Zach Friend is effective, responsive
I’ve worked with many elected officials over the last 30 years and I can easily say Zach Friend is one of the best. As a constituent, I’ve found that Zach and his staff are responsive as well as effective when I’ve needed their help. He has brought vibrant new resources to mid and South County. Under his leadership, he has gotten road funding, flood protection for the Pajaro River and a new public safety center. I’ve observed his endless hours of volunteer time to numerous community causes. He has given to cancer events for the sick as well as serving food bank initiatives for the hungry. It can simply be said, that he gives generously of his personal time as well as his public time to the improvement of our community. Zach is committed to the second district of Santa Cruz County. Thank you, Zach, for your pledge to our community.
—Lou Tuosto, Larkin Valley/Aptos Hills
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Vote Yes on Y
There is a measure on the ballot, it is imperative that everyone gets behind: Measure Y. It is very important that the voters get behind this measure. The police and fire need this funding to help keep the community safe. It is a tax that is already there. It has been used to buy much-needed equipment, training and a great program for the local youth. The tax is for everyone, not property tax it is a sales tax. This is not a new tax so get behind this.
Vote yes on Y so Watsonville police and fire can continue to keep the community safe have the equipment and training needed to do so.
—Bill Neighbors, Watsonville
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A Double Play
An unusual opportunity for voters is happening this coming election. Two separate governmental agencies in the Pajaro Valley are asking for financial assistance at the same time and they are complementing one another in a remarkable way. The City of Watsonville’s Measure Y is for continuance of police, fire services funding and needed support for the city recreation programs. Cabrillo College’s Measure R bonds are for a new science center, library renovations and modernizing of buildings on the main campus in Aptos. In addition and most importantly to Pajaro Valley, Cabrillo College will build a new $23 million public safety center in Watsonville for the training of new police officers, staff and also for all those working in the medical fields.
I recognize each homeowner is balancing their budget but sometimes the support of these agencies can directly affect their home and lifestyle. The proposed measures are well thought out proposals from local agencies that have the trust and support of the majority of voters.
A vote yes for each measure is a double play for the youth and adults of the Pajaro Valley and directly benefits the quality of life for all residents.
This election is a rare opportunity. I encourage the support of both.
— James S. Baker, retired Superintendent of PVUSD
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Yes on R
As a retired economic development professional, I have, for the 30 years I’ve lived in Santa Cruz, recognized the value that Cabrillo College and its wonderful programs provide to the Santa Cruz community, including its youth, employers and businesses. Cabrillo has been training our healthcare, hospitality and tech workers. With the passage of Measure R, Cabrillo will also be training our local firefighters and police, which will save taxpayer dollars by keeping training local. I have served on Cabrillo Foundation’s committees and have also learned about the programs and resources being made available to returning veterans, as well as providing students the tools to qualify them to transfer to a four-year university. With all of this in mind, I encourage voters in Santa Cruz County to invest in one of the top drivers of our local economy. Vote Yes on Measure R.
—Ceil Cirillo, Santa Cruz County
