••• I had ignored the Montecito Journal‘s article last week about eucalyptus trees because it buried the lede: an East Valley Road resident entreated Birnam Wood to remove the majestic row of 77 eucalyptus trees lining the street, and Birnam residents on Boundary Drive are also concerned; it was enough for the Birnam Wood Homeowners’ Association to take action. “Caltrans informed the association that an encroachment certificate is required to remove the trees, as the agency shares jurisdiction over the right-of-way along East Valley Road. Although the trees are privately owned, any work within the right-of-way must be approved by Caltrans.” The trees would be replaced by oaks. Personally, I think it’s a shame. And the removal process will undoubtedly make driving that stretch impossible.
••• “Delta Air Lines will cease flying between Atlanta and Santa Barbara, with the last service down for January. When it ends, the California airport will lose its longest-ever scheduled passenger flight. […] Salt Lake City will now be Delta’s sole Santa Barbara offering.” —Simple Flying
••• City council member Kristen Sneddon announced to Newsmakers that she’s running for mayor of Santa Barbara, promising “new leadership that will lead us to progress and not stagnation,” which would be more meaningful if she hadn’t been part of city leadership for eight years now. “After the city’s adoption 10 years ago of a district elections system under threat of a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit, the mayor is the only City Hall official now elected citywide. As a practical matter, the mayor is just one vote among seven council members; as a political matter, however, the mayor enjoys greater influence and authority than council colleagues, because she or he controls a bigger media platform, works with the city Administrator to set the council’s agenda, and chairs council meetings.” In other words, not much power at all…