Ukraine war could mean ‘boom - no rail, no trail’

Recent Sentinel Letters to the Editor have rightfully focused on rail-trail issues. In contrast, other arguably more important matters remain ignored: for one, the U.S.-supported war in Ukraine. Little to no attention is paid to the impending escalation, which is leading us ever closer to nuclear annihilation. The elite Western powers that shouldn’t be are becoming desperate, as evidenced by France’s plan to send troops into Ukraine.

The U.S. House leadership is now willing to send another $60 billion of your tax dollars to “support” Ukraine’s useless war effort. With the West’s cupboard of killing toys essentially bare, such funds would most likely wind up in the pockets of corrupt Ukrainians.

If the long-promised F-16 fighter jets ever arrive, with Ukraine’s air defenses now effectively destroyed, the planes will be decimated. If, instead, they fly out of Poland, they’ll become “legitimate targets” for Russia, along with any French troops in Ukraine. Either will put NATO country forces in direct conflict with Russia. And then BOOM! No rail ... no trail.

Let’s chose life instead.

— Jeff Rudisill, Aptos

Some local politicians emulating Trump

The April 6 Sentinel included a Letter to the Editor titled “Put the brakes” on trail until fact are known. Really? After more than a decade there are facts that are not known? How much longer will it take to gather those facts? Another 10 years, maybe 20?

Delay is a strategy that is working well for one corrupt, self-serving national politician. Apparently there are some local politicians who are inspired by his success and willing to give it a try.

— Michael Funari, Santa Cruz

Recognizing ‘state’ money comes from taxpayers

Finally a comment I totally agree with from Stephen Kessler. It is heartening to see someone who recognizes that the grant from the state for the trail (or any government entity) is not “state” money. All money raised by local, state, or federal governments is from you and me, the taxpayers and should be used for viable and realistic projects. (Even if raised from corporations or businesses, it still comes from taxpayers in the form of higher prices or less jobs.)

The money is not to be spent just because it came from the state regardless of the worthiness of the project.

— Wade Terry, Santa Cruz

Most pressing trail issue: Encroachment impacts

Regarding recent articles about the rail/trail: The issues most pressing involve “human” impact, which was deemed insignificant in the EIR. Multiple families face impossible mandates and deadlines because of encroachment issues. The Mid County has always recognized the Union Pacific cyclone fencing as the rail corridor boundary. After owning the corridor for over a decade, the RTC decided to have a property survey done. They were actually unaware of the property lines until this survey, completed in 2023, showing possible encroachment issues. By the way, the homeowners involved do not own the land … they lease/rent from park owners who supervise all home placements and hook-ups.

The public has been sold on the notion of a train that won’t need taxpayer assistance, but simple math destroys this idea. So much for the voter mandate.

Keep the trail. Keep the long-held corridor fencing as property boundaries. Move ahead.

— Edwin Pitts, Santa Cruz

‘Remain vigilant’ about use of violent political images

“Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” Former President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently posted an image on his Truth Social platform, of President Joseph Biden, hogtied and lying on his side. A Trump supporter had put this image on the back of their truck, and Donald Trump chose to amplify it.

If the image had been of a person of color, or any woman, or Trump himself, there would be a justifiable outcry and censure. We cannot allow ourselves to slide into the normalization of such violent and threatening imagery, and certainly not when its source is a candidate for any government position. “Free speech” is a poor excuse for degrading U.S. values and uplifting violence. We must remain vigilant, regardless of our preferred presidential candidate, and we cannot simply shrug our shoulders and move on. Our democracy is at stake.

— Meg Sandow, Felton