Category: Letters

Felton homeowners are now facing a Yes or No vote for the Felton Fire benefit assessment. A YES vote will ensure professional and quick response time for those in the Felton district, replace outdated equipment, and hire staff while maintaining a volunteer force. LAFCO and the National Fire Protection Association agree that for small rural fire districts, the future is… Read More

I have great respect and appreciation for our valley fire districts who consistently answer the call to serve and protect in the face of all challenges. The issues facing Felton Fire remind me of Zayante, whose Fire District’s recent history was summarized by Jesse Kathan in a 9/25/24 Santa Cruz Local article. That year, Zayante replaced an insufficient parcel tax… Read More

The Fire District’s crisis has been caused by mismanagement. We do not need to abandon the volunteer model for fire service, which is far less costly and more financially sustainable over time. The Fire District has provided inadequate, confusing, and often contradictory budgetary data to justify the Benefit Assessment, and its financial status cannot be determined based on documentation available… Read More

The larger concern for me is whether our current fire service structure is truly prepared for the kind of wildfire behavior we are now seeing in California. Wind-driven fires, extreme fire weather, rapid ember spread, evacuation complexity, and year-round fire seasons have changed the landscape dramatically over the last couple of decades. These incidents require advanced training, regional coordination, sophisticated… Read More

Dear Honorable Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County, and Mr. Matt De Young of Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship: The Board of Supervisors has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) between the County and the Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship (SCMTS). In reading the MOA, it is apparent that “Section IX Indemnification” contains provisions to indemnify both parties against… Read More

Dear County Supervisors, I am writing to summarize the reasons for you not to approve the MOU with the Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewards to build a pump track in Covered Bridge Park (CBP). I live next door to the park, have 20 years of public art planning experience, and am deeply committed to good public process to ensure our… Read More

Dear Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors, I am writing about the subject proposal, which is scheduled to be heard on your Consent Agenda on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023.  It is a fine proposal, but it is proposed for the WRONG LOCATION! I support parks, I support recreation, and I support such a proposal for a location outside of… Read More

Dear SLV Post, As a resident of Felton, I want to express my support for and provide a positive view of building a pump track in the covered bridge park. This proposal presents a unique opportunity to provide the community with a much needed convenient, safe, and legal space to practice a variety of sports. The beauty of an asphalt… Read More