Editorial: Politics and other quick hits

School is just around the corner in our valleys, and students will soon get back into the thick of academics, athletics and other extracurricular activities. There are a couple of things on our minds as the summer lull yields to fall hubbub.
**We are excited to see the new Scotts Valley library full of students, who will finally have room to spread out. The recent addition of wireless Internet and the promise of a set of laptop computers will surely draw an even larger audience. On the same note, Press-Banner staff attended a recent walk-through of the San Lorenzo Valley High School library, which is nearing completion. While it is not open to the public, as Scotts Valley’s new branch is, we hope the school library draws students and serves as a cornerstone for learning. We’ll report on its progress in next week’s paper.
**Political season is heating up, and not just at a national level. Assemblyman Bill Monning has announced he will try for the state Senate, and Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone recently announced his candidacy to represent the newly formed 29th Assembly District. Santa Cruz City Councilwoman Lynn Robinson, meanwhile, has also jumped into the fray and will run against Stone, who has represented Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley on the board of supervisors since late 2003.
But who will take Stone’s place? There are rumblings that an election showdown between a prominent San Lorenzo Valley politician and a well-known Scotts Valley politician is in store. We’ll cover the 5th District race as hopefuls formally announce their intentions to run.
**Fire season is truly starting. A cool summer has started to give way to some warm, if not hot, weather. Recent home fires in Bonny Doon and Boulder Creek remind us of the Lockheed and Martin fires of years past, blazes that threw the rural mountain communities into shambles even as they provided spectacular sunsets for those not directly affected. We urge residents to clear defensible space today, so that if a fire does start, your place of refuge can be spared. The local fire departments offer inspections on request, and they can make suggestions for improved home fire defense.