The seemingly serene city of Solvang has been embroiled in a campaign season marked by accusations of dirty politics including vandalism of at least one candidate’s signs and allegations challenging another candidate’s residency in the city.
And that’s just the mayor’s race.
The city’s voters have several decisions on the Nov. 3 ballot — picking a new mayor, selecting two council members, deciding whether Councilman Chris Djernaes should keep his job, and picking his possible replacement.
In all, the election potentially could see between two and four new members.
Most of the candidates participated a series of forums hosted by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce. Three of the sessions can be found on YouTube by clicking here.
Whoever wins will join current Councilman Robert Clarke on the panel. His term expires in 2022.
Two vying for role of mayor
Current Councilwoman Karen Waite and sheriff’s deputy Charlie Uhrig are in the race for mayor in the 2-year term to replace Ryan Toussaint, who chose not to seek another term.
Uhrig served as the community resource deputy in Solvang for 16 years, and now works as a bailiff in Santa Barbara Superior Court.
“I’m running because I love Solvang and believe the current council is not in touch with the majority of the residents or businesses owners, who feel their concerns about our budget and spending to certain staff and contract employees are not being addressed,” he said.
He added that he believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity.
Uhrig said he previously owned a home in Solvang, where his children attended school. In 2016, he lived in Buellton, but returned to Solvang in July.
He said one top priority would be reopening City Hall.
“The ‘less is more’ mentality is not working for residents, business owners, contractors and developers,” he added.
He also called for a financial audit “because we need to know where we are with our general budget’s current revenues and expenditures.”
For more information, click here and here.
Waite, who was appointed to the council and then elected to a two-year seat in 2018, said she entered the mayoral race to provide a chance for residents to vote for “a qualified candidate.”
“As mayor, I bring the commitment to lead the council in establishing and maintaining long-term goals that are in the best interest of the city of Solvang,” said Waite, a 25-year valley resident and 6-year resident of Solvang. “I have the experience, elective service, and grit to take on the responsibilities of leadership for the city of Solvang.
The next council must work to keep businesses thriving not just surviving during the pandemic, she said.
“Tourism is key to the survival of Solvang and it’s Old World charm, Waite said, adding that she supported loans to local businesses, and limiting Copenhagen Drive to pedestrians only.
This allowed businesses to expand their footprints to accommodate operating outdoors, she added, noting that other businesses throughout the city have been granted similar outdoor operations.
Before joining the council, Waite, who works in the financial field, served a number of positions, including on the Solvang Board of Architectural Review.
For more information, click here and here.
Since the summer, campaign signs for Waite have been targeted by vandals and thieves, with at least one found dumped in Buellton. One Waite supporter has tried to raise questions about Uhrig’s residency since he relocated to Solvang in mid-July and has rented out a house owned in Buellton.
Field of four running for 2 seats
In the race for the council seats, currently held by Waite and Daniel Johnson, four people hope to win the pair of four-year terms.
They are Chris Bowyer, security professional; Claudia Orona, business owner; Mark Infanti, project management consultant; and Justin Rodriguez, local business owner.
Bowyer, who served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, did not provide answers to questions from Noozhawk.
For more information, go here or here.
Orona, who owns two businesses with her family, said her love for Solvang prompted her candidacy.
“It is a charming place with a rich history, beautiful architecture, close ties to our agricultural origins, and a small but diverse community of residents and business owners that make this city a unique place to live in,” she said, adding that she has lived in the valley since 2007 and in the city since 2015.
“I want to make sure these opportunities in our vibrant and beautiful town are available for current and future Solvang residents.”
A first priority is to improve communication and engagement between city leaders, residents, and various organizations, Orona said, adding that the council needs to think of the city as both a tourist destination and a community where people live and work,
“Developments that affect our community should be openly discussed through workshops and town hall meetings that are promoted in a timely fashion,” she said.
The council needs to foster an amicable relationship with the business and nonprofit communities, she added, while also calling for those who attend council meetings to be treated with dignity and respect.
More on Orona can be found here and here
Infanti said he was spurred into joining the race due to the council’s decisions during the past two years.
“I do not think these decisions are best for our city,” he said. “I have been on both sides of issues, but have mostly disagreed with the council. Some things were done without resident review; some were done in spite of resident objections; only a few were done in line with residents’ preferences.
He said the city needs to preserve the character and culture of Solvang while protecting and improving the city infrastructure — water resources, wastewater treatment plant, streets and buildings, and hiring employees who live in and know the local area.
He also wants to develop a Covid-19 economic recovery plan and a budget that will maintain the city in the future.
Infanti moved to Solvang seven years ago after 34 years of visiting the Santa Ynez Valley.
He spent four years serving on the city’s Bureau of Architectural Review before the current council disbanded the panel.
For more information, go here and here
Rodriguez, a local businessman, has lived in Solvang since 2015, and currently serves on the Planning Commission.
“I am a candidate because I feel the current City Council has made some positive changes, and would like to help build upon those for the future,” Rodriguez said. “I also run my own local business while raising my family here, so I am willing to work hard for the community’s future and generations to come.
He cited keeping water rates affordable, promoting traffic-calming measures (including speed humps, flashing speed warning devices and roundabouts), promoting the Danish heritage, and increasing tourist revenue in the post-COVID-19 world.
“We need hard working individuals that will put in the time and patience needed as the city best navigates the dynamic changes to the current pandemic regulations. I am willing to do this and want to see our local community best survive these “
For more information, go here and here.
To recall or not? And who should replace Djernaes?
Voters also will decide whether Djernaes should keep his seat on the council, along with who would replace him if the recall is successful.
Recall supporters cited “Djernaes’ failures to be respectful and civil” by showing disdain of constituents; mockery of speakers, disrespectful remarks directed toward both current and former City Council members and more.
Djernaes often derides previous city managers and city staff, despite a nondisparagement clause in at least one contract, potentially leaving Solvang at risk of litigation over the matter.
He rejected what he dubbed “specious accusations.”
In a campaign brochure recently received by voters, Djernaes, who is under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission, again makes vague allegations of corruption and refers to opponents as the “Solvang Mafia,” a switch from calling them the Danish Mafia.
Two men — Jim Thomas, a retired sheriff-fire chief, and Jamie Baker, a technology education businessman — are vying to fill the final two years of Dejernaes’ term if he is recalled.
Thomas has lived in the Santa Ynez Valley since 1990, and in the city since 2002.
He tossed his hat in the ring early to replace Djernaes, saying he believes the councilman “is unfit for office,” calling his behavior at a July meeting repulsive.
Thomas was elected sheriff in 1990 and retired in 2002. His tenure included three years when he served ad both sheriff and fire chief.
“I believe there are many issues facing the city, like the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, staffing of City Hall, and tourism, which is the ‘life-blood’ of Solvang” Thomas said.
For more information, go to his website here.
Jamie Baker, the second candidate in the race, did not response to a request for information, does not have any campaign website, and did not participate in forums, reportedly due to illness in his family.
“In either case, I think either one of us would be an improvement should the recall take place,” Thomas said during a candidate forum earlier this month.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.