Community Matters

Interview 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.

Discussion with Nancy Sondel, Ely Suarez, West Mossgrove, and Xaloc Cabanes about youth mental health and Project Oasis in Watsonville, CA

Discussion of local and state election topics, including Measure Q and Prop 5

Discussion of Highway One widening, Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line and trail status, impacts of encroachment on adjacent mobile home park residents, Zero Emission Passenger Rail Project and Trail (ZEPRT), Quiet Zones.

Interview with Dr. Mark Strudley, Director of Pajaro River Flood Management Agency

https://www.pajaroriverwatershed.org/projects/pajaro-river-flood-risk-management

He has been honored for his work to help move this long-overdue project forward:

https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/County/CAO/press%20releases/2022/Laird%20Honored%20for%20Bill%20that%20Makes%20Levee%20Project%20Affordable_1.12.22.pdf

The Board meets monthly:

https://www.prfma.org/meeting-agendas

Community Matters Host Becky Steinbruner discusses opposition and support for Santa Cruz County ballot Measures

1) Measure R (opposition) for Central Fire District's  $221 Million Bond measure to build three new fire stations and training center;

2) Measure M (opposition) due to lack of oversight on previous bond measures ($150 Million Measure L in 2016), broad language to describe what actually would get done, questioning Pajaro Valley Unified School District's shift in focus to building staff housing and risks of  property management for staff benefit rather than better pay and focus on education; no financial report filed yet with Secretary of State to detail election materials expenditures and donations;

3) Measure U San Lorenzo Valley Water District citizen initiative to control water rates (support) and how the resident customers have accomplished getting this on the ballot;

4) Joined by former co-host Jeff Bosshard, some discussion of how to file a Public Records Act request or Freedom of Information Act request and what Becky discovered when CalTrans supplied different agreements for Highway One soil deposits to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds than what the Fairgrounds CEO provided to his Board.

Originally broadcast October 25, 2024 

List to Community Matters live every Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST on https://SantaCruzVoice.com 

Scotts Valley Fire Chief Mark Correira describes

First hour: Scotts Valley Fire Issues and Measure S for a $24.5 Million bond measure to build a new fire station, 

https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/Elections/November5,2024PresidentialGeneralElection/LocalMeasures/MeasureS.aspx

Second hour: Why Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association opposes Measure Q, the Land Trust's deceitful actions to forever  impose a $87/parcel special tax in the County and use fire concerns to sell their effort.

https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/16/nov24/Measure%20Q.pdf

Originally broadcast October 18, 2024 

List to Community Matters live every Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST on https://SantaCruzVoice.com 

Bruce Holloway describes San Lorenzo Water - Measure U

Listen to Community Matters live Friday afternoons from 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com

What is Happening in local political circles guest Kris Kirby

Listen to Community Matters every Friday, 2pm-4pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com/

Originally aired on August 30, 2024, LAFCO Director Joe Serrano discusses what annexations and consolidations are in store for Santa Cruz County.

Listen to Community Matters live every Friday, 2pm-4pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com/