Op-ed on costs of ZEPRT ‘flies in the face’ of reality

Jim Weller’s Guest Commentary (June 24) doing backflips to mansplain why the RTC’s estimates are worst case and will be much less flies in the face of the history of every single major government construction project.

The high speed train we voted for was going to be $68 million. Where are we now with none of the harder, more expensive parts built?

His concession that there will need to be more sales taxes to support it seems to be the only bit of realism allowed to sneak into his narrative. We are already burdened with nearly double-digit sales taxes! Don’t worry, we won’t need that right away. Once we do, what if the voters say no?

The fact is that this train will be over priced, under used, and a financial anchor dragging down our county. It will compete with other social programs and its cost has no cap and is far beyond what the ridership or our tax base will support.

— Cliff Bixler, Bonny Doon

The costs of one or two public transit systems

Pay $32 or $2 for a trip from Watsonville to Santa Cruz? Using RTC estimates, a ride on a new rail system will be at best $15, at worst $32. A bus ride costs $2. All public transit requires public support. How many millions more per year for a second system?

Yes, the rail will be a bit faster for the lucky few who can ride it. A bus system remains necessary. The rail is a fixed location inaccessible to most.

Even if we can come up with the $4,280,000,000 to build the rail trail, can we afford the cost and complexities of two mechanical public transportation systems? A trail for people-powered transport makes sense. Minimum maintenance costs and improved quality of life for those using it. Operating costs for a second system will not end. Better to repay the purchase price of the rail right of way than bear unending costs. That would be cheaper than endless new subsidies.

— Henry Cleveland, Aptos

Theaters should consider subtitles for seniors

Why not offer movies on select days with subtitles, which would greatly benefit the senior community as well as anyone else with hearing impairment. As a retiree myself, I am unable to see many movies due to hearing loss and inability to understand the dialect.

While I realize most theaters now have closed caption devices for people in need of assistance, these devices are not that helpful and a poor remedy for those in need of subtitles on the big screen. I fail to understand why theaters cannot have a few movies with full subtitles on at least one of their big screens a couple of days per week.

I believe seniors and retired people are a substantial and contributing part of our community and would greatly benefit from my suggestion. It could be a win-win solution.

— Joy Bertrand, Scotts Valley,

‘Peacemaker’ seeks higher good, honors differences

Do not be fooled. True peace is not just the absence of war or even disturbing trouble. According to the revered Scottish theologian William Barclay, “peace always means everything which makes for a (person’s) highest good.” He also states that a true peacemaker will establish “right relationships” between people. Think: honoring differences.

The dropping of bombs is not the act of a peacemaker. Locally, creating fear for children not to go to school or people not to show up for work or neighbors not to support a local flea market is not the act of a peacemaker. Truly, the ends do not justify the means.

Shalom — Peace,

— Ron Weaver, Santa Cruz

Reconsidering Panetta over Israel war support

Big thanks to Christine Hong and Sean Malloy (Guest Commentary, June 22) for opening my eyes to Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s complicity in the ever-worsening genocide in Gaza. As an independent nee lapsed Democrat, I often fail to practice due diligence when casting my vote, falling back on the lazy assumption that the Dems must always be the superior party.

I have voted for Mr. Panetta multiple times, but now I realize that I was wrong to do so. Shoveling arms, money and moral (some would say immoral) support to Netanyahu so that he can continue his slaughter of women and children is not what I want from my elected representative. And now every day we read of the wanton murder of innocents at food distribution sites, leaving those of us who voted for Panetta to think hard about our own complicity, and to make amends by choosing a better candidate next time.

— Tim Rudolph, Santa Cruz