Time magazine didn’t declare artificial intelligence itself 2025’s “person of the year” (that honor went to its architects), but it sure could have, as this was the year AI officially passed the Turing test. The question now, writes retired firefighter Daniel DeLong, is how it will take us out.
Daniel DeLong
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I tried to understand the rail trail controversy so you wouldn’t have to
The rail trail discourse continues to divide Santa Cruz County, and here, Daniel DeLong attempts to unpack all the ins and outs of this contentious debate and then offer his own thoughts, recognizing that no matter which side he ends up supporting, he’ll tick off about 50% of his readers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Has anyone seen my pants?
Daniel DeLong offers a hopeful story about lost youth and lost pants.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz is weird. How weird? Sometimes the sun doesn’t rise in the east.
If you’ve lived in Santa Cruz long enough, you’ve likely seen and maybe even experienced some pretty weird things. But nothing might be weirder than the feeling that the sun is rising in the wrong place. Daniel DeLong tells the story of his attempt to make sense of this odd local phenomenon, something the various specific parts of his brain have battled over for years.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Zayante: The little fire district that could — let’s keep it going with a boost from Measure T
The Zayante volunteer fire department has always managed to do a lot with a little. This includes generating revenue in creative ways, like sometimes covering emergency calls for neighboring Felton Fire, a district currently dealing with its own staffing crisis. Zayante maintains a full staff of trained and dedicated volunteer firefighters, but inflation-related budget cuts have reduced its paid firefighting staff to below critical levels. Measure T would bridge this gap and ensure the regular replacement of fire apparatus, writes former Zayante firefighter Daniel DeLong, who advocates its passage on Nov. 5.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Conversation with an accidental caving legend — the guy who drew the map of Santa Cruz’s notorious ‘Hell Hole’
Daniel DeLong manages to score an interview with the elusive Binky the Wonderdog, known for having made the hand-drawn map used by hundreds to navigate the depths of IXL, Santa Cruz’s infamous cave and the source of much local mythology. The cave, located in Wilder Ranch, is known for its narrow, claustrophobic passages, steep drop-offs and hall of sculptured faces. It’s not for the faint-hearted. You’ve been warned.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
My homeowner’s insurance saga in eight sentences: A true story
Santa Cruz Mountains resident Daniel DeLong thought his family had managed to dodge California’s homeowner’s insurance crisis. Then State Farm announced massive non-renewals. Here’s his honest account of what happened next, recognizing that his brain might have blocked out certain portions in order to maintain sanity.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
How my grandmother cheated Death
Only eight states in the U.S. (including California) have enacted physician-assisted “aid in dying” laws. A few others are contemplating similar legislation, but the vast majority of people in our country still have no legal right to end-of-life autonomy. Remembering how his grandmother faced such a dilemma, Daniel DeLong relays a story he’s wanted to tell for more than 20 years, and offers a different take on “Death.”
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Alba Schoolhouse: Money comes and money goes, but some things only go. Because of money.
Ben Lomond’s historic and beloved Little Red Alba Schoolhouse was lost in the CZU fire of 2020 and was supposed to have been rebuilt. Now it appears it won’t be. Daniel DeLong considers the implications of legacy being sacrificed for money, and makes a humble request.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Stephen Homan has a perfect record fighting for CZU survivors. But why did he have to fight at all?
Stephen Homan came out of retirement as an environmental health specialist to help a Santa Cruz County neighbor struggling to rebuild from 2020’s CZU fire. He ended up helping 50 CZU fire survivors whose rebuilds were held up by poorly understood septic regulations and improperly applied environmental health ordinances. His efforts would ultimately help lead to a near sea change in the process, making it better for everyone. And he did it all for free. Daniel DeLong marvels at Homan’s humanity — and, nearly three years after the fires started, takes a few jabs at bureaucracy and incompetence.