Reber and Wimp for Scotts Valley Council
Nov. 3, 2026, will be a consequential election for Scotts Valley. Voters will elect two City Council members who will help determine the next city manager, the future of the Town Center, and how to address unfunded mandates.
Danny Reber, a lifelong Scotts Valley resident, is running for one of the seats. He has served on the Scotts Valley Water District Board since 2012 and currently serves as executive director of Valley Churches United. Previously, he spent over a decade as executive director of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, expanding the Art, Wine & Beer Festival, creating the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, and helping keep residents informed during the CZU fires.
Greg Wimp, appointed to the City Council last year to fill a vacancy, is running for the other seat. A Scotts Valley resident for 21 years, Wimp has supported the local economy through his TOGO’S business and led the Measure A campaign, which funded the rebuilding of the middle school.
Both candidates have demonstrated long-standing community involvement. Their opponent, Michael Zeller, has only recently become active while pursuing a City Council seat. The Santa Cruz Sentinel, in its endorsement discussion, said Zeller was “mainly running because the Bethany project would be built in his neighborhood.”
Reber’s experience leading the Chamber and Wimp’s background as a business owner also bring valuable fiscal perspectives. Under Zeller’s oversight as director of programming and project delivery at the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, the reported cost of the SR 156/Castroville Boulevard Interchange project increased from approximately $29.5 million to $122.7 million over five years.
Scotts Valley deserves experienced leaders committed to the community’s greater good. Danny Reber and Greg Wimp have demonstrated that commitment and will continue serving Scotts Valley regardless of the election’s outcome.
Cody Jarvis
Santa Cruz
Choose Winter for Felton Fire
I came away from the recent candidate forum convinced that Craig Winter is the kind of leader Felton Fire needs right now.
All the candidates care about Felton Fire and our community, but Craig stood out to me for his energy and focus. He was well prepared for the questions and answered them with specifics about what needs to be done, how and when it can be done, and what results the community should expect.
Craig recognizes that our community voted to make a significant investment in our fire district and he clearly understands the Board’s obligation to turn that investment into better service, stronger wildfire preparedness, reliable emergency response and a fire department positioned for the future.
That will take more than maintaining the status quo. It will take someone willing to think differently, ask questions, listen to new ideas and turn those ideas into action. Craig shared his vision of a world-class outfit that will attract volunteers and set an example for rural departments everywhere.
Craig makes himself remarkably accessible. You can find him talking with residents at the Farmers Market, participating in Firewise events, meeting people throughout the community and staying after Board meetings for as long as people want to talk. He listens, collaborates and genuinely seems to enjoy hearing what people have to say.
That may be my biggest takeaway from the forum: Craig has tremendous enthusiasm for what Felton Fire can become.
We did our part by voting to invest in our fire district. Now we need Board members with the energy, expertise and accountability to make that investment pay off.
After participating in the candidate forum, my choice is clear: Craig Winter for Felton Fire and our community.
Timothy Lydgate
Felton
Our Road Map for Felton Fire
Last year, Felton learned the local fire/emergency response agency, Felton Fire District, was on the verge of dissolving. Alarmed, Felton Community for Emergency Response (FC4ER) formed and focused on researching options, consulting the community and seeking best solutions for Felton.
While working with the community, FFPD Board members and other involved parties, FC4ER developed a plan for improving emergency services and community confidence.
FC4ER saw the need for the following four elements:
Element 1, “Secure the funding necessary.” (Done. Assessment funds are collected with December’s property taxes and are available in January 2027.)
Element 2, “Hire a permanent Fire Chief.” (Nearly complete, with applications closing soon and a final decision expected by mid-November.)
Element 3, “Choose the future Board of Directors.” (Decided on Election Day when voters cast their ballots.) Three current directors, Anderson, Crandell and Winter, are vying for two positions on the Board.
Element 4, “Create Felton Fire Assessment Citizens’ Review Committee (FFACRC).” (Started after the Assessment passed. If you want to know more, contact me at ma******@****io.com.)
The current Board deserves credit for getting this situation turned around. The Fire District Board, Interim Fire Chief Isaac Blum and other involved Felton citizens achieved more than our critics thought possible.
As FFPD recovers, the community can evaluate this plan by examining the details: Response times? Improvements to the Fire Station site? Morale improved? The public feel included by the Board? Progress has been made, but finishing the job will rely on the next Board.
Personally, I support Board member Craig Winter for re-election. Appointed August 2025, he actively supports this road map for FFPD’s success, working tirelessly to improve the status quo, motivate staff and encourage community relations.
Our community decides who takes Felton Fire into the future, so please vote by Nov. 3.
Liz Taylor-Selling
Felton
