Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. To the editor: I very much appreciated Mike Rotkin’s piece on the importance of design in affordable housing. Too often, objections to aspects of a development plan are brushed aside as selfish NIMBYism, and we are told that […]
Opinion from Community Voices
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Design matters in affordable housing
Mike Rotkin, five-time mayor of Santa Cruz, says the city needs more affordable housing, but we also must be careful what we build. Design, including open space and access to the San Lorenzo River, are key, he says. He cautions against cost-cutting, which could undermine increasingly strong public support for more affordable units.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Gail Pellerin has the experience and skills; she has my vote
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. Please join me in voting for Gail Pellerin for State Assembly District 28. I know Gail to be proactive, honest, level-headed and capable. Gail possesses the experience and the leadership skills required to address the pressing needs of […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Rail cost is too too high, but let’s stop the personal attacks
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. To the editor: Thank you, Wallace Baine, for such an in-depth article on Bud Colligan, local philanthropist. I don’t know Mr. Colligan or his wife, but I do attend Jewel Theatre, which makes its home in the Colligan […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Stop wasting money on trains; fund Metro and Measure D
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. To the editor: I spent 15 years driving a bus for Santa Cruz Metro; I believe in public transportation! During my time behind the wheel, I observed constant fiscal instability. It was feast or famine — expansions of […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Monterey survived redistricting; Santa Cruz can, too
Tyller Williamson, a city councilmember in Monterey, sees redistricting as good for minority communities because it allows them more representation. He also “cautiously supports” an at-large mayor. Monterey transitioned to district elections in November and is still working out the kinks. He’s watching Santa Cruz optimistically and says our two cities can learn from each other.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Dawn Addis for Assembly District 30: It’s time to send a teacher and women’s rights advocate to Sacramento
Dawn Addis says her dislike of former President Donald Trump’s policies and hate-filled political rhetoric inspired her to run for city council in Morro Bay in 2017. A teacher and mom, she is the endorsed Democratic candidate for Assembly District 30. She says she earned the endorsement through grassroots organizing, listening to the needs of local communities, and sharing her record of coalition-building and effective policy choices.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Vicki Nohrden for Assembly District 30: We need to focus on business and reduce crime and taxes
Sacramento needs fixing. Republican Vicki Nohrden argues she is the one to do it. A businesswoman and nonprofit director, she wants to create a more competitive, business-friendly environment in California by reducing taxes and bureaucracy. Less red tape, she argues, will also allow us to build more affordable housing and help solve water and climate change issues.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
John Drake for Assembly District 30: ‘To understand my campaign, you have to know my life story’
John Drake is 21 and writes that he’s “sick of” seeing people die on the streets for lack of housing and services. He’s an affordable-housing advocate who has known homelessness and poverty, and helped a family member overcome addiction. He insists our legislators must do better.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Zoë Carter for Assembly District 30: The Central Coast needs a no-nonsense, straight shooter with business experience
Zoë Carter is not interested in empty promises, she writes. She likes straight talk and honest work. As director of operations for the Monterey County Business Council, she helped small businesses and major industries navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and now says she is ready for statewide office. She also focuses on homelessness, health care and energy as prime concerns.