Goodbye Zach Friend

He Actually Works for the Common Good

Rene Schlaepfer, Pastor, Twin Lakes Church, Aptos

I keep hearing about the American public no longer trusting their elected officials. Good people won’t run for office. If there’s a politician in a movie, you know they’ll be a villain. Well, if our politicians were all like Zach Friend, trust would be soaring, our kids would all want to grow up to be in government, movie politicians would be our new action heroes, and stuff would actually be getting done all across the nation.

When I learned Zach wouldn’t seek reelection, I thought about the floods, fires, storms, budget crises, water emergencies, and housing shortages he has led us through. Zach has the force it takes to move bureaucracies, and the empathy it takes to make individuals feel heard.

How does someone with such biting sarcasm enjoy so many friends? I don’t know, but he pulls it off. I think it’s because Zach embodies what everyone longs for in an elected: He’s totally candid, funny, authentic, wise, doesn’t take himself too seriously (yet takes his responsibility very seriously), and actually works for the common good, not just some interest group.

Everyone knows Zach represented his district exceptionally well. He’s also been a trusted confidant. Never has an elected enjoyed a more fitting name.

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A Very Caring Individual

Jess Brown, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau

Many people may not know that the 2nd District has more agricultural land than any of the other four supervisorial districts. Supervisor Friend has been able to effectively balance the needs of agriculture, beach communities and residential areas. His political acumen, professionalism, and great sense of humor makes him an effective and approachable leader.

Supervisor Friend is a unique elected official for our County because he came with national political experience. This experience helped Santa Cruz County throughout his terms. Most recently, it played a role in his ability to secure federal funding for the Pajaro River improvements and, also, in getting the President to visit our area after the recent floods.

Zach is very caring individual. He takes a genuine interest in his constituents. There are many examples, for instance, he was interviewed many times by Noel Smith of the Aptos Times. Although they had different political views Zach appreciated Noel’s perspective.

When Noel was terminally ill, Zack would visit him and chat about politics and life in general. That’s a rare quality in an elected official.

Zach will truly be missed in Santa Cruz County when he leaves office.

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A Force for Cohesion

Robley Levy, Second District supervisor, 1982-92

Zach Friend has served the 2nd District and Santa Cruz County exceptionally well during his time on the Board of Supervisors.

Zach has been directly responsive to his constituents and always well-informed. He has been a force for cohesion on the Board that will be greatly missed.

Zach’s many close connections with officials at the State and Federal level, together with collegial relationships with his fellow local officials has been a great benefit to our County.

How many local politicians can wrangle the President of the United States, as well as numerous cabinet members, to a small county like Santa Cruz? That’s what Zach did this year in response to the disastrous storms and flooding, with so many of our neighbors forced out of their homes.

I particularly appreciate that work since during my time on the Board, we also faced major disasters; in the early 80’s, coastal flooding and landslides, including the Love Creek Slide where so many died; and the 1989 San Francisco Earthquake which hit Santa Cruz hard, with its epicenter in the Second District.

Thanks so much, Zach, for all that hard work this winter on disaster response and recovery. We will miss you, but know you will enjoy all the new adventures ahead of you.

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Thoughtful and Inclusive

Michael Watkins, Retired superintendent, county Office of Education

I have had the pleasure of working with Zach even before he was elected to the Board of Supervisors representing the 2nd district. I’ve always found him to be both thoughtful and inclusive. He handled controversy with grace and class and always listened to both sides of controversial issues before making a decision.

He was strong advocate for public education and Juvenile Justice reform both here and in Sacramento. I had the honor of representing him in the 2020 redistricting process and saw firsthand how he created space for all points of view.

I found him to be courageous and passionate about tackling and solving environmental issues, the unhoused population dilemma and creating and equitable education for all students.

His leadership and national recognition will leave a void in our county.

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A Person Who Sees the Big Picture

John & Karen Hibble, Aptos Chamber of Commerce

Zach Friend has been tireless in trying to improve the lives of Second District residents and Santa Cruz County as a whole.

He was able to move the Aptos Village project forward after decades of planning and establish a Mid-County Public Safety Service Center in the Village and he helped to establish the South County Government Center in Watsonville. He was instrumental in working on transportation solutions and expanding broadband to underserved areas of the county.

His experience at all levels of government allowed him to assist in saving Watsonville Hospital from closing also in securing funds to rebuild the Pajaro River levee, and in bringing President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom here to expedite relief from this year’s winter storms and the CZU fires.

He oversaw the undergrounding of utilities in Seacliff, the installation of the roundabout in the Rio Del Mar flats and pushed for solutions to the flooding in that area.

Zach worked to improve Seascape Park and Hidden Beach Park. He helped establish a skate park in Seacliff. He oversaw the remodel of Willowbrook Park in honor of fallen officer Sgt. Damon Gutzweiller and helped establish the first all-inclusive playground.

Zach helped in the remodeling of the Capitola and La Selva Beach Libraries and found additional funding to build the new Aptos Library. He had the foresight to include rotating exhibits from the Aptos History Museum in the new Library.

During Covid, Zach instigated town hall meetings on Zoom to bring us the most accurate and up to date information from the best and the brightest people.

Zach is a person who sees the big picture and has worked on policies that will benefit our community now and in the future.

Zach has been an outstanding Supervisor and we wish him well in the future.