AUGUST 15 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2023
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SANTA YNEZVALLEYSTAR.COM
Assemblyman, city manager discuss challenges, successes Gregg Hart, Randy Murphy hold court at Solvang's State of the City address
INSIDE
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
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roomful of public servants, business owners, and other pillars of the community were on hand to hear about the City of Solvang's challenges and successes over the past year during the latest annual Solvang State of the City address. The event was held Wednesday, July 9, at the Craft House at Corque in Solvang. Gregg Hart, the State Assemblyman for the 37th District and a former Santa Barbara County Supervisor, was the keynote speaker, while Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy gave his first public address in his role. Other speakers included Solvang Chamber of Commerce CEO Tracy Beard, Solvang Mayor (and emcee) Mark Infanti, Montecito Bank & Trust President and CEO George Leis, and Solvang Chamber of Commerce President Rene Martinez. Before the address, VFW Post 7139 Commander Alvin Salge led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Chris Brown of the Bethania Lu-
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Assemblyman of the 37th District Gregg Hart, a former Santa Barbara County supervisor, gives his keynote speech at the 2023 Solvang State of the City address on Wednesday, May 9. Photo by Mike Chaldu/SYVS
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theran Church gave the invocation. After introducing the Solvang City Council and several city officials — as well as the just-arriving District 24 Congressman Salud Carbajal — Infanti brought Hart, whom he described as "the
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individual who goes to Sacramento and fights for the people in this area," on stage for the keynote address. Hart began by praising Beard for all she does with the Chamber and describing his feelings when Beard approached him
about speaking at the State of the City. "I was thrilled beyond belief, because Solvang is so special," Hart said. "You have the architecture, you have the history of this community, you have the CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
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