Both Mayor Fred Keeley and Santa Cruz Warriors President Chris Murphy reemphasized their support for the massive South of Laurel Area redevelopment plan at a Tuesday meeting. It aims to create a new neighborhood and entertainment district – one that bridges the space between downtown and the beach. Now, the plan moves from “study” to more planning staff work – and then on to public hearings next year.
Fred Keeley
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Keeley’s cannabis pause falls flat with Santa Cruz City Council, business community
With an eye on the upcoming Hook Outlet hearing, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley wanted to pause all cannabis permitting decisions for 45 days so officials could reassess city policies. Santa Cruz cannabis operators and city councilmembers said the move was the wrong approach.
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Keeley proposes moratorium on new cannabis businesses in Santa Cruz amid Hook Outlet debate
On Tuesday, Mayor Fred Keeley will ask the city council to adopt a temporary emergency ordinance that would impose at least a 45-day moratorium on the establishment of new commercial cannabis businesses in the city of Santa Cruz. Keeley said the moratorium will give the city a chance to “step back” and study its existing cannabis laws around everything from dispensary distance from schools, tax rates and delivery laws, to security and licensure.
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Santa Cruz mayor receives verbal apology from teen who made anonymous death threat following cease-fire vote
Fallout from the Santa Cruz City Council’s decision Jan. 10 to reject a cease-fire resolution escalated to an anonymous death threat made against Mayor Fred Keeley, one police said they found credible. This week, the maker of the threat was identified.
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Fred Keeley’s swan song: One year in, Santa Cruz’s first directly elected mayor isn’t slowing down
At age 73, Fred Keeley is wrapping up the first year of what will likely be the final chapter in his nearly 30-year career in elected public office. As Santa Cruz’s first mayor to be directly elected by voters to serve a full four-year term, he has worked to set the tone for what it means to have a full-time mayor. But will it be enough to entice others to follow in his footsteps?
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Mayor Fred Keeley speaks about diagnosis
Mayor Fred Keeley speaks about diagnosis
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley says he has cancer, but is ‘not hindered in any way’
Fred Keeley, 73, says he was diagnosed with bladder cancer after doctors found a malignant tumor on Friday. He says he’ll undergo surgery at Dominican Hospital in early August followed by some chemotherapy.
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Keeley’s grassroots vision for Santa Cruz’s housing bond has been messy and complicated
Mayor Fred Keeley wants Santa Cruz community members to take the lead in drafting a housing bond measure to put before the city’s voters in 2024. But to this point, the process for this “citizen legislature” has been an uneven one.
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Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley will leave it to residents to figure out 2024 affordable housing bond
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley says he plans to let community members lead on organizing the housing bond he has touted since he was on the campaign trail.
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Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley on his ‘intentional’ avoidance of cameras during January’s storms
Even as politicians from President Joe Biden on down flocked to tour storm-ravaged areas of Santa Cruz County, Fred Keeley steered clear of the photo ops, with Santa Cruz’s mayor saying he’s keeping his powder dry for when the city needs a strong advocate during the rebuilding phase.