Opinion

EDITOR,

Dear Editor,

I have had the pleasure these past few weeks to talk to lots of people, some door-to-door, about our temporary ½-cent sales tax, Measure U. The response has been very positive.  Some heartily endorse the measure, agreeing that to keep current services intact that additional revenue is needed for our city. But not everyone favors this tax and they have their reasons and they are happy to share them with me. The “I pay enough taxes already,” is the most frequent reason given for resisting any new tax. I think they are surprised when I agree with them.

 

Upon arriving in the office Monday morning, March 8, I read a significant number of e-mails about our choice to publish pictures of the Felton home where Deanna Dudley was tragically killed on Feb. 28.

Santa Cruz policies not to blame for homeless issues

Recycled water fill-up station coming to Scotts ValleyBy Bill Maxfield On August 4, Scotts Valley Water District, a regional leader in the distribution of recycled water, announced plans to open, by late August, a recycled water fill-up station that will provide free recycled water to Scotts Valley residents.Believed to be the first of its kind in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, the station will provide Scotts Valley residents up to 250 gallons of recycled water per day, free of charge, that can be used to irrigate residential landscaping, fruit and vegetable trees, as well as to wash down hard surfaces and control dust from construction projects. Recycled water is wastewater purified through multiple treatment processes that meets California Department of Public Health quality and safety standards. Since 2002, the District has delivered about 530 million gallons of recycled water to customers, an amount equivalent to about a year’s worth of water used by the entire system, which serves 4,000 accounts. “We are excited about making recycled water more widely available to Scotts Valley residents, who we know are committed to helping us reduce groundwater pumping during the drought,” said District General Manager Piret Harmon. “Increasing our community’s use of recycled water for landscaping and gardening will help us maintain our target consumption level of 75 gallons of potable water per person per day.”The fill-up station will be located in a lot behind the Scotts Valley Library Branch on Kings Village Road, across from the Scotts Valley Senior Center. The operation schedule will be announced in late August.For more information about recycled water use within the District, visit http://svwd.org/your-water/recycled-water.About Scotts Valley Water DistrictScotts Valley Water District is a public agency providing water and sewer service over six square miles including most of the City of Scotts Valley and a portion of the unincorporated areas north of the city limits.  The community of Scotts Valley places a high value on livability, innovation and planning for the future.  Scotts Valley Water District is proud to play a vital role in supporting those efforts by providing a reliable, sustainable, high-quality water supply. Through partnership with our community, strategic investment in resources and pursuit of new ideas, Scotts Valley Water District is redefining its historic role in order to meet future challenges and turn them into opportunities. Learn more about Scotts Valley Water District at www.svwd.org or www.facebook.com/svwater.