Letters to the Editor

If every bicyclist and vehicle (and smart pedestrian) ran with lights on 24/7 on Highway 9, we could avoid many unfortunate collisions going from stark sunny blindness to deep dark tree shade. I have driven this road over 30 years and it is very scary...

Measure S imposes unfair burden on younger homeowners The proposed Measure S seeks to increase property taxes to fund the new fire station — I believe this is unfair because it taxes younger, more financially-stressed families in Scotts Valley. As proposed, the property tax increase would...

California homeowners still unable to obtain insurance in high-risk areas I receive automatic updates from the California Insurance Commissioner stating that insurance carriers are once again writing homeowners policies in California. However, each time I contact the companies mentioned, I am told they still will...

Winter brings leadership to Fire Board race Some people lead by laughter, using humor to help us see things we had not noticed. Others lead by words, speaking truth so clearly it cannot be ignored, and pointing a way forward. Others lead by example, always...

Protect California by voting ‘yes’ on Prop 50 A letter printed Oct. 24 implied that our upcoming ballot proposition is a power grab. The writer stated, “Now let’s talk about power grab. How was Proposition 50 put on the ballot? It is a legislative constitutional...

Every American Deserves Secure and Fair Elections On July 16, President Trump addressed the nation where he presented allegations of foreign election interference and influence in 2018’s midterms and 2020’s presidential elections. Every American, whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or otherwise, should be able to agree...

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...

Support for school tax comes into question The article in the Aug. 4 Press Banner, with Michael Schulman advocating for more money for teachers (“SVUSD Places Parcel Tax on Fall Ballot”), seemed an irony with the other article, which reported on a lawsuit brought by...

Leadership and financial oversight failures plague SLV Water District Our San Lorenzo Valley Water District faces shortfalls of leadership and financial oversight, and it is the customers who end up on the losing end. Earlier this year at rate hearings among customer challenges, even district employees...

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...