Columns and Commentaries
Commentary: SLV paying price for Santa Cruz’s lax homeless policies
The cool fall air and drizzly damp mornings have finally arrived — chilly mornings that signal the end of the craziest, most stressful summer since the great Lockheed fires of 2009. This summer fel...
Nov 07, 2013 | 13 13 comments | 87 87 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: Mayor asks for Measure U vote
I have had the pleasure these past few weeks to talk to lots of people, some door-to-door, about our temporary ½-cent sales tax, Measure U. The response has been very positive.  Some heartily endor...
Oct 24, 2013 | 5 5 comments | 109 109 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: Board member voices rate increase concerns in interview
On Thursday morning, October 17, I had an opportunity to discuss this massive rate increase with San Lorenzo Valley Water District Director Randall Brown.  As a historian who is interested in the e...
Oct 23, 2013 | 2 2 comments | 123 123 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: Water rate increase more about pet projects than improvements
When elected to the board of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District last November, I was pleased to have the opportunity to work with people I respect. The long-serving majority played a highly posi...
Oct 17, 2013 | 9 9 comments | 138 138 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: Scotts Valley situation dire without sales tax
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors.  You may have already heard of Measure U.  This is a proposed temporary sales tax to fund our...
Oct 03, 2013 | 7 7 comments | 169 169 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: In support of SLV Water District rate increase
The rate increase proposed for SLV Water District customers is not only justified; it is necessary. Concern for low-income residents is shared not only by those opposed to the increase, but also by...
Sep 26, 2013 | 12 12 comments | 185 185 recommendations | email to a friend
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Commentary: SLV Water spins the PR spin
by Mark Messimer
Sep 19, 2013 | 15 15 comments | 198 198 recommendations | email to a friend
The excessive rate increase proposed by SLV Water District has taken on a whole new spin within the recently sent public notifications. Hiring a new and expensive PR firm will do that. The $6 milli...
Commentary: Downtown cell tower needs to be stopped
by Rachel Wooster
Sep 12, 2013 | 27 27 comments | 211 211 recommendations | email to a friend
Until it happens to your town, this sort of news seems like another distant struggle. When we — residents of Boulder Creek — discovered that a 50-foot cell tower had been proposed smack in the hear...
Valley Politics: Will They Just Watch it Burn?
by Christina Garavaglia-Branche
Aug 19, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 283 283 recommendations | email to a friend
Among the few things that we truly fear in the San Lorenzo Valley are mountain lions, flooding, earth quakes, and fires.  When a state entity institutes a program to help combat one of them, it sho...
Commentary: Lompico residents suffer from water board's decisions
Aug 19, 2013 | 2 2 comments | 263 263 recommendations | email to a friend
     The Lompico County Water District will be holding a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed rate increase. These hearings are a mere formality. Nothing discussed will change the minds of the Bo...
A call to valley architects
by William Burton
Aug 09, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 250 250 recommendations | email to a friend
  The Felton Historic Covered Bridge Park needs standard restrooms! The existing two, one person use “portable” little boxes are totally inadequate. Bathrooms were on the Town Plan for the park whe...
Commentary: Arson akin to terrorism and should be prosecuted heavily
by By Mike Degregorio
Jul 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 388 388 recommendations | email to a friend
For the Press-Banner   Regarding the Press-Banner article “Fire Burns half-acre in Zayante,” (June 28, page 2) — “The wind definitely cooperated with us,” it read. This made me recall how I used to...