Residents of Scotts Valley know that there’s no finer place to raise a family and enjoy small town a sense of community that’s rarely found anywhere these days, all amidst soaring redwoods, next to stunning beaches and 45 minutes from the most dynamic economy in the world.  The first job for any civic leader is to maintain this incredible quality of life that we enjoy, which I think can be done while making needed progress in several areas:

My plants are confused. Actually they know exactly what they are doing it’s me that’s confused. The mild winter, so far at least, has encouraged many of my plants normally still dormant at this time of year to start growing for the season. What’s a gardener to do when the roses, fuchsias, oakleaf hydrangeas and many other plants never really went dormant this year?  Here are some February tasks that I’m going to be doing.

When locals heard that Punxsutawney Phil had forecast six more weeks of winter, they did a double take and looked at their calendar.

After almost seven months since the Scotts Valley Water District’s well located near Orchard Run collapsed, construction is nearly complete on its replacement.

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a draft of rules and regulations for growing marijuana for commercial sale at a special meeting on Feb. 5. The proposed ordinances, with several recommendations made by various supervisors, now go to the Planning Commission for review. More public input will be requested on Feb. 28 before being returned to the Board of Supervisors for an additional hearing and final adoption in March.  

Earlier this week the San Lorenzo Valley Water District released publicly what has come to be referred to as the “Vierra letter.”

To call Scotts Valley High School senior Megan Gurer wise beyond her years would be doing her an injustice. She’s taken advanced studies into a realm that most 17-year-olds can only dream about.

Back in October, to the relief of many and real disappointment of others, the Mt. Hermon Association announced there would be no plans for a “Velocity Mountain Bike Park” on Felton Meadow. Mt. Hermon informed the Felton community via its website, stating, “The costs associated with developing the Felton Meadow property have exceeded our current capabilities and we have decided to forego any development.” Many residents in Felton remember the sharp community opposition to a large housing project proposed on the meadow back in 2008. Prior to Mt. Hermon buying the 15-acre property, situated between the Felton Faire shopping center and Zyante Road, it was considered a local treasure of open space. A holding aquifer of wetland that mitigates flooding and wildlife sanctuary. But the property is, nonetheless, the private property of the Mt. Hermon Association.   

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