City should not be taking Covid-19 funding
I was delighted to see that the Watsonville City Council approved “a little more than a half-million dollars of federal funding to bolster the community’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.”
I was very disappointed, however, to note that of the total $543K, the city will be using $88,797 for “staffing and planning.” As the balance will be going to specified organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank, El Pajaro CDC, the Community Action Board to assist businesses and residents and for internet access for students, I have to wonder why it will take $88,797 for “staffing and planning.” This equates to 16 percent of the total funding, which is excessive overhead for already designated funds. There are many people in the community who would, I am sure, form a “for free” oversight committee to ensure the funds were going to the organizations specified. The $88,797 would indeed be better spent helping families struggling to pay rent and utilities. Those funds could help 88 families with $1,000 each.
Judy Doering Nielsen, Watsonville
Implement something that will always make sense
Our present surreal situation seemed unfathomable just weeks ago. Imagine if our county had fallen for wasting mega-millions by “donating” to an outside freight train organization (only interested in maximizing their profits) to re-build the broken-down railroad track system (at our total expense) to exclusively accommodate their freight trains for at least 10 years? (Circulating misleading info to include a very compromised trail doesn’t fool everyone and such deception can incite efforts to expose the full truths.)
Every corridor proposal needs to satisfy easements and other concerns over those many miles. Anyone along the way can delay and even nullify this project with a lawsuit. Beyond drainage concerns, trying to safely accommodate heavy freight trains probably requires extensive rebuilding below ground and soil contamination cleanups. Imagine trying to draw money from a depleted government system that now has much higher priorities.
On the other hand, if the present deteriorating (and obsolete) railroad track had simply been removed or paved over at a much lower cost, we would be presently walking, jogging, bicycling … making good use of that entire 30-plus mile corridor while sharing a beautiful environment. This would immediately provide safer essential travel as well as safe recreation.
This first step would be the prelude to eventually advance to where a separate single dedicated lane could be added alongside for electric-powered buses (presently available to METRO) when mass public transportation systems again become safe for all. Also note that if problems ever arise, patrols could more easily scan the entire corridor or a variety of segments in standard full-sized patrol vehicles or on electric bikes. Why not implement something that will always be more affordable for all residents and why not implement it sooner than never?
Bob Fifield, Aptos
Clearing up the PVUSD board meeting
I was dismayed with last week’s School Board meeting. There were statements made by trustees that were not true, and that led the public to believe that the Superintendent was not responding to a Board request. In addition, those following online were making statements that were not true. With no way to refute these claims and statements, one might believe them to be true.
Trustee Acosta stated that PVUSD was top-heavy and needed to make cuts to pay for other positions. The fact is that PVUSD’s 2018-19 overhead rate was 4.4 percent compared to the State average of 5.5 percent. This data is available at Ed-Data.
Ms. Acosta also implied that the Board had asked the Superintendent in March to come back with a proposal to cut overhead. In fact, the Board did not make that request, she and another trustee made the request. This made the Superintendent look unresponsive. When Dr. Rodriguez responded that Ms. Acosta was wrong about the overhead rate, Ms. Acosta continued her diatribe about the overhead. This reminded me that if you tell the same untruth over and over, people will begin to believe it.
The followers online were commenting about how the teachers were poorly compensated. This is also inaccurate. Yes, the teachers are paid less other teachers, but they have a health plan that is more than twice as expensive as other teachers. It is so expensive that only 3 percent of Californians take it. Consequently, their total compensation, wages plus benefits, is better than 94 percent of other teachers.
At a time when the country, the State and our District are experiencing great difficulties with Covid-19, we need everyone to work together, not try to tear down the District. The State will be issuing next year’s budget in another month and Moody’s projects a 15-20 percent financial impact from Covid-19. Let’s work together.
I apprised Trustee Acosta of her errors and asked her to correct them at the next Board meeting.
Bill Beecher, Aptos
A black cloud, Covid 19
Like a sudden tidal wave coming ashore, the coronavirus pandemic hit us unexpectedly, caught us unprepared and left many of us awash and drowning, and, sadly, it’s repercussions will continue to raise its ugly head for some time to come.
It is the unknown and uncertainty that harbors and fuels fear and anxiety in a population. It is the ultimate boogeyman that is beyond our control until science is able to reign it in with a vaccine hopefully. To politicize this pandemic is counterproductive and the news media needs to understand that. Yes, read the newspaper, watch TV, be informed, use common sense and good judgment, but don’t go overboard!
Covid-19 has tragically taken so many lives and pushed people out of work and into unemployment lines in our country. Losing a loved one confined to a hospital and not being able to “say goodbye” leaves us depressed and that is in itself harmful to people’s psyche. Being without an income is like facing a cascading waterfall in a rowboat without an oar. I can’t think of anything that causes more stress than that.
For those of us in the United States old enough who remember the Great Depression, World War II and Polio, this is yet another test for a society as a whole. The ramifications of Covid-19 will give rise to new approaches that psychologists and psychiatrists will have to study and impart on their patients who seek counsel. For those who find comfort, redemption and solace in their faith, the clergy and the church will provide a refuge during this crisis.
Many people have taken an arrogant, and flippant attitude of Covid-19 as if to dare it by not following distancing guidelines and precautions such as congregating for example, on the beaches of Southern California. This self-centered attitude of entitlement that people, especially the younger generations who have become used to with a “what’s in it for me” state of mind are in for a wake-up call.
My thoughts are with all of you and your family. Be safe and take care.
Gary Plomp, Gilroy
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