Re: Das Williams

Your recent editorial describing Das Williams as ‘commitment to self rather than to public service’ surprised me. That is a term I have never associated with him. I have personally worked with Das over these last 20 years on issues that touched on his passion for improving our Environment – bike and pedestrian safety improvements, funding Transit needs and recently – preserving Mission Creek bridge and redoing the surrounding streets for safe walking. 

In all these, he was accessible, active, creative, and helpful. He and Supervisor Hart got us through Covid. Das uses staff creatively and raises money when necessary – for our neighborhood on Mission Canyon Road. Yes, he makes decisions, and they don’t always go as you think, but that is his job. We are lucky to have such commitment and I fully support him.

Rich Untermann

Montecito Votes Really Do Matter 

This March 5th, Santa Barbara’s First District faces a critical election for County Supervisor. As Das Williams has consistently demonstrated his lack of leadership, fiscal incompetence and disregard for the safety and welfare of this community, we have a chance to vote him out by electing city councilman, Roy Lee, a figure of true community dedication. Is Roy Lee an underdog? Maybe, considering Mr. Williams campaign contributions from the cannabis industry. But consider that during the 2020 Supervisor election between Das Williams and Laura Capps, Mr. Williams narrowly won by only 1,467 votes from a 28,611 total where only a small fraction of Montecito citizens voted. These statistics matter now because a surge in Montecito voter turnout for Roy Lee could decisively tip the scales. This is a call to all Montecito constituents: encourage your neighbors and friends to vote for Roy Lee so that we can have a leader who truly represents our interests. After all, who doesn’t love a good underdog story?

Kohanya Groff, PhD