Candidate Statement

By Landon Neustadt

This statement presents my background and the major issues I see facing Buellton today

I lived in the Valley in the late sixties, attending the old Los Olivos School and Santa Ynez High School. My family then returned to Santa Barbara in 1969. I graduated from Santa Barbara High School and earned a BA and a teaching credential from UCSB. I moved to Buellton five years ago and I am currently a teacher at Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara

Buellton has experienced tremendous growth since its incorporation ten years ago. This growth has provided much needed housing, a new school and, of course, the Albertson's Mall. I want to thank the current and former City Council members for their efforts on behalf of our city.

However, this growth though has not come without a cost. All of us are aware of the dramatic increase in traffic (both local and from Lompoc) on our roads. We can see the slow deterioration of Avenue of Flags. We can see the exodus of our lower income neighbors as old housing is replaced by new development.

It is time now to refocus on the quality of life here. We all value Buellton for being a small town, where we can live away from the fast pace of large urban areas. The next few years will be crucial to Buellton's future. We have the opportunity to create a thriving and vital community. This will require updating our General Plan and making careful choices about the kinds of development we encourage and approve on the remaining land within the City of Buellton

There are three big issues I see facing Buellton:

• Traffic

• Avenue of Flags

• Affordable housing

I have attended almost all of the Buellton City Council and Buellton Planning Commission meetings over the last year and a half. This has been a great learning experience, and I feel thereby well qualified to serve on the Buellton City Council.

Please remember to vote on November the 5th

Thank you for your support.