Dear Editor,Scotts Valley entertained yet another successful 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza at Skypark for its community and nearby counties!The fireworks and park festivities are the main fundraiser for the Scotts Valley Advocates, who in turn provide funds for the improvements of our parks. This year was by far the most successful and so much fun!As in every event, there are those volunteers who work tirelessly and whose images rarely appear. Kristin Ard, our SV Parks & Recreation Director leads our event with grace, support, and doesn't miss a beat! Ron Clements of Scotts Valley Market brings his staff of 20, trucks, hundreds of pounds of tri tip, chicken, pulled pork, bbq pits and they work on this holiday to give to their community. Ron donates all of the profits to the Advocates. This is more than a donation. The City of Scotts Valley with the help of SV Rotary gives away free watermelon. It is the heart of Ron and those in this city that make Scotts Valley a wonderful place to live. Thank you, Kristin, Ron, SV Police department, City Staff, volunteers in the food, parking, traffic, ticketing, security and all areas that make this event successful. Thank you for your hearts & support. Thank you to all the businesses that donate and sponsor this event. Thank you, Scotts Valley! Patti MaloneScotts Valley Advocates Dear Editor, We want to make you aware of a milestone occurring at Mount Hermon on July 18th at 12, Noon. Our long-time residents, Marge and Gil Gunn will be celebrating 75 years of marriage, and in a couple months, 95 years of good health. We would love the community to share in this celebration through the Press-Banner. Contact info:Paul IzorMount Hermon
[email protected](408)377-5300 Dear Editor, San Lorenzo Valley Water District is gearing up for another rate increase, probably by the end of the year. Notices of a proposed change in rates need to be mailed 45 days in advance of a public hearing. Frankly, if we reduce consumption by 25-percent relative to what was expected at the time of the last rate increase in 2013, a one-third increase in consumption rates is needed to realize the expected amount of consumption revenue. (To get from 75-percent back to 100-percent of revenue takes a one-third increase.) There are other factors: as customers conserve, some move into lower tiers with lower rates, and costs for chemicals to treat water and electricity to pump water are also reduced. But to a first-order approximation, a one-third increase in consumption rates is needed to support 25-percent conservation. According to Prop 218, customers don't get to vote yes or no on a rate increase, but during the 45-day period they can file written protests. If more than 50-percent protest, a proposed increase can't go forward. SLVWD's policy is that only property owners can participate and have their protests count, but many landlords don't even live within the District. The League of California Cities has a Proposition 218 Implementation Guide listing other alternatives consistent with Prop 218. Attorneys throughout the state contributed to that book. One possible way is that only service customers get notified and can protest, whether they are owners or tenants. Another is that both property owners and service customers get the notice and can protest, but only one protest will be counted per service connection. A question which came up in public meetings during our last rate increase process was, why aren't tenants' written protests counted? SLVWD should change its policy so they can be. Bruce HollowayBoulder Creek Dear Editor,Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade PieceWhen I pulled the Press Banner out of my mailbox and read the piece on our towns Fourth of July parade...Well to be honest, I was a bit taken aback when in print I read that Scarborough Lumber was hosting the Lumberjack Days. I knew this not to be the truth and when I went online I saw that it was reported online as Boulder Creek Hardware, which is correct. Going forward please ensure that your reporters are getting the right facts. I would like to add a big thank you for covering the parade at all & town activities, but again please give credit where it is due to the right folks.Thanks,Abby Rohrbough Dear Editor,Regarding the article:The Serum that Fuels Debate.I take issue with the comment that "locals polarized as bill injects itself into the community." I would like to see some actual numbers for that statement. I have a feeling it is a very loud minority who is upset and the majority of the locals agree with the bill. It also states that the autism debate has been "ongoing for more than a decade and is well documented online." What it fails to mention is 99% of the documentation is speculation and hypothesis. This issue has been thoroughly vetted and debunked by science.I challenge anyone to find a scientist beyond Andrew Wakefield (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield)who links vaccines to autism. What you have mostly is antidotal evidence of parents who do not understand that correlation does not imply causation.The article focuses mostly on the argument about freedom of choice, but it is not taking in account how not vaccinating is taking that right from the majority of folks who DO vaccinate. The anti-vaccination "choice" is relying on herd immunity which is a first world luxury and piggy-backs on the fact that the majority of Californians do vaccinate their children. It is a selfish choice, and not one that is considering the greater good of the community in which they live. Melanie Cordan,Boulder Creek
