I’ve been in Santa Cruz for 30 odd years. I was here for the earthquake, it affected me in a lot of ways. I remember the process getting started—there was a lot of optimism about the inclusiveness of the process and then that process was diluted by the fact that they wanted to get a lot of things done fast, and so certain decisions were made downtown that I think could have been made in a more inclusive process that would have resulted in a better downtown even than we have now. And I think the desal thing just emphasizes how if you don’t include everybody in the discussion you come up with solutions that aren’t necessarily appropriate for the whole city. And so that’s a lesson that I think we have to keep learning. Include as many people as possible to get the best outcome for everybody.
David Vallen
Retired Spa Owner | Santa Cruz
It taught us to be better prepared. It took so many of us by surprise, and now we’re retrofitting our houses and storing water, and [becoming] more aware.
Carol Timery
Soquel | Retired
Nothing comes easily. It also gave me insights into other parts of the world that are struggling with war and destruction, destruction of cities and streets and buildings. We still have a vacant part of Pacific Avenue from 25 years ago. For me that’s a sobering reminder of what people all over the world have to contend with.
Grant Wilson
Publicist | Santa Cruz
How to get along with one another. All the members of Santa Cruz County got together after the Loma Prieta earthquake including Fire, Police, Emergency Dispatch, ordinary citizens, veterans—everybody got together and helped one another out in that time of crisis. And it’s continued to today. Quite a few positive changes [were] made programmatically as well as just ordinarily. People have their own earthquake survival kits set up, they’re already set up to help each other check the gas and electricity.
Robert Shippen
Retired | Santa Cruz
