Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown and Pajaro Valley school district trustee Kim De Serpa are headed to a November runoff for the District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat.
Corralitos / Freedom
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified School District announces new superintendent
Heather Contreras, currently the assistant superintendent of school leadership for Modesto City Schools, will replace Michelle Rodriguez as superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District. The district did not provide a start date for Contreras but said current interim superintendent Murry Schekman’s last day will be May 7.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The underwhelm of two-person primaries and other takeaways from Santa Cruz County’s election season
Election season, when Santa Cruz County decides which direction it wishes to take, poses many questions and provides many answers. The March 5 primary was no different.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Potholes, housing and a crumbling coast: District 2’s next supervisor will confront Santa Cruz County’s biggest issues
Santa Cruz County’s District 2 lays claim to manifold identities: Behind eroding bluffs and expensive beachfront properties sits the more suburban Aptos and its main corridor of Soquel Drive. Those who trek farther inland are greeted by rural tracts of apple orchards and berry farms. The district’s geographic and economic diversity has also placed it at the forefront of some of the county’s most pressing challenges. All this awaits a new county supervisor, with five candidates on the March ballot to replace Zach Friend.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Vote yes on N for a healthier, more equitable Pajaro Valley and support for Watsonville Community Hospital
Pajaro Valley community leaders explain the benefits of Measure N, which would increase property taxes modestly to raise $116 million for Watsonville Community Hospital.
Posted inFood & Drink
Laurie Love on Wine: Locals hit it big at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
In her biweekly column, Lookout wine expert Laurie Love recaps a successful showing for Santa Cruz Mountains wines at a prestigious wine event up the Peninsula, notes big enrollment numbers for Cabrillo College’s wine programs and spotlights wine-centric events for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Kim De Serpa for District 2 supervisor: My experience with schools, budgeting and health care make me an ideal candidate
Kim De Serpa believes her 14 years on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees and her job as a clinical social worker and hospital leader give her insights the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors needs. She says she has more than 30 years of experience, an understanding of budget and a deep concern for people.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Bruce Jaffe for District 2 supervisor: I have 21 years of experience with water, know how to collaborate and understand climate issues
Bruce Jaffe, who has been elected six times to the Soquel Creek Water District board of directors, believes his experience, understanding of climate issues and ability to form coalitions make him an ideal candidate.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
David Schwartz for District 2 supervisor: I am not a career politician and will find ways to fix roads, rethink homelessness and eliminate budget waste
David Schwartz, an accountant who has lived in Santa Cruz County for 30 years, argues his fiscal responsibility and outsider status make him the best candidate for District 2. He has never held political office. He plans to focus on roads, housing and eliminating waste. He is against Measure K, the county’s half-cent sales tax increase and says leadership is about trust, compassion and listening.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Tony Crane: ‘I don’t want to win’ for District 2 supervisor. ‘My goal is to bring accountability back to our county.’
Tony Crane, a candidate for District 2 county supervisor, explains how the improper placement of an eight-bed mental health facility pushed him to run for office. He says he does not hope or expect to win.