Letters to the Editor

Gratitude for coverage and community support of Damians Ladder Last week’s Press Banner paper carried the story of the newly formed 501c3 nonprofit organization, Damians Ladder, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce. Your reporter, Drew Penner, wrote a marvelous column about...

Highway 17 southbound near Mt. Hermon Road poses severe wildfire risk The Highway 17 southbound corridor approaching Mt. Hermon Road and the right turn area to Mt. Hermon Road, very near the Bay Tree Apartments in Scotts Valley, 100% fails the below Cal Fire safety...

Concern over Scotts Valley’s housing plan I’m puzzled by the Scotts Valley Council’s exuberance to change our Housing Element and modify the Town Center proposal to include more than 600 houses. I also understand Gov. Newsom's affordable housing edict. I also find it troubling that...

Scotts Valley housing development to receive San Lorenzo Valley water  The Valley Gardens Development includes 146 residences, 60 apartment units, 12 Accessory Dwelling Units and three commercial buildings (10,000-plus square feet). The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is expected to provide potable water to this...

A special shoutout to Robert Slawinski Auctioneers If you are a Trustee and/or Executor for someone’s estate, I highly recommend Robert Slawinski Auctioneers to help with liquidating all your treasures. Rob and Theresa made what could have been a difficult time almost non stressful. It was...

Let’s work together to make a better world In the Jan. 5, 2024, Banner, I was sad to read Wes Modes of Felton saying, “Let’s celebrate every smashed-up police car.” In every profession, there is “good” and “not so good” and “bad.” We are fortunate we...

Seniors and families struggle as HOA fees skyrocket In the Jan. 26 front-page article about the garage fire (“Hidden Oaks Residents Raise Concerns Over HOA Fees After Garage Fire”), a mention was made about the recent increase in fees at Hidden Oaks condominiums.  We live at...

Majority of ratepayers being left behind It’s hard to believe the San Lorenzo Valley Water District promotes this rate increase as supporting water conservation. Anyone taking a few minutes to run the numbers out will see right away it’s the opposite. None of the four board...

SLV Water District Board must find a better plan The San Lorenzo Valley Water District rate increase proposal is flawed by stark inequities and excessive costs, showcasing the weakness of the Board in managing our District’s finances. Their primary duty is to us, with effective oversight,...

Shame on Panetta for voting to cut Social Security and Medicare  Why did Jimmy Panetta, our elected representative to the U.S. Congress, vote in favor of the Republican closed-door commission to cut Social Security and Medicare? How could he so horribly betray the senior citizens...