Opinion

Trust is not built on words alone—it is forged through action, teamwork, and empathy. This holds true in times of prosperity, but is even more critical during hardship and crisis. Few experiences unite people like the shared journey from loss to pain, to recovery,...

Throughout his campaign, President Trump maintained that he never read and had nothing to do with “Project 2025,” the handbook for a new conservative government, published by the Heritage Foundation as “The Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise.”  He adamantly insisted, “I haven't read it....

Editor's note: This column was submitted in December and should have run earlier in January. As we enter the new year, I’m reflecting on our achievements in 2024—progress made possible through collaboration with community members, colleagues, county staff, and you. Together, we’ve worked to ensure Santa...

America lost a giant on Dec. 29, when our 39th president, Jimmy Carter, passed away at the age of 100. After his wife of 77 years, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, died a year ago, President Carter decided to stop his treatment for  diagnosed metastatic...

 Many of us—perhaps close to 50% of those who were invested in the election a month or so ago—have gone into withdrawal, hibernation, or are simply doing whatever we can to escape difficult political conversations.  Personally, I am looking at the decision I made 57...

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s (RTC) $9 million Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail project study (ZEPRT) has generated heated debate and confusion.  While the project promises to combine passenger rail and active transit in one sweeping vision, fundamental questions about its feasibility,...

Following the U.S. election, many celebrated a significant electoral victory. Many simply exhaled. Others are showing signs of frustration and despair. A significant segment of devastated voters is beginning to reflect on what just happened, and many, if not most, anxiously wait for the...

Santa Cruz County steps up environmental and community support This month, Santa Cruz County is enhancing safety, cleanliness, and access to essential services. The County has also secured state funding to sustain homelessness prevention efforts, and initiatives are underway to ensure all youth have access...

The people of the Pajaro Valley have shown we are resilient as we’ve faced the impacts of a changing climate, from severe flooding to the threat of wildfire. But more—a lot more—can be done to help reduce the effects on our community from future...