No on soda tax Measure Z: ‘Enough is enough’

Having been a Santa Cruz resident since the ‘80s, a property owner since the 2000s, raising my family here, and working as a registered nurse at Dominican Hospital for over 20 years I am vastly familiar with the town and its politics. After reading the UC Davis study I am confident Measure Z will hurt low-income residents the hardest. There is absolutely no guarantee that any money raised would go to the programs its supporters propose; rather, it is a general fund tax that could be used any way the council sees fit. With a new local sales tax already passed earlier this year and more bonds on the November ballot, one has to say enough is enough sooner or later.

Protect the pocketbooks of Santa Cruz voters and join me in voting No on Measure Z.

— Lorna Grundeman, Santa Cruz

How will city fight big corporations if Z passes?

Measure Z sounds great to me, promoting health in our community; nothing wrong with that. My concern is how will Santa Cruz afford to fight the big corporations involved and the state of California? I lost my irrevocable rent control in 2005, because the city of Santa Cruz could no longer fight the big corporation that bought De Anza mobile home park. Measure Z is much bigger than our rent control ordinance. It seems to be counter-productive to fight our state. I feel like the lawyers in the litigation will be making a lot of money before our city has to stop fighting.

— Phyllis Galvan, Santa Cruz

Opponents of Measure Z ‘have no shame’

I read the large ad recommending that people vote “ No on Z” with dismay. As with the candidate who will distort the truth about everything from hurricane relief efforts to the fate of pets in Ohio, in order to try to take over our government, the people who say that “Measure Z would make it even harder for SC residents to afford basic groceries,” have no shame.

It is a well known fact that the sugar levels in commercially sold sodas cause diabetes and that children who drink them have other health risks as well. The big businesses that benefit from the sale of canned sugar water should be ashamed of their cynical exploitation of people’s emotions.

I voted Yes on Z because I care. If people do not have the ability to research the impact of sugar drinks on their health and the health of their children, at least the extra tax might make them think twice about buying those basically toxic beverages.

— Anina Van Alstine, Santa Cruz

No on Z: SC adding to tax burden for businesses

As a decade-long business owner, mom of a blended family, and born and raised Santa Cruz resident I am against Measure Z. Taxes like this are regressive and are known to fail. Santa Cruz has been taxing businesses at an excessive rate and a beverage tax would only add to the burden.

As a business owner and mom I believe Measure Z will hurt the community more than it will ever help. We have no guarantee on how these tax dollars would be used, because the money collected from this tax would be allocated to the general fund. This would allow revenue to be used for any number of city needs, many of which have nothing to do with the concerns highlighted by Measure Z.

We as a community do not need more government interference in our business operations or personal choices. Join me in voting No on Measure Z this election season.

— Racheal Murphy, Santa Cruz

Martinez in 5th: Will get things done for SLV

As a long-time Boulder Creek resident, I know that Monica Martinez is the only reasonable vote for 5th District supervisor. She’s a really good person and mother, heavily involved and invested in the 5th District, and she’s the only candidate with the experience and smarts to get things done on the Board of Supervisors for our oft-neglected 5th District, in particular the San Lorenzo Valley.

Let’s take transportation, for example. Particularly here in SLV, we need a lot of help with roads. Monica’s experience and contacts will help her accomplish her goals for us. Some of those goals are:

Ensure that road repair funds are distributed equitably around the county and that the 5th District doesn’t get left behind.

Work with state and federal partners to explore additional and innovative funding sources to support and improve our public transit system.

Coordinate with partners to expand safe routes to schools and pedestrian access.

Help the 5th District get the experienced and competent representation it needs and deserves — vote for Monica Martinez for supervisor.

— Peter Gelblum, Boulder Creek

Yes on SLV Measure U: Citizen power at work

Measure U in San Lorenzo Valley is making the establishment very cross. Ordinary citizens have dared to put on the November ballot an answer to this year’s controversial, inequitable water rate structure. It is a back-to-basics fix returning to fundamental values of the community: Fair water rates that don’t punish low water users and supports conservation.

Contrary to political elitists running interference, the community knows our district needs money. We also know this rate structure is unfair and wrong. Rebalancing the structure to meet the same needed revenue goals simply requires water board collaboration, a notion unfortunately challenged by opposition sign imagery inferring contempt for ratepayers.

Adding to the apoplectic rage of opposition is that 5th District supervisor hopeful Monica Martinez and Jim Mosher are architects of the controversial, unbalanced rate structure, serving together on a district committee, and therefore this has become a politically charged campaign of protection and circling the establishment wagons.

When voters say Yes to Measure U for fair rates it changes the political landscape. That’s citizen power.

— Deb Loewen, Lompico Canyon

Martinez will help solve SLV water challenges

As our county supervisor, Monica Martinez will bring leadership and a deep understanding of the issues and problems facing residents of the Fifth District. Ensuring safe, affordable water into the future is one of the most critical of these issues. Monica served on the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Budget and Finance Committee and is familiar with the district’s daunting challenges: recovery from the CZU fires and winter storm damage, needed upgrades of aging infrastructure, preparation for the next inevitable disaster, and mergers with the smaller water districts severely damaged in the CZU fires, to name a few.

Many households still recovering from the CZU fires remain without reliable, potable water. Four of the five SLVWD directors have endorsed her because they know she will be an effective leader in addressing these critical water issues. She will make it a priority to establish a positive, collaborative working relationship between the county, SLVWD, and 5th District residents. Vote for Monica Martinez for 5th District supervisor.

— Jim Mosher, Felton

Brown for District 2: Has ‘experience, knowledge’

After spending over 40 years supporting local education, women and children’s issues, it’s easy to lend support to the candidacy of Kristen Brown for Santa Cruz County supervisor.

She has the municipal experience, knowledge, background and listening abilities to bring new views, solutions and improvements to our community.

Please join me and hundreds of other community-minded folks and vote for Kristen Brown for 2nd District supervisor.

— Wendy K Hurst, Watsonville

De Serpa in 2nd: Has compassion, understanding

I met Kim De Serpa several years ago while I was helping a friend with advanced MS who was without a home. Kim was working as a medical social worker with the most medically and psychologically challenging cases in Santa Cruz County. Through her vast experience and extensive network she was able to advocate for him to obtain an affordable studio in Santa Cruz. She arranged for meals to be delivered from the Teen Kitchen Project along with many other services. Due to her compassion, knowledge and resourcefulness my friend was able to live out his days in comfort.

I believe Kim will be an outstanding supervisor as she understands the issues facing District 2 from potholes in rural areas to needed resources in South County.

— Anne Ratto, Corralitos