Edhat Staff
Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo
By edhat staff
Santa Barbara and Goleta mayors posted separate videos addressing their resident’s concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Cathy Murillo made her first official COVID-19 address on Monday, approximately two months after the Governor’s stay at home order was put into effect. She announced the City of Santa Barbara would be providing a series of short weekly “state of the city” addresses over the next five weeks.
Murillo addressed the feedback received by community members stating the city council is empathetic and understanding, however, demanding to reopen the economy against the Governor’s executive order will not happen.
“The City is not in a position to willfully disregard California’s order. That’s not who we are—and surely that does not align with our value system as Santa Barbarans,” she said. “Education, public health, and public safety must rule the day. COVID-19 is not going away.”
The city is endorsing a science-based phased approach to re-opening in collaboration with County and State public health officials. Together they are aligning a re-opening strategy within the Governor’s framework as well as consulting with those in the COVID-19 Business Advisory Task Force.
Murillo addressed the outbreak at the Lompoc Prison and how it may hinder the county’s reopening. Earlier today, Governor Newsom announced an easing on requirements and Supervisor Gregg Hart confirmed the numbers at the prison will not affect the county’s total.
The City of Santa Barbara is facing a $12.3 million budget shortfall for this year and a projected $9.7 million shortfall next year as sales and hotel taxes are at an all-time low.
To close the gap this fiscal year, the city will hold more than 100 job positions available, defer capital expenditures, slow down non-essential spending, and tap into financial reserves, said Murillo.
For the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, the city will make service reductions at the department level, defer capital expenditures and available contracts, discuss concessions with labor partners, and continue to tap into the financial reserve.
“We must navigate cuts to right-size our organization in the face of this new economic reality,” said Murillo.
Goleta’s mayor Paula Perotte also provided a short message to residents and business owners.
“I want to assure you that the city of Goleta is here to support you every way that we can,” said Perotte.
She encouraged wearing masks referencing the new ordinance requiring customers and employees to wear masks, as well as practicing social distancing.
The City of Goleta will be closely following the state and county directions on how and when to reopen with decisions made on data and guidance from the public health department, said Perotte.
“Santa Barbara is not in a position to willfully disregard California’s order.” YHTBK me.
The lack of leadership, is unfortunate…
Whatever, as the old adage goes: ‘what have you done for me lately’? SB bought in and will pay the price as a result. Good luck .
She says she can’t go against the governors orders but the governor basically just gave us the green light. She says Lompoc could hold us back with numbers, Gregg Hart confirms they won’t be counted. When was this filmed? Last week?
It was filmed on a day her Giant scissors were sent out for sharpening.
Worst. Mayor. Ever. Two months in, she makes a statement? Mayor Garcetti has given conferences in English and Spanish almost EVERY night! He put in more frequent garbage pick-ups, because everyone was eating at home. Started a micro-loan program for businesses. Shuttered beaches from overcrowding. Set up drive-through test sites.
What did our mayor do? Waited 2 months to address the community, and created a business task force consisting of Friends of Cathy and a new guy they just hired from Santa Monica? I’m sure they’ll right this ship! (face palm)
Thank heavens she doesn’t have to be appear on CNN or do anything important.
What a lame duck limp noodle mayor we have. No leadership, she is not cut out for this how did she ever get elected I certainly did not vote for her. She should resign now.
A sheep leading the Sheeple from the High Office of the Master of Californi Sheep. Power, Control..SHUT UP and OBEY! Your insolence will not be tolerated.
Wow, you guys are mean.
BaHaHa! So true! The only thing I’ve ever seen her use. Kathy Scissorhands.
SBO, was re-elected as City Council member, then as Mayor. A majority of the people that took the time to vote, voted for her. Carping about the percent of voters is just sour grapes. Politics is a nasty business as shown by the comments on Edhat, but she is still standing. Whenever I have contacted her about a local issue, she has been responsive, which is all that you can ask of a local politician. If I want to watch an elected on TV, I have my daily dose of Gregg Hart, or Newsome, or an infrequent dose of Monique Limon. I don’t feel I am missing anything by not having a weekly dose of Murillo.
Why do you guys always yell my name? Do you think I’m hard of hearing? Or are you yelling from another city? She was not installed she won it does not matter how many people voted it’s who they voted for she got the most votes, she Won…
All these men whining about “not enough speeches” are the same ones who then critique what she says, wears etc – she has presided over City Council meetings almost every tuesday, speaking at length and asking tough questions. Posted numerous Facebook video messages. If only ANY of you Cathy-bashers applied a scintilla of critical examination of Das Williams, Gregg Hart or the Countys secretive “RISE stakeholder” process it might be easier to see through the sexist facade of your dissection of Cathy. Think about that as you desperately attempt to prop up whomever your “chosen one” will be. Also- stick to actual policy decisions and temper the personal, hostile tone of your take-down strategy.
1:54 – I hate to burst your fem-bubble, but Cathy is the MAYOR, not those other guys. Why would we critique Das, or Gregg for their lack of mayoral actions and public speeches? The Goleta City mayor is a woman, and I give her the highest praise! She came right out in March and sent out a video speech to all residents, she did so again just a few days ago. That this is the FIRST time Cathy has spoken to the public about the 2 month long lockdown and that the population of SB is far great than Goleta (a larger constituency), looks unprofessional, regardless of her gender.
@1:54: I tend to agree with you for a large portion of your comment. Like former president Obama, Cathy prefers to “lead from behind,” and quietly, but effectively, works the sidelines. She’s able to work with SBs business, religious, and institutional leaders like no one before her. Most of those who have businesses in SB appreciate her extensive background in international investing, finance, and business. She totally “gets it” and is unapologetic just because your feelings were hurt. She doesn’t jump up and down, while waving her arms for attention because she isn’t seeking the spotlight like those “other guys.” Oh, and one last thing: she rocks that Mao jacket!
2:18 – No one is upset that she isn’t “jumping up and down, while waving her arms for attention,” it’s because she hasn’t done the simplest of things – directly addressing her constituents during a global pandemic. It’s absurd that the most basic function of a leader is considered “jumping up and down, while waving her arms for attention.” Further, you compare her to our great Obama (yes, I’m a liberal), yet do think Obama would have sat silent during all this? This is just poor leadership, regardless of gender or politics.
Majority? You really dont know what that means do you Pit.
I did not vote for her either but if you guys could do any better you should run for mayor yourelves next time around…
@1:54 – she is also very good at leading the pack of Trump bashers and climate-change protestors down State Street a few months ago, most of which who were doing their very best Greta Thunberg imitations. Now that is real leadership on her part!
I totally agree with you Roger. We have had poor choices for mayor. But I’m not about to run.
Who’s advised the sad and sappy angle? I’m seriously waiting for Dana Carvey to pop out. This is an episode of the Church Lady, right? Hands folded properly, prayer mode, anecdotal storytelling. Ugh! Enough Already! It’s as if she’s been cowering in a cave only to come out after the sun is bright and the bucket brigade’s moved all the mud. My ears just can’t handle it. Don’t worry about transparency ma’am, we see right through this shtick. Seems the the only audience are the coattail denizens waiting bread crumbs. Seriously it’s time to step up. Get off the Blue Book script and talk about Santa Barbara and not Party Line Talking Points. Lead For Heaven’s Sake!
@10:19 I have a hard time supporting someone who stands up for people who deface private property or against a business owner who wants a change. Cathy is against free speech if doesn’t conform to her agenda.
Since the mayor of SB is really a token, powerless roll, we should vote in a dolphin or a dog as our city’s mayor. They’d be 10x as effective and 100x as well liked. Murillo is so far over her head its pathetic and embarrassing. She has proven that she couldnt lead her way out of a cul-de-sac. Meanwhile the city’s revenue is down 50%+ and they havent let a single FTE go… that’s the new divide folks. Public employees who are shielded from pain and you. Who are forced to pay for their excess and incompetence…
A rather lame and late video message from our mayor- dressed as if she’s heading to (returning from?) a funeral, no emotion.
ROGER I agree – I think the same applies for anyone criticizing POTUS too – run yourselves next time around.
Is there some way we can get this mayor recalled? If she cannot lead during something so serious, scary and important forget anything else. We need effective leadership and this pandemic has shown, Murillo is not it.
Better than wasting time on a recall, how about you find some candidates so we have good options in the next election?
Santa Barbara voters…. You chose…..poorly…
Edhat is so unrepresentative of Santa Barbara. So many critical comments of the Mayor while she has no trouble getting re-elected to office. She would have won the primary race for rep if the Dems had been able to keep a bunch of local candidates from splitting the vote. This must really chap your hides.
Some very good people did run against her. We would have been well served by any of them, had they won.
The Dem Central Committee got her over the finish line. So there’s that. People you don’t know, and who don’t report to you, made her your mayor.
Let’s take a realistic look at her record:
1. Couldn’t turn State into a boomtown during the boom time in the economy (2017 thru 2019)
2. Failed to get Buell’s planning department to advance beyond glacial pace either in the boom time or pandemic.
3. Hasn’t reduced homelessness in the city.
4. Invisible during Debris Flow and COVID.
5. Slow, bumbling response to business apocalypse by assembling Business Task Force of her personal friends. Their big achievement? The smarter business people drafted a letter to the governor protesting that he should make special allowances for their unique needs. Sigh.
6. Bullies other council members who won’t bend to her will.
7. Presided over passing the plastic straw ban.
8. Presided over the eviction moratorium, taping off beach parking lots, and masking ordinances – things LA did earlier, and better. Things the state of CA led the way on.
A recall is totally in order.
My G*D the utter, unabashed racism, sexism embedded in these comments, reflects so poorly on our local community. Holding electeds to different standards when the reality is, none of their actions have really been that different……but the venomous tone of those who oppose the Mayor…..so transparent
@ 9:19 “…. effective leadership …” – At least she’s not telling us it’s safe to ingest disinfectant, stick a UV light in any available orifice, or take hydroxychloroquine.
Move to LA then. Gosh she couldnt solve the DECADES long homeless problem or exploit the “boon” that you oddly define the period after the debris flow!? Just know, facts will hurt you in the end.
Um, she has not been re-elected in fact, she is trying to bow out of running for a 2nd term by trying to jump up the political ladder. Do tell Pitmix, what has Murillo done that warrants both support let alone re-election? Care to educate the readers of these qualifications and achievements? And since you have the data, and the insights. What do the majority of voters in SB feel about the mayor and the state of the city? And for the record: Cathy Murillo was elected with only 6977 votes in a city of 92k people. Only 27% of voters and 8% of residents…
@ 10:19 – “unabashed Racism” and “sexism”, where did that come from? She is being called out for her lack of leadership and ineffectiveness, nothing else. Many of those here criticizing the critics and of the mayor seem to be of the belief that’s not justified. I have a feeling all those offended by the criticisms are the ones that think it’s only justified to criticize our President.
Pit, I thought she didn’t win the Primary because of the Russian interference and collusion.
Cathy is a kind, empathetic person, and that goes a long way when campaigning.
Yes, Please do tell us all what she has done for OUR City? Other than, photo ops with that large scissor.
12:09 – She may be kind, I’ve heard that as well, but she really hasn’t done much at all for SB. This being the first communication she’s made since it all started months ago, is pretty indicative of her inaction. The mayor of Goleta has sent out at least 2 video speeches to residents since the beginning, the first one she gave back in March. THIS is the problem people have with Murillo, she does nothing.
She should resign now because you disagree with her?. yet she won….Makes a hell of alot of sense…
That’s exactly what the homeless say about Cathy.
ROGER I always disagreed with her but now she’s truly shown her incompetence during this and should resign. She didn’t win she was installed – less than 30% voter turnout for that election.
The mayor in my hometown has one a video press conference once a week during this – and the population of the county that town resides in is comparable to SB County – and the population of that town is also comparable to SB City. Really bad leadership – pretty much absent leadership.
@ 12:13, well she likes to nod her head in agreement with everything her governor and her party tell her to do. Oh, and she likes to cut off the city council members who disagree with her, too.