Letters & Shout-outs (Feb. 6, 2015)

Letter: Highway 9 road work will devastate South Felton businesses
Editor,
Recently, CalTrans announced a plan for improvements on Highway 9 to start in early February and continue at least through July 2015, perhaps longer.
The plan includes four designated sections, three north of the Graham Hill intersection, and one starting a couple of miles to the south and continuing all the way to Paradise Park.
The northern locations will utilize single lane delays, thus allowing back and forth tourist traffic the usual access to businesses along the route, but the southern section is designated as full closure 24/7 with Graham Hill Road a marked detour.
No attempt was made to notify the businesses that will be negatively impacted financially by this closure in advance to allow for feedback of any kind. It was announced as a “done deal” just a week or two before the damage begins. This strikes me — as a property owner with a 47-year-old business — a lot like taxation without representation.
How is it that this kind of plan can be made by a small group of persons who were not even elected by the people? Why is it that those who will suffer the most are not even consulted for feedback or at least warned well in advance?
Our Supervisor should be all over this because of the fiscal damage it could cause a couple of dozen Felton businesses south of Graham Hill Road.
Here are just a few obvious ways to make this less harmful:
– Do the work at night.
– Have one lane open as in the roadwork scheduled north on Highway 9.
– Erect signage at both ends of the Highway 9 detour with the names of all the businesses on the cul-de-sac created by the road closure.
– Financially compensate effected businesses based on lost revenue.
I am convinced that some of the businesses in the downtown area underestimate the number of tourists traveling north on Highway 9 that patronize their establishments.
I own and operate the CapriTaurus Bigfoot Museum just south of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park’s main entrance on south Highway 9.
I have been doing business at this location in one way or another since 1968. Tourists traveling north from Santa Cruz stop at my place by the hundreds just to ask where the nearest bathroom, convenience store, or restaurant can be found.
By detouring via Graham Hill Road, most of these travelers will end up ignoring the businesses south of the intersection, especially those out of sight of the Felton downtown area.
CalTrans told me five years ago that my Bigfoot Discovery Museum would probably be the most severely damaged by the closure. They may have been right because my income dropped by over 50 percent that year, and it took a miracle donation from a stranger to keep the museum operating, thus saving my property from foreclosure.
I’m praying that other affected business owners, property owners and locals who appreciate the Felton businesses who have been singled out for this pay cut will speak up and act out to keep this thing from happening as currently planned.
Is it right that this many of your neighbors be put in jeopardy this way? How would you like it if a few bureaucrats arbitrarily decided they could give you a cut in income apparently to make their job somewhat easier?
Michael Rugg, Felton
Letter: Reserved seats needlessly complicates movie-going experience
Editor,
I totally agree with the writer who expressed displeasure at having to reserve seats at the movies.
Like most, we decide to go to the movies shortly before and don’t want to take the time and pay an extra $1.50 to go online and reserve seats.
The theater is only doing this because they serve “food” and beer, and want patrons to have more time to spend money and they don’t want an open seat between people.
Since I’m 5′ tall, I never minded getting there early to get a seat in the only row with no one in front of me. But I don’t think it’s fair to pay extra because I’m short.
Reserving a seat at the entrance takes more time for everyone in line. Scotts Valley Cinema has even had to put up a sign inside telling people why they should be happy with reserved seating. Obviously, they’ve had many complaints.
Why not let those who really want to, pay extra and reserve online, and the rest of us can stand in a quick line and sit where we choose once we’re inside?
Why make a hassle out of something that’s always been easy?
Karen Diamond, Scotts Valley
Letter: Failure of Measure N would adversely affect property values
Editor,
I have been a real estate broker since 1978 and have seen many changes in the industry over the years. When I started, the offer to purchase a property was a one-page affair; now there are numerous disclosures and reports necessary to complete any real estate transaction.
One real estate form, in particular, must be filled out by the listing broker/agent stating the condition of the property and disclosure of any and all items that may affect the property in the future. Failure to disclose information about a property can result in a lawsuit against the broker.
After the last six months of campaigning, it is definitely a well-known fact that Lompico Canyon has a water problem. The condition of our water district, and the controversy around it, would have to be disclosed to any prospective buyer by the listing agent.
If we do not pass the bond measure, we could find ourselves in a bankruptcy situation with the State of California appointing a receiver, and the highest water rates in the county.
This would definitely affect the value of any property in Lompico County Water District — that is, if you could find a buyer.
Vote “yes” on Measure N, for safe and secure water, and be sure to put your address on the bottom of the green envelope in the space provided.
Maggie Smith, Lompico
Letter: Who is looking out for Lompico homeowners in merge?
Editor,
The homeowners here in Lompico were never given the opportunity to vote for the merge — instead, by letter, we were told to send a protest.
A minimum of 25 percent had to do so in order for us to be given the chance to vote on such an important matter — we lost by 1 percent.
Then the most important aspect, asking the homeowners who will be paying for this very expensive $3.5 million bond for 30 years, with interest over $8 million, that will be distributed over less than 500 homeowners — there wasn’t even a meeting where we were given the facts.
Instead, there were several tables of supporters and we were expected to go table to table asking our questions without anyone else hearing the exchanged question and answer.
I left, finding it totally unproductive.
Lastly, our present board of directors is totally in support of the merge. It seems this merge has been their sole focus for many years.
We haven’t had a water manager for years, and I understand for some time SLV has sent their own man to manage.
I appreciate the hard work of the present board of directors, although I am concerned that no other alternative has been presented and concerned that the bond is too much.
I wonder who is looking out for our interests?
A.C. Dye, Lompico
Letter: Don’t let rumors, fears prevent needed changes in Lompico
Editor,
My husband and I built our dream home in Lompico over 44 years ago.
For the past 6 years, I’ve been fortunate to serve the people of Lompico by being on the Lompico Water District Board.
I’ve seen a lot of change in the canyon over the years, and change in the district during my two terms. Change has been a good thing — it is how we grow and become better.
It is vital that the district change the direction it has been going for over 20 years, if we wish to have clean, reliable, and affordable water.
It’s time to move our district into the 21st Century. It’s time to change the illusion that the Lompico Water District can continue to muddle along in the same old way, and time to stop putting Band-Aids on our system infrastructure.
It’s time to have a larger staff and qualified manager to serve us. It’s time to understand that a clean, reliable water supply is important for our good health and safety, and to protect our property values.
It’s time to be well-informed of the crucial bond vote before us, and get the facts at tinyurl.com/Lompico.
It’s time to not be misled by rumor, or others’ fears. It is time to know that SLV Water District has been a good neighbor to us, without tooting their own horn.
They fill in when we are short staffed, help repair line breaks beyond our capabilities, and loan us money. We buy their water when we are low.
Take the time to look at the numbers: At current interest, our bond cost would be $404 a year or $1.11 a day — less than a cup of coffee.
It’s time to secure our future — time to vote “yes” on Measure N.
Lois Henry, Lompico