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From the CITY MANAGER Dave Durflinger It’s been said that the most important role that cities play is not as a deliverer of day-to-day services, but, rather, as a convener for the community. I was reminded of this recently when the City Council made its biennial appointments to the various City boards, commissions and committees. I was very pleased to see the number of applicants interested in serving (see the recognition at the bottom of page 4.) The meetings of these groups are one of the places where the community convenes; a place and context where community members meet to discuss often difficult issues and reach decisions about matters that affect the way we live together. Of course, City meetings aren’t the only place where the community comes together. Churches, service clubs and other groups regularly gather to do a great amount of good in the community. The recent Open Streets event was a success
and an example of a large social gathering creating a context for meeting neighbors, learning, and celebrating this special place. The crucial and fundamental role of city government as convener would be impossible without an engaged citizenry because reaching agreement on important matters does not occur at a point in time but instead is ongoing and evolving. Carpinterians have navigated a path to a successful community by being engaged, expressing opinions, and showing respect and tolerance for our differences. In an increasingly complex and challenging world, the willingness of Carpinterians to come together and work on challenging issues bodes well for its future. In the coming weeks and months the City will be convening meetings on a variety of matters important to the future of Carpinteria and I want to urge you to participate. The Inn Project at the train station (see below), the General Plan update, and the City’s Long-Term Financial Plan, are examples of important work on which you can have an influence. Come by or call and we’ll be glad to talk to you about this work and look for notices in the Coastal View for the next meeting. By getting involved you can and do make a difference in Carpinteria!
Plaza Theater Selected as City’s Spring 2017 Community Partner Award Recipient The Plaza Playhouse Theater in Carpinteria started out, in April of 1928, as the Alcazar Theatre. Approaching its 89th Anniversary this month, the opening of the theater in 1928 prompted telegrams of congratulations from MGM, Paramount and others to the theater’s first proprietor, longtime resident and actor Oliver Prickett. Today the Plaza Playhouse Theater, located at 4916 Carpinteria Avenue, not only continues as a locale for movies but as a community theater that provides a venue for community arts, events, and fundraisers. The Theater, a non-profit en- Plaza Playhouse Theater board members, from left, tity, is managed by a Board Geri Carty, Asa Olsson and Hanne Pitcock. of Directors with assistance from volunteers. According to Board members Hanne Pitcock and Asa Olsson, the purpose of Plaza Playhouse Theater is to promote, support, improve and inspire the Community to appreciate all forms of the performing arts and to make the quality of entertainment a priority; to act as the center of performing arts and entertainment for the Carpinteria Valley Community. The Theater endeavors to be a place that Carpinterians can proudly call their own; where young and old can express their artistic talent in music, dance, and theater and also enjoy what the world of entertainment has to offer. The City is thankful for the contributions of the Plaza Playhouse Theater to the Carpinteria community.
Meet Your New City Staff
Ron Alonzo, Code Compliance Supervisor
An Architect’s concept rendering of a Downtown Inn features the residential look of a Craftsman design
Meeting to Discuss Concept of Downtown Inn
The Carpinteria City Council will conduct a public meeting on April 17 at Carpinteria City Hall to discuss the concept of a downtown inn located at the south west corner of Linden Avenue and Fifth Street on a portion of the public parking lot adjacent to the railroad tracks at the Amtrak Platform. The meeting will begin at 5:30 PM. The concept of an Inn and restaurant is inspired in part by the historic train station that was demolished in 1969 at the same location. The City Council invites all members of the public to come hear a presentation and participate in the discussion to help steer further planning on the project. Interest in exploring the project is due to its potential to benefit Downtown businesses by providing high quality accommodations for visitors, bringing in more customers by train, and providing a new restaurant amenity for locals and visitors alike. City Staff has been analyzing the project as a public / private partnership where the City would lease the parking lot to an inn builder and operator with no financial contribution from the City. For more information contact Matt Roberts at (805) 755-4449 or mattr@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.
Summer Jobs Available at the City
Summer is just around the corner! The Parks and Recreation Department will be busy with pool and beach programs, including Junior Lifeguards, kayaking, surfing, sailing and swim lessons for locals as well as visitors to Carpinteria. This summer, the City will be hiring qualified and talented applicants for the following part-time/seasonal positions: • Community Garden Manager • Concession Manager • Swim and Water Polo Coaches • Beach Lifeguards
• Pool Lifeguards • Swim Instructors • Clerk Cashiers • Kayak Rentals
Applicants must submit a completed City employment application form, available at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, or on the City’s website at www.carpinteria. ca.us. For additional information please contact the Parks and Recreation Department (805) 755-4432 or Human Resources Department (805) 755-4404, or visit www. carpinteria.ca.us
Ron joined the City in January 2017 as Code Compliance Supervisor. He was born and raised in Carpinteria, is married and has two daughters. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare and Corrections at Chico State University. Ron comes to the City after 30 years of service at the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, where, over the years his responsibilities included Juvenile Hall Counselor, Adult Supervision Officer, Juvenile Investigations Officer, Narcotic Canine Officer, Adult Supervision Supervisor, AB 109 Supervision Officer, Personnel & Training Unit Officer, Defensive Control Tactics Officer, Personal & Training Supervisor, and Range Master. Ron is personable, polite and knows the community well. During his free time he enjoys playing softball, attending sporting events, concerts, fresh-water fishing in the Eastern Sierras, and spending time with his family.
Lucy Graham, Associate Planner
Lucy Graham recently joined the City as Associate Planner. Lucy is a graduate from UC Berkeley where she earned a degree in Cultural Geography with a cartography focus. Prior to joining the City she worked as a cartographer at Maps.com in Goleta, a planner at Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, and a housing specialist at Santa Barbara County Housing & Community Development. She is currently working on a Water Science Certificate from Santa Barbara City College. Outside of work, Lucy loves to travel the world (most recently to South Korea) bake, eat, and run half marathons.
Louisa Ornales, Accounting Assistant
Louisa Ornelas is working as an Accounting Assistant for the Administrative Services/Finance Department for the City. Previously she held a temporary position at the City as an Assistant to the Parks and Recreation Director. Louisa earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University in Pomona. She has also worked as an Executive Services Manager and Vendor Manager for the Ventura County Credit Union. Louisa has called Carpinteria home for the past 10 years where she lives with her husband and two children. She is actively involved in her children’s education and in her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family.