Would Self foil Falcone’s plan?

By JOSHUA MOLINA — April 21 2009 The battle to become mayor of Santa Barbara has turned into a race to the middle, with the city facing a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, possible layoffs and a perceived increase in gang violence. Seven months before the election, the push to the political center is perhaps best illustrated by candidate Iya Falcone's campaign slogan “back to the basics,” which she is using to appeal to more conservative voters. Candidate Helene Schneider, with her strength among liberals, is also reaching out to moderates through her campaign pledges. But even as the two make overtures to moderates, other candidates are eyeing the open political terrain in the middle of the spectrum. “They are all going to run to the center,” observed Michael Self, an automobile enthusiast who is pondering whether to run for City Council or Mayor, on the heels of helping her conservative friend Dale Francisco win a seat on the council in 2007. “You are going to see a marvelous ...  more