Work with the state to synchronize traffic lights

In a Sept. 20 Sentinel article, the author asks, “What’s up with all the road work along Soquel Drive?” He is referring to the Soquel Drive buffered Bike Lane And Congestion Mitigation Project.

Honestly, many traffic lights in this county are not synchronized. That leads to massive congestion and problems along major thoroughfares.

The worst examples are the freeway on/off ramp traffic lights (“ramp lights”) and the adjoining street traffic lights (“street lights”). Throughout the county, these lights are not synchronized and cause traffic problems. These include the street lights along Bay/Porter in Soquel and the adjoining ramp lights for Highway 1, and the street lights along 41st Avenue in Capitola and the adjoining ramp lights for Highway 1.

The ramp lights are managed by the state and the street lights are managed by the county or local municipality. However, no agency or supervisor in the county wants to take responsibility for working with the state to synchronize these lights. Until this happens, all “traffic improvement” projects will be a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.

— Peter Gibson, Soquel

Capitola’s Bay/Hill intersection much safer

The recent quick-build project at the Bay/Hill intersection in Capitola has been up for long enough to evaluate. The new design makes our streets safer for everyone. When I drive, the wait times are slightly longer, but I see fewer confrontations between drivers.

This street is important to me. I grew up biking down Bay and my kids are out there now. I commend the Capitola City Council for prioritizing the safety of our neighbors and for taking swift action after our community’s tragic loss last year. The quick-build has proven to be a success, and I hope it serves as a model for future road improvements in our city.

— Elliott Campbell, Capitola

Brown key for Capitola Wharf rebuild effort

Nice front-page story (Sept. 26) on the impressive reconstruction of the Capitola Wharf! It was a challenging project, requiring pulling together many government and non-government entities, and it was done well and in a remarkably short period of time.

Odd that your story never mentioned Kristen Brown, the mayor of Capitola, who was key to making all this happen. Imagine a political leader who is focused on the work, who is knowledgable and well-connected, and who gets good stuff done. What a concept! Compare that to a dysfunctional House of Representatives and a certain presidential candidate who can’t stop rambling on about himself.

— Paul Schoellhamer, Watsonville

No on Prop. 36 opinions ‘full of speculation’

Proposition 36’s text reads: “This measure would repeal that state law (Costa Hawkins) and would prohibit the state from limiting the ability of cities and counties to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent-control ordinances.”

Costa Hawkins limited rent control to buildings built before 1996.

That’s it!

The Sentinel Editorial and Op/Ed urging a no vote are full of speculation on the future and contain no facts.

— Lee Brokaw, Santa Cruz

Seeing MCT’s memorable ‘campy horror musical’

How often do Santa Cruz County theater-goers have the opportunity to witness a campy horror musical? Hmmm … not very, unless one ventures up Highway 9 through the woods into Ben Lomond, take a seat in Park Hall, and brave “Evil Dead The Musical.”

Whether you sit in the “splash” zone or comfortably removed from the front few rows you will be tickled by the engaged actors, inviting set design, special effects, and of course, the spurting of gallons of blood. Though my daughter and her bestie sat in the front row and shunned wearing plastic ponchos, I’d surely recommend one does. They spent 20 minutes cleaning themselves up post-show yet they shared many selfies of their look with family and friends prior to the cleanup. Smartly, my wife and I sat eight rows back safely away from ghosts, goblins and blood.

Kudos to producer Greg Roe and MCT for risking mounting a production few in the county have had the courage to do. Thanks to MCT for the memories!

— Will C. Guilford, Santa Cruz