Former mayor Harriet Miller dies
updated: Jan 06, 2010, 12:31 PM

Source: City of SB

Former Mayor Harriet Miller (age 90) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Miller served as Mayor of the City of Santa Barbara from 1995 to 2001.

City officials were saddened by the passing of the former mayor. According to Mayor Marty Blum, “Harriet cared a great deal about her City and the people trusted her leadership. She loved the City of Santa Barbara. As Mayor, she set a high standard of integrity and commitment to public service.” Friends and colleagues remarked about her tenacity, wit, and perseverance through challenging times.

During her tenure as Mayor, Miller chaired numerous organizations, including the Santa Barbara Association of Governments, the Air Pollution Control District, and various League of California Cities committees. She was appointed to the City Council in 1987 where she served as a Councilmember until her appointment as Mayor in 1995. She served on the Housing Authority from 1982 to 1987.

In addition to numerous local awards, Miller received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the League of California Cities in 2008 for her tireless commitment to community service. She was a former member of the League of California Cities board of directors and served on the boards of the National League of Cities and Institute for Local Government.

Miller was actively involved in community organizations and served on the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts, Santa Barbara Symphony, Family Services Agency, Community Action Commission, Fighting Back Task Force, Anti-Defamation League, Heath House, the Westside Neighborhood Medical Clinic, Shelter Services for Women, and the Affordable Housing Association for Santa Barbara. She was also member of the Unitarian Society.

One of her greatest passions was helping local youth, bringing leadership to such projects as the Skateboard Park, the 1235 Teen Center, and the City’s Youth Council. The Downtown Organization honors an outstanding student each year with an award in her honor, the “Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award.”

Prior to her work in Santa Barbara, she served as the superintendent of public instruction for the State of Montana and as the director of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in Washington, D.C. President Carter appointed her to serve on the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHA) and other federal commissions. She received a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Whitman College, a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Honorary Doctorate from Whitman College.

The city flag in De la Guerra Plaza will fly at half-staff in her honor. Details on a memorial service will be issued at a later date.

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Chair Janet Wolf Statement on Passing of Former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the County, it was with great sadness that we learned today about the passing of former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller. Harriet was a champion of good government and she made enormous, positive contributions to the City and County of Santa Barbara,” Board Chair Wolf said.

Although known by many as one of the most respected mayors of the City of Santa Barbara, she was also a dedicated member and representative on several county-wide committees or agencies, including the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, the Local Agency Formation Commission, the Employees Retirement Board and was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 to serve on the Mission County Formation Commission.

In addition, Harriet Miller served on the boards for the National League of Cities, the League of California Cities and the Rehabilitation Institute of Santa Barbara, Supervisor Wolf noted. Miller was also active in Santa Barbara’s arts and cultural activities, serving on the boards for the Santa Barbara Symphony and the Center for the Performing Arts.

“Harriet was tireless in her efforts of community and public service. We have lost a very valued member of our community. I considered Harriet a good friend and we will all miss her wit, wisdom and compassion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones during this time,” Supervisor Wolf said.

Wolf said she has asked that flags at County buildings be flown at half staff in honor of Miller.

Other information (not supplied by city of SB):

*The PARC Foundation called her "a champion for youth," writing on their website: "Both during and after her tenure as Mayor of Santa Barbara, Harriet Miller focused on the importance of youth leadership. She worked to establish the Santa Barbara Youth Council, now a vital youth voice in City government. She established the Harriet Miller Youth Fund to provide on-going financial support to the Santa Barbara Youth Council."

Annually, a $500 youth scholarship is given out in her name.

*She received the League of California Cities Past Presidents’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

According to their press information: Miller was elected mayor of Santa Barbara in 1995 and served until retirement in 2002. She was a member of the Santa Barbara City Council from 1987 through 1994. A former member of the League of California Cities board of directors, Miller also served on the boards of the National League of Cities and the Institute for Local Government, and represented her city at the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. Miller was also the superintendent of public instruction for the State of Montana and served as the director of American Association of Retired Persons in Washington, D.C.

Hal Conklin, a League past president and former mayor of the City of Santa Barbara presented Miller with the award in 2008 and stated at the time:

“Harriet Miller epitomizes a true public servant in the very best sense of the term. That’s why the League’s past presidents selected her for this prestigious award. She consistently demonstrated a great capacity to lead, a genuine concern for people, and the ability to make a difference. Harriet’s service advanced the quality of life for Santa Barbara residents and helped the League of California Cities become a more effective advocate for all California cities,” noted Conklin.

Miller spoke about her long-term commitment to community service. “Local government is the most meaningful to me," she said.

Photos courtesy city of SB

COMMENT 52422	2010-01-06 09:56 AM
Harriet would have been Mayor for life had such a thing been possible after her two terms. A class act, smart and no BS. RIP, Harriet.
COMMENT 52452	2010-01-06 12:45 PM
Harrie Miller set a bar that no other Mayor has ever been able to reach. She had a very unique and rare quality of feeling at ease in any given situation: she could feel equally comfortable in casual clothes talking to a group of day laborers and then put on a ball gown and be present at a Country Club event. She did it all with such grace. She was also one who could talk and listen to people of all political beliefs while keeping her own off the table. She will be greatly missed. RIP Mayor Miller.
MOARTS51	2010-01-07 10:35 AM
Loved Harriett - had the oppportunity to get to know her and invite her to many Lobero events when I was Communications Director for the theatre. Favorite moment was the John Raitt Evening and singer, actress Constance Towers was part of the evening. Harriett and she got along so well and were having a great time together. I had to find out what was up - and it turns out both were strong Montana women. Also interacted with Harriett on the Summer SOlstice PArade - the year she was dolled up in a Pumpkin CArriage as the Fairy Godmother - I think it was a Doug Smith creation - not a better depiction of who she was - the Fairy Godmother of Santa Barbara. I will miss her - she was a role model for me. Heaven could not have a better addition.
COMMENT 52598	2010-01-07 01:45 PM
Another Board she served on, not mentioned in the article, was that of the SB Zoo. She was passionate about animals and cared about educating kids about saving wildlife. What a tremendous loss of a standup, caring, elegant woman.

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