Landecker for City Council

I want to publicly congratulate David Landecker on his recent retirement as the executive director of the Environmental Defense Center (EDC). I had the privilege to serve on that organization’s board while David was the executive director, and I was deeply impressed with every aspect of David’s leadership. I know that he leaves EDC in a stronger position than when he arrived.

Before joining the EDC, David was the executive director of the Neighborhood Clinics, and he greatly increased the effectiveness and scope of care that organization provides for many of our community’s less fortunate.

Beyond David’s formidable role in all the non-profits he touched, he has made our community a better place to live by leading such efforts as the community opposition to Fess Parker’s attempt to expand his approved hotel outside of the planning process, and the opposition to the 2006 county-split initiative.

I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and someone who has put so much into the community as David – doubly so. [In 1991, Landecker, then a Santa Barbara City Council member, was caught switching price tags on a pair of garden shears at the Home Improvement Center.]

Our community needs more leaders like David Landecker, I hope he can be persuaded to continue his work for our community. If he were to run for City Council I would be the first to endorse him.