Falling short of expectations
Pet protection
November report shows half as many jobs added as expected - A3
Local co-authors pen guidebook on averting animal disasters - B1
Our 166th Year
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S AT U R DAY, DE C E M BE R 4 , 2 021
County commission to discuss redistricting map By FORREST MCFARLAND NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission will continue its selection process of the Santa Barbara County redistricting map during a meeting at 10 a.m. today. The map involves the boundaries for the five districts that elect members of the county Board of Supervisors. Today’s discussion continues the lengthy process that involved the selection of 11 commissioners over six months as well as reviewing and amending more than 100 redistricting
maps drawn by citizens. Political boundaries are redrawn every 10 years as a response to census numbers, which identify fluctuating populations. The maps are required to abide by a comprehensive criteria, which includes the Federal Voting Rights Act, geographical contiguity, easily identifiable boundaries and many more stipulations. The final deadline to submit maps was Nov. 12, and since that deadline, the commission has reduced the number to three drafts for further consideration. The commission will continue its discussion at today’s 10 a.m. meeting,
which will take place in the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission chambers, 123 E. Anapamu St. “Tomorrow is the meeting to attend,” 2nd District Commissioner Megan Turley told the News-Press Friday. “This is the time for residents of Santa Barbara County to come out and give us informed suggestions based on their personal lived experiences.” She said the commission plans to make its final selection of a map on Dec. 8 or 15. Mrs. Turley told the News-Press there are distinct differences between each potential map, and the commission is interested in hearing feedback
concerning these distinctions. “We are ensuring one person has the same value to their vote as anyone else in the county,” Mrs. Turley told the NewsPress. “We don’t want to water down anyone’s vote or fairly unweigh people based on special interests.” This venture can be easier said than done, and the maps have garnered significant dispute. Residents like Denice Spangler Adams disagree with the operations of the redistricting committee. “In my opinion, the process was not followed,” Mrs. Adams told the NewsPress.
Light it up!
Mrs. Adams is primarily concerned with the amended Plan 818, championed by Mrs. Turley, which she feels was introduced too late in the game to be considered. Mrs. Adams and others also are cognizant of the committee redistricting areas like UCSB and Santa Barbara City College, which may have an impact on voter demographics. “The guidelines say to keep likeminded communities together and make sure it is nonpartisan,” Mrs. Adams told the News-Press. “It just makes sense to keep communities who are governed and Please see REDISTRICTING on A4
Alisal Fire officially ‘out’ By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Fire officials declared the Alisal Fire out Friday after monitoring the Gaviota-area land for hot spots or flames for more than 30 days. “Out of an abundance of caution, they waited to call the fire out. The little bit of rain we got a couple of months ago wasn’t enough to fully extinguish the fire,” Los Padres National Forest spokesperson Andrew Madsen told the News-Press. Fire investigators are continuing to work to determine the cause of the wildfire, and repair work will be ongoing for a few months. Investigators are looking into the possibility that a lightning strike from a week prior to the fire smoldered and was stirred up by the high wind, but they haven’t ruled out other
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The Gleason Family Vineyards Santa Ynez Valley portfolio of brands (Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Refugio Ranch Vineyards) has officially announced the acquisition of Solvang’s Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard, a 106-acre property in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country. Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard consists of a 42acre estate vineyard, onsite winery facility, tasting room and gardens, a two-acre orchard, small hop yard and 10 acres of rotated seasonal produce. The property, founded in 1968 on a principle of sustainability, was first utilized as an equestrian operation, followed by the planting of organic fruits and vegetables, and in 1983, the initial planting of the vineyard. Originally created by Betty Williams, a founder of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and an engaged community planning member, Buttonwood’s sustainable vineyard was first planted with a focus on Bordeaux-style wines. The
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vineyard evolved over time, and small blocks of grenache blanc, chenin blanc, grenache, syrah, sauvignon musqué and malbec joined the original plantings of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, sémillon and sauvignon blanc. The entire vineyard is own-rooted. Bret Davenport, president and managing partner of Buttonwood, along with his wife Barry Zorthian and partner, Seyburn Zorthian, have been instrumental in furthering Ms. Williams’s vision for the Buttonwood property. She and Mr. Davenport partnered in 1983 with the original planting of the vineyard, continuing in 1989 with the building and bonding of the winery. Seyburn Zorthian has been the designing artist of Buttonwood’s labels since the founding, working from her studio on the property since the early 1970s. “It’s been fascinating to review our family’s 50-plus years here on Buttonwood Farm. We’ve observed the evolution of our wine region, partnered with wonderful people to create special occasions with the land Please see VINEYARDS on A4
LOTTERY
i n s i de Classified.............. B4 Life..................... B1-2 Obituaries............. A4
email: ahanshaw@newspress.com
Gleason Family Vineyards acquires Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard By MARILYN MCMAHON
Crowds gathered to watch the Holiday Tree light up on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara on Friday.
possibilities. “It’s been a long, grueling year,” Mr. Madsen said, commenting on the Los Padres National Forest’s firefighters’ assignments at wildfires in other jurisdictions as well. “I saw the looks on the faces of the fire crews back in June, and they already looked like they were already tired,” he said. Many crew members are enjoying time with family during the holidays and the wet season when the threat of wildfire is less imminent. Los Padres National Forest is under extreme fire restrictions, so campfires are banned outside of developed campgrounds. The Alisal Fire began spreading Oct. 11 above Alisal Lake. It burned more than 17,000 acres, destroying 12 residences and damaging one outbuilding.
Sudoku................. B3 Sports ................... A4 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 5-6-10-34-44 Mega: 27
Friday’s DAILY 4: 2-9-0-0
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 22-45-48-58-61 Mega: 13
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 2-9-10-26-38
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 02-06-09 Time: 1:43.63
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 12-15-38-57-63 Meganumber: 24
Friday’s DAILY 3: 4-0-9 / Midday 2-2-1