Scotts Valley’s new Mayor, Donna Lind, has several high priority projects that require more than just her organizational skills to make them happen. To do what she is planning, requires someone who really cares about the success of the project’s outcomes. Although her greatest concern is the governance of the City of Scotts Valley, her vision is focused on the welfare of each segment of the community.
It is no secret that our Mayor spent all of her adult life serving the City as both a secretary and then as a Police Officer, and finally as a member of the City Council. It probably is not news that she was the first female police officer on the Scotts Valley Police Department. As a cop, she recalls that her training started shortly after starting work when she was introduced to the code of ethics that still govern all of the SVPD officers. This ethic is an indelible value that marks Donna Lind to this day: “I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.”
Although no longer wearing the active SVPD uniform or toting a gun, she still has the heart of valiance that all SVPD officers share. She still does what is difficult for many people when faced with problematic individuals, she treats them well. “Even unpleasant people need to be treated with respect,” Donna said.
Out of her experience as a SVPD officer, is the memory of many fellow officers who were injured on the job. It is no surprise that one of Donna’s current projects is working for the success of the “Fallen Officer Foundation Ball.” It is a fund raising event. The proceeds go to funding the extraordinary needs of fallen first responders. The downed Police and Firefighters whose families need help that their insurance will not cover is the purpose of this type of financial assistance. The foundation’s assistance model was developed with a downed officer in 2004 who was a UCSC police captain who was riding his mountain bike when a distracted driver crossed the line and caused a head on accident.
The fund was formed then to provide home assistance so the newly married officer’s wife could care for him at home after his dismissal from the hospital. Special equipment and 24 hr care was needed that she could not afford. The foundation was formed and the money was raised. The foundation is still functioning to help our first responders in Santa CruzCounty.
The Fallen Officer Foundation Ball will be held this February 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom in Santa Cruz. It will feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions. (For information:www.fallenofficerfoundation.com).
Were this event the only one to occupy our Mayor’s attention, we would not be surprised. Her unflagging energy does not stop there. Concurrently, she is also actively promoting ScottsValley’s 50th Year Anniversary, which occurs this summer. She is hoping that some of ScottsValley’s residents may want to share memorabilia that covers the City’s history. Maybe someone recalls what it was like to observe the original city council in action and would like to share that information. Anyone who would like to participate in planning or in being a sponsor of the event is invited to talk to Donna about it.
The Mayor says that the Annual Scotts Valley Fourth of July Parade will be expanded to focus on the City’s 50th Anniversary. At the beginning of August, there will also be a community barbeque to celebrate the event and displays and presentations that outline the City’s history. Donna Lind’s contact information is: 438-4187, [email protected]. Let her know about your availability to participate in this event.
Having worked as a first responder during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and the series of El Nino emergencies, Donna is skilled in providing emergency services and training for our community members who do not have her background. In contemplating the possible problems with road closures due to flooding, mud slides, extended power outing and downed trees, Donna says “don’t talk to me about if they will happen, it’s a matter of what you will do when they happen.” “Like what happened during the ’89 earthquake, when the infrastructure fails, you need to be prepared.”
Besides just stocking up on sandbags, our Mayor knows that more extended preparation is needed and that is why she has been promoting El Nino preparedness exercises. Once you have stocked up on supplies, you need to practice how to change your batteries and how to turn on your generator and know where to contact loved ones.
One more issue on our Mayor’s do-list is about helping the retired segment of our population that are just having to transition to Medicare. She is astounded that our seniors are often required to make upfront payments for equipment and medications that was not required by the insurance they enjoyed while working. She sees that the senior segment of our population are the least able to afford large upfront costs. “It is just wrong,” she said. “There needs to be some help with that kind of funding.”
With all that is on the Mayor’s do-list for 2016, it is clear to see that she will need to employ her very excellent organizational skills to complete these projects on time. It is her dedication to the City’s community, though, that fuel her energy to accomplish those goals. She may be a petite woman, but she has a huge heart of gold to share with her community.
