Plus Letters to the Editor
Remember the night when James Durbin got booted off of American Idol? Remember that feeling of shock, perhaps anger. Really? The Durb was being passed over for two other singers—can’t recall their names?—who apparently captured more votes. But here’s the thing about voting—inasmuch as it’s truly a cool thing, oftentimes one has to take into consideration how educated, informed and, well, empathic the voters actually are. (See George W. Bush elections 2000 and 2004.) Which brings us to the folks on the Coastal Commission who voted down the proposed La Bahia project last week (6-4 with two members absent). Most the heat is being directed to supervisor Mark Stone, who’s also shown a lack of support for the Arana Gulch project, and was thought to have influenced the board of the Coastal Commission, which consists of 12 members. (Stone is the current vice chairman.)
Much has been said about how many years of planning went behind the La Bahia project; how developer Barry Swenson Builder had collaborated with the City of Santa Cruz to create a workable model; how much of the town seemed to back the idea of a rebooted La Bahia hotel, which would have affected the economy positively and, perhaps, helped reshape an area in town that has been noted for its crime and its lack of esthetic appeal. The failure to pass the project, in my eyes, makes me wonder just how open-minded the commission and its members actually are—and if they’re really that invested in what’s good for an entire community or simply going along following standard procedure without any real regard for the outcome. I know this: The commission does great work, yes, but there are times—and I feel this was one of them—when something full of so much potential, so much good, something that could positively impact an entire community for decades to come, should be considered with a truly broader viewpoint. In this case, I feel the commission has let Santa Cruz down. There’s more to say on the matter (see page 8) but for now, we’re left picking up the emotional pieces of an exciting possibility unnecessarily shattered. Send us your thoughts to le*****@gt******.com.
Onward …
Greg Archer | Editor-in-ChiefLetters to the Editor
Bad Move on La Bahia
The Coastal Commission’s failure to pass the La Bahia hotel project is another example of how hard it is to get anything done in this town. What a missed opportunity. To be there at the meeting last week and to listen to the backward reasoning behind the objections to the project is disheartening. I’m all for people having the right to their own opinions but man—what the hell? This entire project could have boosted the economy and really helped make a nice difference in an area that very few people enjoy visiting.
Jennifer Hansen
Santa Cruz
Let Down By La Bahia Decision
I’m sure I am not alone in feeling totally let down by La Bahia not being approved. I’ve watched this project simmer for so many years and it really felt that with all the community support and the thunbs up from the city and more, that it would have gone through. This is a real shame.
Tom Sanderson
Santa Cruz
Time For Detention?
Writer Amy Coombs needs to check her facts first when reporting on Santa Cruz city school district policy (GT 8/4). When I first brought up the issue of SB48 at a school board meeting, there was no reaction from any board member, including the board president. I requested it be placed on the agenda as a resolution for support. It was, and I was the school board member who spoke in favor of it.The school board president had no comment. Neither did the other school board members. It quickly passed 7-0.
As a teacher of US history for most of my last 34 years in public education, I have always, to quote Cynthia Hawthorne, been “opening the doors to a more accurate and inclusive history” for a long time in my own classroom. I am glad to hear she has signed on to this concept. That is what history and social studies are designed to do, and it is what i have doing all my career. I am gratified to read that she is, at last,
in agreement.
Steve Trujilo,
SC City School District Board of Trustees
Capitola
Best Online Comments
On Food Justice …
Great article—good way to make Food Justice easy to digest for the masses and raising the volume on the voices of our youth. Thanks for listing all those resources as well. To me Food Justice is looking at the mix of many socio-cultural challenges through the lens of what and how we eat. It is not an easy nut to crack.
Thanks for mentioning the Farm Bill, so much potential for positive change all wrapped up in that huge piece of governmental mumbo-jumbo, corporate back-door deals, and lobbyist relations. Even without the government infusion of dollars designated via a billion dollar bill there is room for change. Vote with your dollars to change what is being offered as food by increasing the demand of better options. Support programs like “Food, What?!” so that more individuals can be schooled to make positive change.
I can envision a change in food and opening the doors of Just Food via a movement similar to what happened with Tobacco settlements in years past. The purveyor’s of food that harm our health, workers, and environment should foot the bill for positive change. Can you see it?
John Fisher
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