OPINION: Public health data show that Santa Cruz County leads the Bay Area in rates of serious psychological distress and need for mental health or substance-use services. Mental health advocate Kevin Norton believes the real culprit isn’t our lifestyle — it’s our housing costs.
Opinion from Community Voices
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Pajaro Valley teachers union is invoking scare tactics
In a letter to the editor, an Aptos resident criticizes the Pajaro Valley Unified School District teachers union for its stance on changes to the district’s policy on teaching controversial topics.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Mike Rotkin’s memorial sign keeps his memory alive
In a letter to the editor, a Santa Cruz resident lauds efforts to commemorate former mayor and longtime public servant Mike Rotkin.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County’s land access problem has a simple fix: Just let bikers, hikers and runners in
OPINION: Santa Cruz County is overflowing with gorgeous open space — but too much of it is off-limits, writes San Lorenzo Valley resident Mickey Rush. With outdoor recreation booming, it’s time to open existing roads and let mountain bikers, hikers and runners enjoy them.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Yes on C: We are Santa Cruz faith leaders and we choose now to act for our neighbors
OPINION: A coalition of Santa Cruz faith leaders is urging a “yes” vote on Measure C, calling affordable housing a moral and spiritual duty and citing rabbis, the pope, Buddhist tradition and Jesus’ teachings.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz City Council is making real progress on accountability in affordable housing
OPINION: The Santa Cruz City Council’s move toward ensuring that local workers and residents get priority for affordable housing marks a major step in community trust, writes Bruce Van Allen, former mayor and a longtime housing advocate. The resolution aligns with Measure C, which he now supports.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Justin Cummings: Yes on Santa Cruz’s Measure C – we need solutions for affordable housing
Santa Cruz has become the most expensive rental market in the U.S, and the market alone won’t fix it, argues county supervisor and former mayor Justin Cummings. Measure C creates a reliable local fund through a modest parcel tax and a luxury home transfer tax to build affordable housing.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Santa Cruz’s Measure C crosses the line
In a letter to the editor, a Santa Cruz resident expresses reservations about the city’s Measure C ballot initiative and urges a vote instead for Measure B.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Measure C – ‘Fool me twice … pay the price’
In a letter to the editor, a Soquel resident outlines his concerns with Measure C, one of the ballot initiatives before Santa Cruz voters on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Yes on Santa Cruz’s Measure C: Let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good
OPINION: Measure C might not be perfect, but it will create needed affordable housing in Santa Cruz, writes former Santa Cruz mayor and housing advocate Don Lane. He refutes a recent op-ed by resident Keven Cook questioning loopholes in the measure and encourages the community to support it.