His hard-working daughter lost her government job

Wednesday will be my daughter’s last day working for the federal government. She got her job within the Department of Agriculture as an intern while finishing up her degree at UCSC. Fortunately, after graduation last June, she transitioned to a full-time position, and she was very excited about having a job right out of school. With youthful exuberance and the level-headed thinking that is my daughter, she talked about her future as a government employee. She also felt her job, which analyzed data for agriculture research, was important and useful to society.

Then DOGE happens. No matter one’s political leaning it is hard to argue that the process of “reductions-in-workforce” has been nothing less than chaotic. Although it is not entirely clear to me who is in charge, it seems that the guy who waved a chain saw symbolizing cutting government spending and has been the face of this new “Department” is going back to his old job.

Going through a transition of a workforce requires leadership and a plan. This appears like throwing a grenade and walking away.

— Andy Bacaylan, Santa Cruz

Rail is beyond county’s means so... railbanking

Fiscal reality has hit. The proposed rail/trail estimates from RTC consultants to replace the bridges and trestles along the abandoned railroad tracks is nearly $1 billion. That estimate does not include the environmentally devastating infrastructure needed for building the actual passenger train line.

No one has even once projected the cost of operation, but the SMART train data in Marin show that the communities subsidize each round trip by $80. Do you want our sales tax raised?

Now that we know that the railroad is beyond our small county’s financial means, we must face reality and embrace making the rail an active transportation trail for a fraction of the cost.

The first step is to rail bank the abandoned tracks so they remain federal property forever.

This process is just paperwork, not building new retaining walls and bridges and subjecting Capitola to years-long construction with cement trucks in their downtown, taking down monarch habitats and making low-income seniors move from their homes.

— Della Davis, La Selva Beach

City of SC is violating its own heritage tree law

Santa Cruz City Code 9.56.050 - Protection of Heritage Trees states - No person shall allow to exist any condition, including but not limited to any one of the following conditions, which may be harmful to any heritage tree: (e) Driving metal stakes into the root area for any purpose other than supporting the heritage tree

I noticed today that the Lot 4 “coming soon” sign, erected right in front of one of the Liquid Amber trees with metal posts driven into the ground, is straddling one of this beautiful tree’s large exposed roots.

Why is the city violating its own Heritage Tree Protection Ordinance?

This tree, destined for the chopping block very soon, is still a member of our community and is due a much better level of respect than this. It still deserves the protections promised to it for this short time it has left to live, even though it will soon be surrendered to the developer’s chainsaw.

Please take the sign down or put it somewhere else.

— Satya Orion, Soquel

Clever copywriting about just another SC high rise

From the Texas-based development company’s PR proposal to replace the Ace Hardware building mentioned in an April 25th Sentinel article: “With its important location, this project is poised to become a unique landmark and a visual statement to the Santa Cruz urban context. The design seamlessly integrates into the urban setting, offering a bold contemporary metropolitan aesthetic, while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the heritage, character and urban vibe of Santa Cruz.”

Maybe in Texas. But it’s just another high-rise box destroying the charm of Santa Cruz. I need to hire that copywriter.

PS: and just as Ace Hardware is finding tons of new clients in all the building going on downtown.

— Kim Ruth, Santa Cruz