Commentary Archives

Retiring Water Director Fultz Weighs In Before Stepping Down

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 slvpost.com

I’m Bob Fultz, currently a Director of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD), but I’m speaking only for myself. While I would very much enjoy a robust campaign discussing the future of our water district, I will not be running for re-election this November, having decided to retire from public life at the end of my term in December.… Read More

Commentary Water

Commentary: Making Sense of an Emerging Water District Controversy

January 30, 2026January 31, 2026 slvpost.com

By Mark Dolson I have recently become aware of a potentially significant political controversy brewing within the San Lorenzo Valley (SLV). The issue at the heart of this debate is the (highly selective and extremely limited) use of herbicide by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD). The question for our community is: should we be concerned about this? My first encounter… Read More

Columns Commentary Tech

Will AI Crowd Out Humans?

July 7, 2025July 12, 2025 slvpost.com

By Jane Mulcaster Why would Microsoft, a corporation that’s making record profits with billions in cash reserves, send pink slips to 6,000 workers, 3% of its workforce? Amazon, Meta, and Google have likewise laid off thousands of workers so far this year. The Mercury News reports that the Bay Area alone has shed more than 11,000 tech jobs in the… Read More

Commentary Opinion Politics

Commentary: Is Resistance Futile?

June 1, 2025June 14, 2025 slvpost.com

By Jane Mulcaster America is for everyone, not just those who voted for the guy occupying the White House. It’s even for those who didn’t – or can’t – vote at all. Democracy is delicate and harbors hypocrisy. It’s cumbersome and slow. Some argue it’s too tolerant of divergent opinions, others that it’s not tolerant enough. We–I–grumble about having to… Read More

Commentary Government Health

Health Should Be at the Center of Every Policy Decision

March 4, 2025March 4, 2025 Monica Martinez

By Monica Martinez So many of the decisions we make in life impact our health—where we live, how we work, what we consume. Whether we think about it consciously or not, our well-being—and that of our family, friends, and neighbors—shapes the choices we make every day. The same should be true in government. Every policy we enact at the County… Read More

Monica Martinez Supervisor 5th District Santa Cruz County

Commentary Government Local News Valley People

Monica Martinez Begins Her Term as 5th District Supervisor | Commentary

February 10, 2025March 4, 2025 Monica Martinez

By Monica Martinez As we begin this new year, I’m honored to step into the role of Fifth District Supervisor, representing the vibrant and resilient communities of San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and beyond. From the redwoods to the riverbanks, the unique character of our district inspires me daily. Over the past month, I’ve reflected on the challenges and opportunities… Read More

Commentary Government Local News

Bruce McPherson Reflects on Three Terms as 5th District Supervisor

December 17, 2024January 1, 2025 slvpost.com

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 Fire Departments

Commentary: Zayante Fire’s Measure T

October 15, 2024February 3, 2026 slvpost.com

By Robin Musitelli Zayante Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell has noticed a troubling trend. “People think we’re from the County. They have no idea that we’re a volunteer department. All they know is that someone shows up and takes care of business.” That’s troubling to Maxwell for several reasons. First, the small but volunteer-rich fire department is asking voters to approve… 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