Enforce driving rules in Highway 1 auxiliary lanes

As a bicyclist and the parent of a son who rides the Metro, I applaud the continued expansion of the Rail Trail, as well the work on Highway 1 that will allow buses to pass more easily during commuter hours. I hope transportation officials are taking into account the cars whose who will use the auxiliary lanes as their personal fast lane. I see it on the southbound exit lane at Soquel Avenue all the time.

I hope that wherever possible auxiliary lanes are marked “Exit Only” and the rules enforced by Highway Patrol. Otherwise the auxiliary lane will become clogged, and every evening Highway 1 will once again be one big parking lot.

— Tory Wilson, Santa Cruz

Resist California’s ‘king’ at protest as well

A “resist the king” rally is scheduled for June 14th — Flag Day. Let’s economize and do a two-for-one this time. A sign for each hand!

Our more local King has certainly earned our attention. He has:

• Set aside the voter-approved death penalty practically first week in office ... all by his little self. (not that I’m for death penalties);

• Similarly set aside 1/3 of California for the critters without any debate;

• Showered the state homeless with billions of unaccounted-for dollars for projects Room and Homekey and asserted his control over landlords’ properties;

• Decided we can’t have gasoline engines for our cars, no debate;

• Shut down the state, forcing masks and suspending First Amendment rights to assembly and religion with his sheriff of Nottingham County Health officers during COVID — all while dining maskless at the French Laundry with his court jesters, laughing at the suckers.

So golly, bring a Newsom sign too and maybe our Senate and Assembly will wake up and start doing the checks and balances we’re supposed to have.

— Pureheart Steinbruner, Aptos

SC Council’s Newsome resolves conflicts

Tip O’Neill once said, “All politics is local,” a truth embodied by Councilmember Scott Newsome’s dedication to Santa Cruz’s District 4.

I witnessed this firsthand when he resolved a critical landlord-tenant dispute for 56 residents at our apartment complex — including CalPERS retirees, a retired NYPD officer, a nurse, a metro employee, grandmothers, grandfathers, veterans and UCSC staff. Facing complexity, Scott didn’t just listen; he crafted solutions that solved our problem.

Amid divisiveness, councilmembers often face unfounded claims of favoring “special interests.” Our experience shatters that notion. Whether renter, homeowner or business owner in District 4, if your issue has merit, Scott Newsome will listen deeply and consider multiple solutions.

Santa Cruz — especially downtown — is fortunate to have a leader prioritizing neighbors. We thank Scott for his service.

— Kevin Cummings, Santa Cruz

Inspired by coverage of bi-literate students

At this dark time when the Federal Government seems determined to “dumb down” our nation, trying to take venerable institutions like Harvard to their knees, defunding scientific research and arresting students in the hallways of their schools as they seek higher education, what an inspiration to see the list of high school students who have achieved “ bi-literacy!” And although the vast majority are bi-literate in Spanish, a natural trend for California, there are those who are bi-literate in French, Latin and other languages as well!

As a person who was “forced” to become bi-literate in French, when my family moved to Paris and I was forced to achieve fluency in a second language at 10, I know that there is more to being bi-literate than just conversing with others. The brain changes when you have different linguistic pathways and structures available.

Bi-literacy truly can create a more open mind. Congratulations to these students for their efforts and to the schools and teachers who support them and thank you to the Sentinel for acknowledging their success!

— Anina Van Alstine, Santa Cruz

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