Letter to the Editor | Published April 25, 2025
An Easter Story
On Good Friday, I thought I was dead. A wealthy man named Joseph dressed me in linen clothing and took me to a windowless room below. From this otherworldly place, I emerged on Easter Morning to find pins piercing my feet that...
Letter to the Editor | Published March 14, 2025
SVFD hosts successful strategic planning workshop
On March 7, the Scotts Valley Fire District hosted a strategic planning workshop to develop vision and goals for the department’s next five years.
I want to commend and thank community stakeholders, administrative staff, fire suppression personnel, chief officers and...
Letter to the Editor | Published Feb. 21, 2025
Protect our future by demanding climate responsibility from pension funds
I am writing to express my concerns regarding our state’s public pension fund. I’m urging them to vote for climate action at this spring’s shareholder meetings for the major corporations the pensions are invested in.
As...
Letters to the Editor | Published Feb. 7, 2025
Forest Lakes Firewise includes more neighbors
When I moved to the San Lorenzo Valley in 2018, I fell in love with living in the forest. But then the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex wildfire opened a whole new view of living in the woods. As lucky...
Letters to the Editor | Published Jan. 17, 2025
High density threatens Hidden Glen’s quality of life
Just wanted to quickly tell our story and voice our strong opposition to the proposed Haven Development, Santa Cruz County Application Number: 241369.
We moved to the Hidden Glen neighborhood five years ago, after looking for the perfect...
Guest Viewpoint | Fighting Rumors with Transparency in SLVWD
Just before the holiday season, there was an opinion piece in the Press Banner about San Lorenzo Valley Water District (“Measure U’s Decisive Defeat: What It Means for SLVWD,” Dec. 13, 2024). The author, Jim Mosher, is a citizen who represents a special interest...
Letters to the Editor | Published Dec. 27, 2024
Community raises concerns over new housing development
We can all agree Santa Cruz County needs affordable housing, but recent moves by lawmakers in Sacramento have created a loophole for one local developer to abuse our planning process and circumvent all restrictions on density, fast-tracking a...
Guest Viewpoint | Measure U’s Decisive Defeat: What It Means for SLVWD
San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) ratepayers soundly defeated Measure U, the proposal to roll back much of the rate increase put in place earlier this year, and elected Alina Layng and Bryan Largay to the SLVWD Board. In so doing they have sent...
Letters to the Editor | Published Nov. 1, 2024 — Part II
A call to vote ‘No’ on Measure U
I am an SLVWD ratepayer. According to information included in the paper from the Yes on U campaign, I am one of those using a lower than average amount of water, at less than 4 units per...
Letters to the Editor | Published Nov. 1, 2024 — Part I
Fairer solution for Scotts Valley lies in housing, not higher taxes
In response to Scotts Valley Fire District Board Director Daron Pisciotta (“Ensuring Fairness for All Homeowners with Measure S,” Oct. 4), I appreciate your thoughtful response to my concerns regarding Measure S, but I...
News Briefs | Published July 4, 2025
Tree removal leads to temporary closure on Big Basin Highway
Caltrans will temporarily close a section of southbound Highway 236 (Big Basin Highway) left on...