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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.

On Thursday morning, October 17, I had an opportunity to discuss this massive rate increase with San Lorenzo Valley Water District Director Randall Brown.  As a historian who is interested in the ecology of the San Lorenzo Valley water systems and watershed areas, he has a lot to say about the management of our water system. He makes no secret about his concern for the state of the aging infrastructure that delivers water to more than 7,000 rate payers. Being one of those rate payers, I share his concern. I asked him about the decision making process that led the District to the conclusion that they needed so much more money. Our resulting conversation identified additional subjects beyond the rate increase for which I should be concerned. 

A spirited five-set girls volleyball match between Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz High schools resulted in a loss for the Falcons this week, dropping the squad to 4-5 in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and 7-6 overall.

For every article I write, I start research on my subject of choice and find I’m always learning something new, or I find the research to be very interesting. This week I’ve been forced to study up on a subject that I didn’t know much about, but only because it was something I was just diagnosed with: multiple myeloma. This is a cancer of the plasma cells which is growing in my bone marrow.

The popularity of socially responsible investing is on the rise. Forbes magazine reports that $1 of every $9 under professional management in the U.S. is an SRI investment. A recent survey by Merrill Lynch shows that 29 percent of young adults support values-based investing.

- 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.

When elected to the board of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District last November, I was pleased to have the opportunity to work with people I respect. The long-serving majority played a highly positive role in the sale of the Waterman Gap property and the acquisition of the Felton water system. I am, however, disappointed by their support of the proposed five year rate hike.

A record number of participants competed in the fourth-annual Baymonte Christian School Tech Trek 5-kilometer, 1-kilometer and ‘tot trot’ fun runs in Scotts Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12.