We’ve got two controversial stories in this week’s issue.
The first is the cover story, which is about the UCSC parking price hikes. When writers Sean Rusev and Roz Spafford proposed it, I figured it was a simple news story about a price raise, which is all too common these days.
But no.
They assured me there was way more to the story and there is. This is a story about a campus that is alienating students, who feel like they are being used as ATMs, handing over money at every turn. And it’s violating standards of listening to students, unions and faculty governing committees about what they want and need.
Finally, it’s a campus that is not being open with the press, even the student press, about what it’s doing. The administration and its public relations officer were not forthcoming about what’s going on with impossibly high parking fees. Not coincidentally, we imagine, they made their changes over the summer when students weren’t around to be heard.
This is a powerful investigative read and an important story for the campus and those of us who want to visit it for events, schooling or jobs (it’s the county’s biggest employer with some 8,500 workers).
We have another story about a crumbling cement wall in Capitola that writer Kristen McLaughlin compares to a certain reflecting pool.
Finally, the one that’s already drawing heat is a negative review by arts critic Christina Waters of a performance at the Cabrillo Festival of New Music that she absolutely hated.
In the old days Good Times wouldn’t print a bad review, figuring that the paper would tell readers what’s good and ignore the bad.
But, really, there’s room for a critic to let people know what went wrong or what they should avoid. Musicians and producers benefit from hearing an objective voice critiquing their work. David Bowie once told me he needs to hear from outsiders because artists are surrounded by people who only praise what they do, no matter how bad it might be.
When I interviewed him he had read everything I’d ever written about him and many other pieces I’d written as well and gave me feedback. That was probably the best interview I’d ever done.
It was with that in mind that I ran Christina’s review this week in print. It had already run online and received some letters you will read below.
Can a writer and a paper have credibility if they only print positive reviews? I’d love your answer to that.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM A great photo can show us something we see every day and expose it differently, in all its glory! Photograph by Jo Koumouitzes
GOOD IDEA
Visitors have long come to the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival for live music, local artists, food and wine, but this year they’ll find something new woven into the celebration: Wellness Day, a free community event on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Skypark.
The new event is the result of a partnership between the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Therapy Works.
Wellness Day invites festivalgoers to pause between the art booths, live entertainment and local food vendors to explore practical ways to support their physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Wellness Day takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, 10am- 3pm during the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival at Skypark, Scotts Valley. Admission is free.
GOOD WORK
In 2026, California is the #7 best state for public education according to ConsumerAffairs, the journal of consumer research. It compared each state’s public school system across four key categories of academic outcomes, school funding, higher education, and school safety to determine which states offer the best public education in the country.
The Golden State shines as the 2nd-best state for higher education with the most affordable two-year tuition at $1,438; the fourth highest college retention rate with 86.9% of first-year students returning for a second year; and an average of $1,910 in grant aid per student (10th highest in the country). Consumeraffairs.com for more.
