SHIRLEY KIMBERLIN Everything I list turns to SOLD! 805-886-0228 skimberlin@aol.com
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Measure Z fails to ignite
Busted!
Fire bond goes down with 55 percent approval
Measure Z, the $10.65 million bond measure to fund a pair of fire stations in Carpinteria and Summerland, was shot down in a mail-in election on May 5. A twothirds majority was needed to pass the measure, but preliminary results from the Santa Barbara County Elections Office indicate 54.82 percent in favor and 45.18 percent opposed. The results include 2,875 ballots, 31 percent of the 9,303 registered voters in the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. Additional ballots that were mailed by May 5 and received by May 8 will be counted toward the final total. The elections office plans to certify the results on Monday, May 11 and post the certified results by 4 p.m. Bond sales from the measure would have funded a new station in Summerland, estimated to cost $5 million, and a remodeled station in Carpinteria for about the same amount. Proponents of the measure argued that Summerland’s existing station is too old and too small to hold necessary firefighting apparatuses and is seismically unsound. Plans for a new station in Summerland already had received county permitting, and the district has a willing seller for a property on the corner of Lillie Avenue and Temple Street. Opponents, however, argued that the pricetag and size of the proposed station were exorbitant. Plans for the Carpinteria station on Walnut Avenue were less defined. The district wished to bring up the 50-year-old station to modern emergency building standards and to equip the building with training facilities that are now lacking. The urgency to replace the existing building was questioned, however, along with the price.
ROBIN KARLSSON
From left, Jill Castro, Diane Lopez and Penny Gilbert keep the good times rolling while the dealer flips cards for Casino Night on May 2. The annual event, a fundraiser for Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, is always packed with laughs. This year’s theme was a 1950s sock hop, which drew poodle skirts, letterman’s jackets and polka dots from the depths of local closets. The Rincons kept the dance floor filled, and the silent auction sent dozens home with new toys. For more photos, turn to pages 16 and 17.
Cruz to be honored at Boys & Girls Club Auction Thousands of local lives have been positively impacted by Louise Cruz over the last four decades. The longtime supporter of Carpinteria Boys & Girls Club, whose involvement with the club’s annual auction began in its first year, 1984, will be recognized as this year’s honorary chair, an accolade she has earned dozens of times over. “(Cruz) has been a loyal and generous supporter of our organization for over 38 years,” stated Jamie Collins, unit
Louise Cruz is neck deep in preparations for this year’s Boys and Girls Club Auction on May 16.
director at the Carpinteria Boys & Girls Club. “What began as simple volunteering while her kids participated in sports programs at our Boys & Girls Club in Goleta has grown to be a countywide impact.” Cruz shifted her focus from the Goleta club to the Carpinteria club when she accepted the job as Carpinteria postmaster in 1983. That year she joined the club’s community council. The following year, she helped to secure silent auction donations for the club’s first benefit dinner and auction. “As her passion developed, so did her role within the organization,” said Collins. “(Cruz) has served on the United Board of Directors for over 20 years.
In addition, she also volunteers at our Administrative Office, frequently visits our club sites to deliver birthday balloons, school supplies, snacks for the youth to enjoy during our after school programming and to assist with fundraising events.” This year’s auction, themed “Great Futures Start Here … Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars,” will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 5 p.m. at the club, 4849 Foothill Road. Tickets are $75 per person, and table sponsorships are available. Donations for the live and silent auction will be accepted until May 13. Contact carpmembership@unitedbg. org for any further information or visit unitedbg.org.