Seniors face burden of increasing property costs
Regarding Patrick Johnston’s letter on Sept. 20: I too am concerned about the increase in property taxes proposed this year, as well as affording the ever-increasing exorbitant homeowners insurance costs. I have children and grandchildren that I hope can buy and maintain a home in our area.
What he and others don’t realize is that before Prop 13, senior citizens were losing their homes because, on fixed incomes, it was difficult to bear the increased property taxes as well as other living expenses. A home may be worth more, but that doesn’t pay the bills.
My husband and I, like many seniors, are disabled, so the opportunity to earn new income is limited. Any small cost of living increase to the Social Security Insurance that we paid into is offset by increases in healthcare and other expenses. After I retired, I learned that surprisingly, Medicare isn’t free. It’s subsidized insurance that you pay for monthly.
We downsized to a small condo to save money. Meanwhile, like you, our homeowner insurance is skyrocketing each year and may force us, like many others, out of our home, if it continues at this pace.
In Scotts Valley, the property taxes proposed for school, fire and forest management could add at the minimum $600 to yearly property taxes. We are willing to pay those costs for the future of all those living here.
The inequality of property taxes is that big corporations, since they don’t change “owners,” are included. PG&E, AT&T, Bank of America, to name a few, pay low property taxes while benefiting from high profits from the services and infrastructure those taxes pay for.
Instead of generations fighting over their share of the costs, let’s ask the corporations and large profit-making property management companies to pay their fair share. That should be the change we all can work for.
I sincerely hope that our families are able to stay in this beautiful part of our country.
Karin Meyer
Scotts Valley
Bradford set to tackle community’s challenges
I would like to share why Christopher Bradford has my vote for 5th District Supervisor.
I first met Christopher at a community fire preparation event in Boulder Creek earlier this year, and was impressed with how genuine, humble, bright and personable he was. I was able to get to know him better at a recent Meet and Greet event at the Felton Community Hall. During that event, I felt Christopher’s sincere commitment to the people in our community, and his knowledge of and concern about critical issues that are crying out for attention; such as roads and infrastructure, water and sewage infrastructure, housing and emergency preparedness.
His strong commitment to government transparency and building a coalition with our other political representatives was clear to me. Christopher knows firsthand the need to create more efficiency in the County Planning Department. It was the difficulty he experienced with this department during his efforts to rebuild his home after the CZU fire that inspired him to run for 5th District Supervisor.
I have personally experienced the challenges of dealing with our County Planning Department when remodeling and rebuilding my home (not related to the CZU fire), and it was a nightmare.
Christopher Bradford has fresh ideas and a strong resolve for change. He is the solution to address and fix the challenges our community faces, and in building a better tomorrow for our community.
Janene Forsyth
Ben Lomond
Martinez ready to strengthen county’s resilience
I am writing to express my support for Monica Martinez to represent the Fifth District on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
The past handful of years through pandemic, wildfire, debris flow and flooding have continually tested the resilience of Santa Cruz County’s Fifth District. As a result of these trials, our fragile infrastructure is showing major cracks and seams. We have surpassed our ability to hold it all together with grit and duct tape.
Large-scale housing rebuilding, disaster recovery, energy/water/waste infrastructure and environmental stewardship are highly complex, interconnected challenges. They will require leadership and experience to successfully cultivate partnerships across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, secure funding and land solutions for our unique Valley.
Monica Martinez has challenged the status quo as a leader of the largest community-based nonprofit in Santa Cruz County and the County’s Parks and Rec Commission. She is poised and ready to lead our District from complexity and confusion to real, honest solutions. These solutions will strengthen our daily resilience, while also positioning our Valley as a leading example to other communities too.
Anne Less
Felton
Backing Bradford for 5th District supervisor
I am writing to express my support for Christopher Bradford for 5th District Supervisor.
I first encountered Christopher Bradford about two years ago while struggling to understand the issues related to our local water provider, Big Basin Water. He had put together some professional and articulate videos summarizing the complicated and constantly changing situation. These videos were a valuable resource for local residents to stay informed on this critical matter.
What impressed me was that Christopher didn’t just say that there was “nothing he could do” and complain. Instead, he took positive action! At the time, there was no source of reliable consistent information. Christopher took it upon himself to start collecting and presenting information to the community so that we could be informed and united.
Christopher’s professionalism, intellect and dedication were evident in the time and talent he brought to this issue, and I know that he will passionately use all these skills to effectively represent all the issues facing the 5th District.
Jennifer Parks
Boulder Creek
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