Dear Voter,

With the City’s “General Plan” Update upon us, the next Santa Barbara City Council will make decisions on issues that will impact all of us for an entire generation. Through comprehensive sound planning, we have the opportunity to preserve the things we love, keep us safe and secure, and strengthen environmental protections.

In my first term, I’ve kept to my principles and fought to keep our high quality of life. I’ve worked hard to preserve the environment, ensure public health and safety, reduce raffic, invest in our youth, alleviate homelessness, and enhance civic participation.

We certainly have challenges to overcome. The recent increase in youth violence in our community requires us to get back to basics through better coordination of educational and prevention programs and increasing the public safety presence throughout the City. In this last year alone, we allocated significant new funding that provides additional elementary and junior-high summertime and after-school programs, and returned the police bike patrols to the Westside and Eastside neighborhoods.

Meeting these challenges also requires being fiscally responsible. Four years ago, the City’s budget was in the red, using reserves for ongoing services. Today, the budget is balanced and returns funds to emergency and operational reserve accounts.

There’s still work to do. We must set strong and balanced policies that reduce traffic congestion, protect open space, provide housing for our workforce and preserve Santa Barbara’s natural beauty and our strong sense of community. I will continue to bring a rational, balanced and fair perspective to the City Council.

I would be honored to have your support and vote this November 6th.

Sincerely,

Helene Schneider
Santa Barbara City Councilmember