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Scotts Valley is a wonderful place to live.  Convenience is a large part of what makes it so. Wonderful forest hikes, beaches, libraries, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and many other wonderful businesses are located quite centrally.  However, this advantage has begun to appear as a disadvantage for part of our community.  Living so close to many wonderful amenities has begun to alarm part neighbors off of Bluebonnet Lane, as they experience “alarming traffic daily.” According to local David Jones, “Living on Bluebonnet Lane, I have seen speeding traffic, over-weight trucks, traffic endangering SV Middle School students, dangerous conditions for pedestrians (especially seniors and people walking dogs) … In addition, Bluebonnet Lane does not have complete sidewalks and there are no streetlights.”

 It is with a heavy heart, that we are greatly saddened by the unexpected passing of Captain Peder McElroy. Captain McElroy was 48 years old when he passed away suddenly Saturday night. Captain McElroy has been with the Branciforte Fire Protection District for 22 years. He was a proven leader, selfless firefighter and EMT who worked diligently to serve our community. His positive influence will forever be felt throughout the Branciforte Fire Protection District and beyond. Additionally, he was a devoted and loving father, son and husband. He leaves behind a wife and four children. We ask that you keep the McElroy family in your thoughts and prayers. He will be missed. Further information regarding a service will be released as it comes available. Rest easy Captain Peder McElroy, we will take it from here. 

Noah Jones was going home.  The afternoon of Saturday, June 6th was a regular work day for the Ben Lomond resident, but the typical quiet of his office was jarred by the never ending scream of sirens as law enforcement officers from around the county hurtled through Scotts Valley, en route to a call for assistance from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department. Jones, 26, a Berkeley grad who teaches kids to code, had moved back to the San Lorenzo Valley just a few weeks earlier in an attempt to escape the COVID-19 outbreak in Virginia. Jones’ parents had moved to Ben Lomond in 2007 following the Virginia Tech shooting in April of that year. Both of them were professors at the school, but the massacre on campus that left 32 people dead and 17 wounded left them shattered, so they sought—and found—solace in the mountains of Ben Lomond. Mary, Noah’s mom, was sure that the peace and quiet, the neighborly vibe and comfort that came from the community, was exactly what they needed. So she was stunned to receive a cryptic message from her son on Saturday afternoon. The text included the words “carjacked” and “man with gun,” but ended with the reassurance that Noah was fine. Mary and her husband had been preparing to drive to Scotts Valley to check on Noah. Minutes earlier, they had been under the impression that whatever was summoning such a huge response from law enforcement must have been happening in Scotts Valley, and they wanted to make sure he was safe; after all, things like this don’t happen in small towns. But once she and her husband crested the hill on their country road in Ben Lomond, they saw Noah sitting on the side of the road, looking stunned but unhurt. Noah had left work early to escape whatever the police were responding to, and when he turned onto his home’s dirt road off of Highway 9, he had only driven a short way when a man approached him. Noah thought perhaps the man was warning him of a problem ahead, or offering assistance of some kind—country neighbors do that. But when the man approached the car, he told Noah he needed the vehicle, and then he put one hand on the car and tried to open the door. That’s when Noah saw the blood…and the AR-15 style rifle. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I need this car,” said the carjacker, Steven Carrillo, and Noah understood the implication in those words. Noah had the presence to ask if he could gather his items from his 2000 Toyota Camry, and Carrillo let him collect his backpack and phone before absconding with the vehicle. *** Ashlie Rayne doesn’t remember anything odd about Carrillo. They both attended San Lorenzo Valley High School, with Carrillo graduating in 2006. “He kind of kept to himself for the most part,” Rayne said. He spent a lot of time with his then-girlfriend, (now late wife, Monika) and Rayne recalled how they seemed like “the perfect couple. Away from everyone else, though, Monika would call friends and talk about how he mentally abused her. She would be hanging out at a friend’s house,” Rayne said, “and he would show up, call her names and embarrass her to the point she would leave with him.” Rayne worked with Carrillo at the Round Table in Felton when she was 15 or 16 years old. “He was a fun person to work with,” Rayne said. “He seemed normal, so where the turning point of really becoming a monster was, I’m not really sure.” Monika Carrillo, who served in the U.S. Air Force with her husband, Steven, died in 2018. Though Steven Carrillo wasn’t charged in Monika’s death—she committed suicide— her family maintains that he was a factor in it, referencing his “narcissistic and domineering” attitude towards his wife in an interview with the Mercury News. *** Richard Robinson has been a Ben Lomond resident since 1994. He and his wife, Susan, raised two daughters who both attended SLV schools. In 25 years, Robinson noted, this was his first vigil for a downed officer. Robinson and 100-120 neighbors gathered at Ben Lomond Park on Mill Street on Sunday evening to pay their respects and hold space for Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller, 38, who was killed by Carrillo. At the park, Robinson looked for a point person, but didn’t spot one. “It seemed to be more like a memorial where people were taking turns saying what needed to be said.” Robinson said about seven people addressed the crowd, but no one who spoke identified themselves as being a first responder of any kind. Asking Robinson what he felt he took from that experience, he replied, “My fellow Ben Lomondians had come together to mark an important passing, and maybe to find some comfort in seeing each other at the vigil, and to try to remind each other of some important lessons that are easily forgotten—to take care of each other, and remember that there are people putting themselves at risk every day for the good of the community.” The first man to speak at the Mill Street vigil said something that struck Robinson: “If you think that dropping off a card at the sheriff’s office will be meaningless, please don’t think that.” The speaker recalled that a woman from Minnesota that he’d never met had made him a quilt to commemorate a personal loss, and he still has that quilt. Robinson said his own daughters will make a card to drop off, and that he struggles with what to say in the card. “We have so few things that have impacted the community so broadly—we’re just a small little rural community, and we’re lucky that we don’t have a lot of tragic events that affect us all. This one’s hitting us all,” said Robinson. *** Well over 1,000 mourners gathered in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Station on Soquel Avenue in Live Oak on Sunday to honor and remember Gutzwiller, a 14-year veteran of the department. “He never had a bad day, even when he was due one,” said Steve Ryan from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office. “He was better than most of us.” There were prayers from clergy, statements from Sheriff Jim Hart, and remembrances from team members who worked closely with Gutzwiller. “His work did not go unnoticed, and this world is a better place for it,” said Sergeant John Habermehl. In his career, Gutzwiller never received a single civilian complaint. “Damon was a hero,” said Habermehl, “and he’s someone we’re never going to forget.” In a news conference on Monday afternoon, Sheriff Hart announced that a second sheriff’s deputy had been shot in the chest during the ambush by Carrillo; “his vest was able to stop the bullet, but he suffered some significant internal trauma and shrapnel wounds from a bomb that was set off, and was struck by the suspect’s car as Carrillo fled the scene.” Hart said he and his department were grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and beyond. “In this era of negativity about law enforcement, it’s been a real godsend to see what our community really thinks about us here in Santa Cruz County.” Hart shared that he had received hundreds of emails, phone calls and messages sharing support and offering assistance to the department. “They are a quiet majority,” Hart said. “You don’t hear them often, but there is a ton of support for the sheriff’s office and local law enforcement.” That support was also on display on Sunday evening in Boulder Creek as about 40 mourners assembled in front of the sheriff’s substation on Central Avenue. Residents brought flowers, lit candles, and signed a memorial board featuring Gutwiller’s photo. And, as if on cue, the group threw back their heads at 8pm, and howled for Damon.                                             *** Residents are invited to show their support for those affected by this tragedy.•   The Peace Officers Research Association of California has established a “Fund a Hero” collection online for Sergeant Gutzwiller’s family. Donations may be made online at https://porac.org/fundraiser/line-of-duty-death-damon-gutzwiller-eow-6-6-2020/•   Noah Jones only had liability insurance on his Camry, and the car was declared a total loss. Plus, it’s now evidence in an investigation by the FBI, so it’s not coming back. There is a GoFundMe set up to help Noah raise money to replace the vehicle: donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/noah039s-work-transportation•   Donate in Sergeant Gutzwiller’s memory to any law enforcement agency or social service network that provides support to public servants. Part Two of this story will be in the June 19th issue of the PB.

Civil unrest across the globe sparked by the murder of George Floyd, has found its niche in our community.  Protesters have gathered in Felton and Boulder Creek to protest the systematic racism in police departments throughout the nation.  While many protests have paused in sympathy with the tragic loss of Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, organizers, like those of the Black Lives Matter Protest in Scotts Valley, hope their event will “offer a space for discussion and healing in the light of the violence in our world today.”  I chatted about the protests in Felton with its unaffiliated organizers, Sharlene Cece, Julie Kowalewski Ward, and Toni Norton.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is proud to announce the graduation and deployment of nine CHP canine teams, along with one canine team from the University of California, Davis Police Department. The certification of the new canine teams follows 400-600 hours of training.

The City of Scotts Valley, in an effort to support the economic recovery of local restaurants, has approved the use of Temporary Outdoor Dining.

Protests erupted throughout the country in response to the killing of George Floyd on May 25th.  Unrest against racist violence in the police force have ranged from peaceful to riots and looting throughout United States, and have even taken place in the UK, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Denmark.  While this worldwide phenomenon develops, it’s also occurring across Santa Cruz County.  We had our own moment in the spotlight, as a photo of the Santa Cruz City Police Chief, Andy Mills, kneeling during a protest has gone viral.  Many groups of protestors have gathered these past few days at the clock tower in Santa Cruz, marched down Pacific Avenue, Cedar, Soquel, and Water Streets.  Protests have moved into our valley as well.  On May 31st, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., a march took place from the Felton Covered Bridge Park to the intersection of Highway 9 and Graham Hill Road.  Look for an article in next week’s edition for further coverage.

In the May 22nd edition of the Press Banner, my colleague, Katie Evans, authored a piece regarding the LIRA (Low Income Residential Assistance) program being offered by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD). Katie reached out to Jim Mosher from Friends of the SLVWD to get more information on the program, and wrote extensively on the push for a 5% rate increase for customers. In response, SLVWD Director Bob Fultz requested a chat; having been on the board for 1.5 years, served on district committees and been an involved resident for many years, he seemed like a good bet on getting a different view of things. “Make no mistake, these views are solely mine,” Fultz told me. “I have no authority to speak on behalf of the district.” With that understanding out of the way, we moved onto the meat of the topic. Fultz acknowledge the Friends’ desire for the 5% rate increase, but wanted to clarify its intended use. “100% of that rate hike will go to increased operating expenses, which is the cost of running the district,” he told me. Currently, the district has several pressing financial issues regarding infrastructure and pensions, and none of those items would be addressed by the increase. “We have serious issues, like the need for coating the tanks, building up our reserves and installing new meters,”Fultz told me. In short, applying a rate increase would leave the district “running in place,” instead of getting ahead of the financial issues at hand. While Fultz acknowledged Mosher’s statement in the original article that “ten members called in to support the rate increase,” Fultz stated that the callers were all supporters of Mosher. Those ten people, Fultz said, did not represent the majority of rate payers in the valley. So why would a rate increase of 5% be such a contentious issue? “Well, we need to focus on our budget,” Fultz said. “We’re not a wealthy area by any means, and our no-growth policy negatively impacts the districts finances.” Towns like Saratoga and Scotts Valley are seeing building booms, which equates to fat district coffers. “A water access fee for new residences can be anywhere from $10k-$14k. Granted, that’s a one-time payment, but when you’ve got townhomes being built in rapid succession in Scotts Valley, they’re bringing in substantial revenue from that growth. The San Lorenzo Valley gets just a few new houses each year, so the rate increase needs to be balanced on the backs of existing residents.” The district’s capital reserves were reduced by 50% in this year’s budget, from $1m to $500k. If you assume that the replacement value of infrastructure is $1.5m to $2m, Fultz told me, “that means we need to spend $3m to $4m every year. We’re in a tough situation,” he said, “and it’s important that we get information out to the public regarding the position the district is in.” Did the district not see this coming? According to Fultz, the district is operating in a year-to-year budgeting cycle, which, for an agency that has to be looking decades down the road, doesn’t reflect the long-range planning that is needed. From that planning, clarity will come to demonstrate where the district is financially, and what to do about liabilities that have been built up. Pensions for employees seems to be a pressing issue. “The district’s pension liability is based on a decision made on the state level 25 years ago that assumed the stock market rush of the 1980s and 1990s would continue forever. Of course, we have had a couple of severe crashes, so that has resulted in unfunded pension liability. But these are promises that we made to our district employees. The initial assumed rate of return on our investments was 7%; in the last 20 years, rates have been around 5%. Our pension liability will go up towards $6m-7m range, but since we aren’t advancing paying down the pension obligation, the state is charging us a 7% fee for unfunded liabilities,” he said. “Who will we entrust in addressing these issues in a forthright fashion? The community needs to be fully briefed on our concerns.” Can anything be learned from the district’s past actions? “A few years back, the board decided to increase operating expenses by almost $1m, but without figuring out the actual benefit to the community. They just didn’t have concrete benefits to demonstrate. Now,” said Fultz, “the district is dealing with the fallout of that. We’ll get a better perspective if we move towards a multi-year budget.” The new board members empaneled in the last election have talked about moving to multi-year budgets (3-5 years) with better planning for remaining fund allocation. The current board is mostly comprised of business people, with the exception of Rick Moran who is in education. As Fultz puts it,installing new meters,”“By looking down the road, we’ll get a sense of how expenses will be allocated and managed. By increasing operating expenses each year, customers will see what that means over the long term,” and will lead to more strategic decision making, according to Fultz. And who will those decision makers be? That remains to be seen, says Fultz. There are two seats up for grabs come November, and Fultz thinks this year’s election process may be affected by COVID-19. “Generally, candidates start pulling papers in late July or early August, but we’ll see how the county moves forward with the election process.” Interested in throwing your hat in the ring? Fultz emphasizes that the commitment to the water district is done for love, not money, as the monthly stipend is low and the expectations high. To learn more, visit the Santa Cruz County Elections Department at www.votescount.com.