Commentary Archives - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Moving into the final month of a 12-year tenure as your Fifth District Supervisor, I can’t help but reflect on the many good things our community has accomplished – as well as the many hardships we have endured – all by working together. This District, and really the whole of Santa Cruz County, looks much different than it did when… Read More

Commentary Election 2024

Santa Cruz County Measure Q

November 1, 2024December 1, 2024 slvpost.com

By Sarah Newkirk Sometimes it’s hard to believe more than four years have passed since a rare summer lightning storm ignited the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The fire scorched more than 86,000 acres, destroyed almost 1,500 structures and caused the evacuation of more than 60,000 people, including my family. After sagely burying his valuables in a previously excavated hole in… Read More

Commentary Election 2024 Local News Opinion

Measure U is About a Fair Water Rate Increase

October 10, 2024October 19, 2024 slvpost.com

By James Bahn Though I am a volunteer member of the SLV Water District Finance Committee, I’m writing this just as a neighbor and fellow rate-payer. I’m going to try to describe what Measure U is and is not. And unlike some of the fear-mongering rhetoric being thrown around by opponents, I’m sticking to facts, plus a prediction. I’m actually… Read More

Commentary Opinion

The Story Behind Measure U: Even a Water District Must Pay Its Bills

October 5, 2024October 5, 2024 slvpost.com

By Lee Summers Running a water district is a lot like managing a household—they both need a funding source like a job or a fee structure; they both have bills to pay like maintenance, PG&E, and transportation; and both have to balance income with expenses. If the paycheck fails to keep up with raising costs, something has to change. Life… Read More

Commentary Local News Opinion Water

Commentary: Measure U: The Story of Our Water Rate Initiative

September 19, 2024October 4, 2024 slvpost.com

By Deb Loewen These columns are filled with various opinions about aspects of our SLV water district, but a valuable district asset often overlooked and unheard of is us, the customers. I’d like to talk about our extraordinary community, finding common ground, and the power of grassroots democracy through the story of our work on a citizens’ initiative. The seed… Read More

Commentary Election 2024 Infrastructure Local News Water

SLV Voters Face a Water District Rate Initiative this Fall

August 17, 2024August 29, 2024 Jayme Ackemann

By Jayme Ackemann The voters of San Lorenzo Valley face a crucial decision in the November election: do they want a reliable water system that delivers fresh, safe water every time they turn on their taps, or do they risk ending up with inconsistent and unreliable service like their neighbors in Big Basin? A small group of residents is opposing… Read More

Commentary Local News Water

Knowing Where your Water Rates Go is Valuable

June 19, 2024June 24, 2024 slvpost.comWater Rates0 comment

By Bob Fultz I’d like to talk about a recent Facebook post by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. I’m a member of the SLVWD Board of Directors but am speaking only for myself. I’ve advocated for years that the District needs to communicate its true financial position as part of an overall communications plan. Recently, the District published a… Read More

Commentary Water

Oppose the SLV Water Rate Increase

February 9, 2024February 9, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Bob Fultz It’s important that the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLWVD) community submit Protest Ballots against the current proposed rate increase because ratepayers deserve a much better plan. I’m a member of the Board of directors but I’m speaking only for myself in this article. My objective is to ensure that our community has ALL the information it… Read More

Peavine pipeline san lorenzo valley water district

Commentary Water

Support the SLV Water Rate Increase

February 9, 2024February 10, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mark Dolson and Jim Mosher Friends of San Lorenzo Valley Water (FSLVW) supports the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) rate increase proposal. We understand why some of our fellow SLV residents are unhappy about this increase, but we still believe that the proposed new rate structure is in our collective best interest. To be clear, we believe that… Read More

Commentary Local News

Supervisor McPherson’s Retirement Opens Space for SLV Community Forum

October 12, 2023October 21, 2023 slvpost.comcommunity council, community forum0 comment

By Jayme Ackemann Recently, Supervisor McPherson announced his decision to retire from public life. Bruce McPherson’s entire adult life has been dedicated, in one way or another, to the people of Santa Cruz County and there is much for which to be grateful. McPherson was an early adopter of the concept of “Community Choice” when it came to our community’s… Read More

Category: Commentary

Bruce McPherson Reflects on Three Terms as 5th District Supervisor