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.