The recent arrival of two tobacco shops in Scotts Valley has caused concern for some residents, particularly parents of young and impressionable students. Some of the recent phone calls and e-mails I have received noted the close proximity of one smoke shop to our local middle school, as well as concern over the pipes, bongs and related paraphernalia often associated more with the drug culture than tobacco use. The smoke shop near the middle school offers ice cream snacks, which one parent likened to an attractive enticement for curious students.

With the help of my mother, my future mother-in-law and my bride-to-be, it looks like I’ve finally compiled a guest list. What I didn’t realize when I signed up for this job was that I would be slaving on this thing late into the night to perfect a list of close to 400 people — some of whom I don’t even know.

EDITOR,

In recent opinion (“Trim pensions before raising taxes,” Letters, Feb. 18), it was suggested that the fire and police department take a cut in their pensions. I cannot fault the writer for his misinformation regarding the pension system, which he knows nothing about. I am a retired San Jose firefighter. The Mercury News has reported our retirement questions incorrectly. It sells papers. Because it is in print doesn't make it the truth, including my opinion. The San Jose police and fire retirement system is a private system, negotiated by the members. Firefighters and police put money into the system instead of taking salary increases — an option that was not always granted to us. Check with the San Jose Police Association and Firefighters Union for the correct facts on this subject. The Mercury is politically biased.

Library patrons and supporters rallied around the possible closure of the Felton branch and three other community branches of the Santa Cruz County library system in a broad-reaching show of support this week.

EDITOR,

Recently, I received a flier from the newly formed citizen group “Preserve Scotts Valley.” It appears some folks are concerned about the magnitude of the city budget cuts and suggest an extension of a recent tax increase. As a taxpayer, I would support tax increases only if the Scotts Valley City Council recommended them. In addition, if things are as dire as the citizen group suggests, my first question would be, “Is Scotts Valley going to roll back the police and fire pension benefits?” The recent pension increases during the past decade that reach 90 percent of pay (with overtime spiking) is unsustainable and also, I might add, unreasonable. San Jose is going to implement a two-tier pension system this year with increased contributions by employees and lower pensions. With the coming budget deficits Scotts Valley faces, it's now time for the leadership of Scotts Valley to move in the same direction. The police and fire departments are the largest part of the budget, and public safety pensions are part of the reason for the current budget woes. Before any tax increases, our fiscal house should be put in order.

EDITOR,

Because of a bad economy and the rise of the Internet, local leaders will almost surely decide Monday, Feb. 14, that the Felton Branch Library is no longer used enough to warrant upkeep and staff from the Santa Cruz County Public Library System. That would mean Felton’s branch would no longer be a part of the Santa Cruz County Public Library System and likely would close, unless a volunteer group stepped up to run the library, a la Ben Lomond’s downtown library.

Since 2006, Bonny Doon has been pressing the Local Agency Formation Commission for the right to hold an election to create and fund a Bonny Doon Fire Protection District. The district would be similar to the existing districts serving Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Zayante and Branciforte. Those districts provide excellent service with a combination of a small paid staff and a group of loyal volunteers. These districts operate efficiently and are beloved and supported by their residents. The Bonny Doon proposal was modeled after those districts.