News Briefs

County traveler info system in the works
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has called on the public to provide ideas on the design of a 5-1-1 traveler information system for the Monterey Bay Area.
A 5-1-1 system could include traffic and travel information and would connect to other systems statewide. Features could include real-time roadway and traffic conditions, bus route and schedule information, carpooling and bicycling information, transportation options for seniors and the disabled, and emergency notices.
The information could be accessed online, by phone and via mobile devices.
A survey can be found at www.511montereybay.org. Responses will be accepted through the end of September.
Supervisor pushes to keep clean-energy standards
At the urging of Santa Cruz County Supervisor Neal Coonerty, the board of supervisors unanimously voted to oppose Proposition 23, which would roll back California’s clean-energy and air pollution reduction standards.
Four years ago, California passed Assembly Bill 32, which requires polluters to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Coonerty said Proposition 23, which will be on the November ballot, would be a backward step.
“Proposition 23 is bad for our economy, our air and our energy future,” he said in a prepared statement.
A call to artists
Professional artists in Santa Cruz County are invited to submit a proposal for the new Outside the Box public art program. Traffic controller boxes have already been used in the cities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Capitola as canvases to display the artwork of local artists and graphic designers.
Once selected, artists or designers can paint directly on the box surface or submit an image to be output in vinyl and applied to a selected box.
The first phase will involve nine boxes in the Soquel area. Proposals will be taken until 5 p.m. Sept. 17.
For information: www.scparks.com or 454-7901.
A call to vendors
St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church seeks vendors for its upcoming craft fair. The Harvest Festival and Craft Faire will be Oct. 30 at St. Phillips, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive.
For information: Deborah Gustavson, 335-3172.
Representative named head of Senate committee
State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, has been appointed chairman of the Select Committee on Recovery, Reform and Realignment.
The bipartisan committee was proposed by Blakeslee to develop large-scale reform proposals. He says it will focus on policy to generate economic activity, fix California’s tax code to lessen volatility, and realign revenue and responsibility between state and local government to provide local government greater authority and responsibility to solve local problems with less state intrusion.
“The Legislature needs a safe place where we can discuss innovative ideas that help break down established partisan divisions,” Blakeslee said in a prepared statement.
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