Roger Horton, who championed childcare and commuter rail during his two terms on the Santa Barbara City Council, died this past week at age 83. First elected in 2001, Horton served in the era before district elections when the ghost of Pearl Chase – and her civic legacy – still carried sway. He brought with him the administrative chops of a high-ranking bean counter at UCSB, which is what he was before joining the council.