Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of Feb. 26:
MARCH 5 ELECTION
Election Guide updates: Campaign money, 5 polls open
Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide includes candidate comparisons and nonpartisan information on all the local races.
Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide has updates from recent campaign finance records.
- Learn which groups and individuals have contributed to campaigns.
- Find campaign contribution totals for candidates in all the local races
Voting centers are now open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends at:
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, 5200 Soquel Ave., Live Oak.
- Santa Cruz County Clerk’s Office, 701 Ocean St., Room 310, Santa Cruz.
- Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley.
- Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos.
- Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor, Watsonville.
Thirteen more voting centers are slated to open March 2. See a map of all in-person voting locations and hours.
—Stephen Baxter
Read Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide
ENVIRONMENT
One-way traffic included in 50-year plan for West Cliff in Santa Cruz
A draft plan for West Cliff Drive calls for one-way vehicle traffic towards Natural Bridges State Beach. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 / London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz city staff on Feb. 23 released a draft 50-year vision for West Cliff.
The plan is an overview of future programs to adapt to coastal erosion. The plan calls for:
- Converting West Cliff Drive to a one-way, westbound street.
- Separate paths for bikers and pedestrians.
- Limiting hard armoring like boulders and concrete along the coast.
- Employing nature-based solutions to replenish beaches.
- Considering the purchase of privately owned land to maintain coastal access.
People can give feedback on the draft plan in an online form and at a Feb. 29 meeting.
—Jesse Kathan
To participate: View the draft plan and attend a meeting 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 29 at London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz.
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Landline service cuts to be discussed by Santa Cruz County supervisors
County supervisors on Feb. 27 will discuss an AT&T proposal to cut landlines in the county. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 / Online and at 701 Ocean Street, Room 525, Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 27 are expected to hear a presentation from an AT&T representative about possible changes to state regulations that would allow the company to stop landline phone service in Santa Cruz County.
AT&T is legally required to offer landline service in some parts of the state. The company has requested that the California Public Utilities Commission remove the requirement in some areas, including Santa Cruz County. An AT&T representative is expected to discuss changes if the application is granted.
—Jesse Kathan
Plan to expand internet access
A plan to expand broadband internet access in Santa Cruz County is expected to be discussed at the Santa Cruz County Supervisors Feb. 27 meeting.
Although most of the county is served by internet providers, cost and reliability are major challenges for many residents, a new report found. The plan calls for the county to:
- Pursue state and federal grants to expand broadband access.
- Build partnerships to expand high-speed internet access to areas with lower speeds.
- Encourage more internet providers to expand service to areas only served by a single company.
—Jesse Kathan
To participate: Join on Zoom or call 669-900-6833, meeting ID 817 3220 2363. To comment ahead of the meeting, email [email protected] by 9 a.m. Monday. The meeting will be streamed on Facebook.
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.
Jesse Kathan is a staff reporter for Santa Cruz Local through the California Local News Fellowship. Kathan holds a master's degree in science communications from UC Santa Cruz.
Stephen Baxter is a co-founder and editor of Santa Cruz Local. He covers Santa Cruz County government.
