Measure N, the empty homes tax, is a cruel empty promise, argues Lynn Renshaw, a founder of Santa Cruz Together. She writes that Measure N is not the answer we seek for affordable housing in our community. It creates what she calls “an unelected and intrusive bureaucracy” that requires residents to report how often they live in their homes or face criminal penalties and fines. It distracts from more practical solutions to our real housing challenges. It’s unworkable and wrong, she says, insisting, “we should be able to come and go freely from our property without city government monitoring or control.” Santa Cruz, she believes, deserves better.
Election Op-Eds
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Vote yes on N if you care about our community: It’s our ticket to affordable housing in Santa Cruz
Measure N will help fund affordable housing by taxing those who don’t use their homes more than eight months a year, argues Cyndi Dawson, chair of the City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission and campaign manager for Measure N. At a minimum, she writes, the city estimates taxing empty homes will generate $2.5-$4 million to support housing for the community and help keep our teachers, child care, health care and service workers from moving away. Santa Cruz has a history of supporting tax measures and Dawson thinks residents need to step up and support this measure.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Joy Schendledecker for mayor: Santa Cruz needs truly progressive ideas and a mayor who will fight for justice in housing, jobs and the environment
Joy Schendledecker is a community organizer, member of the Santa Cruz chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, co-founder of Santa Cruz Cares and Sanitation for the People, as well as an artist and a mother of two teens. Her leadership skills, she says, are “generally not recognized in our culture” and include grassroots organizing and neighborhood consensus-building and care work for family and community. She believes Santa Cruz needs new ideas and to elect someone who is rooted in the community she represents: the underpaid and overworked, tenants, workers and unions, families, elders, people with disabilities, our LGBTQIA+ community, students and young people.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Fred Keeley for mayor: I have the experience, relationships and know-how to take on Santa Cruz’s pressing issues
Fred Keeley has worked to better this community for 44 years. He has served as county supervisor, county treasurer, state legislator and on numerous countywide task forces. He’s also a professor, a member of numerous local nonprofit boards and the largest Democratic fundraiser in the region. He’s a man with connections, experience and plans. Here, he explains how, if chosen as the city’s first directly elected mayor, he will tackle homelessness, affordable housing (hint: it’s a bond measure), neighborhood integrity and water issues. He also offers key ways his thinking differs from his opponent’s.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
We need to solve the mental health crisis; I have a record of success and am a proven champion of democracy
California’s State Assembly District 28 splits between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties and includes most of the city of Santa Cruz. It’s a new district configuration, hammered out to take effect in 2022, and is 50% Democratic and 19% Republican. Lookout asked the candidates running in this race — Liz Lawler, a Republican from Monte Sereno, and Gail Pellerin, a Democrat from Santa Cruz — to submit answers to two questions. Gail Pellerin’s answers are below.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
We need to restore balance, accountability to Sacramento; I’m not a career politician
California’s State Assembly District 28 splits between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties and includes most of the city of Santa Cruz. It’s a new district configuration, hammered out to take effect in 2022, and is 50% Democratic and 19% Republican. Lookout asked the candidates running in this race — Liz Lawler, a Republican from Monte Sereno, and Gail Pellerin, a Democrat from Santa Cruz — to submit answers to two questions. Liz Lawler’s answers are below.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Reed Geisreiter and Toby Goddard deserve your vote for reelection to Port Commission
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. To the editor: I have closely observed the Santa Cruz Port Commission over the past several years and strongly endorse Reed Geisreiter and Toby Goddard for re-election. They each have the experience needed and proven track records of […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Reelect Yvette Brooks to Capitola City Council
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. To the editor: On Nov. 8, we should reelect Yvette Brooks to Capitola City Council. Over the past four years, Yvette has been a tireless advocate and leader, including successfully shepherding the city through an unprecedented pandemic during […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Ryan Coonerty: Who will be Santa Cruz’s George Washington and three other election hot takes
Ryan Coonerty, outgoing District 3 Santa Cruz County supervisor, offers four insights on Tuesday’s election results, along with a bit of wry humor. From the defeat of Measure D to low voter turnout and a historic supervisor runoff, he walks us through the ups and downs of election season and even helps us understand why Santa Cruz today is like Philadelphia circa 1787.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
What does Measure D have in common with your neighbor’s barking dog?
Elections offer an excellent time for reflection, and Tenzin Chogkyi, a Buddhist monastic who teaches courses on compassion, says we all can do better at handling conflict. She works at the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County and offers several examples — from a barking dog to Measure D — to showcase how we can reduce animosity in our lives.