Serving on a Board or Commission is a great way to use your talents and interests to serve your community and the City of Goleta has four new commissioners who are doing just that. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Historic Preservation Commissioners Luke Roberts and Elizabeth Link.  Also, Khalid Kaldi is the new Library Advisory Commissioner and Peter Omoregie is our new Public Engagement Commissioner.

Here is a little background on each of them and what drew them to get involved on their particular Commission.

Historic Preservation Commission

Luke Roberts, who has called Goleta home for more than 30 years, is passionate about a city’s need to preserve its historical environment. He believes it’s an essential part of a city’s identity and culture.

Luke teaches in the history department at UCSB and has published numerous books and articles on Tokugawa era Japanese history.  He attended Oberlin Ohio for college, lived in Japan and received a Ph.D. in Japanese history from Princeton University in 1991. Interesting fact: while in Japan, Luke started and participated in a successful preservation movement for a nineteenth century samurai home in the city of Kochi and saw how important this was for local culture. He appreciates what home architecture can reveal about the lives of people in the past.

Elizabeth Link was also appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission and is also a long-time Goleta resident. She moved here more than thirty years ago and worked as the Clinical Manager at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Eye Center. Upon her retirement she knew she wanted to get to help improve and preserve the City’s many wonderful historic properties and community spaces.

Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Los Angeles in Biological Anthropology and worked in Healthcare as a Registered Nurse for nearly four decades. She was a founding member of the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s Sustainability Committee and served on the board of the Santa Barbara Red Cross.

Library Advisory Commission

Khalid Kaldi is the new addition to the Library Advisory Commission. He was drawn to serving on this commission after his experience working at the Santa Barbara Public Library.

Khalid is a Palestinian writer and has a long history of organizing work for causes he believes in. Alongside organizing, Khalid lives to write stories, read books, make ceramics, and play basketball. He holds a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley and resides on occupied Chumash territory. 

Khalid is looking forward to serving as a Library Commissioner.

Public Engagement Commission

Peter Omoregie will have his first meeting this month on August 23 at 6:00 p.m. as a member of the Public Engagement Commission. Peter has lived in Goleta for more than 30 years and is a long-time volunteer. He has been involved in volunteering with the Red Cross, homelessness outreach efforts and Goleta CERT including as a business ambassador during COVID. He also served on the Board of Directors at Girsh Park.

Peter started in Goleta as computer scientist on Navy programs while also doing targeted doctoral research studies at University of California Engineering and Institute of Environmental stress. He was senior Project engineer on several Defense programs and worked on specific international exploratory defense exercises.

Welcome to all of our new commissioners and thanks in advance for your service to Goleta.

Public Health launches Back to School Immunization Project

The Santa Barbara Public Health Department encourages children to get their vaccinations in preparation for the upcoming school year. As children wrap up summer activities and return to school in the fall, ensure your child gets all their routine immunizations before the first day of school to keep them protected. Vaccinations help children’s immune systems recognize and fight off contagious diseases, keeping them healthy so they can continue to grow, learn, and thrive.

“Back-to-school season is the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on all recommended vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine.,” says Dr. Henning Ansorg, MD Health Officer of Santa Barbara County. “Staying up to date on routine vaccinations helps you, your family, and your community stay healthy and prevent deadly diseases like measles and whooping cough (pertussis).”

Per State law, children in California, are required to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as licensed childcare centers. Even four-year-old children need their kindergarten immunizations prior to the first day of transitional kindergarten where they could potentially be exposed to vaccine- preventable diseases. Schools, pre-kindergarten facilities and licensed childcare centers are required to enforce immunization requirements, maintain immunization records of all children enrolled, and submit student immunization status reports to the California Department of Public Health.

For more information about school immunization requirements, visit the Shots for School website, contact your child’s physician, school nurse or the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Immunization Program website.

As temperatures soar during the summer, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is calling on pet owners and animal enthusiasts alike to take proactive measures in safeguarding the well-being of our beloved animals. As the heat rises, so does the risk to our furry companions, making it crucial for the community to come together and ensure their safety.

Pets, just like humans, are susceptible to the dangerous effects of extreme heat, and their well-being can be compromised if proper precautions are not taken. Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals rely on us to provide a safe environment and the necessary care to cope with soaring temperatures.

To ensure the well-being of pets during this heat wave, we strongly encourage the following measures:

• Hydration is Key: Make sure your pets have access to fresh, clean water at all Keep their water bowls filled and shaded. Consider placing multiple water stations in different areas of the house or yard.
• Time Your Walks: Avoid walking your pets during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, opt for early mornings or late evenings when temperatures are If the ground is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.
• Shade and Shelter: Make sure your pets have access to cool and shaded areas where they can escape from the sun’s relentless rays.
• Never Leave Pets in Vehicles: A parked car can quickly become a furnace, even on a mildly warm day. Never leave your pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short
• Grooming: Regular grooming can help remove excess fur and reduce the risk of heatstroke. However, avoid shaving your pets, as their fur provides insulation against the heat.
• Cool Treats: Offer your pets some refreshing treats, such as ice, frozen fruit, or vegetables, to help them stay cool and hydrated.
• Know the Signs of Heatstroke: Familiarize yourself with the signs of heatstroke in animals, including excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, rapid heartbeat, and If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke, seek immediate veterinary attention.

By taking these precautionary measures, together, we can help ensure that our furry friends remain safe, healthy, and happy throughout the summer months.

SBCAS emphasizes the importance of community awareness and collective responsibility in safeguarding our animals during this heat wave and will be prioritizing unsheltered pets in distress during this time.

To report a pet experiencing heat related distress, call us toll-free 833-422-8413 and select option 1. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

Deadline to Apply is August 13th

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is looking to fill two vacancies on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee provides important accountability for the expenditure of $1.6 billion in Measure A transportation sales tax funds through 2040. The measure supports voter-mandated, high priority transportation projects and programs throughout Santa Barbara County.

Individuals interested the exciting community leadership opportunity can apply easily online at https://bit.ly/46I12Yd. Applications for the open positions must be completed by Sunday, August 13.

People who serve on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee are a part of regional transportation efforts to relieve traffic congestion and improve public safety. Those who represent diverse transportation, geographic, social, cultural, and economic interests in the county are encouraged to apply.

The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is comprised of 11 community leaders who represent North County, South Coast and the region “at-large.”

One vacancy must be filled by an individual who can represent Santa Barbara County as a region as an “at-large” member.

The other vacancy is a South Coast representative and must be filled by a resident of the incorporated cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, or the unincorporated communities of Isla Vista, Eastern Goleta Valley, Mission Canyon, Montecito, Summerland, and Toro Canyon.

Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed to additional terms at the discretion of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. The Committee conducts meetings one to three times a year and annually submits comments to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements, and voter mandates as outlined by the Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.

Voters approved a slate of projects and programs for Measure A in November 2008. Spending is divided into three categories: 13.4 percent to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety on U.S. Highway 101 in the South Coast and 43.3 percent each for North County and South Coast for high priority transportation projects including local street improvements, increasing transportation opportunities for transit dependent residents including the elderly and disabled, building safer walking and bike routes to school and providing increased opportunities for carpool and vanpool programs.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments administers Measure A according to strict accountability provisions including annual independent financial audits and public review of expenditures by the Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee.

Those interested in applying must do so online at https://bit.ly/46I12Yd by Sunday, August 13. Any questions about the application process or the role of Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee can be directed to info@sbcag.org or by phone at (805) 961-8900.

The public can visit www.measurea.net to learn more about Measure A transportation projects and programs and benefits for residents in the region or visit https://bit.ly/3Ukc3ZD to download the 2022 Annual Report.

ABOUT MEASURE A

Measure A, Santa Barbara County’s local transportation half cent sales tax measure, was approved by 79% of Santa Barbara County voters in November 2008. The sales tax collection totaled $53.9 million in Fiscal Year 2021/22, up 16% over the prior fiscal year. Measure A is projected to collect $1.6 billion through 2040. Since 2008, $11.5 million has been distributed for 104 regional bicycle, pedestrian and safe routes to school projects countywide. $65 million has been collected thus far for nine transit agencies for new buses, reduced fares for the elderly and disabled, and operating costs. More than 114 employers and 4,930 employees participated in programs that support alternative commute travel choices helping to reduce 1.9 million car trips.