Setting the Record Straight
A letter in last Friday’s Press Banner made claims about me that readers deserve context on.
It suggested I was careless with public money on the SR 156/Castroville Boulevard Interchange. It left out why the project’s cost rose: PG&E needed to relocate a high-pressure gas main, along with additional right-of-way, before construction could begin. TAMC reported this publicly when the California Transportation Commission awarded more than $90 million in state funding in June 2025. Working with Caltrans and the CTC, we solved the problem and secured those funds. The project is now out to bid, with construction starting early next year. It will replace a dangerous intersection with a safer roundabout and add bike and pedestrian paths so students can get to school safely. I am incredibly proud of the team that worked to solve the challenges on this project that will save lives in one of the highest collision locations in Monterey County.
The letter also quoted a characterization that I’m “mainly running because” of a project near my home. That isn’t why I’m running. The Lookout Santa Cruz Editorial Board put that question to me directly and wrote, “We believe him.” I’m running for all of Scotts Valley: the Town Center, affordable housing, safe accessible streets, and keeping our city’s finances sound.
I respect Danny Reber and Greg Wimp’s service to our community. Voters will choose on the merits, and I only ask that they do so with accurate information. After over 20 years of public service and building partnerships between agencies to get complex projects completed, I’d bring that experience to the city council.
Please return your ballot by Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Michael Zeller
Scotts Valley
