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Community Matters features guest interviews to discuss topics of interest to the Santa Cruz Community. We aim to help people better understand important local issues and learn how to get involved to m... more
FAQs about Community Matters:How many episodes does Community Matters have?The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.
March 01, 2025February 28, 2025 Interviews: Fire Chiefs Wilson and Filson; Santa Cruz City Workforce Housing Solutions Act InitiativeHour One: CalFire/Santa Cruz County Fire Chief Jed Wilson and Chief Sam Filson discuss emergency response in unincorporated areas, CSA 48, proposed reorganization, proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility for Watsonville, and lessons from LA Fires.Hour Two: Elaine Johnson and Bruce Van Allen discuss Workforce Housing Solutions Act initiative in the City of Santa Cruz. $96/parcel annually and a tiered property sale transfer tax for 20 years to fund affordable housing and prevent homelessness in the City. ...more1h 55minPlay
February 22, 2025February 21, 2025 Moss Landing Battery Fire Update; Controversial Story of Watsonville City and Ceiba College Prep Charter SchoolHour One: Initial difficulty with technology precluded Assemblymember Addis interview but discussion with Mr. Phillip Carranco, Regulation Policy Expert Phillip Carranco re: need for County Urgency Ordinance and lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) moratorium until Technical Advisory Committee can convene so that Ordinance is not bought and paid for by the battery industry.Hour Two: Watsonville activist Mr. Ilea Buliach describes the shadowy actions of the City of Watsonville to establish a covert school called Ceiba, with City Councilmembers acting as school board directors, and enabling the City to qualify for State Education funding to purchase 20-30 acres of industrial area to redevelop. Litigation filed will shed light on unscrupulous actions by City officials (Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case 23CV00800)...more1h 44minPlay
February 15, 2025February 14, 2025 Santa Cruz City Downtown Expansion Plan; Battery Energy Fire Contamination Talk by Prof. Aiello,Hour One: Santa Cruz City's Biggest Expansion Plans and Environmental Comment; Review of Feb. 14 Presentation at UCSC by Moss Landing Marine Lab Prof. Ivano Aiello showing significantly elevated levels of nickel, cobalt and manganese in soil samples of Hester Slough after the Moss Landing Vistra battery fire at Moss 300.Hour Two: Continued conversation with listeners about the Moss Landing Fire, local response, implications on ag; three BESS projects planned for Santa Cruz County? Citizen action alert to stop lithium-ion BESS....more1h 56minPlay
February 12, 2025January 31, 2025 Moss Landing BESS Discussion; Interview re: Thinking of Leaving CA?Hour One: Interview with Tonya Rivera, "Never Again Moss Landing" about the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Fire and grassroots action.Hour Two: Interview with Kris Kirby and discussion about moving out of California...what to consider and how to do it....more1h 55minPlay
February 08, 2025Updates on Battery Energy Fire and Seahawk Project; Santa Cruz City Downtown Plan ExpansionHour One: Update on "Never Again Moss Landing" group actions re: Moss Landing Vistra Fire, update on proposed Seahawk Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, update on Santa Cruz County Fire Dept. Advisory Group formation.Hour Two:Rick Longinotti and Frank Barron discuss Santa Cruz City Downtown Expansion Plan Draft EIR inadequacies re: analysis of water, unlimited building height, affordable housing, traffic and how to make effective comments. ...more1h 56minPlay
January 25, 2025January 24, 2025 Interviews re: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Moss Landing FireFirst Hour: Barry Branin with Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation and fight against a BESS in Morro Bay.Second Hour: Phillip Carranco, Regulation Policy Expert and how local government can make more restrictive regulations for BESS projects in Santa Cruz County and at Moss Landing....more1h 56minPlay
January 22, 2025Second Repair of January 17 ProgramHopefully, this version is clear and complete!...more1h 59minPlay
December 28, 202412/27/2024 Moving Out of California?Guests Kristen Colishaw and Kris Kirby, longtime Santa Cruz County residents, both moved out of California in 2024. Both are fourth or fifth generation Californians. Why did they leave? Neither has regrets..find out why. ...more1h 55minPlay
December 14, 2024November 29, 2024 Interview with Mr. Daniel Ferguson, Monterey County Veteran of the YearInterview with Mr. Daniel Ferguson, 2024 Monterey County Veteran of the Year, about his experiences as a teacher at Soledad State Prison, and his public service in the County. Second hour with other political issues in Santa Cruz County....more1h 55minPlay
December 14, 2024December 6, 2024 Interview with Project Oasis and Youth Mental Health AdvisorsDiscussion with Nancy Sondel, Ely Suarez, West Mossgrove, and Xaloc Cabanes about youth mental health and Project Oasis in Watsonville, CA...more1h 55minPlay
FAQs about Community Matters:How many episodes does Community Matters have?The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.