Let’s work together to make a better world
In the Jan. 5, 2024, Banner, I was sad to read Wes Modes of Felton saying, “Let’s celebrate every smashed-up police car.” In every profession, there is “good” and “not so good” and “bad.”
We are fortunate we don’t have the problems that some areas face.
We do need military to protect our country. We do need police to help us and protect the public.
Most policemen are kind, good and professional.
I give kudos to Jake White (Scotts Valley, Jan. 19) and Elisabet Hiatt (Felton, Jan. 12) for saying our law enforcement officers are amazing.
Some people say, “They are lousy cops”—that is until you need one, and you never know when that might be.
Let’s not celebrate smashed-up police cars, but all work together to make a better world.
Norma Dinelli Wilson
Scotts Valley
County deserves a leader like Bradford
The residents of SLV, Scotts Valley and the Highway 17 corridor have an opportunity this March to set the course of county leadership for the next decade. With the retirement of Supervisor McPherson, voters in District 5 get to decide what direction they want their community to go, and who will lead us in that direction.
Christopher Bradford is the real deal. A small business owner and CZU total loss survivor, he has spent the past four years engaging and advocating for his community on a range of issues that address some of the biggest challenges we face—accessibility of clean water, housing affordability and availability, and especially fire survivor advocacy and representation.
He has a vision to alleviate the housing crisis and provide his community with much-needed infrastructure and services. He’s a caring father and husband. He’s an authentic human being that serves his community.
I hope that the Fifth District gets out there and charts a new course this March. The residents of Santa Cruz County deserve a leader like Bradford.
Mike Kubo
Bonny Doon
Bradford promises greater representation
I support Christopher Bradford for Fifth District Supervisor. His impressive qualifications are enhanced by the promise of greater representation to all in our community, rather than being tied to clubby local political special interests.
We’ve all been affected by disasters, both natural and of poor governance. We can make a difference and change the outcome by making wise choices when we vote. Christopher Bradford is already working hard as an advocate for making positive changes in our community, and I’m supporting him with my vote.
Debra Loewen
Lompico Canyon
Don’t be tricked by Measure K
I hope that people in Santa Cruz County will not be fooled again and will vote no on Measure K. Here is why:
Measure K is a general tax, meaning that the County will use the added revenues (estimated at $10 million annually) for whatever whim the Supervisors want. The County has no responsibility to actually spend the money on matters the Measure K ballot claims to benefit.
They have learned that people are worried about wildfire protection and want our miserable roads fixed, so they crafted the ballot to claim the sales tax increase would fund that, but have no intention of keeping that promise.
The Board of Supervisors pulled the same trick in 2018 with the Measure G half-cent sales tax increase, claiming nearly the same causes that would be funded…fire, emergency response, road repair….
The 2021-22 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury investigated the County’s expenditures of the voter-approved Measure G and found the ballot wording was deceitful. Zero dollars have been allocated to fund County fire agencies or other emergency responders.
Money supposedly earmarked for Aptos Village Park vanished, with County staff explaining that the $425,000 promise was only a “recommendation.”
Is it fair or legal to allow voters in the four incorporated cities to vote on this permanent sales tax increase that will only be levied on businesses in the unincorporated area? Don’t be tricked again. Vote no on Measure K. It’s just another trick to grab your money.
Becky Steinbruner
Aptos
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