Editorial: Yes, Santa Cruzans are resilient, but this next recovery is fraught with challenges and questions. They begin with money, but now include lots of questions driven by climate change and equity.
Endorsements
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: President Biden, please come to Santa Cruz County and visit those who need help the most
Editorial: As the governor and the president visit storm-torn California, where they visit is a meaningful act. Beyond scenic photo ops, it’s a sign of where their attention — and funding — might go. Santa Cruz County deserves a stop — but not just in scenic Capitola.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote Dawn Addis for Assembly District 30
Lookout Endorsement: Dawn Addis has a tough task ahead of her, representing one of the most diverse geographic Assembly districts in California. While Santa Cruz County represents just 20% of it, we believe that Addis is clearly our best shot at strong representation. She has committed to continuing to spend time in Santa Cruz County and to having an open-door policy, while her opponent is far out of step with local issues and views.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote Renée Golder for Santa Cruz City Council
Lookout Endorsement: How well is Santa Cruz’s new system of districted council seats working? As we assess the first set of candidates, it’s problematic. We need experienced representatives with knowledge of how things work. In District 6, we endorse Renée Golder. Unfortunately, in District 4, we’re unable to recommend any of the candidates.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote Gail Pellerin for Assembly District 28
Lookout Endorsement: Gail Pellerin is a homegrown and well-loved politician who will best represent Santa Cruz County interests in Sacramento. She is a connector, a listener and someone with the skills and longtime political relationships we need to move forward on pressing issues like mental health, homelessness and affordable housing.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote yes on Measures K and L
Lookout Endorsement: Our schools need our help. They need to fix roofs and heating, to modernize classrooms, update sports facilities and install better security systems. Santa Cruz County’s patchwork system of public education doesn’t allow the state of California to pay for these “extras.” That’s why we have to pass bonds to support our schools. Lookout endorses a yes vote on Measures K and L.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson for District 3 Santa Cruz County Supervisor
Lookout Endorsement: No matter who becomes the next District 3 supervisor, Santa Cruz County will benefit. The Lookout editorial board likes both candidates, but endorses Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson over Justing Cummings because we think she has the momentum the moment requires. We believe she will do the hard work and be the consensus-builder our community needs to address pressing issues of affordable housing, homelessness, mental health and climate change.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote no on Measure O
Lookout Endorsement: If we want a vibrant farmers market, more affordable housing, a jewel of a new main branch library — and the ability to chart the future of downtown Santa Cruz step by step, with a free and open public process — we urge a no vote on Measure O. We think it will limit and restrict us too much today and tomorrow.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote no on Measure N
Lookout Endorsement: Our affordability crisis is acute and calls for a range of initiatives to address. Unfortunately, citizen initiative N in the city of Santa Cruz offers too little bang for the buck and too much uncertainty about its real effectiveness. Measure N is well meaning, but it offers too little for what it demands.
Posted inEndorsements
A Lookout View: Vote Fred Keeley for Santa Cruz mayor
Lookout Endorsement: Fred Keeley can’t sweep in and fix all of Santa Cruz’s problems. However, given his deep experience and wide connections, he is well suited and well qualified to be the city’s first directly elected mayor in this time of great stress. Politics is about timing as much as policy, and Keeley matches this moment well. What we would expect from him over the next four years can be summed up in one word: leadership.