What Does the Community Deserve?

In 2019, Das Williams said he wouldn’t accept future contributions from the cannabis industry, but he hasn’t kept this promise. The largest contribution Williams has received from the cannabis industry is from CP1 Supply Systems, located near Carpinteria and described by the Better Business Bureau as a company that deals in “Marijuana Sales and Services.” This company donated $5,000 to his reelection campaign.

Challenger Roy Lee, a two-term member on the Carpinteria City Council, has called these contributions a “clear flip-flop.” Lee has also said: “This isn’t just about campaign contributions; it’s about integrity, honesty, and the trust we place in our elected officials … We deserve better.”

Roy Lee is right. The community deserves better. It is time for Roy Lee on the Board of Supervisors, and a new and brighter future for Santa Barbara County.

Micah Williams,
Santa Barbara

A Clear Choice

Roy Lee has all of the background to be an outstanding member of the Board of Supervisors. Born in Taiwan, Roy came to the United States as a young child with his family in 1986. He grew up in Goleta and graduated from Dos Pueblos High School. He then attended Santa Barbara City College and UCSB. Roy Lee knows our community and local
educational system.

He became married in 2006, and he and his wife have three children. He is an entrepreneur. He and his family have run Uncle Chen’s restaurant in Carpinteria since 1991. He has a valuable private enterprise background that will be a real asset on the Board
of Supervisors.

In 2018, Roy was elected to the Carpinteria City Council as a result of his determination to make the community a better place. In 2022, he was overwhelmingly reelected. As a member of the City Council, he has established an outstanding record of service, listening to his constituents and approaching issues with an open mind. He is a creative and cooperative problem-solver and someone of integrity and straight-forwardness.

In the coming election, the choice could not be more clear: Roy Lee for First District Supervisor.

Respectfully submitted, 
-Liz Bustamante

A Program with a Smelly Signature

As a former supporter of Das Williams, this letter is to explain why I now support Roy Lee for Supervisor. Das’s signature program as supervisor was to increase the cultivation and production of cannabis. As a result of his efforts, Santa Barbara County is now known nationwide as a leading cannabis producer. 

Anyone who drives through Carpinteria can smell the results. The odor from the many grow sites permeates the community, including parks, schools, recreational facilities, and even children’s centers. Ag land formerly used to grow flowers and food is now used for cannabis. This explains why there is so much support for Carpinteria Councilman Roy Lee. 

Increased cannabis production was supposed to lead to more tax revenues, but it hasn’t worked out that way. As a result of the cannabis taxing system promoted by Das, many grows have engaged in continuing black market operations. This is highly detrimental and doesn’t produce any tax revenue. 

Regrettably, Das has served his time in public office. Roy Lee will be a hard-working, effective, and open-minded member of the Board of Supervisors. 

Sincerely, 
Michele Cannon

Santa Barbara, CA

A Two Party System

Gregg Hart’s October remarks about a fading Republican party in Santa Barbara County provoked an outcry from local Republicans. But you would never know it since the current Republican Central Committee did not have anything to say for their own party.

Growing up here in Santa Barbara during the ‘60s and ‘70s, this area was as red as a matador’s cape. However, things began to change in the ‘80s and ‘90s and now Republicans are at 25%. When a cancer patient is diagnosed, doctors do everything they can to find the source of the disease. Republicans need to do the same and examine
local leadership.

Most people we talk to are not even aware there IS a Republican Central Committee here (There is a Democratic one as well in Santa Barbara County.) – and actually in all other California counties, except two counties deemed too small to have them. 

What do Central Committees do? 

Well, they are responsible for recruiting and endorsing candidates as well as locating funding sources. Local Committees have an almost unlimited donation amount to support state candidates. Bringing in younger and more entry level people is a big help also. 

Former City Councilman and GOP analyst Dale Francisco explained the Republican Central Committee on Josh Molina’s recent 2/19 podcast. Francisco told the journalist that the central committee doesn’t have the infrastructure to find good candidates. He also said that Chair “Bobbi McGinnis and Assistant Treasurer Julie Bischoff don’t understand the basic nature of how campaigns are run. They don’t understand the necessary timelines, like when it’s best to begin seeking and vetting good candidates. It seems disorganized. The Republican Central Committee doesn’t seem to be accomplishing much.” 

And the current Committee is the only one in California who has endorsed themselves on the slate mailer. About which Dale Francisco said, “Which to me that is straight out unethical. That should not happen. And no matter who ends up winning this race, the first thing they should do is change their bylaws so that can’t happen again.” This is a clear conflict of interest, since it cuts out four other Republican Candidates in District One alone.

Cheryl Trosky serves on the current committee, but she did not get endorsed. Cheryl is responsible for 27,000 UCSB votes being redistricted out of Santa Ynez and Lompoc, giving those conservatives who live there a year-round voice again. She accomplished that through hard work and determination. Nick Sebastian, Charles Cole and myself are the other qualified candidates on the District One ballot.

It’s time to have a two-party county again!

Mary Hudson

Endorsements for Lee

It is essential that incumbent supervisor Das Williams is defeated for reelection. Few individuals have done more harm to our county than he has. His plan for a pot industry that would bring “$30 million a year” to the County of Santa Barbara has been a complete disaster. Considering the true costs of the program, it’s an open question whether it brings any net funds to the county at all.

But Williams’ pot program has coincided with increased crime throughout the county, more homelessness, pot odor in many communities and neighborhoods, and many other negative results. This is Williams’ legacy. 

It is time to elect a new supervisor with integrity and honesty. It’s time for City Councilmember Roy Lee to be elected 1st District Supervisor. Roy Lee is supported by many community leaders, including Janet Wolf, Joyce Dudley, Sheila Lodge, Gregg Carty, Alejandra Gutierrez, Pat McElroy, Barney Melekian, Kate Ford, Ellen Stoddard, and Bill Cirone. Please vote for Roy Lee! 

David Brandt,
Santa Barbara

Concerned Carpinterians 

Concerned Carpinterians announces their full-hearted support and endorsement of Carpinteria City Council Member Roy Lee for First District Supervisor of Santa Barbara.

Over the last six years on the City Council, Roy Lee has distinguished himself as someone who listens carefully to constituents, builds consensus, then takes action. In this respect, he reminds many of Rep. Salud Carbajal, our capable congressman and former supervisor. Unlike our current controversial supervisor Das Williams, Roy’s integrity and ethics have never been questioned. Roy Lee knows that the Cannabis Industrial Complex installed by Das Williams in Carpinteria is not working for anyone. He knows that despite Das’ promises, cannabis has failed to produce any meaningful revenue, except in its enrichment of Williams campaign coffers, (and who continues to take stunning amounts of Weed donations).

Like the rest of us, Roy smells stinky cannabis most every day. Roy understands that Carpinteria’s students deserve better air in their classrooms than what they have now: rancid skunk odor. Roy is committed to requiring mandatory carbon scrubbers installed at all marijuana nurseries and backing it up with stringent enforcement. We are also impressed with Roy’s personal story (similar to Carbajal’s) who, as an immigrant from Taiwan, had to learn a new language, new culture and work twice as hard as anyone else, yet still delivered more. Roy has a strong business background, running his family owned and operated Uncle Chen’s, arguably Santa Barbara’s most popular Chinese restaurant. Roy believes in a small town-governing ethos when considering county issues. He believes Montecito, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara must preserve our natural beauty and livability. Roy is committed to preserving open space such as the Carpinteria Bluffs and our local agriculture while backing carefully planned workforce housing.

Unlike Das, Roy is a good listener and operates out of consensus. He is conscientiousness, community-minded and can-do. Unlike Das, a veritable wrecking ball, Roy will bring groups together and much-needed healing to the First District. There is a whole lot of Das-damage to undo, beginning with the despised Cannabis Ordinance, which must be repealed or amended to give residents relief from horrific daily odor and known and unknown health impacts.

Montecito and Summerland need flood and debris flow guarantees. They need to know that every measure has been taken to protect them from future debris flows. Roy will do this.

It is unacceptable that Das Williams’ staff, whose salaries are paid by taxpayers, also run the local Democratic Party. Williams is well along in his plotting to take state Senator Monique Limón’s seat while ignoring the many pressing concerns of the First District. We join with the former District Attorney Joyce Dudley, Supervisor Janet Wolfe, Police Chief Barney Melekian, retired Fire Chief Pat McElroy, and retired Mayor Sheila Lodge and thousands more in enthusiastically endorsing Roy Lee for Supervisor of the First District.

Bobbie Offen,
of Concerned Carpinterians

Sports Metaphor

I just read that The Independent has no endorsement in the First District.

That would be like the average citizen deciding that voting is for other people.

What a sickening way to say we can’t decide who should be elected.

As a sports fan this is the equivalent of a tie.

Just think for a second if Super Bowl 57 ended at 19-to-19.

Steve Marko

Give Roy a Chance

I think Roy deserves a shot. 

All the best,

Jim Scarborough,
Team Scarborough

Fresh Energy

No more Das. Time for some fresh new energy. 

Charlie Corson

Things Are Not Great

I only know two things. That Das has sold us out to pot growers and anyone else in line. I know the other guy is much more republican. But I sure do think we need a change. Most of us don’t have a clue what goes on in county government. But things are not great!

Jo Ann Chase 
Carpinteria

Who I Support

I support Roy Lee for Supervisor of Santa Barbara County. I encourage my fellow voters in District One to vote for Roy Lee.

Peace and Goodness.
Anthony Dal Bello

Endorsements Matter

Between your editorial and Sheila Lodge’s endorsement, I’m now convinced Montecito needs a change.

I’ll be voting for Roy Lee for First District Supervisor.

Deirdre Hanssen

Putting Money and Mouth Together

I can’t believe anyone would support him…unless they are in the cannabis business! I am only part time & gave Roy Lee $500.

Marcie Musser