Action Alerts

  • SBCAN wants your nominations for annual North County Awards

    Santa Barbara County Action Network would like your nominations for the 2021 North County "Looking Forward" Awards.

    Awards will be presented at SBCAN's annual spring celebration (virtually, this time) on Sunday, June 27 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to individuals, organizations, or businesses in the North County who have made significant contributions to the community. Please mark your calendar!
    Please take the time to nominate those in your community that deserve recognition. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 12.  

    CRITERIA FOR AWARDS
    - Open to individuals, local businesses, and community organizations located or working in northern and central Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos and Guadalupe areas).
    - Must have demonstrated commitment to social equity, diversity, social and economic justice, or environmental protection.

    AWARD CATEGORIES
    1. Environmental Protection Award - For valuing, protecting, and preserving our natural resources and environment.
    2. Giving Back Award - For giving back selflessly to the community through volunteer activities and community projects.
    3. Social Justice Award - For promoting fairness, tolerance, equality, respect, and compassion for all people in our community.
    4. Working Families Award - For helping working families in any number of ways, such as with health care, housing, education, workers rights, and recreational and cultural services.
    5. "Looking Forward" Award - For strong leadership and vision in community building, civic engagement, and improving the quality of life in our community.
    6. Youth Activist Award - For youth who demonstrate exceptional leadership, civic engagement, social justice, or environmental protection in our community. 
    Please submit your comments via this Google Form by Friday, March 12. If you have trouble with the form or would prefer to submit directly via email, please email [email protected] with your nominations. 

    Thank you for your participation!

    Ken Hough
    Executive Director
    Santa Barbara County Action Network
    [email protected]
    (805) 563-0463

    Written by
    February 19, 2021

  • Support SB 467, which seeks to end new dangerous oil extraction in CA

    This morning California State Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 467, which will halt new permitting of fracking and other harmful oil extraction such as cyclic steam injection.
     
    This was the proposed method for oil extraction in the proposed projects at Cat Canyon that were all defeated last year. These extraction methods will be phased out of California entirely by 2027.
     
    The bill will also include a 2,500-foot setback for any oil extraction in California near schools, homes, healthcare facilities and prisons. SB 467 will also begin the process of a just transition in California by directing CalGEM to offer incentives to well remediation contractors to hire identified former oil and gas employees who have lost their jobs. 
     
    Currently 7.5 million Californians live within one mile of an oil or gas well, and 2 million live within one mile of an active extraction site. There is no state law requiring setbacks.
     
    Fracking, cyclic steam injection, and acid well stimulation are intense methods of oil extraction that are more energy intensive and dangerous. They threaten groundwater supply, create cancer and asthma-inducing pollutants, and lead to increased earthquakes. 
     
    SBCAN supports the principles in SB 467 and appreciates Senators Wiener and Limon in their leadership to protect California's climate, public health, and work towards environmental justice and a just transition. 
    Click here to read Sierra Club's press release about this bill. 
     
    We urge you to let the senators know you support their bill.

    Written by
    February 17, 2021

  • CAUSE & City of SM hold EJ Community Cafe Feb 16. Leadership Training info

    Here is a message from our friends at CAUSE:

    In partnership with the City of Santa Maria, CAUSE is hosting an Environmental Justice Community Cafe to bring in a broad range of perspectives as Santa Maria enters the second phase of its General Plan initiative.

    Our team believes you and your organization's input would be invaluable and hope you will consider joining us on February 16th from 5:30-7:00 through Zoom. (Click on this link to add this event to your calendar!) Beginning with a short presentation, our time will be structured with guiding questions to discuss EJ topics related to SB 1000 and identify areas we believe should be prioritized in the General Plan.

    As you know, EJ includes a broad range of our daily lives. SB 1000, which was passed in 2016, mandates that cities integrate EJ goals into their General Plan using these 8 areas:

    • Reduce the unique and compounded health risks in "Disadvantaged Communities." 
    • Reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality.  
    • Promote public facilities. 
    • Promote food access. 
    • Promote safe and sanitary homes. 
    • Promote physical activity. 
    • Promote “civil engagement” in the public decision-making process. 
    • Prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.   

    If you are interested in learning more, CEJA created this incredible toolkit about creating a strong EJ plan.

    Please spread the word to your circles and invite anyone willing to share their input on this important aspect of the General Plan. If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to me.

    Look forward to meeting with you soon!

    Rebeca

    Rebeca Garcia (she/her/ella)
    Policy Advocate
    (805) 825-6975 
    120 E. Jones St. Santa Maria, CA 93454
    w: www.causenow.org e: [email protected]  

    Here is a message from CAUSE Action Fund: 

     

    Written by
    February 12, 2021

  • SBCAN Roundtables Feb. 10 and 11

    Please join us for our SBCAN Roundtable meetings on Thursday and Friday:

    North County Roundtable
    Thursday, Feb. 11
    6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    via Zoom

    We have several important topics to discuss at our meeting this Thursday at 6 p.m. There may be others as well, but here is a draft of our agenda:

    1. The proposed annexation of the Bailey Avenue Corridor west of Lompoc is under consideration again, with a study session scheduled at the Local Agency Formation Commission on March 4.

    2. The California State Parks Department has issued a Draft EIR for a project to build 300 campsites at Oso Flaco Lake near the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Although this is in San Luis Obispo County, it is just a couple of miles from Santa Barbara County and has potential impacts that could affect our residents and our flora and fauna.

    3. The Neighborhoods at Hidden Canyon and Willow Creek was before the County Planning Commission on Wednesday (see our most recent action alert for details) and we will provide an update.

    4. We will provide an update on the Strauss Wind Energy Project near Lompoc.

    Please let me know if there are other items you would like to discuss.  And please email [email protected] if you will be able to attend so I can send you a Zoom link. Hope to see you then.

    South County Roundtable
    Friday, Feb. 12
    Noon - 1:30 p.m.
    via Zoom

    We have several important topics to discuss at our meeting this Friday at Noon. There may be others as well, but here is a draft of our agenda:

    1. San Marcos Foothills. We will have guest speakers on the topic of protecting this area from further development of large residential housing.

    2. Public Banking. We will continue our discussion about this led by Harold (Hal) Hill.

    3. The Neighborhoods at Hidden Canyon and Willow Creek is before the County Planning Commission on Wednesday (see our most recent action alert for details) and we will provide an update.

    4. We will provide an update on the Strauss Wind Energy Project near Lompoc.

    Please let me know if there are other items you would like to discuss.  And please email [email protected] if you will be able to attend so I can send you a Zoom link. Hope to see you then.

    Ken Hough
    Executive Director
    Santa Barbara County Action Network
    [email protected]
    (805) 563-0463

    Written by
    February 10, 2021

  • Urge denial of project with severe environmental impacts and oppose change to critical county policy

    Please join Santa Barbara County Action Network in urging the County Planning Commission to protect endangered species, creeks, and wetlands by denying the housing development project known as The Neighborhoods at Willow Creek and Hidden Canyon.
     
    On Wednesday, Feb. 10, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission will decide whether to approve The Neighborhoods project, which proposes to develop vacant land between the fairways of Rancho Maria Golf Course west of Orcutt.
     
    Within the same item, the commission will consider changing County policy to remove the requirement for a specific plan to be prepared for an entire key site prior to approval of a project within that site. This change would set a hugely consequential precedent that would allow individual projects to be considered outside of the context of the surrounding area. 
     
     
    SBCAN is opposed to this development because the revisions do not adequately address the environmental and other concerns raised by the community at previous hearings, including: 
    • Two new access roads through wetlands
    • No buffers between development and wetlands
    • Direct impacts to endangered and threatened species habitat of the California Tiger Salamander, California Red-Legged Frog, and Western Spadefoot Toad 
    • Direct impacts to native grasses and eucalyptus trees that serve as a monarch habitat
    • Leapfrog development in a high fire hazard area
    • The developer did not first process a Key Site Specific Plan that would have identified developable areas, buffers from onsite resources, resulting in fewer and reduced environmental impacts.
    All of the opposing comments at previous hearings, except those from staff and members of SBCAN, came from owners and patrons of the neighboring golf course or nearby property owners who were primarily concerned with increased traffic, water demand, conflicts with agriculture, and disrupted views of open space. 
     
    Please call into the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. to express your opposition and ask them to deny this project and to not change County planning policy.
     
    You can register for the virtual meeting at this link: https://countyofsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_atqcWxCKRau2C9EYKwBRcA. 
     
    You can also submit written comments to [email protected] by Monday, Feb. 8 at noon. 
     
    We hope you will be able to weigh in on this environmentally damaging project and on the potentially disastrous policy change. 

    Written by
    February 04, 2021

  • SBCAN Membership Meeting is Feb. 6 with guest speaker Sen. Monique Limon

    You're invited to Santa Barbara County Action Network's annual membership meeting on Saturday, Feb. 6 via Zoom. If you haven't registered yet, please do so now. Registration required. Click here to register. We hope to see you Saturday!

    SBCAN_GM_Banner2.jpg

    Santa Barbara County Action Network 
    2021 Membership Appreciation Meeting
    and Board Election

    Saturday, February 6, 2021

    via Zoom
    Registration required. Click here to register.

    11:30 a.m.
    Social Time
    Join the meeting early for a chance to chat with other members

    Noon
    Welcome
    Co-President Dick Flacks

    12:10 pm
    Featured Speaker
    Monique Limón, California State Senator, District 19

     12:30 pm
    SBCAN Update
    Ken Hough, SBCAN Executive Director
    Jeanne Sparks, SBCAN Associate Director
    Nadia Lee Abushanab, SBCAN Advocacy and Events Director

    12:45 pm
    Election of SBCAN Board of Directors
    The Board of Directors has recommended new three-year terms
    for current board members whose terms are expiring.

    12:50 pm
    Closing Remarks
    Co-President Janet Blevins

    Members and nonmembers are invited. If you have not paid your 2021 dues that were due on January 1, or if you would like to become a member, please pay your dues now by clicking here.

    Written by
    February 01, 2021

  • Meet SM Police Chief; SURJ Meeting on Racial Justice

    Here are two messages about meetings from our friends at Showing Up for Racial Justice -- Santa Maria (SURJ-SM):

    Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.

    Meet and Greet with new Santa Maria Police Chief Mark Schneider. Santa Maria Councilmember Gloria Soto will be hosting a virtual Q&A live at www.facebook.com/smcmsoto. For people living in Santa Maria, this important event provides an opportunity to learn what issues Chief Schneider will focus on and how he plans to lead the Santa Maria Police Department into the future.

    Because SURJ's General Membership meeting was scheduled for the same time, it will be cancelled. SURJ members and others interested in racial justice are encouraged to watch this event or to spend some time reading or watching something related to anti-racism, white privilege or white supremacy.

    One recommendation is to watch the latest program from SURJ National, “White Backlash: Why It Happens and How To Fight Back”with Dr. Robin DG Kelley. Deepening understanding of these patterns in our country’s history is essential to building effective strategies to address racism today.

    White Backlash: why it happens and how we fight back - Zoom

     

    Written by
    January 27, 2021

  • Sen. Monique Limon is SBCAN Membership Meeting guest speaker Feb. 6 via Zoom

    Please join us for our

    SBCAN_GM_Banner2.jpg

    Santa Barbara County Action Network 
    2021 Membership Appreciation Meeting
    and Board Election

    Saturday, February 6, 2021
    Noon-1 p.m.

    via Zoom
    Registration required. Click here to register.

    PROGRAM

    Noon
    Welcome
    Co-President Dick Flacks

    12:10 pm
    Featured Speaker
    Monique Limón, California State Senator, District 19

     12:30 pm
    SBCAN Update
    Ken Hough, SBCAN Executive Director
    Jeanne Sparks, SBCAN Associate Director
    Nadia Lee Abushanab, SBCAN Advocacy and Events Director

    12:45 pm
    Election of SBCAN Board of Directors
    The Board of Directors has recommended new three-year terms
    for current board members whose terms are expiring.

    12:50 pm
    Closing Remarks
    Co-President Janet Blevins

    Members and nonmembers are invited. If you have not paid your 2021 dues that were due on January 1, or if you would like to become a member, please pay your dues now by clicking here.

     

    Written by
    January 26, 2021

  • SURJ Community Dialogue

    Showing Up for Racial Justice - Santa Maria Community Dialogue/Dialogo Comunitario is inviting the public to join an online discussion about systemic inequality and the disproportionate harm imposed on communities of color by the criminal justice system.
     
    Members of the Racial Justice Committee of the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office will be special guests.

    The event will be held over Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Translation services are provided.
     
    Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRWdQoj44LB4bfY3aO-LesxcVyZanwXs9vj-Lx_0g6rFi0Dw/viewform
    ###

    Únase a SURJ-SM y a los invitados especiales del Comité de Justicia Racial de la Oficina del Defensor Público del Condado de Santa Bárbara para un debate sobre la desigualdad sistémica y el daño desproporcionado impuesto a las comunidades de color por el sistema de justicia penal.

    Evento celebrado en Zoom el jueves 4 de febrero de 6:30 p.m. a 8 p.m. Servicios de traducción prestados.
     
    Registrarse aqui: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRWdQoj44LB4bfY3aO-LesxcVyZanwXs9vj-Lx_0g6rFi0Dw/viewform

     

    Written by
    January 25, 2021

  • Dolores Huerta keynote speaker at virtual Women’s March SMV & SB 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23

    SBCAN is forwarding this message from the Women’s March executive committee:

    Dolores Huerta is the keynote speaker at Women’s March Santa Maria Valley and Santa Barbara joint virtual event: "We lead. We heal. We transform."

    WM_logo.jpg

    This year’s event features speakers and artists from throughout Santa Barbara County, including

    • Former California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

    • Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann

    • Santa Barbara Public Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso

    • Santa Maria City Councilmember Gloria Soto and

    • Former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Sojourner Kincaid Rolle

    Dolores Huerta, President and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers of America with Cesar Chavez, a labor leader and community organizer, has worked for civil rights and social justice for over 50 years.

    In 1962 she and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers union, serving as Vice-President and playing a critical role in many of the union’s accomplishments over four decades.

    In 2002, she established the Dolores Huerta Foundation, connecting groundbreaking community-based organizing to state and national movements to register and educate voters, advocate for education reform, bring about infrastructure improvements in low-income communities, advocate for greater equality for the LGBT community, and create strong leadership development.

    This year, for the first time, Women’s March Santa Maria Valley and Women’s March Santa Barbara will join together in presenting a virtual recognition of women’s leadership in response to a year of crisis. As 2020 brought multiple challenges, women took the lead in helping local communities heal and transform.

    The event will be livestreamed on Facebook (@WOMENSMARCHSMV), Saturday, January 23, beginning at 3 p.m. Spanish, Mixteco, and American Sign Language interpretation will be available at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84662093487

    For more information, email [email protected], or followFacebook.com/WomensMarchSMV, Facebook.com/WomensMarchSantaBarbara, and Instagram @WomensMarchSMV.

    Media Contacts: Santa Maria: For English, Pam Gates, 805-268-4400, [email protected]; For Spanish, Ivette Peralta, 805-448-9429, [email protected]

    Santa Barbara: Michal Lynch, 805-895-4885, [email protected]

    Written by
    January 22, 2021