This story first appeared at Newsmakers with JR.
Measure P — a proposed $198 million general obligation bond for building construction, facilities upgrades and infrastructure repairs on the campus of Santa Barbara City College — has emerged as the most vigorously debated local issue on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Two weeks before Election Day, Newsmakers on Tuesday convened a debate featuring four players active in the campaign conversation, to argue critical educational, financial, governance, and political questions at stake in the controversy:
Team Yes-on-P…
- Lanny Ebenstein, professor of economics and president of the Santa Barbara Taxpayers Association;
- Wade Cowper, political and corporate communications consultant, local boy and City College alum.
…squared off for a robust discussion with…
Team No-on-P
- Marsha Croninger, attorney and the longest-serving member of the City College Board of Trustees;
- Dale Francisco, software engineer and former Santa Barbara City Council member, also an SBCC alum.
In an in-depth and detailed discussion, the two sides provided conflicting views and perspectives on key issues in the bond measure conflict — from the long-term cost to taxpayers and the long-term needs of the college, to the changing nature of SBCC’s student body and the candor – or not – of claims made during the campaign.
