Getting your point across

Here are some guidelines for effective ways of talking with or writing to city officials or staff:

First, be courteous. We have reason and the facts on our side; it is our task to persuade and convince. An angry tone, personal insults, imputations of malfeasance or incompetence--all of these will cause your listener to stop listening. The vast majority of our public servants are trying to do what they think is best for the city. When they are mistaken about what is best or how to achieve it, we should speak to them frankly, but generously and with respect. When they right wrongs, congratulate them.

Second, be brief. City council members confront a staggering array of issues just at a single council meeting. Citizen review board members (e.g., ABR or HLC) will review thousands of projects during their tenure. Present your ideas clearly and simply, get to the point quickly. It's best to stick to one main idea, with solid facts to support it.

Third, be patient and persistent. Minds are not changed overnight. Policies in which people have invested many hours, weeks, or even years of effort will not be discarded lightly--nor should they be. Creating a sane transportation policy for Santa Barbara will be the work of years (though of course we at Santa Barbara Safe Streets are looking for initial victories sooner than that!).

Finally, when writing to city council members, cc the city clerk (CMRodriguez@SantaBarbaraCA.gov), and if you would, please cc us (sbsafestreets@yahoo.com).

City Council contacts.