Edhat Staff
By the edhat staff
Santa Barbara City Attorney Ariel Calonne has been terminated by a unanimous vote from the City Council on Tuesday.
Around noon the City issued a statement explaining that during a Special Closed Session meeting of the City Council, Mayor Randy Rowse reported that the Council voted to terminate the employment of Calonne, effective December 8, 2022.
The decision was made by a unanimous vote of City Councilmembers present. Councilmember Mike Jordan was absent.
“There will be no interruption in operations at the City Attorney’s Office, which will continue to provide full services to the City of Santa Barbara,” the statement read.
A reason for the termination was not provided.
Calonne has been placed on leave since late July, allegedly following an incident inside the City Attorney’s Office. An official statement has not been released on the alleged incident, although The Independent reports several sources who say Calonne was engaged in an unusually loud and heated argument with a colleague that was ultimately reported to Human Resources.
Assistant City Attorney Sarah Knecht has been fulfilling Calonne’s role in his absence.
Calonne was appointed as Santa Barbara’s City Attorney in March 2014 and earns an estimated $280,000 per year salary. He was responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the City Council, Boards and Commissions, and all City officers and employees, and represents the City in civil and criminal litigation. He also managed a staff of attorneys and legal support professionals while reporting directly to the City Council.
From 2007 to 2014, Calonne served as the City Attorney for Ventura and prior to that he served as the City Attorney for the cities of Palo Alto and Boulder, Colorado for a combined 17 years.
The Golden Parachute has been ordered. Delivery expected on December 8th!!
Would be great if they could terminate his overblown pension.
Ariel Cabron was payaso of the highest degree, they should axe his little buddy Denny Wei too. Both were/are total embarrassments.
He was paid 280 K AND had a ” staff of attorneys and legal support professionals ” (to do the actual job…) Does anybody see how outrageous those “buddy, buddy arrangements and salaries” are ?
I’ll say this about Ariel Calonne in a good and very cool way. He likes the British Rock band The Kinks as much as I do. I saw them 3 times in concert. First time in 1977 at the Arlington Theater when I was 22. And twice at the SB County Bowl in the 80’s. I did like having conversations with Ariel at City Hall every once in awhile when I use to go there on Tuesdays before the City Council Meetings would start, before COVID. I do wish him the best.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
If “the City” takes the time and money to oust someone in such a high position, it was a legit firing. Bummer we taxpayers are always the ones who get the short end of the stick. He’ll be just fine.
Another vote here for pension reform. We’re getting screwed.