Words to live by
I would like to share an uplifting quote, in these difficult days of the coronavirus, with the Pajaronian readers. It’s a real gem, that is credited to President Theodore Roosevelt, “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there!” Those are wise words from a resolute man who rose to the pinnacle of power. Yeah, sage words are like solid gold. Peace to all.
Mike Bobeda, Watsonville
Importance of staying in place
While I appreciate the anxiousness that people are beginning to feel after staying at home, if we release the shelter in place orders too quickly or even too much, it is clearly evident that the repercussions will lead us backward in the progress we have made toward just beginning to get a rhythm in catching up with the coronavirus. I urge you not to listen to hearsay. Instead, pay attention to those who truly know the situation: Dr. Anthony Fauci, an expert in infectious disease, and others such as the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts who know what they are talking about.
When we look at how tight the timing continues to be to get masks, equipment and other supplies and solutions needed for the Health Care Workers, First Responders, others on the front lines, and the citizens in our communities, it is imperative to realize that releasing the shelter in place order too soon can not only undo what is now in place – it will also hugely complicate forward progress in all areas once again. And we hear daily that we don’t have nearly the testing supplies available that are needed, and still so many people clearly do not practice social distancing.
Lives are at stake—including our own—if restrictions are released too soon allowing infections to increase. It is not worth the temporary freedoms you might feel when we are back to square one again. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home. Please think of the needs of all those around us and let go of an itch to run amok.
Sally Vaughn, Aptos
The City needs to start making cuts
In the April 17 article “City faces uncertain financial forecast” it states that “the city will be facing a deficit of approximately $5.7 million in the coming fiscal year.” It goes on to state that the city is trying to “avoid layoffs and furloughs.” Quite frankly, as 80 percent of the city’s budget is personnel and the goal is to cut the total budget by 10 percent, the decrease in spending is going to have to come from layoffs and furloughs, it isn’t going to come from rationing paper clips and copy paper.
This is the time when management has to be tough and realistic. Other cities are already doing furloughs and Watsonville needs to do the same. Personnel costs must be cut by 10 percent and should start at the top. This can be achieved by instituting a hiring freeze, mandatory furloughs and layoffs. It is a tough decision, but raising taxes to higher levels is not the answer to this shortfall, it is up to the city management to balance the budget and the decisions need to be made now. We need the government to start running like a business, not a tax swallowing giant.
Judy Nielsen, Watsonville
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