County honors women helping women

“Women Change America” was the theme when the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and its Commission for Women honored several local organizations for their ongoing service to women and families on March 1, in honor of Women’s History Month.

First district commissioner Cynthia Thurber presented the honors to Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center for being a “safe haven for women who have been assaulted sexually.”

SBRCC executive director Elsa Granados said she was proud to receive the award, because whenever the organization gets recognition it raises the visibility of sexual violence and more women begin to access their services.

Second district commissioner Magdalena Torres honored Villa Majella‘s maternity home and outreach program.

“It’s an honor for me today to represent all of the founders, directors, staff, volunteers and donors who have worked for the past 23 years to serve women and newborns in our community,” said program director Mary Andrews-Dalbey. “Above all, I applaud the women who have faced challenges and overcome obstacles in a choice to mother their babies. For many, it became the motivation to turn their lives around. They are what we’re all about.”

Prior to receiving the award, Andrews-Dalbey noted how closely many of the organizations that provide services to women and families work together. For example, after living at Villa Majella for up to two months after giving birth, mothers and their babies are often referred to St. Vincent’s for housing and childcare services. SBRCC and the fourth district honoree, Domestic Violence Solutions, often work closely together as well.

Third district supervisor Brooks Firestone selected the UCSB women’s basketball team as service organization of the year, for its Gaucho Outreach Program, which has been involved with a number of public service projects, including Adopt-a-Highway clean-up on Highway 217 and “Lil’ Gaucho” Clinics held at local schools, said commissioner Mary Ellen Brooks.

“I really think that our community outreach is the classic win-win situation. It is a great ‘Habit of Excellence’ for our women — giving to others and making them feel connected to our community,” said coach Mark French. “Also, it’s good role-modeling for local kids to see the Gauchos take time out of their busy day and do something besides play basketball.”

The fifth district also honored the American Association of University Women.

In past years the Commission for Women has chosen a woman of the year and a teen of the year rather than honoring service organizations. Brooks said it changed its focus in 2005 in order to help bring more exposure to these groups and also to encourage more women to get involved in the community.

For more information on the Commission for Women call 568.3410 or email scantil@co.santabarbara.ca.us.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on March 3, 2005.

Board extends comment deadline for county Draft Housing Element

The Hollister Area Neighborhood Association (HANA) scored a minor victory when the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors agreed to extend the deadline for public comment on the Draft Housing Element until Monday, Oct. 27.

The deadline extension was at least partially in response to a petition circulated by HANA and signed by 1,300 to 1,400 residents, to oppose re-zoning and developing the Hollister corridor between Turnpike and Patterson in the unincorporated part of the county, according to HANA spokesperson/consultant Dennis Baker.

Santa Barbara County 2nd District Supervisor Susan Rose and her executive staff assistant, Alissa Hummer, met with HANA members on Sept. 15 to discuss a variety of issues related to the Housing Element. HANA presented Rose with a number of demands related to the housing element and protection of agricultural zoning and open spaces in the county, but the extension of the deadline for public comment was the only concession granted.

HANA initially grew out of concern over proposed re-zoning and development of the San Marcos Growers property at 125 S. San Marcos Rd., which the neighbors learned about from a newspaper article, said Barbara Greenleaf, HANA Steering Committee Member. “It was such a shock to all of us that we turned out angered beyond belief. I don’t know why the planning department was so stunned. …This is a precious community resource and the fact that (Developer Michael) Towbes is already measuring … for the Berber rugs, is very discouraging,” she said.

“… There’s no interest in what the residents have to say in this area about the development, especially about the San Marcos property, which is agricultural property,” Baker said.

“… People are speaking up, but they’re speaking out on all sides of this issue,” said Hummer, who mentioned that in addition to HANA and other neighbors of the proposed development areas, she has also heard from “a number of people who support more housing, and more workforce housing.”

Rose was out the country and unavailable for comment.

“We’ve had a fair amount of phone calls and emails, but not yet a lot in terms of official comment to be included … I’ve been primarily answering a lot of questions,” said County Planner Alicia Harrison.

A public hearing on the Housing Element will go before the Planning Commission after the Oct. 27 deadline for written public comment and comments are also received from the state, Harrison said. She said she anticipates the hearings will begin this winter and that the Housing Element will go before the Board of Supervisors in early spring.

The Draft Housing Element is available online at www.countyofsb.org/plandev/comp/programs/housing/2003 or at the Planning and Development offices, 123 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Written comments may be sent to that address or emailed to aharris@co.santa-barbara.ca.us.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on October 2, 2003.