Letters to the Editor

The history behind the photo I thought it might be helpful for your readers to have some background on one of the pictures included in my friend Tarmo Hannula's article in the Feb. 27-March 5, 2026 issue of the Pajaronian ("Short drive, big rewards in...

Democrats disrespectful during State of the Union I condemn the Democratic members of Congress for refusing to stand and applaud victims of preventable tragedies during the SOTU address. Their inaction reveals misplaced priorities and a lack of empathy for shattered lives.  Take the 5-year-old girl who...

At the Feb. 11 PVUSD Board meeting, trustee Gabe Medina was banned from the PV High campus for 14 days. It was a great example of deflecting the charges to blaming others for not doing enough, a practice that trustee Medina has done for...

Passenger rail price estimates too high One can never convince  me that restoring the Santa Cruz Branch rail line for passenger rail would cost an estimated $4.2 billion dollars!  I am not a transportation planner or consultant however it is obvious something doesn't jive and...

Addressing boisterous, long PVUSD meetings What occurred at the PVUSD board meeting last month should never have happened.  Trustee Joy Flynn’s response to a shout from the crowd about “blood on your hands” posed no threat, and was likely a reference to a belief that...

PVUSD board was right to make cuts when they did Brandon Diniz has written an impassioned guest Sentinel editorial; but he left out details on why the expediency, the reason for the cutbacks, and the continual disruption. The District is required to submit their proposed budget...

Praise for Watsonville Fire Chief Lopez In 1996, I took my New School students to the Watsonville Fire Department on Second Street for an educational tour.  There I met fireman Rudy Lopez, who took an interest in my "second chance" high school students.  I met...

Suggestions for PVUSD My recommendations regarding the Recommended Realignments of PVUSD: 1. Regarding school closure, I have advocated for an idea to sell the District Office Building and move it to a school—which should be considered for closing—since 2024. I also would like to advocate for...

Medina ‘not shrinking back’ after Lelieur letter Mr. Lelieur’s letter (Nov. 21-28, p. 8) tries to present a clear picture of the PVUSD Nov. 12 board meeting, but anyone who was present or watched the recording knows his version doesn’t match reality. The board president...

Criticism for Medina PVUSD trustee Gabriel Medina never fails to amaze me. From challenging the right of a Christian woman from a Midwest Bible college to student teach, to threatening to sue the district for $35,000, his conduct has been a lesson on how not...