Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that I will be running for re-election in Goleta’s November 5, 2024 election. 

I have decided to run for re-election to continue the progress we have made in protecting Goleta as a great place to live, work and play, now and for future generations. In my 2024 State of the City address I proudly claimed, and firmly believe, that “The State of our City is very, very strong.” While facing significant challenges we have a vibrant economy, strong public safety, high quality of life where more and more people want to live and work here, and businesses want to expand here. Goleta’s high desirability itself creates challenges, such as population increases that can increase congestion, housing costs, and the demand for public services. I am committed to carefully managing the growth that is a direct result of Goleta’s high desirability. 

I am eager to continue to protect Goleta’s environment and special character. I proudly supported Goleta’s successful 2012 Agricultural Protection Initiative, and am equally proud that we unanimously placed an initiative on the November 2024 ballot to extend it. This initiative has successfully protected Goleta’s 5 largest agricultural parcels, including Bishop Ranch, from development.

As a city today, we have higher than ever participation by our residents in our city’s decision-making. This is a result of deliberate steps we’ve taken to better involve Goleta residents in governing our city. The vibrant, insistent, and sometimes, raucous involvement of our residents is the main mast of this good ship Goleta and the means by which we navigate the present and set sail into the future. It is one of the main reasons why I will proudly continue to say, the state of our city is indeed very, very strong and our future brighter than ever.

Of course, challenges remain, as they do for other cities statewide. I’ll stand up for Goleta to minimize the impacts of state mandated housing developments both in Goleta and on our borders, while working to maximize each projects’ number of affordable units. I’ll continue to aggressively seek funding to repair our infrastructure, especially our roads and the Cathedral Oaks crib wall. And I’ll keep fighting to safeguard Goleta’s crown jewels such as Ellwood Butterfly Preserve, our valued beaches and open spaces, meandering creeks, and cherished neighborhood parks.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as Goleta’s Mayor. With voters’ approval, I’ll continue to leverage my experience to keep Goleta a strong city we and future generations can be proud to call home.

Sincerely,
Paula

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