The race for three open seats on the board of directors of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District is shaping up as a contest between two, three-candidate slates- dubbed the “Incumbent Slate” vs.  “Challenging Slate.”  The Press Banner sat down with the “Incumbent Slate” of candidates- Chuck Baughman, Gene Ratcliffe, and newly appointed board member John Hayes for a wide-ranging conversation on what they have accomplished in the last four years, and what they hope to do in the next four years.

 Last week, Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) and the Bye Bye Mattress Program announced Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) as a recipient of the 2018 Environmental Stewardship Award for his outstanding commitment toward protecting California’s coastline from illegal development and advancing policies to strengthen clean water supplies. The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes and commends California legislators who have made significant contributions toward protecting California’s environment and who best exemplify environmental stewardship.

As of August 9, Brian Lee, District Manager for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District has resigned from his position. His last day at the district will be August 31. According to Lee, his resignation has nothing to do with his job or the district, but he has a family reason on why he must resign. 

Citizens for Orderly Growth in Scotts Valley (CFOG) is a recently organized, “educational and collaborative” advocacy group that has every intention of becoming a grassroots force to be reckoned with in the face of “uncontrolled growth” in Scotts Valley, according to its organizers .

At last week’s Scotts Valley City Council meeting the council agreed to participate in an ad hoc “Interagency Advisory Subcommittee” tasked with “developing a collective message” between various local agencies on issues surrounding growth and development in Scotts Valley.

Dealing with one of the worst droughts on record and then the largest, most destructive wildfires in California’s history, the Secretary of California’s Natural Resources Agency has his hands full. The Natural Resource Agency is a sprawling, cabinet-level state agency overseeing and coordinating 25 different departments, from Cal Fire to the Department of Water Resources with a lot to coordinate over the last several years. 

editor's note: