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Saturday, September 19, will see scores of glass art studios across the country stringing beads for the nonprofit organization, Beads of Courage, Inc. This group provides innovative arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses. National Bead Challenge Day is an annual fundraising event which serves more than 60,000 children in 240 hospitals throughout the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

New Company for 3 D printer enthusiasts

The power went out during the printing of the Press Banner due to a PGE problem. We realize that some readers received their paper later than usual. We apologize for the unforeseen circumstance.

Deadline to sign petitions for SB277 referendum approaches this month. The SB277 is California’s new vaccine mandate for children in school.The referendum asks that personal belief exemptions remain valid in the state of California. If the law stays on track, such exemptions will no longer be allowed. Children will be required to be vaccinated based on the government’s recommended schedule. Those who do not want the vaccines will be denied entry into school.For families who are concerned about their constitutional and parental rights, time is running out to get informed and take a stand.Several local parents have the petitions on hand for people to sign, and are available to discuss the ramifications of the new law, which is scheduled to take effect in 2016.SB277 is just the tip of the iceberg. Since its passing earlier this year, other laws have been making their way through the legislation, which require adult vaccinations to be current as well.While it’s obvious that nobody wants dormant, crippling diseases to come back into society, it’s important to note that these bills have been passed without voter approval.Both the pro and against viewpoints have scientific backing. Being informed on both sidesof the story is the best way to make decisions.It’s always up to the individual to decide what’s best for them, but SB277 takes that choice away.Fore more information on the referendum, visit http://sb277referendum.com.

Dispatch Log (September 11, 2015)

 In 2007, Scotts Valley Redevelopment Agency was a government body that was dedicated to renewing neglected and blighted urban areas. Redevelopment efforts typically targeted restoration of historic buildings, removing unsafe buildings, lowering crime, attracting businesses, creating landscaping and developing suitable new housing.In Scotts Valley the RDA accomplished many projects such as to provide funding for affordable housing; to rebuild Scotts Valley Drive; bring in new business and more. All were funded by the RDA.In their 2011 Budget Act, the State of California Legislature approved the dissolution of the California’s over 400 Redevelopment Agencies. February 1, 2012, the RDAs were officially dissolved. As a result, property tax revenues were then used to pay for servicing required payments on bonds and other enforceable obligations than had been paid by the RDAs.In 1978 when Proposition 13 was passed, it limited the tax rate for real estate. It stated in Section 1. (a) The maximum amount of any ad valorem tax on real property shall not exceed one percent of the full cash value of such property. The one percent tax is to be collected by counties and apportioned according to law to the districts within the counties.Scotts Valley Mayor, Dene Bustichi, explained that in 2007 Council member Randy Johnson and Mayor Bustichi approached the County requesting a tolling agreement because the allocation of taxes to the city of Scotts Valley was incorrect. The County disagreed and the City of Scotts Valley was forced to file a lawsuit to protect the taxpayer’s rights. It was believed that SCC had shortchanged Scotts Valley of the amount of property tax allocations that the city should receive. He said “the county froze the property tax allocations for Scotts Valley at four percent of the one percent allowed of total collected property tax permitted by Proposition 13. Other cities were allocated at between seven to 20 percent. We did not think that was fair for Scotts Valley property tax payers.”Scotts Valley prevailed in a substantial part of the suit, but the litigation has taken many turns during the past years. It has been a long running suit.In 2015, the State Department of Finance approved the implementation of a court ordered settlement of the long-running dispute between the County of Santa Cruz and the City of Scotts Valley. The settlement agreement was approved by the San Mateo Superior Court in February and the matter was pending before the Department of Finance before the terms were able to be implemented.Bustichi believes the resolution of the dispute is good for the tax payers in Scotts Valley because it protects them from further litigation costs. He said “We acted to protect the taxpayers of Scotts Valley, and we look forward to a new era of trust between Scotts Valley and the County.”Both sides look forward to putting the matter behind them. Rather than pursue a case that dates to 2007, the two sides agreed to a settlement that protects taxpayers from further court cost while laying the groundwork for strengthening of the relationship between the City and County.Both the County and City would like to thank Assemblymember Mark Stone, D-Monterey Bay, for his support of the agreement and his work with the Administration and the Department of Finance to bring this matter to a conclusion. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Department of Finance for their thoughtful review of the Court’s actions.“This case has dragged on too long, and I am grateful both sides were able to come to a mutual agreement,” Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson said. “This shows what can happen when people set aside their differences and work together to find a solution.”“It was the collaboration of the current group that made good communication possible. We wanted a new beginning and did not let old arguments poison the discussion,” said Bustichi. “Now,” he observed, “the property taxes generated in Scotts Valley will benefit Scotts Valley.”