County 5-28

The chairman of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden-which was damaged during the Jesusita Fire and is pursuing a costly “Vital Mission Plan” to upgrade facilities and prepare for the future-sent a letter to garden members saying it would bring a volunteer member onto the board of trustees in time for the September 2009 meeting. The move is in response to the ongoing strike by more than 60 of its volunteers who are demanding more financial responsibility and transparency.