Hello hello! It’s Friday, March 6, and sunny skies and temperatures around 70 are the order of the day for Santa Cruz County, with much the same, if slightly warmer and less breezy, expected right through the weekend.
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Election season is ramping up, and Hillary Ojeda has the story of a recent UC Santa Cruz grad who’s running to give Gen Z a representative in the California Senate. Zennon Ulyate-Crow, 23, aims to bring experience including time on Santa Cruz’s transportation commission to representing District 24, in the Los Angeles area.
Cecilia Schutz reports on a recent survey of the demographics of those serving in appointed, volunteer positions on county commissions and boards. There’s been progress on making those bodies look more like the county population as a whole, but Latine residents, renters, South County residents and young adults remain underrepresented.
In Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, retired sociologist Paul Johnston writes about local efforts to close gaps on emergency legal aid for those detained by federal immigration authorities and support for families left behind. He points to the Puentes Para Familias Fund, which assists families facing detention or deportation, and calls for broader community action — from fundraising gatherings to organized “circles of care” rooted in schools, faith groups and neighborhoods.
The Friday headlines also include the Soquel Union Elementary School District governing board approving layoffs and Lookout’s guide to the weekend ahead … away we go.
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Recent UCSC grad hopes to be one of youngest elected to California Senate
A recent UC Santa Cruz graduate, 23-year-old Zennon Ulyate-Crow, has launched a campaign for the California state Senate District 24 seat, hoping to become one of the youngest people elected to the chamber. The former Santa Cruz transportation commissioner and student housing advocate says his campaign is driven by issues facing his generation, including the rising cost of living, housing shortages and government accountability. Hillary Ojeda’s got the story.
Survey of who serves on government commissions shows areas for improvement to reflect Santa Cruz County demographics
A demographic survey of the people who serve on government boards and committees in Santa Cruz County found gaps in representation among Latine residents, renters, South County residents and young adults — all of whom make up a greater portion of the population than are represented in these appointed, volunteer positions. More here from Cecilia Schutz.
DAILY DIGEST
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Enjoy what’s looking like a beautiful Friday, and here’s to a safe, relaxing weekend beyond (don’t forget to set those clocks forward, or at least the ones that don’t already do it themselves). Thanks for reading!
Will McCahill