Kyriaco named by former boss to county committee
James Kyriaco, a former administrative assistant and campaign manager for 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf who resigned in 2008 amid controversy surrounding his past brushes with the law, was appointed yesterday by his former boss to the county’s Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee.
Since his unceremonious exit from the county administration building, Kyriaco has engineered the successful campaigns of Goleta City Council members Ed Easton and Margaret Connell.
In 2009, he became the executive director of the Goleta Valley Historical Society — a job that will no doubt fit well with his role as a member of the HLAC.
Kyriaco’s employment under Wolf came to an end after the Santa Barbara News-Press published a series of columns noting that he’d been arrested twice between 1998 and 2003 for DUI. No injuries occurred as a result and, as of March 2008, Kyriaco hadn’t had any additional run-ins with the law.
Wolf reportedly knew about Kyriaco’s past when she first hired him. Still, Wolf accepted his resignation, and some said she even asked for it.
If there was any bad blood between the pair, it wasn’t evident yesterday, although both declined to shed light on the past.
“Janet and I are fine,” Kyriaco said in a telephone interview, noting that the supervisor contacted him and asked if he’d be interested in the position. “I’m honored to represent the people of the second district on the Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee.”
Wolf said her past with Kyriaco is “not relevant.”
“I was just very pleased to have appointed James,” she said. “I know he will be very good.”
Comment on this article
Kyriaco : 7/28/2010
Telling us that no one was hurt is not the point. Telling us that he hasn't been caught again is not important. Tell us he no longer drinks and isn't in a position to hurt someone while drunk, that's important.
a bit concerned.
James Kyriaco : 7/28/2010
We've all made mistakes and his record has been clean for the past 2 years( not very long I admit but a start). I don't know that I'd vote for him to be head of a drug and alcohol abuse program but let's give the guy a chance. Good luck James.
Pinot noiriste
Its all good : 7/28/2010
Kudos to James for being an example of perseverance and success-his transition from campaign manager to Historical Society director-and all the success he has had there- is a lesson to us all. and kudos to Wolf for recognizing a "good fit" when she sees one.
now, if only tabloids like the Daily Sound could "move forward"
citycountywatch
good choice : 7/28/2010
people should have the ability to learn from the past and move forward - that is why History is important, right?
live and learn
past is the past : 7/28/2010
this is a tolerant, forgiving community. As long as people learn from their mistakes, they should be able to take what they have learned and be allowed to participate in helping the community
lets get past it
clean slate : 7/28/2010
James appears to have a lot of experience which will be relevant to this volunteer position. The historical society is doing some excellent work, opening a new museum and offering free concerts for the community.
It has been eight years since James had any run ins with the law, so he appears to have learned from his mistakes and its a safe bet that he won't repeat them
nice pick by Wolf
: 7/28/2010
Let those free of sin cast the first stone.
DOUBLE STANDARD : 7/28/2010
I love how this Kyriako guy gets caught for drunk driving twice in less than two years and all of you flaming LIBS think he deserves a fresh start. However, any time a CONSERVATIVE gets in trouble .....even if it is NOT putting others at risk, you try and throw them into the fire pit (see comments on former council hopeful Tevis being arrested for fighting with bouncers who provoked the incident).
DOUBLE STANDARD HyPoCriTES!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Umpire
Dear Double Standard : 7/28/2010
The problems with the guy are eight years behind him. Not a liberal / conservative thing really but keep watching Fox News - really seems to be working out for you.
Lame
Daily Sound Equals Good Journalism : 7/28/2010
citycountywatch, If the Daily Sound is a tabloid like you write then
why are you reading it idiot. Daily Sound keep up the good work.
Mark
: 7/28/2010
Good to see that Travis Armstrong reads the Daily Sound website.
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