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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,

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.

Scotts Valley

For the 13th time this season, the Scotts Valley Falcons girls soccer team shut out its opponent, with a 1-0 win over Harbor High on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Dizziness is a term to describe a sensation of lightheadedness, loss of balance, unsteadiness or faintness. Dizziness that causes a feeling that you or the room is moving or spinning is called vertigo. Although these symptoms may be incapacitating or disabling, dizziness is rarely a sign of a serious or life-threatening condition.

Submit Datebook items to [email protected], or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

I can't help but smile and feel a sense of modest pride when I remember the look on my friend's face as the five children (ages 1 to 6) sitting at my dinner table chanted, “More tofu! More green beans! More quinoa!”