Who’s This ‘We’?
THIS is a personal opinion about the opinionated: There seems to be a growing number of folks who claim to speak for the “majority,” from those voicing opinions in the Weekly to the so-called 99 percent protesters. Please, without a democratic vote of the 100 percent, none of you has a legitimate right to include me in your rant as part of the majority you claim to be speaking for.
Word To The Whiners
DEAR people who keep writing letters to the editor regarding the La Bahia project:
This project was not the only possible development plan for this building or this space! It was rejected because it failed to meet the established rules for building height. Also, it was lame because Barry Swenson refused to hire full union labor. The Coastal Commission's mandate is not to pass every development project that comes along even if it fails to uphold previously agreed-upon standards, just for the sake of jobs and development. It failed because it was a bad plan, and despite years of arguing, the developer did nothing to fix the same tired problems it ran into from the beginning. Barry Swenson is not the only developer in town. It can still be developed! It can still provide jobs and be an awesome new space! All someone has to do is come up with a viable plan that doesn't break the rules that are already in place! Please recall these are rules that we agreed on as a community and entrusted the Coastal Commission to uphold. And finally, please stop whining about it.
Veronica Lake
Santa Cruz
Who’s This ‘We’?
THIS is a personal opinion about the opinionated: There seems to be a growing number of folks who claim to speak for the “majority,” from those voicing opinions in the Weekly to the so-called 99 percent protesters. Please, without a democratic vote of the 100 percent, none of you has a legitimate right to include me in your rant as part of the majority you claim to be speaking for.
Wandis Wilcox
Aptos
Hey, Thanks!
THANKS to Tessa Stuart for the information about our credit union (“Bailing Grades,” Currents, Nov. 30). I had no idea Santa Cruz County Credit Union received TARP money and appreciate the clear, concise information presented in the article.
Nanda Wilson
Santa Cruz
Think of The Natives
SAMANTHA Larson's article about encouraging our native Western Bluebirds to help combat insect pests (“Bluebird Wine,” Briefs, Nov. 16) was quite interesting. It is nice to see viticulturalists and academics working together to explore natural solutions to pest control such as putting up bluebird nesting boxes to encourage resident bug-catchers.
However, I'd like to point out that while Western Bluebirds are primarily insectivorous, they are not exclusively insect eaters, especially during the winter months when few insects can be found.
They greatly enjoy berries of many plants, especially natives such as Berberis nevinii (“Nevin Barberry”), said to be a particular favorite, and elderberry, juniper, toyon, lemonade berry, coffeeberry and ribes (“wild currant”) to name only a few. Not only do these plants provide food for native birds and mammals, their blossoms attract helpful insects such as honey bees, native bees and beneficial wasps and flower flies. Vineyard managers, farmers and homeowners can encourage the symbiotic relationship of insects, birds and plants by growing and protecting native plants.
Alice Ford-Sala
Partners for Sustainable Pollination, Santa Rosa
