Most people know that when John Sterling was police chief in Santa Maria, he was very popular with both the community and the police officers, being very active and involved in the community.  

In addition to lowering crime, Chief Sterling was campaign chair for the United Way and the Boys and Girls Club, was on the board of Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, on the Family Violence Prevention and Intervention committee, the Peace Week committee, and was a very visible supporter of the Relay for Life. He was co-founder of the Families for the First Decade, and co-chaired the Valuing Diversity Work Group.  

In addition, he received the Distinguished Service Award, Lay Citizen of the Year, from the Orcutt/Bonita School District and the Quality for Children Award from the Santa Maria Child Care Advisory Committee.

Chief Sterling was police chief in Ridgecrest, and his last year there he was interim city manager and director of the Redevelopment Agency. Chief Sterling lowered crime, dealt with racial tensions, led a major blight-abatement program, revamped the city's transit contract, resurrected a troubled animal shelter, and was active in economic development efforts.

While in Ridgecrest, John was selected as Ridgecrest Elks Club Citizen of the Year in 1997, and received the High Desert Child Abuse Council's highest award for service to the community.  

Raised in Lompoc, John Sterling has proven he has the right stuff to be representing the people of the 4th District.

Jerri Akins

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Santa Maria

May 9, 2008