3rd District candidate Victoria Pointer

 

Santa Barbara’s third district spans nearly 50 miles; pretty near its geographic center is Buellton, home territory for supervisorial candidate Victoria Pointer.

A native of Santa Barbara, Pointer has been a city council member, mayor, and social advocate in the central coast city since its inception in 1992.

Moving to Buellton with husband Michael and her three children, Brian, Kevin and Shannon, in 1988, Pointer has served as mayor three times during her continuous 16 years as a member of the Buellton City Council.

 

Pointer also has served as president of People Helping People, a non-profit social assistance and advocacy group. She has been a director of the Jonata School PTSA and is currently employed by the Santa Barbara County Education Office providing administration assistance to teachers in the Special Education programs.

It addition to living in the geographical center of the third district, Pointer moved to stake out the political center of the contest by declaring herself the “Moderate alternative” to the other candidates for the seat on the board. “I have the ability to be a good listener,” said Pointer. Pointer spoke of her extensive experience in local government and her intention to mediate and compromise in finding solutions to the issues that confront the third district. A budget crisis, development plans at Naples on the Gaviota Coast and jail overcrowding are the most important issues immediately facing the board of supervisors, she said.

 

To cope with the budget crisis, Pointer suggested reviewing costs from the top down and noted that “there is a big gap between managers and workers,” referring to county government.

“We spend way too much on consultants.” Although proposals to develop the Naples area just west of Goleta is potentially one of the most contentious issues the board may have to confront in the next few years, Pointer said that transfers of development rights — a “great idea” that is maturing as the darling of planners and developers alike — may not prove to be much of a solution at all because the City of Goleta does not have the money to buy the properties involved.

It would “create a real big mess” if it tried, she said.

 

Pointer said that the county jail has been experiencing overcrowded conditions for at least 10 years, and that the county must act quickly to develop a North County detention facility while an available state grant remains on the table.

“We’re not doing enough to protect the people working at the jail”, said Pointer, adding that a new jail would allow better security for the inmates, the jail workers, and the community. She said that now is the time to partner with the state to get the new jail. On steps that she could take to work with the Chumash tribe, Pointer said that “this has been a contentious issue; we must work and listen to the tribal entity…they have rights.”

 

One of the side issues the board of supervisors will encounter will be a question on redistricting and the possibility of moving Isla Vista into the second district. During a recent public forum, Pointer said that “it would take a lot of study,” but the college enclave might be better served by such a move.

“You’re never going to make everybody happy,” Pointer said; but she wants voters to know that, if elected, she will not be pushing her own agenda or imposing her wishes on others.