When the profits and politics of oil collide in a small town, it puts business owners in a sticky spot.

In June, the voters of Carpinteria, a seaside town of 14,200, will decide whether to allow Denver-based Venoco to drill an offshore oil lease from a 175-foot onshore rig concealed in a lighthouse façade. After trying to get the so-called Paredon Project through the city’s approval process for several years, Venoco gathered signatures last year to take its proposal directly to voters, offering to give a cut of profits to local governments and schools.

The move has kicked off lawsuits and contentious public hearings, along with a vote by the Carpinteria City Council to officially oppose the ballot measure. It has left the city’s business community divided as well.

The full version of this article is only available in the print edition. To view everything the Business Times offers, see this week’s print version or SUBSCRIBE to the print edition for $49.99 today.