Measure U commentary Commentary Election 2024 Local News Opinion 

Measure U is About a Fair Water Rate Increase               

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
Measure U water rate intiative Commentary Local News Opinion Water 

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

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
Santa Cruz County supervisorial districts Local News Opinion 

Commentary: Redistricting Process was Undermined

Read Jim Mosher’s response to a recent Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial board commentary that supported Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm’s, Supervisor Zach Friend’s, and Supervisor Manu Koenig’s last-minute proposal to shift a section of Scotts Valley into the 5th District. They succeeded and the ensuing press coverage has been decidedly enamored with the move. Here’s a perspective from a Redistricting… Read More
PG&E unpermitted tree cutting in the CZU Burn zone Opinion 

Unpermitted Tree Cutting in the CZU Burn Zone: How Many Laws Might PG&E Have Broken?

By Chris Finnie Dennis Hall, Assistant Deputy Director of Forestry Practices with CAL FIRE, explains that, after fires, “The major utility companies in the state rapidly deploy large crews to restore power in areas affected by fire. Restoring power often requires the removal of trees to facilitate the operations and to remove safety concerns (e.g., from damaged trees falling on… Read More