“Santa Paula is not one of the finalist because of ability” in several areas, but “Santa Paula is here because of attitude, because of the efforts of Wally and staff,” as well as the Council and school officials, that have demonstrated support of the company as well as of renewal energy. “That,” said Winsayer, “is very important to us... passing the resolution tonight demonstrates to us all the hard work and positive efforts,” including widespread community support.“If we were able to attract you,” Councilman Bob Gonzales said, Continental would “be a change agent in a poor, struggling community” that nevertheless is “on the edge of doing things” and is already ahead of the curve for environmentally friendly projects. “I personally commit to you” that the city would do whatever it takes to lure the company, he added, as “we want the same for our city as you want for your company.”After more Council comments, Winsayer said earlier concerns centered on school quality have been addressed successfully.“You can see you have full Council support,” and Mayor Ralph Fernandez also stated the city’s commitment and urged that Winsayer “stay with us, you’ll see what goes on and be pleasantly surprised.”Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre noted the “environmental position you are taking in the production of power” is outstanding and, typically, what locates in areas of lower income is “dirty energy and dirty power generation.... That will be your claim to fame, that you are not really thinking about dumping an industry somewhere because the politics of that particular area cannot resist.”Overall, Winsayer said Santa Paula has “done such a great job demonstrating your positive attitude,” it is weighing heavily in the city’s favor.“We continue to speak to them,” Bobkiewicz said Monday, “and are helping them to figure out ways they could move forward” on a specific site for a manufacturing plant. “We’ll continue to be helpful to them, and if we can make this happen for Santa Paula, we’ll make this happen.”
Continental Wind Power: Attitude could cinch the relocation deal
March 04, 2009
Santa Paula News
If Santa Paula doesn’t become the new home of Continental Wind Power it won’t be due to a lack of trying; and the great attitude of city staff might just cinch the deal, the company president told the City Council at the February 17 meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesIf Santa Paula doesn’t become the new home of Continental Wind Power it won’t be due to a lack of trying; and the great attitude of city staff might just cinch the deal, the company president told the City Council at the February 17 meeting. The city has been wooing Continental Wind Power, which manufactures energy alternative wind turbines, for several months.The Council, sitting as Redevelopment Agency directors, were asked by City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz to adopt a resolution urging Continental to locate their manufacturing plant in Santa Paula, a move that would probably bring suppliers and a total local workforce of up to 300 people. The proclamation, noted Bobkiewicz, “pledges our cooperation” in finding a site as well as identifying financial incentives.The resolution also included a draft of the Santa Paula Education Committee report, based on a joint meeting between the Council and educational leadership. The proclamation included an additional pledge that Continental would provide electrical power to the city, a partnership that would be the first in the state.“I appreciate the support the Council has provided,” noted Bobkiewicz. “This has been an effort of not elected officials, but staff.”Continental Wind Power President Jim Winsayer noted he was attending the meeting with members of his executive team. “Approximately six months ago we began our search” for a manufacturing facility, a process that initially targeted about a dozen cities in several states.The search “can be rolled up in two areas, attitude and ability,” and Winsayer said when the choices were narrowed to three, Santa Paula made the list.
