities. Through establishing rapid testing directly in Isla Vista that works in combination with contact-tracing apps, residents will have greater access to health resources and education.
Outside of COVID-19, I want to improve neighborhood lighting through long-term planning, work towards healthier community-police relations, expand mental health services, and prevent sexual assault and interpersonal violence. The IVCSD must focus on providing equitable services that advance these essential aspects of life in Isla Vista, and I am committed to improving safety for all residents of our community.
Daniel Mitchell: In talking to Isla Vista residents, I have heard countless stories of food and housing insecurity. These problems have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and require bold solutions. For food insecurity, I am proposing that the IVCSD fund and operate a food drive for all residents in need and coordinate with the county to expand CalFresh coverage in the community.
In addition, I will work hand in hand with ASUCSB officials to expand UCSB basic needs services within Isla Vista. For housing insecurity, I plan on using my office to hold property management companies accountable to their community and stand for tenant’s rights. I also support the construction of affordable housing units within Isla Vista, in order to provide shelter for our homeless and housing-insecure residents.
Click here to read more stories in the Noozhawk Election 2020 section.
— Noozhawk staff writer Jade Martinez-Pogue can be reached at jmartinez-pogue@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
