Issues

Isla Vista faces challenges that no single agency can solve alone. From public safety and infrastructure to the future of our community's self-government, we need every local institution capable of making a difference to step forward.

I believe this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for Isla Vista. The decisions we make today will impact our community for years—or decades—to come.

The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District has a fundamental responsibility to maintain, protect, and improve our public parks. But that responsibility should not become an excuse to stand on the sidelines when the District has the authority, resources, and opportunity to address broader community needs.

IVRPD possesses an advantage that no other local entity can match: direct control over an extensive, geographically distributed network of public spaces throughout Isla Vista. While other agencies may have the legal authority to pursue similar initiatives, they often must first secure access to suitable property. As the oldest independent local government in Isla Vista, our District already directly manages about 14% of our community's land area, giving it a unique opportunity to translate ambitious ideas into tangible improvements.

Our parks are more than recreational spaces. They are an essential part of Isla Vista's public infrastructure, and the decisions we make about them affect the safety, accessibility, and well-being of our entire community. Whether that means exploring emergency call towers, improving lighting, or partnering with other agencies on community initiatives, IVRPD can play a meaningful role in addressing challenges that extend beyond traditional parks administration.

And as Isla Vista considers its future as a potentially independent city, IVRPD should have a seat at the table. As one of our community's two independently elected governments, the District has both a stake in that future and a responsibility to help shape it.

My vision is an IVRPD that asks not only what it is required to do, but what it is empowered to accomplish. By working together with IVCSD, UCSB, Santa Barbara County, and our residents, we can build a safer, stronger, and more self-determined Isla Vista.