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Buying the election! : 10/3/2009

So, you went to Santa Barbara High school and that entitles you to buy the city council election? Self, Hotchkiss and McCammon are total sell outs to take this money - they are way less qualified than Pritchett, Thyne, House, and White. Come on voters, let's pay attention to what is happening here! How can this guy support Yes on B and the Granada at the same time? This is not a Santa Barbara friend - vote for quality not shiny brochures!!

No election buying!

This interview "is as crazy as Sarah Palin, Dale Francisco, Michael Self and Frank Hotchkiss : 10/3/2009

This "exclusive" reads like a Travis Armstrong News Press radio interview. Even I could think of a few professional follow up questions for this bon vivant foreigner from Moneycito Texas. This "new" media appears to be as bad as the "old" media. At least The Daily Sound is still free.

Don McDermott

Huh? : 10/3/2009

I am glad randall has his "Oasis" in SB, well actually Montecito. I guess just about anyplace could be an oasis compared to Texas. Randall's Santa Barbara and my Santa Barbara are obviously 2 different places. Most people I know are living pay check to pay check, or they have already moved out of town. 40, 45, 60 feet there is no difference to me. Make part of State St pedestrian only, limit the number of bars on lower state st, create incentives for company's to expand the job base, keep our air and water clean, be stewards of the environment and support and encourage children of all colors to succeed. That's my ideal SB!

Everyone wants a return on investment : 10/3/2009

Lousy photo for all that money. This is a puffy interview, not doubt a condition of offering it.

Follow The Money

halo : 10/3/2009

Randy..please adjust your halo, it's blocking the sun!

BE/71

Give Me a Break! : 10/3/2009

It's so interestingly hypocritical that Cheri Rae and the Daily Sound regularly treat developers and development (irregardless of what kind) like it's some cancer on our city, yet Mr. Moneybags Sprawl Developer from Texas gets a complete, politically-slanted interview that makes him look like the second coming of Jesus. Give me a break. I wonder how come Mike Towbes (local developer and philanthropist) has never gotten a similar interview published? The Daily Sound has sadly become another SB News-Press, just without the nasty rich lady owner. Instead we get Cheri Rae... Sorry. I'll stick to The Independent and Noozhawk for my non-biased local news coverage.

Edhatholio

Well, I never : 10/3/2009

This doesn't really say very much at all. The big issue is whether one person SHOULD put this kind of money into a local city campaign. Yes, of course, he can, but if he loves Santa Barbara, as he says, this kind of big money into a council-mayoral campaign can only change the city. And, from most Santa Barbarans' points of view, not for the best. Then there's the other Montecitan, the Russian billionaire oligarch, Grishin, dumping in $50,000 into anti-B/chamber of commerce candidate Cushman who also wants to protect Santa Barbara. ....Save us from our protectors; nothing is "the way it use to be" - nor should it be!!! (That looks like Bendy White with Van Wolfswinkel; is it?)

BRC

Where's the beef? : 10/3/2009

I'm all for measure B, but this is the softest softball interview I've ever read. This guy is a developer, but he's asked nothing about the many development projects that have made him rich. How does he square what he's done in Texas with what he wants done here? This is the cognitive dissonance that has everybody asking questions about him.

downtown resident

Interview : 10/3/2009

Cheri Rae is to be congratulated on obtaining an interview with M. rVan Wolfswinkel. It shows that the does not have some hidden development agenda but only the uniqueness of Santa Barbara at heart. One has to remember that Santa Barbara beauty is largely the result of wealthy individuals who were attracted to Santa Barbara's setting and climate. What would Santa Barbara be like if we were not the benefactors of millionaire out-of-towners such as Bernard Hoffmann, Frederick Peabody, George Knapp and David Gray. If Santa Barbara's unique charm is destroyed by urban development. it will will loose both the wealthily home-buyers and the tourists. Santa Barbara will become just another beach city like Long Beach and our rich visitors will go somewhere else.

Kellam de Forest

Since when did this become Cheri Rae's paper? : 10/3/2009

This "exclusive" really belongs in Cheri's weekly column, presumably along with the endorsement of Dale Francisco for mayor. It's absolutely one-sided journalism that makes this paper look cheap and insubstantial. Cheri Rae is not a "correspondent" when it's pretty much her own opinion throughout the text. Time to step up your game, Daily Sound.

Outraged

Oh theres Don Mcdermy again : 10/3/2009

Comparing everything he doesn't like to Sarah Palin, George Bush, Cheney Halliburton, Wendy McCaw.... what a nutjob. Why don't you go work on your GW impeachment campaign Donny boy?

What is wrong with you people? : 10/3/2009

It's an honest interview and should put to rest people's automatic prejudice that just because somebody has money he has evil intent and is some kind of greedy bastard who is out to exploit something. He isn't developing anything here! . But apparently everyone reacted without even reading or believing what the man has to say (because he isn't helping YOUR candidate perhaps?). It's a slanted interview because you don't like what it says? What questions do you want answered? I think they are all here. He apparently has the same interests we all do, preserving the unique character of SB. He is a smart man to recognize who will do that and how it is being destroyed by the current council. Thank you Cheri for setting things straight, and thank you Randall for helping bring about much needed CHANGE! how is he BUYING the election? He isn't forcing you to vote for anyone!

Typical class envy : 10/3/2009

"Mr. money bags " ...lol sounds like sour grapes to me.

oh Wait! : 10/3/2009

I get it now, Don McDermott's comments are ALWAYS followed by about ten supporting "anonymous" ones lol Noozhawk busted him for leaving 44 anonymous comments against Dale Francisco (they record the IP addresses) . This fits the pattern.

Cheri McRae Ain't... : 10/4/2009

a journalist. She's a NIMBT advocate. Don't mistake her for an objective reporter; her articles should be identified as editorials.

Diss Gusted

Texas Development : 10/4/2009

Where did this man do his development in Texas? I recently visited the Austin area and observed the loss of so much beauty and open space; replaced with cheap housing and strip malls. If his developments anywhere in Texas were a part of the unplanned, traffic laden clutter that has replaced open space than he is a fraud. If his developments have taken into consideration the land, aesthetics and the well being of the people than please inform us because many parts of Texas were also an oasis once . In my opinion, money, is sick and stinky, if it acquired for personal gain, without the consideration of the people What did he develop and how did he develop it, that is the question? Whoever is taking his money for their campaigns should have asked. The answer will go along ways to add legitimacy to his claim to want to preserve Santa Barbara.

Suznmc

Suznmc : 10/4/2009

Wow, a lot of disagreeable trash-the-messenger pieces here against the interviewer/columnist Cheri Rae! Suznmc, if you want to find out about Van Wolfswinkel, do a google search. I did and here is a little. His company is Texas First Homes, based in Arlington TX, (http://www.builderonline.com/builder100/2007/first-texas-homes.aspx with a link to the company site.) That's between Fort Worth and Dallas, a non-descript area to my eye; the homes built are on the outskirts, if there is such for such sprawl, of those two cities. First Texas also builds on the outskirts of Houston. As for Austin, I agree, the area was lovely, but I don't think that First Texas has built there or contributed to the strip malls. What's done that is uncontrolled population growth and zoning.

BRC

The hidden message : 10/4/2009

Mr. Van Wolfswinkle states "We need people to vote for our slate of candidates who just care about the city, and want it to be the way it used to be". What an awesomely vague and ignorant statement! Correct me if I am wrong, but Mr. Van Wolfswinkle cannot legally vote in Santa Barbara. The question is why is Mr. Van Wolfswinkle so concerned about a city he is not a resident and cannot legally vote in elections. Why is this person even allowed to even contribute his opinion or money? It's time to reveal the hidden message. The wealthy do not want the poor to live here.

Van Wolfswinkel's tainted money : 10/4/2009

Beware of Van Wolfswinkel and his game of trying to buy influence in Santa Barbara. So he claims to own a "very successful company, First Texas Homes." Search that company on the web and you will quickly find the horror stories about his shabby housing developments, shoddy construction and outraged buyers. http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/Body/FIRST-TEXAS-HOMES.aspx What does this tell us about the Santa Barbara politicians who take his tainted money? Have they walked thorough his disgusting developments in Texas? Have they spoken to his victims? Is this what they want for Santa Barbara? Every politician who takes his money must answer these questions. Are these politicians who take his money just stupid fools? Or do they see themselves as clever political players who will hook up with Van Wolfswinkel and get political power? Any candidate who fails to reject and repudiate Van Wolfswinkel money should absolutely NOT get a vote in Santa Barbara.

Richard

Randall Van Wolfswinkel : 10/4/2009

I commend Mr. Van Wolfswinkel for his integrity. I knew him growing up as a small boy. His character traits were always honesty and a solid work ethic. He comes from a hard-working family and has never forgotten his roots. Bravo for his success and generosity!

Really? : 10/4/2009

I have to wonder if any of the posters here actually read their comments before they post them. This a pretty sophomoric Q&A, but to state that it's Cheri Rae's opinion is just weird. It's quite clearly a Q&A, how one can confuse that with opinion just blows my mind. Should there have been some more in-depth followup questions? Absolutely. Is it an opinion piece. Absolutely not. Don McDermott constantly tries to tear down the credibility of the Daily Sound, yet he's still here every day posting his ridiculously biased opinions. It's funny to me how one considers a writer biased only after they write something you don't agree with. The comment above that states "It's so interestingly hypocritical that Cheri Rae and the Daily Sound regularly treat developers and development (irregardless of what kind) like it's some cancer on our city, yet Mr. Moneybags Sprawl Developer from Texas gets a complete, politically-slanted interview that makes him look like the second coming of Jesus" is a perfect example. Isn't that the exact definition of fair and balanced?? What is it you people want exactly? If they Daily Sound treated Van Wolfswinkle like they did every other developer, that would prove their bias. Wake up people, and admit that you really don't know what you want.

Fed up with this crap

oh boy : 10/4/2009

Gee, do your dirty work in Texas and then 'restrict' buildiing heights in Santa Barbara i.e. any movemenet towards more affordable workforce housing in your part-time paradise Santa Barbara. I wonder where his cleaning lady and gardeners are living? Commuting from Lompoc? Renting a garage in Carpinteria? Why doesn't this guy get a life and support some real issues like medical care, youth education, etc. that might really 'help his community'. $250,000 would go a long way at a Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank, or neighbhorhood medical clinic. The poor, working poor, and homeless in this expensive town can live without a Granada Theatre or Music Academy. This guy's values are so self centered they stink.

Self Centered SB boy

Real comments or fraudulent . . . ? : 10/4/2009

All this negative, even hateful stuff about the Randall interview are puzzling. First, I question whether each comment has been submitted by a different person, or if we have one ambitious author here. But on a more positive and certain note, I'm persuaded by the almost complete lack of common sense those comments display. So my decision is clear: I fully intend to vote for B. (And if that isn't very rational, well, neither are the hateful comments I've read here. Besides, I was largely persuaded to vote for B anyway. So, hate mongers, thanks for persuading me that my decision is sound!)

Sigh : 10/4/2009

Critical thinking is a dying ability, alas. As is civil discourse.

Michelle

Union Money Owns Politicians : 10/5/2009

What hypocrisy! Talk about special interests! The unions stuff money into local elections - city council, schools, county supervisors. And like the guy says, they expect payback and they get it in spades. That's why all those government agencies are in a big deep hole. This guy just might actually truly for real like Santa Barbara to stay small. He remembers it when it wasn't looking like L.A. Unions buy elections and screw the public.

A long time resident

Randal van : 10/5/2009

So much for the claims of being an interloping outsider......now if he had just gone to San Marcos. Gee and he represents many of his family that lives locally. Cannot have that now, can we.

local barbarian

VonWolfenstein : 10/5/2009

For one Wolfswinkel, you didn't do much research on any of the candidates, or even meet with all of them. Second, you are supporting two semi-conservatives and a liberal for City Council. Where are your principles? Stay the hell out of SB politics, unless you have a legitimate endorsement process and principles to stand on.

86 the Preserve our SB Group

First Texas Homes : 10/5/2009

Randall Van Wolfswindler, er, I mean Van Wolfswinkel is one of those businessmen that give all business men a bad name. It's not hard to do a little research and find that there is a very high level of dissatisfaction with the people who buy his homes in Texas. It's not an accident that he doesn't want to do business in California and prefers the highly unregulated Texas home building industry. This guy is in it for himself and that's it!! Check out: http://www.ripoffreport.com/Builders-Contractors/First-Texas-Homes/first-texas-homes-bewarre-th-e3d6c.htm

G.A.

Posters : 10/5/2009

Most of these comments sound like they are from union fire, police and city employees worried they won't have their resident sellout whores in office. House is terrible, White has brought nothing to the party in his time at the city. Dump these losers, time to move on.

Out with the old

: 10/6/2009

Thanks for helping to tear up Texas, Mr. Van Wolfswinkel. I'm sure you're a nice guy in person, but you profited off of my heritage. To be fair, Texans bought into it and it takes two to tango.

A Texan

Beauty of SB : 10/6/2009

From the hateful content of most of the comments, the beauty of Santa Barbara certainly isn't the people. Sheesh. I agree with the interview. The unions are destroying this town. Wake up.

Ben

pots and kettles : 10/7/2009

Mr. Van W.'s negative radio ad attacks two opponents of his chosen mayoral candidate by name. Kudos to him for taking credit/blame for it. But among other allegations, his spot implies that receiving backing from a "Russian billionaire" (with a place in Montecito) is somehow questionable practice, whereas getting 5x the financial support from a Texas-based millionaire (with a place in Montecito) is apparently fine and dandy.

pots and kettles, cont'd. : 10/7/2009

Checking the mailbox today we found eight political flyers - good times for local print shops. Five were the usual endorsements and positive "vote for me" pieces. Three were missives from Mr. Van Wolfswinkel's POSB PAC. One proclaims, "The City Council's broken budget hurts all of us." It goes on to promote three council candidates he/they favor, all with the "Right Priorities for Santa Barbara," along with the low-rise limits imposed by Measure B. The second is more negative. It has a photo of a white elephant "IN FORECLOSURE" and lambasts four other candidates because "The City's current leaders have let us down...". Negative campaigning often works since people painted with a broad brush have a tough time washing off charges, even if based on half-truths out of context. But the third flyer is the kicker: "From RUSSIA with LOVE?" on a red field, complete with stylized hammer and sickle as the O in LOVE, and the tag line: "Why is a Russian Billionaire shaking (not stirring) Santa Barbara with a $50,000 contribution to Steve Cushman?" Despite the nod to Mr. Bond, this one has the look of either leftover John Birch Society propaganda from the Cold War - are they still doing that in Dallas? - or a Karl Rove effort from his early years. I hope everyone agrees that Mr. Van Wolfswinkel has every right to support anyone and anything he pleases, just as Mr. Grishin does. Free speech trumps good taste (three words rarely linked). But the flyer's graphic of a shadowy figure in front of St. Basil's on Red Square is a pretty sleazy way to depict someone who's lived here for eight years, given the wonderful global diversity of our population. In today's politics the low road often leads to a win, and it looks like this election is going to be all about winning - at any cost. The POSB's anti-Cushman flyer says, "As a concerned voter, your mission is to ask...WHY WHAT HOW?" Good questions all. Why has this become such a high-dollar race? What are the agendas of the big political investors - all of them? And how are the voters going to wade through all the huffing and puffing to figure out what's really going on? If ever there was a need for honest and competent in-depth investigative journalism, this is it. "Oh, dear!" said Pooh.

anemonefish

POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK : 10/9/2009

Out of town developers contributed more money to the no on B campaign than Randall contributed to SEPV yes on B campaign. The vast majority of the voters are going to vote yes On B to protect and preserve their quality of life and to prevent dozens and dozens of more ugly high rises like those on Chapala. 11,500 citizens pout measure B on the ballot not Randall who simply made a contribution after measure B was already on the ballot. Measure B is the citizens ballot measure not Randall's. Just because he contributed a few thousand dollars to SEPCV in order to protect the town he loves and calls home and plans to retire here( he already has a home in Montecito) is no reason not to vote YES ON B. Keep Santa Barbara the most desireable place for you to live by voting yes on B. VOTE YES ON B WITH THE REST OF US!

THOSE AGAINST B ARE HYPOCRITES