At a Solvang City Council meeting in July, Councilmember Chris Djernaes cast the lone vote against renewing the Solvang Trolley’s five-year operating license. While he understood the cultural attachment many felt to the trolley — which has operated since 1973 — Djernaes expressed concerns that the business didn’t contribute enough revenue to the city to merit a renewed license.
His manner of conveying that concern, however, left a bitter taste in many residents’ mouths.
“This is a business decision, and I will not pander to the mob,” Djernaes stated. “Apparently everybody’s all excited, and they feel warm and wet because, ‘Wow, they’re so great, they’ve got horses.’ I don’t care about that.” The meeting devolved thereafter, with Mayor Ryan Toussaint motioning to limit discussion, then banging his gavel and shouting “Chris!” when Djernaes continued to speak over him. Once the council approved the renewal, Djernaes gathered his belongings and exited the meeting early.