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Councilwoman's Forum Behavior
updated: Oct 02, 2011, 10:19 AM

By Joanna Morgan

Saturday 10/1/11 my husband and I attended the Mesa Meet & Greet to get to know the 10 candidates running for city council. We were appalled by the disrespectful behavior of one of the existing couuncil members, Michael Self.

Every single time Cruzito Cruz spoke she turned to the woman sitting next to her and made a derogatory remarked and laughed at him. She didn't even wait until he was done speaking, but started whispering and laughing as he began to speak. I couldn't believe she had so little sensitivity the first time, but she continued her disrespectful behavior every time he spoke as if he was a fool just wasting her time.

Cruz is not your usual candidate. He is passionate and knowledgeable about the issues and is using theater to wake people up, Whether he's the best candidate is not the issue. What is unforgivable and an indication of her complete insensitivity was this woman's behavior and condescension towards someone different from her.

When confronted by us, her reaction was denial. Though finally admitting her behavior was inappropriate, her shallowness and lack of awareness was so complete that she didn't understand that she had done anything wrong and continued to defend herself throughout our conversation. The only reality that made any sense to her was that she shouldn't do that at the next panels because it might lose her votes. I came away with feeling like we had made a mistake by confronting her because, now no one wi11 see the kind of person she really is.

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 219073	2011-10-02 10:52 AM
thanks for sharing this. this is important for all of us to know the character of our potential candidates so we can be better educated about who we want to represent us.
COMMENT 219074	2011-10-02 10:52 AM
Good for you for calling her out. So sick of how politicians behave these days . . .
COMMENT 219083P	2011-10-02 11:09 AM
Is "using theater" code for acting goofy?
COMMENT 219085P	2011-10-02 11:12 AM
Whose on First here? Cruz or Self? Sounds like him, then her... What th.... Can someone edit this?
COMMENT 219086	2011-10-02 11:14 AM
==== ...as if he was a fool just wasting her time. ==== Bingo!
COMMENT 219093P	2011-10-02 11:22 AM
083P- Even if it was a case of "acting goofy" that isn't the point. The point here is the behavior of a sitting politician toward another citizen. Civility is important in this game, disagreeing is fine, that is how the process works. Being rude and disrespectful loses my vote instantly.
COMMENT 219095	2011-10-02 11:28 AM
Glad someone has pointed this out. I find her conduct on the dais unacceptable as well as you can always tell she's not paying attention on many of the issues. She probably doesn't even bother to read about the issues before she's voting. I agree with Mrs. Self on some issues, but she does not belong on the council, and does not deserve $40,000/year plus benefits. My vote is going elsewhere.
COMMENT 219103	2011-10-02 11:57 AM
Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
COMMENT 219104	2011-10-02 11:57 AM
Maybe Cruz deserves a little ridicule, considering he got degrees in political science, and Chicano and Chicana studies; degrees that are worthless unless you are attempting to promote more for non-citizens.
COMMENT 219106P	2011-10-02 11:58 AM
So very typical of the behavior of most Republicans.
COMMENT 219109	2011-10-02 12:03 PM
What was the derogatory remark or were you just assuming it was ?
COMMENT 219114P	2011-10-02 12:18 PM
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I think the candidates' demeanor speaks volumes toward how respectful of others they will be if elected.
COMMENT 219120P	2011-10-02 12:30 PM
This is important to know. No matter what side of politics you are on, mutual respect for anyone who takes the time to talk at a meeting like this is a must. This is embarrassing behavior.
COMMENT 219121P	2011-10-02 12:31 PM
Talk about cultural sensitivity, for the tribes surrounding the Aztec nation, the Aztec uniform is as insensitive a gesture as wearing a storm trooper's uniform.
COMMENT 219124	2011-10-02 12:35 PM
Sorry, but I would have to see a tape of this to believe it. I have attended quite a few meetings with Council Member Self and have N E V E R seen her show any thing but respect towards others. I also know the moderator of this forum and I intend to check to see if any one but this couple noticed what they say happened.
COMMENT 219126	2011-10-02 12:37 PM
It has been evident for some time that Michael Self is astonishingly below-par in intellect and now, as we can see, in character. Her vote, along with Frank Hotchkiss, Dale Francisco and Randy Rouse to put Santa Barbara in default for a year by not passing a General Plan - in defiance of California law requiring cities to revise this plan every five years - should be remembered by every voter. Her vote, along with Frank Hotchkiss, Dale Francisco and Randy Rouse that they would like to eliminate the key provision of California's Open Meeting Law that forbids a majority of any deliberative body from meeting in secret, should be remembered by every voter. Some of the contribu;tions here are perfectly in line with her own boorish behavior. William Smithers "Who should be afraid to stand up and put their name to their words? And why should anyone listen if they don't?"
COMMENT 219127P	2011-10-02 12:39 PM
I won't argue that Ms. Self comes across a bit odd at times, but no more so than the author of this piece. I'm not trying to be mean. Numerous typo's and words that are misspelled make me question the author. Again, no offense.
COMMENT 219130	2011-10-02 12:54 PM
Something very, very odd about this thread - I just know who Mayor Lodge is backing and thinks will take care of SB and the cities best interest in the coming years. Just say'n
COMMENT 219131P	2011-10-02 01:01 PM
I always thought city council was an elected volunteer position. Why pay someone when you haven't a clue as to their real agenda
COMMENT 219133P	2011-10-02 01:05 PM
127; some people don't edit, and that bewilders me. Even more so with the edit, go back option. You can tell the fingers aren't always at home at the keyboard. 130; Please stop the expression, just say'n. It's sort of strange sounding.
COMMENT 219136	2011-10-02 01:14 PM
I'm not concerned with individual oddness. I just care about the issues. I won't vote for or against a candidate because the other was nice or rude. When it comes to politicians I only care how they are going to VOTE!! As far as my feelings about the local issues in SB, whoever votes in laws that reduces crime, homelessness, dense housing, and wasteful spending is who I'm voting for.
COMMENT 219141	2011-10-02 01:34 PM
219126 --- Wha??? There was a vote a month or so ago, 6-1, to advance the General Plan Update. ( The one, wanting to hold it back, was Grant House.) The GPU is for the next 20 years and deserves to have the fullest attention to the number one issue in the planning process, the allowable density in the city. The city is split on this, the council reflects that, but they are moving forward and the city has not been penalized. As for the real names, I don't know about that - I here use my real edhat subscriber handle, just as good as a "real name". (Oh, as for Michael Self: if she did behave like that, shame; I would like to hear from the moderator of the forum because whatever her political beliefs, she is standout in being open to listening to others, to encouraging them to speak with her. She does listen. And 131P: being on the Council is not volunteer: not long ago, we, the voters or at least a majority of us, voted to make this a well-paying position, best of any council for a city of its size, much higher-paying than Santa Maria, Ventura, SLO, for instance.)
COMMENT 219145	2011-10-02 01:46 PM
Has anyone really corroborated that this incident and/or behavior really took place? This seems like a forum where someone could create a story out of whole cloth and pass it off as fact. What makes these comments and forums useful is if the statement is corroborated then the interpretation and criticism would seem justified. At this point I can't tell. Admittedly I'm not a fan of Ms. Self but I like cheap shots less.
COMMENT 219181	2011-10-02 04:50 PM
I agree with 145. And in the spirit of full disclosure I will admit that I posted as 127P. I post photos all the time to Edhat. I like to think they are in focus and have good composition.
COMMENT 219199P	2011-10-02 05:51 PM
27P: Someone who writes "typo's" [sic] probably should not be commenting on anyone else's spelling and grammar issues. Not trying to be mean either.
COMMENT 219217P	2011-10-02 07:17 PM
This has been informative! It prompted me to look around for more information on the candidates. I found a nice video from League of Women Voters made up of brief videos of candidates for city council online at Youtube: "Touring with the Candidates for Santa Barbara City Council 2011."
COMMENT 219235	2011-10-02 08:49 PM
199P, true, but I decided to be honest and use my real name, not a handle or number. Care to do the same? Not trying to be mean. . .
COMMENT 219253P	2011-10-03 05:49 AM
Expressing dissatisfaction with the boorish and rude incumbent Michael Self gets really easy when your ballot arrives on October 12.
MOOSE	2011-10-03 06:31 AM
I frequently watch items, on Channel 18, brought before the Planning Commission. I can respect that each Commissioner has his/her own views, and welcome both sides. Michael Self, has repeatedly stood out to me as the one member who doesn't belong. Repeatedly, she brings up planning issues and compares them to raising her children, or grand children. I am intolerant of those who serve in a public roll for any reasons other than serving their community. It's been evident to me that Ms. Self is the stand out who is not qualified to be sitting amongst the other Commissioners.
COMMENT 219263	2011-10-03 06:37 AM
Not ONE of the current Council members supported Target locating across from the Airport - I say, time for a new Council!
COMMENT 219271P	2011-10-03 07:10 AM
40 or more people were there at that forum held last Saturday afternoon. Yes, Cruzito Cruz is an annoyance but Mrs. Self got elected and is getting paid well to put up with all that. Time to give Mrs. Self some more quality time to spend with her numerous cars.
ARCHIE	2011-10-03 08:24 AM
I'd like to hear opinions from other people who attended this meeting.
COMMENT 219310P	2011-10-03 08:27 AM
Thanks to the author and Edhat for posting this perspective.
DULCE	2011-10-03 08:27 AM
I posted the original comment and it did happen. We noticed it happening because we were sitting in the same corner of the room. Others may not have seen it. One time wouldn't have bothered my, but "everytime" did. I couldn't hear what she said, but saw her say something and laugh only when Cruz spoke. I have no attachment to any of the candidates. The typos might be the MAC transfer to PC.
COMMENT 219426P	2011-10-03 12:44 PM
So Dulce you were a endorser of Helene and donate to Democrats, any chance you might not have liked her before that and that may have colored your impression/report?
COMMENT 219568P	2011-10-03 09:15 PM
Uhhh, "Moose", Mrs Self is not a Planning Commissioner, but a city councilmember. But as for Michael Self, I agree about the references to her children as being tiresome, but one thing she is is completely open and in fact welcoming of others and hearing other points of view.

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