Gov. Jerry Brown is taking some radical steps to tackle California’s burgeoning deficit, now estimated at $25.4 billion. Apart from the hiring freeze that he just announced, he has been eying redevelopment agency funding, hoping it will add a few billion to his coffers. The cities and counties are fighting back. On Tuesday night, Santa Cruz residents gathered outside Del Mar Elementary School, where the County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to meet. Most of them came to show their support for the Board’s efforts to use local RDA money before the state can snatch it away.
Articles by Danny Wool
Libraries Spared … for Now
At a meeting Monday night of the Joint Powers Board of the city-county library system, the panel voted unanimously to postpone a vote on closing libraries until more information could be collected. Prior to the vote, the board was divided over whether to shut down local branches in order to cover a $6 million deficit. They also noted that they were responding to extensive community opposition to the proposed closures. Of the 42 speakers at last night’s public meeting, only two board members supported closing branches: the author of the proposal and an employee who faces salary cuts or even potential job loss. Most library employees favor closing some branches.
Where Are the Records?
Californians Aware is a nonprofit agency that audits state agencies to determine how well they respond to requests for public records. It recently audited universities throughout the state and gave a failing grade to the UC system, noting the particularly poor response from UC-Santa Cruz. UCSC received a 40 out of a possible 100 points, which is a fail by any standard. In contrast, San Jose State University received an A+. CSU schools averaged an 86, while UC schools averaged a 46, with UC Berkeley coming in on top with a 70.
Police Nab Three of County’s Most Wanted
Just three weeks ago, the police began handing out their most wanted lists to local media outlets. It has paid off. Two people have been arrested and one decided it wasn’t worth running and surrendered peacefully to the police of her own volition.
Durbin Does It Again!
Santa Cruz’s James Durbin wowed judges on American Idol last night with a rendition of the Beatles’ “Oh Darlin’” and advanced to the next round.
Santa Cruz Idol
You know that on American Idol the biggest sob stories are saved for the end. That’s certainly what happened last night, and the wannabe star who got the gasps was a local Santa Cruz artist, James Durbin, 21. Ryan Seacrest warned us at every possible moment that we would cry when we heard his story, and certainly many people probably did.
Cutting Positions, Not People
Faced with a looming budget deficit, Santa Cruz City Council is hoping to cut positions, not people by eliminating two positions that were left vacant two months ago. In November, City Clerk Lorrie Brewer, who had worked in the city clerk’s office since 1989, announced that she would be leaving the employ of the city and moving on to Mountain View.. At the time of her announcement, City Manager Martin Bernal and Mayor Mike Rotkin both said they would begin the search for a replacement immediately, however, given the budget crisis, the city has decided to leave the position vacant. Bernal will assume her responsibilities.
Home Invasion Puts Gun Collection in Wrong Hands
Gary Wise of Gilroy has a passion for guns, and his personal collection, consisting of at least 75 pieces, was worth at least $2 million. He was careful about it and kept the weapons locked in a home safe, confident that no one would be able to gain access to them, but he was wrong. On Sunday night, a group of home invaders broke into his house, tied him up and managed to get access to the collection. They beat him up severely and took off with the guns. They made off in Wise’s truck, but it was later found burned out in the mountains near Highway 9 and Highway 35.
Cabrillo College Struggles with Budget
Administrators and trustees of Cabrillo College are making contingency plans for next year’s budget without actually knowing how much money they will have. The problem, they say, is Gov. Jerry Brown’s current proposal to slash $400 million from the statewide community college budget. Cabrillo, which now has an operating budget of about $60 million, could lose as little as $4.2 million or as much as $10 million. In either case the college stands to face a deficit.
Bag Monster Shows up at Meeting
Yesterday’s public meeting of the Santa Cruz Public Works Department had an unexpected guest. As residents and representatives of environmental groups discussed a proposed ban of single use plastic bags in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, they had a chance to hear from the Bag Monster himself.
