Roger Aceves, a Goleta city councilman and retired Santa Barbara police detective, talks about Goleta cityhood, Santa Barbara’s civilian-review system, Democratic Party politics, and his plans for the November 2022 election in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks.
Goleta is celebrating 20 years of cityhood, and Aceves has served on the City Council for nearly 16 years. He discusses housing, the revenue-neutrality agreement between the city and Santa Barbara County, and the state of business and retail in the city.
Aceves also offers his views on whether there should be a law enforcement presence on Santa Barbara’s proposed civilian review system.
“I don’t see a problem having a retired police officer on there,” Aceves said. “You want to be able to have a very constructive dialogue on the commission. I would see that as an impediment. I think it would be a help.”
Aceves also reveals his plans for the Nov. 22 election. His name has been floated as a possible candidate for the Second District seat on the county Board of Supervisors.
He’s also up for the re-election on the Goleta City Council. Aceves, a Democrat, likely won’t be seeking the endorsement of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party.
“When you get partisan politics involved, the Democrats want you to say you will do what they ask you to do,” Aceves said.
The Santa Barbara High School graduate said he registered as a Democrat after the Nixon-Watergate scandal, but he always considers the person over the party when discussing whether to support someone.
“If there is a better person for the job, and they happen to be ‘Oh my God,’ a Republican, I am going to support that person,” Aceves said.
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