California’s Proposition 36 will help undo ineffective attempts at diversion put in place by Prop 47 in 2014, argue Renee Golder, vice mayor of Santa Cruz, and Bernie Escalante, chief of the Santa Cruz Police Department. “Over the past decade, Santa Cruz has faced a significant rise in large encampments, drug overdoses, and retail theft,” they write. “The Ross Camp and Benchlands illustrate the city’s struggles with homelessness and public safety.” It’s time, they say, for a reboot.
Nov. 5 general election 2024
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council. Jensen’s proven commitment to the community and Orbach’s emphasis on resiliency and city services stand out among the four candidates for two open seats.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council. We think the city needs both experience and new ideas.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
City council, county supervisor candidates discuss roads and homelessness at Watsonville forum
Candidates for Watsonville City Council and District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor shared their views on roads, homelessness and short-term rentals in resources for South County at a Monday night Santa Cruz Voice forum.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California crime measure Prop 36 could increase deportations, advocates warn
The Proposition 36 ballot initiative would turn certain thefts and drug crimes into felonies, potentially helping expel some immigrants.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Kristen Brown for District 2 county supervisor
In the race for District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor, the Lookout Editorial Board believes that both Kristen Brown and Kim De Serpa would serve well on the county board. However, like our voters, we are forced to make a choice. In this race, we favor Kristen Brown. We believe her experience with different levels of government, her discipline and ability to command facts and a room and her deep connections to the other supervisors and local politicians make her the slightly better choice.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Monica Martinez for District 5 county supervisor
Editor’s note: A Lookout View is the opinion of our Community Voices opinion section, written by our editorial board, which consists of Community Voices Editor Jody K. Biehl and Lookout Founder Ken Doctor. Our goal is to connect the dots we see in the news and offer a bigger-picture view — all intended to see Santa Cruz […]
Posted inEducation
How will Santa Cruz County school districts be affected, if at all, if Proposition 2 passes?
If approved by California voters, Proposition 2 would allow the state to borrow $10 billion to help schools and colleges to fund repairs and construction. Santa Cruz County superintendents talked to Lookout about what they can expect for their districts.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Vote yes on Measure Q and climate resilience
We believe in prevention and girding for resilience, the Lookout Editorial Board writes in urging a yes vote on Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Water and Wildfire Protection Initiative. We trust the collective will of the local environmental organizations that have guided us for decades and our elected officials to try this experiment in community preparedness.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County fire district measures seek to secure much-needed funding
Three Santa Cruz County fire protection districts — Central Fire, Scotts Valley and Zayante — are each putting either tax or bond measures out to voters this November aimed at funding aspects of fire response, ranging from vehicle fleet updates to modernizing existing fire stations and even constructing new facilities altogether.