We may want, but can’t afford, both train and trail

A recent newcomer to Santa Cruz asked me, what’s this controversy about a trail along the rail corridor? It seems complicated. Well, I replied, the nuts and bolts of actual execution probably are complicated, but the essential issue is simple: we like trains, we like trails, there isn’t room for both, and we can’t afford a train. The end.

I’m furious over the years of wasted resources, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Studies, more studies. Overkill infrastructure that creates its own problems and narrows the potential for a truly useful bike and pedestrian trail. It sickens me that money is squandered on this instead of other deep needs in our county.

In terms of “sunk investment,” why keep throwing good money after bad when there is no guarantee of the outcome? We know absolutely that a thoughtfully designed trail will enhance life for so many, at a fraction of the cost. I hope we’ll have a world class trail — yes, a linear park — in my lifetime.

— Dee Vogel, Santa Cruz

How about a community rec center above arena?

Nobody can say that the newly proposed Warriors arena doesn’t look great. We also need to think that, once all the millions start living in the high rises, we will need community rec centers. What better place to have one than above the stadium? Basketball, volleyball and other sports. It would have to be required to rent them out at rec center rates. The city could provide partial funding for it, making this a community multi-purpose stadium.

— Chelsea Wagner, Soquel

Vote needed on SC using public funds for project

After two tries to allow the City Council to explain what legal theory they are using to exempt the Library Affordable Housing Project from Article 34 of the California Constitution, I have received only silence. Since 1950, that article requires any city or district to hold a public referendum approval vote before using public monies to develop (including finance) or construct a low-rent housing project (over 50% affordable) in whole or in part. Surely building the housing foundation by borrowing and allocating $20 million, used as parking or not, qualifies it for that mandated vote.

Its’ a little late now, but not for a really good explanation. Future socialist housing plans now need extra scrutiny.

— Garrett Philipp, Santa Cruz

Politicization? Trump goes after Swift, Springsteen

Let the hypocritical Trump and his army of supporters speak out on this one:

They claimed Biden politicized the Justice Department, based on the investigation of Trump when he oh-so-obviously instigated the Jan. 6 riot and trued the change the results of the 2020 election.

And now, anyone Trump perceives as an enemy and/or who speaks out against him, he calls on them to be investigated, the latest being Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift.

Really? And somehow his supporters are A-OK with this?

How down must they be with America to find his megalomaniac behavior good for our country?

— Phil Hormel, Scotts Valley

Stop Trump from selling off public lands to Big Oil

One of the things that makes our state so great is access to nature. So much of that is dependent on the protection of our public lands — national and state parks, monuments, and designated wilderness.

But Donald Trump is offering a massive public lands giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.

He’s ordered the U.S. to “drill baby drill” on public lands, and he’s fast-tracked new oil and gas projects, bypassing environmental and public review. His allies in Congress are even pushing to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to toxic oil drilling. If they get their way, the fossil fuel industry will wreck our national landmarks for profit and pump millions more tons of planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere.

Most of this oil and gas is slated for export to markets in Asia and will be bought and sold as a global commodity.

If we don’t want to see drilling rigs the next time we head outdoors, we need to send a clear message to our representatives in Congress: Don’t sell off our public lands to Big Oil!

— Molly Morabito, Santa Cruz

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