Message from Outgoing Mayor Nomura

Dear Carpinterians,

Last week marked the start of a new chapter for the Carpinteria City Council. At our Dec. 12 meeting, we welcomed new Councilmember Mónica Solórzano and re-elected Councilmembers Roy Lee and Al Clark. We thanked outgoing Councilmember Gregg Carty for his 16 years of dedicated service to our community. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve on the Council and the Architectural Review Board alongside Councilmember Carty. He and I have worked together for nearly 30 years, and I have always valued his opinion. I have the greatest respect for what he has contributed to the community both in those roles and behind the scenes, where his compassion and hard work are always motivated by a strong desire to do right by his community.

At our last Council meeting, Vice-Mayor Al Clark was selected to be Carpinteria’s Mayor for the next two years. I look forward to working with our new Mayor and our new Council to keep Carpinteria uniquely wonderful—a small coastal community with an enormous heart.

I thank you all for reading, for staying informed, and for caring deeply about our community. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed being your Mayor for the last four years. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished during a very difficult time for our City especially the following:

• The way we came together to support our businesses and residents through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ‘shop local’ campaign I promoted from the first day restrictions were announced, fund raising and food banks to support those in need, plus recovery efforts and grants for businesses.
• An increase in inclusivity when I requested upon my Mayoral appointment that everything the city does was to be translated into Spanish translation, including meetings and written communications.
• Establishing some major local facilities for our community, including a skate park, senior programming and our own City managed library.
• I was proud to walk with the students who initiated a peaceful Black Lives Matter walk and work as part of the committee to introduce some changes in polices, including establishing a Racial Equity and Social Program.
• Resurrecting the Joint City Council, Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board review process so potential projects can be evaluated consistently
• There are many more things that I am proud to have been involved in over my four years as Mayor and the Council has worked with the incredible City staff to improve local lives and protect our community.

Although the passing of the gavel means that this will be my last letter to you as Mayor, I will remain one of our five councilmembers and have no doubt we will continue to work cooperatively as we have in the past for the betterment of Carpinteria.   

As we celebrate the holidays, please remember to continue to care for each other, to volunteer to support our community, and take advantage of all the fun activities available to us in our community. I had the pleasure of being at the opening night of the Alcazar’s “Miracle on 34^th Street.” I was also a judge at the Carpinteria Arts Center Cookie Baking competition and was particularly impressed by the ‘adopt a grandparent’ new program they introduced. There has been loads more happening in the community and I thank everyone involved in making Carpinteria so special.

Please keep being generous by supporting our local non-profits and those less fortunate. When you’re shopping for loved ones, support local businesses over Amazon. What makes Carpinteria so special is the people who live here, who take care of each other, laugh together, cry together and always show up for each other in times of need.

Stay Well and Stay Safe, and Happy Holidays!

Mayor Wade Nomura

City News & More

City Swears in New Council Members, Selects Mayor & Vice Mayor

At its Dec. 12 meeting, the City of Carpinteria swore in new and re-elected councilmembers then selected a new Mayor and Vice-Mayor to serve two-year terms. New councilmember Mónica Solórzano joined the council, while incumbents Roy Lee and Al Clark returned to the council. Former Vice Mayor Al Clark was selected to be Mayor, and Councilmember Natalia Alarcon was selected to be Vice Mayor. The City of Carpinteria’s Mayor and Vice Mayor are nominated and voted upon by councilmembers.

Outgoing Carpinteria City Councilmember Gregg Carty was honored for his 16 years of Council service at the Dec. 12 meeting. Prior to his election to the City Council in 2006, Carty served three four-year terms on the Architectural Review Board. During Carty’s tenure on the Council, he served two terms as Mayor. He dedicated himself to many committees and boards over the last 16 years, and advocated and acted to support local businesses and to protect local housing stock. Carty cited one of his proudest achievements on the Council as the collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County to preserve the Rincon Bluffs Preserve.

Aquatics Team Honors Brett Persoon

The City of Carpinteria Aquatics Team has selected Brett Persoon as the Standout Staff Member for the month of December. Brett is a new pool lifeguard and cashier at Carpinteria Community Pool. When he is not working, Brett enjoys surfing, snowboarding and hanging out with friends. Brett was a Carpinteria Junior Lifeguard for seven years, and he learned to swim at Carpinteria Community Pool. He plans to study botany and neuroscience in college. Thank you for all that you do, Brett!

Holiday Trash Talk

EJ Harrison & Sons will be picking up extra trash for residential customers the two weeks following December 25^th free of charge. Holiday tree pickups will also be provided free of charge during that time.

Organic Waste Recycling is a Must

Did you know organic waste recycling is mandatory? The City and its contracted waste hauler, EJ Harrison & Sons, have been working with commercial and residential customers to enroll everyone in the correct level of service. You can find out more about the requirements, services offered, and free tools and resources HERE.

The City is Hiring

The City of Carpinteria has three Management Analyst positions open, one for each of the following departments: Human Resources; Parks, Recreations and Public Facilities; and Public Works. The application window for these positions will close on Jan. 8. Learn more or apply HERE.

Click Here for more information.