By Bruce McPherson, Fifth District Supervisor
The first four months as Supervisor of the Fifth District have been full of listening, learning, and a growing appreciation of the Fifth District. Entering office, I knew a diversity of pressing issues needed to be addressed. The issues range in scale from local neighborhood problems to statewide issues and from potholes to policies.
I have been very pleased with the response to the San Lorenzo Valley Town Hall meetings held in Boulder Creek, Felton, and Ben Lomond. Combined, about 300 people attended a meeting to review their community’s Town Plan. The energy, enthusiasm, and ideas were impressive. San Lorenzo Valley residents are ready to dig in! My mission is to work with the residents to organize and support their specific ideas and community projects in the coming year. You will be hearing much more on these projects in the coming month.
I would like to give you a sampling of accomplishments for these first four months:
- Successfully advocated for the restoration of weekend bus service to Big Basin State Park to allow visitors to experience our oldest State Park without reliance on a car.
- Along with Treasurer Fred Keeley, supported a proposal for a property tax deferral for low-income seniors and the disabled. The first community meeting to assist seniors with their applications was held at the Senior Center in Highlands Park.
- Held Town Plan meetings in Felton, Ben Lomond, and Boulder Creek — attended by about 300 residents — to discuss community priorities and concerns.
- Voted to move forward with a Library Master Plan that lists a new library in Felton as the first priority, while also making improvements at the Boulder Creek, Scotts Valley, and other branch libraries.
- Convened County staff to assist in discussions on the feasibility of consolidating the Lompico and San Lorenzo Valley Water Districts. These talks are continuing.
- Held 16 open-hour constituent meetings in Felton, Scotts Valley, and Boulder Creek.
- Moved forward with plans for sewer service to replace failing septic systems in the Rolling Woods area off Graham Hill Road.
- Worked with the Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Forestry on illegal woodcutting and encampments in the San Lorenzo Valley.
- Assisted efforts to develop a new entrance, parking, visitor’s center, and other amenities at Castle Rock State Park.
- Moved forward with Community Choice Aggregation to study whether it is appropriate for our region to purchase and generate our own power, which could have tremendous economic and environmental benefits. All four cities and the County are working together to do a feasibility study. The San Lorenzo Valley Water District and the Soquel Creek Water District are also enthusiastic about partnering on the project.
- Appointed and reappointed 30 Fifth District residents to county commissions.
- Addressed dozens of neighborhood concerns, including road, garbage, animal, noise, and environmental problems.
In the next few months, I will focus on following up on the Town Hall meetings. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at: [email protected] or at 454-2200. I look forward to representing and working with you.
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For more information about the supervisor, visit his home page at www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us