After nearly three years, the fight over proposed no-take marine protected areas along the Santa Cruz County coast is headed for a final decision. County Supervisors Justin Cummings and Manu Koenig argue that the proposals are too broad, lack scientific justification and would unnecessarily restrict local fishing access. State wildlife and Ocean Protection Council staff have recommended denying both petitions, finding insufficient scientific justification for the proposed closures. Now the decision rests with the California Fish and Game Commission — and local residents have one final chance Wednesday to make their voices heard via comments.
Manu Koenig
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County finally built a bus system people want to ride. Now what?
Volunteers have already gathered roughly 7,000 signatures to qualify a ballot measure aimed at protecting and expanding Santa Cruz Metro service, write elected officials Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Manu Koenig and Melinda Orbach. Pushing back against recent claims that the campaign is falling short, the three argue the volunteer-driven effort remains on pace to qualify for either a special election or the March 2028 ballot. They say the signature drive reflects growing public support for transit as ridership surges across Santa Cruz County. Without new funding, however, they warn that Metro could face severe service cuts that would undermine affordability, mobility and the county’s future.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Manu Koenig: The rail trail is not dead or seriously threatened; we just have to be careful how we manage our scarce resources
District 1 Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig responds to those critical of his March 26 board of supervisors vote on the rail trail. He writes that the supervisors just want more time to get information on the best way to move forward and that state grants are not threatened. Elected officials, he insists, must be wary of costs and managing scarce resources.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Manu Koenig for District 1 supervisor: I’m a leader who cares about outcomes and learns from mistakes
In seeking reelection as county supervisor, Manu Koenig says he’s more interested in outcomes we create together than beliefs about how to accomplish them.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Get your head straight on Measure D: Walk the coastal corridor
Measure D is giving us all a headache. Part of the problem is perspective, 1st District Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig writes. Our views are shaped by where we live. People on the Westside experience the trail differently than those in Aptos or Watsonville. Koenig explains why and suggests we leave our own neighborhoods and look at the coastal corridor from another viewpoint. He supports Measure D, and says we need to respect each others’ differences and be open to changing our minds.
