Page 421 | Good Times

RTC Director Recommends Hard Pass on Electric Rail Proposal

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November 5, 2021

RTC Director Recommends Hard Pass on Electric Rail Proposal

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Director Guy Preston on Thursday recommended that the agency not pursue a partnership with a company hoping to provide electric passenger rail service from Capitola to Santa Cruz, citing the cost of fixing tracks and other ongoing expenses.

Preston estimated that the cost to the county would be between $50 and $60 million to prepare the tracks for passenger rail, in addition to maintenance and operations costs.

Preston also suggested that a half-cent sales tax could help to fund those repairs, if the county does pursue a passenger rail plan.

“RTC staff does not recommend pursuing this unsolicited Public Private Partnership (P3) proposal or any other potential P3 proposal for passenger rail service,” Preston wrote in a staff report.

The issue came before the Commission on Sept. 1 as an unsolicited proposal by Chatsworth, Calif.-based TIG/m LLC to run electric rail service along the county’s line. That company provided a demonstrationduring two weekends in October.

County staff and TIG have estimated that it could take 14 years to complete plans for passenger rail.

No action was taken during the discussion, although many of the commissioners who heard Preston’s report said they hope the county does not abandon plans to eventually bring passenger rail service.

“I hope we stay open and at least continue to look for funding sources … so we can continue to seek passenger rail in the near future,” said commission alternate Felipe Hernandez, adding that he wants freight service to continue in South County.

But despite signaling that passenger rail could be a reality in the future, the commissioners appeared to agree with Preston’s financial concerns.

“We’ve gotta realize we don’t have $50-60 million to pay for the repairs we would need to move forward,” said Commissioner Bruce McPherson. “We have to be realistic in what we can do, because if we say we can do a lot with passenger rail immediately, that’s a false promise.”

McPherson also expressed concern about having to tap into the commission’s discretionary fund to pay for the repair.

Commissioner Manu Koenig, who made his opposition to passenger rail service a cornerstone of his 2020 campaign for Santa Cruz County Supervisor, said the demonstration highlighted the poor condition of the tracks.

Koenig also cited traffic tie-ups he said were caused by the demonstration, and of pedestrians walking close to the track.

“I don’t believe that rail-trail is possible,” he said. “It’s actually a physical impossibility given the physical constraints of the track.”

Backed by Report, Advocates Ask for Safe Pesticide Use

GT Staff

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November 4, 2021

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Backed by Report, Advocates Ask for Safe Pesticide Use

SALINAS—Nurses, teachers, labor leaders, elected officials and concerned residents held a news conference and rally with more than 50 supporters at the Monterey County Government Center on Oct. 26 to release a report revealing extensive use in the Monterey Bay area of 13 pesticides linked to childhood cancers.

Organized by Safe Ag Safe Schools (SASS), the group called on state and local governments to restrict the use of the pesticides, and post warnings to the internet before they and other hazardous pesticides are used.

The speakers included Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers President Nelly Vaquera-Boggs, Salinas City Council member Anthony Rocha and a host of health officials.

Specifically, the report revealed regular use in Monterey Bay of 11 out of 13 pesticides identified in two recent studies by UC Los Angeles that researchers linked to early childhood cancers.

They found that the pesticides increase risk of a child developing specific forms of cancers ranging from 1.60 times (or 60% increased chance) to 3.38 times (or 238% elevated risk), if their mothers lived within 2.5 miles of the pesticide application while pregnant, SASS said.

“We must break the cruel pattern of neglect by DPR and the Ag Commissioners and demand they protect our children,” said United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 Ag Division organizer Efrain Aguilera of Greenfield. “That begins with stopping pesticide secrecy and ends with stopping the use of all pesticides that harm children.”

More than 28 countries have banned or not approved 10 of the 13 pesticides.

The first UCLA study from 2020 examined correlations between pesticide exposure and childhood leukemias. The second article from earlier this year looked at pesticide links to childhood brain tumors.

The links between cancer and pesticide exposure have been major topics for decades. However, what is new about the recent studies is that they are California-specific, provide correlations of individual pesticides to specific childhood cancer subtypes and establish links to in utero exposure over a long distance—up to 2.5 miles from the pregnant mother’s residence.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) was allocated $10 million in this fiscal year’s state budget to bolster the dissemination of information regarding the application of pesticides in area farms.

This week, DPR held two webinars to hear from the public on the development of the statewide system that would notify the public in advance of pesticide applications near where people live, work or play.

“Our goal is to increase transparency and provide equitable access to information about pesticide applications,” said DPR Acting Director Julie Henderson. “This will provide an opportunity for the public to make their own decisions about additional health precautions they want to take to protect themselves and their families. We believe this is also an opportunity to strengthen the engagement between DPR, County Agricultural Commissioners and the communities we serve.”

Information is available on DPR’s website or at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

Watsonville’s Ambitious Plan Aims to Address Climate Change

Johanna Miller

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November 4, 2021

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Watsonville’s Ambitious Plan Aims to Address Climate Change

WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville has taken its biggest step yet in making a commitment to address climate change locally.

On Oct. 26, the City Council unanimously approved the 2030 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP), aiming to make policy changes in order to cut emissions, restore natural land and prepare for the impacts of climate change on the community.

Alex Yasbek, the city’s environmental project manager, presented the CAAP at the meeting, and was met with overwhelming support from fellow city officials and community members.

“It was exciting for a number of reasons,” Yasbek said. “That our city is so supportive, that they have backed the process the whole way … A lot of cities don’t have that, and aren’t as forward-thinking. We have the support of the planning department, public works and all the directors.”

The CAAP includes three initiatives: Climate action (reducing emissions), adaptation (preparing for climate change) and restoration (undoing the effects of climate change).

The plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the community to 80% lower than levels in 1990 over the next decade. It will also set a goal to become “net-negative” by 2030—that is, to remove more GHGs than emitted. This will be addressed by transportation, transitioning from natural gas to electric, investing in green energy and promoting food waste programs.

The adaptation component builds on what the city is already aiming toward with its 2020 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlined plans and programs to prepare for natural disasters. Measures include flooding and wildfire preparation, agriculture and food resilience, and energy resilience—meaning, improvements to the city’s power grid, backups at critical facilities and the introduction of a new microgrid at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Lastly, climate restoration addresses carbon sequestration (tree planting, regenerative agriculture), ecosystems (habitat restoration, water quality) and what the city calls “equitable green recovery;” creating green jobs and infrastructure throughout the community.

Traditionally, Yasbek said, climate work has focused mainly on carbon emissions, without much attention to the natural world. But these things can no longer be ignored, he said.

“And the thing is, when you address those issues, you also address emissions,” Yasbek said. “Everything is interconnected. We need to be changing, rethinking everything.”

The city, especially in recent years, has shown support and interest in addressing climate change, working closely with organizations such as Regeneración and Watsonville Wetlands Watch.

In 2021, it endorsed the Climate-Safe California Campaign’s goal of net-negative emissions by 2030. In September, Watsonville became the first city in California to adopt a resolution urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a State of Emergency for the climate crisis.

City Council member Rebecca Garcia, who brought forward the resolution at a Sept. 14 meeting, said she was inspired after being approached by representatives from the Let’s Green California movement.

“I was asked to sign their petition,” she explained. “A few days later I was thinking, why can’t a city do that, too? As a jurisdiction.”

But the CAAP is more than an endorsement—it is a tangible, legally-binding document that will be assessed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

“This plan has an actual target … It is a firm commitment,” Yasbek said. “Meaning, if we don’t meet our goal in 10 years, we can be taken to task.”

According to the CAAP’s executive summary, an interdepartmental team of city staff, along with a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), will be responsible for moving that work forward. The team will provide annual progress reports and a GHG inventory update every two years to track progress, plus prepare updates at least every two years to incorporate changes in legislation, technology, economy, policy and human behaviors.

“It will take a lot of effort and change from everyone to reach this goal,” Yasbek said. “It will not be easy. But it’s not overly difficult either; it’s definitely achievable. We are picking ambitious goals because that’s where the science says we need to be.”

Outside support will also be an essential component to the plan’s success. A Public Engagement Plan has been developed, and within it are plans to form the CAC to advise the city on how best to engage with the public.

“This is going to take more than just the City Council,” Garcia said. “It has to include the public. And it’s looking good. At the [Oct. 26] meeting, at least 12-14 community members spoke in support of this plan. And we often get emails from people asking how they can do better.”

However, Garcia said, the city recognizes that climate change is also a social justice issue. Often, it’s the residents who are most impacted by climate change who cannot immediately take steps to stop it. Bringing equity into the picture can be anything from helping people purchase electric vehicles, to finding them local employment so that they don’t have to commute as far.

“This plan recognizes that there needs to be more support for people to start climate action,” Yasbek added. “We can’t just tell people to buy an electric car. A lot of them can’t afford that. Equity, the environmental justice component is really important.”

Garcia said she was “very excited” about the adoption of the CAAP, and hopes that other cities, counties and regions will implement similar plans in the future.

“Watsonville is the leader in this region in terms of what we’re doing to address climate change,” she said. “We are going to be a model for other jurisdictions.”

Added Yasbeck: “It almost feels like we’ve reached a turning point in public perception of climate change. I’ve been aware of these issues for over 20 years … but now I feel this groundswell of action and awareness.”

For information about the 2030 Climate Action & Adaptation plan and to read more about each initiative, visit bit.ly/2ZLKGQ7.

What Does the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Mean for You?

The New York Times and GT Staff

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November 4, 2021

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What Does the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Mean for You?

Emma Goldberg, The New York Times

Corporate America has entered the next phase of its effort to counter the spread of the coronavirus. Companies of 100 or more employees have until Jan. 4 to ensure all their workers are either fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and mandatory masking. The measure was announced by President Joe Biden in September, and details were released Thursday by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some employers have already stepped forward to establish their own vaccine mandates, but many had been waiting for federal guidance. OSHA’s rule will affect some 84 million private-sector workers across the country, including some 31 million who were believed to be unvaccinated.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about what OSHA’s rule means for American workers and their employers.

What is OSHA’s new rule?

Private companies of 100 or more employees must require their workers to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 or submit to weekly coronavirus testing and mask-wearing while in the workplace. The deadline for employers to enforce the mask mandate is Dec. 5.

How will OSHA’s rule be enforced?

OSHA is expecting that the vast majority of workplaces will comply with its rule, but it will investigate complaints that workers raise. The agency has a whistleblower system that allows workers to report any possible violations at their workplaces. The agency has tended to be short-staffed on inspectors, labor lawyers said, but it is likely to make enforcement of the rule a high priority.

What is the penalty for violations?

Companies that fail to comply with the rule may be subject to fines, according to an administration official. OSHA’s penalties are up to $13,653 per serious violation.

How can workers report company violations to OSHA?

To report employers who are not in compliance with OSHA’s rule, workers can file a written complaint, submit a whistleblower complaint online or call the agency at 1-800-321-OSHA.

Which employers are covered by OSHA’s rule?

Any employer with 100 or more workers will be required to adhere to the rule. Some smaller businesses have voluntarily issued their own mandates for either coronavirus vaccines or weekly testing. A Gallagher survey of more than 500 businesses released in early November found that the number of employers requiring vaccinations had doubled since August, to 17% from 8% of its survey respondents.

OSHA is currently considering whether to extend the rule to employers with fewer than 100 workers.

Do part-timers and contractors count toward the 100-worker threshold?

All employees, including those working part time, count toward the threshold. Independent contractors do not.

Will the requirements apply to remote workers?

Teleworkers and people who work exclusively outdoors will not be required to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing because OSHA’s rule is focused specifically on ensuring people’s protection against the coronavirus in the workplace. Employees who work part of the time in the office and the rest of the time remotely are required to follow the rule.

Which vaccines count toward the requirement?

Workers can get any vaccine listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization, which includes two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, and one dose of Johnson & Johnson.

Who can claim an exemption? Who will determine those exceptions?

Employers are required to give two kinds of exemptions to the vaccine mandates: medical and religious. Exemptions for people with certain medical conditions are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many employers require people to present a doctor’s note to qualify for this exemption. Exemptions for people with sincerely held religious beliefs are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. So far, no major religion has banned its members from taking the coronavirus vaccine.

Can employees opt out through testing? Who will pay for those tests?

It will be up to employers to determine whether workers can opt out of getting vaccinated by submitting to coronavirus testing. If workers opt to be tested weekly instead of being vaccinated, they must also be masked in the workplace. OSHA does not require employers to pay for or provide tests, given that the vaccine is free and highly effective, but businesses may be required to pay under collective bargaining agreements or local laws.

Will employees be paid for the time it takes to get vaccinated?

Employers have to provide paid time off for their workers to get vaccinated, up to four hours, as well as sick leave for them to recover from side effects. They are required to provide this leave starting Dec. 5.

How will employers verify that workers are vaccinated?

Employers are expected to keep documentation of their workers’ vaccination status, such as a copy of their vaccination cards or a signed and dated employee attestation.

Can employers fire workers who do not comply?

The religious and medical exemptions will come into play here — but when it comes to people who do not have exemptions, employers are generally free to discipline people who do not follow their rules. They may face pushback, though, under collective bargaining agreements.

If workers are fired for not following the rules, are they eligible for unemployment?

A worker’s eligibility for unemployment is determined on a state-by-state basis. Typically, people qualify for unemployment if they are terminated through no fault of their own, but each state has its own standards, and what that means is up to highly varying interpretations.

How long will employers have to put the new standard into effect?

Employers need to act quickly: The deadline for workers to be fully vaccinated is Jan. 4. With many retail and logistics companies understaffed and overburdened, the January deadline will make it easier for them to face the holiday season.

Do workers who recently tested positive for the coronavirus still have to comply?

OSHA has determined that it would not be feasible for employers to permit exemptions based on prior infection.

Is it legal for employers to mandate vaccines without giving workers an option to instead submit to testing?

Unless workers qualify for an exemption, employers have the right to mandate vaccines without a testing option. In fact, labor lawyers said that OSHA has indicated it prefers employers to mandate the vaccine.

What tests meet the standards of this rule?

All coronavirus tests approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration are permitted, including so-called PCR (or polymerase chain reaction) tests, considered the gold standard for detecting infection, along with the rapid antigen tests, which are less sensitive.

Do employers have to provide their workers with paid time off for COVID testing?

No. Employers have to provide paid time for getting the vaccine and sick leave for recovering from side effects, but they are not required to provide leave for testing.

If employees are spread over various workplace locations, is the company still expected to comply with OSHA’s rule?

Yes, even companies whose 100 or more employees are distributed across different sites are expected to comply, according to labor lawyers.

Do companies affiliated through common ownership have to count all employees when looking at the 100-worker threshold?

Labor lawyers said that most likely what constitutes a single employer entity will be defined by the same rules and definitions used for taxpaying purposes.

Will this rule apply to employers that are not private businesses, such as local governments and public school districts?

No. OSHA’s rule specifically applies to private-sector employers with 100 or more workers. Nonprofit organizations are covered by the rule.

Does OSHA’s rule cover employees of colleges and universities?

Private colleges and universities, but not public ones, are covered under OSHA’s rule.

Does the federal rule supersede any conflicting state laws on vaccine mandates?

OSHA’s standard preempts the existing rules of state governments, except in states that have their own OSHA-approved agencies dealing with workplace issues. Those state agencies have to enact a rule at least as effective as OSHA’s.

Once OSHA’s rule is put in place, what portion of the U.S. population is expected to be vaccinated?

It is estimated that about 31 million of the 84 million workers covered by the rule are currently unvaccinated and that 72% of them will get the vaccine because of the new requirements. A Goldman Sachs analysis in September found that about 90% of American adults will have received at least one dose of the vaccine by mid-2022. As of early November, about 80% of adults in the United States had been vaccinated.

What legal authority does OSHA have to create this rule?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act gives OSHA authority to respond quickly to emergency situations when workers are confronted with grave threats. Because of the serious threat posed by the pandemic, the agency has issued an emergency temporary standard allowing it to put in place this new rule. Labor lawyers say this is within OSHA’s legal authority. Still, the rule is likely to face challenges, and dozens of attorneys general have already threatened to sue.

“The pushback is going to be on the question of, ‘Is this an occupational hazard?’” said Doug Brayley, an employment lawyer at law firm Ropes & Gray. “When you’ve got a virus circulating everywhere, is it within OSHA’s authority to regulate it as an occupational health matter? I think OSHA will prevail, but I’m not certain.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

House Democrats Hunt for Votes to Pass Biden’s Domestic Agenda

The New York Times and GT Staff

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November 4, 2021

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House Democrats Hunt for Votes to Pass Biden’s Domestic Agenda

By Emily Cochrane, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — House Democrats struggled Thursday to line up the votes needed to push through a $1.85 trillion social safety net, climate and tax bill, as moderates raised concerns about the cost and details of the rapidly evolving plan.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California privately told her top deputies that she hoped to hold a vote on the bill as soon as Thursday night, with another Friday morning to clear a Senate-passed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure measure for President Joe Biden’s signature, according to two people briefed on the discussions.

But as of midday Thursday, she was publicly noncommittal.

“I will let you know as soon as I wish to,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference. She ruled out the possibility of voting first on the infrastructure bill, which liberals have refused to support unless it moves in tandem with the more expansive domestic policy measure.

“We’re going to pass both bills,” Pelosi said. “But in order to do so, we have to have votes for both bills.”

It was unclear whether that would be possible, given that some centrists were balking at passing the social policy bill — which includes monthly payments to families with children, universal prekindergarten, a four-week paid family and medical leave program, health care subsidies and a broad array of climate change initiatives — before evaluating its fiscal impact.

They were also concerned about supporting policies — such as a provision to grant legal status to some immigrants living in the country illegally — that were likely to face a tough path in the Senate, subjecting them to a politically difficult vote on a measure that would never become law.

The two bills, which carry a majority of Biden’s economic agenda, have been in limbo for weeks as Democrats tussle over the details. Centrist holdouts led by Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia are demanding that the social safety net measure be scaled back to about half the $3.5 trillion that leaders had initially proposed.

While the Senate approved the $1 trillion infrastructure bill in August, the measure has stalled as progressives have repeatedly refused to supply their votes for it until there is agreement on the other bill.

House Democrats are now holding out hope of passing both measures this week, sending the infrastructure bill to Biden and the social safety net legislation to the Senate, where Democrats plan to begin work on it the week of Nov. 15.

“Passing transformative legislation is not easy — it’s hard, very hard,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader. “But the long hours we are putting in, the discussions we have had, some of them quite pointed, will be worth it.”

With Republicans unanimously opposed, Democrats are pushing the social policy and climate measure through Congress under a special process known as reconciliation that shields budget-related legislation from a filibuster and allows it to pass on a simple majority. But with slim margins of control, Democrats need the votes of each of their senators and all but a few of their members in the House to pass the bill.

That means that any single Democratic defector — or a small group of them in the House — can effectively torpedo the legislation.

In a letter this week, five Democrats — including Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Golden of Maine — urged Pelosi to grant them at least 72 hours to review the text of the reconciliation bill and wait for a full analysis from congressional scorekeepers confirming that the bill was fully paid for.

“It is better to get this done right than to needlessly rush its consideration only for our constituents to discover the negative impacts of our unintended consequences,” the lawmakers wrote.

The Joint Committee on Taxation released a report Thursday that estimated that the tax increases in the bill would raise about $1.5 trillion over a decade. But a separate nonpartisan agency, the Congressional Budget Office, has yet to publish a formal analysis of how much the bill would spend or how much revenue would be generated by other proposals, including a plan to lower the cost of prescription drugs and beef up the IRS’ ability to collect unpaid taxes.

Pelosi and her deputies stressed that much of the legislation has been public, after two months of committee hearings, private talks and drafts. Her office and White House officials circulated separate, preliminary estimates that found that the bill was fully paid for and would help reduce the deficit, a key priority for many moderates.

“By making our tax system more fair and asking the highest-income earners and big corporations to pay what they owe, Congress has put together a package that is fiscally responsible and critical to the future prosperity of our economy,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

But in the latest 2,135-page version of the bill, Democratic leaders also added proposals — including the paid leave program, which Manchin opposes, and a plan to grant temporary protected status and work permits to immigrants in the country illegally — that might ultimately have to be jettisoned by the Senate.

That has also frustrated conservative Democrats, who initially extracted a promise from Pelosi that she would not ask them to vote on a package that did not have a commitment from all 50 senators.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Vaccines Coming for 5-to 11-year-olds with Final CDC Recommendation

Todd Guild

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November 4, 2021

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Vaccines Coming for 5-to 11-year-olds with Final CDC Recommendation

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday voted to recommend the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children 5-11, a move that came four days after the Food and Drug Administration approved a smaller dose for young people.

The unanimous vote by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—a 15-member group of doctors and other medical professionals—put a final stamp on countywide plans to vaccinate nearly 20,000 elementary-age children.

Beginning next week, every school site will offer the inoculation. The local vaccination efforts will also include drive-thru clinics.

According to the California Department of Public Health, 565,915 million children 5-17 have contracted Covid-19 statewide, and 26 have died as of Oct. 27.

According to Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah, the county is partnering with Inspire Diagnostics to provide the vaccines. The same organization is providing school-based Covid-19 testing countywide.

Under the plan, schools will schedule five teams of three people to provide the vaccine. This includes a technician to register the students, a nurse to give the vaccine and an EMT to monitor the students after the vaccine is given.

This process—bringing mobile teams to school sites—is a concern for Aptos resident Kristin Hurley, who hosts Mama Bear’s Radio Show on KSCO radio and is part of the group Guardians of Youth. That group of roughly 700 members was created to fight vaccine mandates.

Such a process, she says, does not allow for parents to fully understand the vaccine.

“You can’t tell me that they are properly informing parents of the risks to their children, and that concerns me,” she says.

Sabbah says that the county’s Department of Public Health has already ordered enough of the vaccine to go around. County officials are hoping to give it to 8,000 students—40% of the total—by the end of the year.

Such efforts are likely to garner opposition from a small but vocal population of parents who are skeptical of the vaccine, and who mistakenly believe that schools have mandated it. This is not true, Sabbah says.

“This is a voluntary effort,” he said.

A group of about 75 people demonstrated against what they believed to be vaccine mandates outside the County Office of Education during an Oct. 21 board meeting. Sabbah says the meeting was briefly forced to recess after a smaller group entered the offices looking for board members.

The COE supports public comment and freedom of speech, Sabbah says, but he added that storming the building was “inappropriate and counterproductive.”

“This is especially true because the policies this group was demonstrating against would be set at the state level, not by the Board of Education or local school leaders,” he stated in a social media post. “This was an unfortunate decision made by a group of demonstrators who were otherwise civil in expressing their views through public comment and peaceful assembly.”

A vaccine mandate could come to pass next year. On Oct. 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he planned to add the Covid-19 shot to the list of vaccines required for young people to attend school, once the FDA grants full approval—it is currently approved under an Emergency Use Authorization. If that happens, it would make California the first state to require the vaccine.

That is what worries Hurley.

“It has to be a matter of personal choice,” she says.

Hurley also worries that the process of approval—normally a years-long process—moved too quickly for anyone to be sure the vaccine is safe.

“They’re really expediting this whole process, out of interests other than public health,” she said. “They are putting the interests of the pharmaceutical industry ahead of the best interests of the American people in terms of safety and efficacy studies.”

In a statement in July, Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. said that the approval process met the agency’s “rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization.”

Hurley says she and other activists have met with Assemblymember Mark Stone and State Senator John Laird to ask for their help in the matter.

Hurley says that young people in Santa Cruz County have been hospitalized after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, an assertion county spokesman Jason Hoppin says is untrue.

“County Public Health meets with hospitals twice a week, and we’ve never heard of any youth being hospitalized due to an adverse reaction to the Covid vaccine,” he stated in an email.

Sabbah says his message to concerned parents is simple: “Talk to your pediatrician. Get information from reliable sources. Make your decisions based on what is best for your child.”

Pajaro Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez says the district will provide the vaccine to all families who want it.

For information, and to complete authorization forms and sign up, visit sccoe.link/getvax.

Watsonville Opens Search for New City Manager

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November 4, 2021

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Watsonville Opens Search for New City Manager

WATSONVILLE—At a special meeting on Tuesday night, Watsonville City Council directed staff to search for two companies that will spearhead the city’s efforts to find a new chief executive.

One company will be in charge of finding a permanent replacement for outgoing city manager Matt Huffaker, and the other will be responsible for identifying a person to fill the position in the interim.

Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra said that the item will return to the City Council at its Nov. 9 meeting. At that time, the City Council is expected to make a final decision on the matter.

That same day Huffaker will likely be appointed by the Santa Cruz City Council as that municipality’s city manager. If approved, he would take the position on Jan. 3, 2022.

The meeting was a relatively short one. It started at 5:30pm and wrapped up just before 7pm after a four-person City Council—council members Ari Parker and Lowell Hurst were absent—finished up its closed session meeting.

Before city attorney Alan Smith read off the report from the closed session, Mayor Dutra asked the half-dozen people still in the City Council chambers for a “civil” response to the news.

There were some 15 people in the chambers as the meeting got underway, most of them were high-ranking city employees that, during public comment, lauded Huffaker’s three-year stint as city manager and recommended that Assistant City Manager Tamara Vides take the job in the interim.

Those who vouched for Vides included interim police chief Tom Sims and fire chief Rudy Lopez and the directors of the parks, development and finance departments. Watsonville Airport Director Rayvon Williams also said that Vides, who has been with the city for 23 years, would be a fine selection.

“In teams, in groups, I’ve worked with, there’s always been that person who is the heart of the group, and I can tell you that Tamara is the heart of the executive team,” Williams said. “Not so much for the ra-ra, but because it’s clear to us every time she speaks to the executive team [that] she’s concerned for the city. She clearly has a heart for the city.”

Two people spoke in opposition of Vides’ appointment, including Andrea Padilla-Curtis, an executive assistant for the city. She said that Vides did not have the qualifications or temperament to hold the position.

Though Padilla-Curtis was the lone city employee who publicly voiced their concerns to the City Council about Vides taking over, she said that other employees have done so in private.

“[The city manager] should be a positive role model, a leader, supportive, empathetic, motivating, a team builder, this person will be the face of the city and must demonstrate accountability, responsibility and professionalism,” Padilla-Curtis said. “These are qualities I, along with many others who chose to stay anonymous, do not feel that Mrs. Vides possesses. Therefore, we do not feel she is a qualified candidate for city manager.”

The 6th Annual Capitola Plein Air Competition in Photos

GT Staff and Tarmo Hannula

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November 4, 2021

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The 6th Annual Capitola Plein Air Competition in Photos

From Nov. 1-6, more than 30 artists can be spotted around Capitola through rain or shine. Umbrellas and easels can be seen on sidewalks and beaches; some artists posted in areas not so obvious, tucked away in alcoves or planted as far away as Pleasure Point.

Using oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, gouache or whatever they choose as their means of expression, the culmination of all the work will be on display 11am-4pm, Nov. 7 at New Brighton Middle School Auditorium. Several awards will be given out, including “Peoples’ Choice” and “Artists’ Choice” accolades. Some pieces will be selected to become part of Capitola’s art collection.

For more information, visit capitolapleinair.com.

Overwhelming Support Leads to Approval of Santa Cruz’s Measure A

Aiyana Moya

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November 3, 2021

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Overwhelming Support Leads to Approval of Santa Cruz’s Measure A

Cheers rang in the news at a Measure A watch party after polls closed on election night: Santa Cruz voters overwhelmingly supported more cannabis tax revenues going to children’s programs.

For the Nov. 2 election, voters filled in the bubble for the only item on their ballot: Measure A. The measure would establish a permanent Children’s Fund for the city of Santa Cruz, and increase the percentage of revenues from the city’s cannabis business tax headed to the fund from 12.5% to 20%.

The city projects to bring in an estimated $1.7 million in cannabis revenue for 2022. The measure will increase the amount given to children’s programs from $212,000 to $340,000, the city says. The remainder of the revenue from the tax goes to Santa Cruz city’s general fund, which funds city and public works expenses.

As of Nov. 5, 10,933 votes have been counted: 9,030 votes support approving Measure A, and 1,887 votes oppose its approval. It is unclear when the county’s election department will have the official results.

Bringing this measure to the voters cost the city between $141,804 to $177,255, based on estimates from the County Elections Department. But it wasn’t supposed to be the only item on the ballot. It was initially proposed alongside a half-cent sales tax increase that would have brought in an estimated $6 million each year for the city. That measure was blocked by city council member Sandy Brown at a council meeting earlier this year. Brown cited, among other things, the city’s reluctance to give its underpaid low-level employees needed raises in her decision.

Valerie Corral, a local medicinal marijuana activist who supports the measure, says Measure A is an important step toward providing reparations for underprivileged and minority children whose families might have been criminalized for possession of marijuana.

“We need to effect change, and utilize tax money in the best way possible to provide reparations,” says Corral.

The measure ran officially unopposed, and was supported by all Santa Cruz City Council members. At the watch party at the West End Tap Room attended by supporters and sponsors of the measure, the atmosphere was cautiously optimistic as polls came to a close.

Santa Cruz City Council members Martine Watkins, Renee Golder and Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, along with Mayor Donna Meyers, all attended the watch party. They embraced upon hearing the initial results of the election.

“Investing in our children is what cities should be doing,” Meyers says after hearing the news. “Our youth is what makes our future.”

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Nov. 3-9

GT Staff

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November 3, 2021

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A weekly guide to what’s happening

ARTS AND MUSIC

13TH ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ SEA GLASS & OCEAN ART FESTIVAL The 13th annual festival celebrating authentic sea glass and coastal art of all kinds. Over 50 talented artists are bringing their boutique works to the Cocoanut Grove and Sunroom on the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces, including ceramics, soaps, sea salts, photography, fabric arts and stunning sea glass jewelry. $5 admission, kids free. Saturday, Nov. 6, 10am-5pm. Sunday, Nov. 7, 10am-5pm. Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz.

CELTIC TEEN BAND PROGRAM Teenage musicians ages 12-19 play in an ensemble, developing musicianship, flexibility, and musical creativity. Participants work on music from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Norway, Sweden, and the United States, in addition to modern and more quirky pieces. Instruments welcomed include fiddle, viola, flute, tin whistle, pipes, cello, upright bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, ukulele, Celtic harp, accordion and percussion. Students must have at least two years experience on their instrument, and must be able to read sheet music and chord symbols. The group meets twice a month Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5pm at the London Nelson Center with fiddle teacher John Weed. Cost is $0-$10 per session on a sliding scale. Potential students are welcome to come for a session and see if they like it—no obligation! More information and registration at CommunityMusicSchool.org/teenband. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 3:30pm. Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz.

EDGE OF THE WEST PLAYS THE MUSIC OF GRAM PARSONS Honky tonkin’ jam band Edge of the West plays a special tribute show to their musical hero Gram Parsons. In the wild and wooly ‘70s Gram Parsons was enormously influential in both country and rock music, being one of the first to blend the two to the point that they became indistinguishable from each other. His work with The Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and his solo records and classic duet singing with his young protege Emmylou Harris have proven to be seminal and lasting influences in the evolution of country, rock, alt-country and Americana. Parsons died of a heroin overdose in 1973 at the age of 27 and was cremated in Joshua Tree National Park as per his last wishes. While not achieving mainstream stardom during his lifetime, Gram’s legend has lived on to inspire millions and the echoes of his sounds are still heard today. As his friend Keith Richards wrote, “This is why we’re talking about him now.” Saturday, Nov. 6, 8pm. Michael’s on Main, 2591 S Main St., Soquel.

OUTDOOR COMEDY CORRALITOS Come join this comedy extravaganza with host Richard Stockton and comedians Keith Lowell Jensen, Vaco! and Jim Joseph with special guest bluesman Preacher Boy. Tickets $15 available at eventbrite.com/e/outdoor-comedy-corralitos-tickets-187925599527. Saturday, Nov. 6, 3pm. El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville.

WAVES & WILDLIFE 2021 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY & CELEBRATION Each year Save Our Shores hosts Waves & Wildlife, an amateur photo and video contest, to highlight the beauty and biodiversity of our region’s spectacular marine protected areas while raising awareness about the role they play in safeguarding and regenerating our ocean and climate. We hope you can join us for our November 5th Virtual Awards Ceremony & Celebration to celebrate this year’s winners while learning more about the importance of MPA’s and how our annual Waves & Wildlife Contest helps to raise awareness. RSVP for the celebration at eventbrite.com/e/waves-wildlife-2021-virtual-awards-ceremony-celebration-tickets-168641171283 To learn more and enter your favorite photos and videos, visit saveourshores.org/wavesandwildlife/. Friday, Nov. 5, 9am-noon.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY PILATES MAT CLASS Come build strength with us. This very popular in-person community Pilates Mat Class in the big auditorium at Temple Beth El in Aptos is in session once again. Please bring your own mat, small Pilates ball and theraband if you have one. You must be vaccinated for this indoor class. Suggested donation of $10/class is welcome. Thursday, Nov. 4, 10am. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 10am. Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos.

CUÉNTAME UN CUENTO Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias. La hora será miércoles a las 4:30pm. Nos reuniremos en el porche exterior. Cuéntame un Cuento se llevará a cabo en Capitola durante el período de construcción de Live Oak. En caso de mal clima, se cancelará la hora de cuentos. Join us for Spanish Storytime, activities, and music! This program is best suited for kids ages 0-8 and their families. Storytime takes place on Wednesday at 4:30pm. We will meet on the outside porch. Storytime will take place at Capitola during Live Oak’s construction period. In the event of bad weather, storytime will be cancelled. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 4:30pm. Capitola Library A Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

EDUCATOR MAH MIXER The MAH is very excited to kick off our new MAH Mixer series during LGBTQ history month with a focus on educators. This community event offers educators a chance to meet with local organizations that provide educational programs that uplift and support our LGBTQ+ students and community. This is a free event for participants and includes access to the Queer Santa Cruz exhibit currently on view as well as all other MAH exhibits. Register now as this event will fill fast! This is an indoor masked event. Friday, Nov. 5, 4pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH), 705 Front St., Santa Cruz.

FELTON TODDLER TIME Join Librarian Julie on our beautiful Felton patio for Toddler Time. Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. Music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and songs are a fun way for your child to learn. Let’s play and learn together! Make sure to bring something to sit on. We ask that adults please wear a mask. Repeats weekly. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 11am. Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

GREY BEARS BROWN BAG LINE Grey Bears are looking for help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. Volunteers will receive breakfast and a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with a mask and gloves at 7am. Call ahead for more information: 831-479-1055, greybears.org. Thursday, Nov. 4, 7am. California Grey Bears, 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

KNITTING AT THE FELTON LIBRARY Join us every Monday afternoon at the Felton Branch for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome. Monday, Nov. 8, 12:30pm. Felton Branch Library (NEW), 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

LA SELVA BEACH PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Join us for a fun interactive storytime. We’ll read books, sing songs and use rhythm and movement. This event is suitable for children ages 3-6 years. There will be an arts and crafts project to take home. This event will be held outside on the back patio. Please bring something to sit on and dress for the weather. Masks will be required. Repeats weekly Tuesday, Nov. 9, 11am. La Selva Beach Branch Library, 316 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME IN THE SECRET GARDEN Join us in the Secret Garden in Abbott Square at the MAH for storytime! We’ll share stories, songs and rhymes in a safe environment! This 30-40 minute program is intended for children aged 2-6. Do it yourself craft kits will be provided every week. Every other week we will feature STEM-related stories and concepts. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 11am. Abbott Square, 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz.

R.E.A.D.: REACH EVERY AMAZING DETAIL R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers second-12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only. Contact SCPL Telephone Information if you have any questions: 831-427-7713. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 3pm. Capitola Library A Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

R.E.A.D.: REACH EVERY AMAZING DETAIL @ DOWNTOWN R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers second-12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only. Contact SCPL Telephone Information if you have any questions: 831-427-7713. Thursday, Nov. 4, 3pm. Santa Cruz Public Libraries – downtown, 240 Church St., Santa Cruz.

R.E.A.D.: REACH EVERY AMAZING DETAIL @ LA SELVA BEACH R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers second-12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only. Contact SCPL Telephone Information if you have any questions: 831-427-7713. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 3pm. La Selva Beach Branch Library, 316 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach.

ROCKIN’ POP-UP: THE MOTIONS OF THE OCEANS AND THE ATMOSPHERE What do rocks have to do with the ocean and the atmosphere? Well, quite a lot it turns out! Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for our next Rockin’ Pop-Up where the Geology Gents will simplify the complexities of these important earth systems. About the series: join the Geology Gents, Gavin Piccione and Graham Edwards, for monthly conversations about rocks live on Facebook. Each month we’ll explore a different geologic topic, from Santa Cruz formations to tips for being a more effective rockhound. Note: you do not need to have a Facebook account to be able to watch the program live. Wednesday, Nov. 3, Noon-12:30pm.

SOLIDARITY ECONOMICS: OUR MOVEMENT, OUR ECONOMY Join us for an event with prominent national policy advocates and social movement leaders in conversation with Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor on their forthcoming book “Solidarity Economics: Why Mutuality and Movements Matter.” Register for this free event at: solidarityeconomics.org. Solidarity Economics is an economic frame that recognizes that people are not just individuals, but also members of broader social groups and communities; that people are motivated not just by self-interest, but also by caring for others and a desire for belonging; and that we can and should build our economy not on an embrace of individuality and competition, but rather on a sense of the commons and our shared destiny. This conversation delves deeply into the concept of Solidarity Economics, its meaning and how to enact change that is real in terms of policy and power. It also discusses how we can expand the notion of Solidarity Economics in our movements and how Solidarity Economics can provide a useful framework to change the narrative of OUR economy. Thursday, Nov. 4, 4pm.

WINE & ROSES Community Health Trust is once again hosting its signature annual celebratory event supporting better health and wellbeing for all in Pajaro Valley, Wine & Roses! We are back in-person and celebrating outdoors. There will be plenty of everything we love about the event. Stroll with your glass of wine, beer, or other beverage of choice in the beauty of Paddy Smith Park. Wander through the Fine Arts Hall to bid on fun and exciting auction items. Dance to a lively performance from the versatile and exciting band: The Joint Chiefs! Saturday, Nov. 6, 3-6pm. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake, Watsonville.

GROUPS

ENTRE NOSOTRAS GRUPO DE APOYO Entre Nosotras support group for Spanish speaking women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets twice monthly. Registration required, please call Entre Nosotras 831-761-3973. Friday, Nov. 5, 6pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

FAMILY SANGHA MONTHLY MEDITATION Come help create a family meditation cooperative community! Parents will meet in the main room for about 40 minutes of silent meditation, followed by 10-15 minutes of discussion about life and mindful parenting. Kids will be in a separate volunteer-led room, playing and exploring mindfulness through games and stories. Parents may need to help with the kids for a portion of the hour, depending on volunteer turnout. All ages of children are welcome. Please bring toys to share. Quiet babies are welcome in the parents’ room. Donations (dana) are encouraged; there is no fee for the event. Sunday, Nov. 7, 10:30am-noon. Insight Santa Cruz, 740 Front St. #240, Santa Cruz.

S+LAA MENS’ MEETING Having trouble with compulsive sexual or emotional behavior? Recovery is possible. Our small 12-step group meets Saturday evenings. Enter through the front entrance, go straight down the hallway to the last door on the right. Thursday, Nov. 4, 6pm. Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, 2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM WomenCARE Arm-in-Arm Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday, currently on Zoom. Registration is required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. All services are free. For more information visit womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Nov. 8, 12:30pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

WOMENCARE TUESDAY SUPPORT GROUP WomenCARE Tuesday Cancer support group for women newly diagnosed and through their treatment. Meets every Tuesday currently on Zoom. Registration required, call WomenCARE 831-457-2273. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 12:30-2pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

WOMENCARE: LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter yoga for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Registration is required, please call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 3:30-4:30pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

OUTDOOR

CASFS FARMSTAND Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through Nov. 23. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. Friday, Nov. 5, Noon-6pm. Tuesday, Nov. 9, Noon-6pm. Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz.

FREE GUIDED TOUR OF THE UCSC FARM Take a free tour of the 33-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and children’s garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Meet at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn before walking up to the farm. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat and/or sunscreen. Visitors should submit a Covid-19 symptom check questionnaire within 24 hours before arriving on campus (visit slugstrong.ucsc.edu/returning-to-campus/checking-for-symptoms/). For more information visit casfs.ucsc.edu. Sunday, Nov. 7, 1-2:30pm. Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz.

HISTORIC RANCH GROUND TOUR Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-426-0505. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs.Saturday, Nov. 6, 1-2pm. Sunday, Nov. 7, 1-2pm. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

SUNSET BEACH BOWLS Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of crystal bowls raising vibration and energy levels. Every Tuesday one hour before sunset at Moran Lake Beach. Call 831-333-6736 for more details. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:30-7:30pm. Moran Lake Park & Beach, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

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RTC Director Recommends Hard Pass on Electric Rail Proposal

Backed by Report, Advocates Ask for Safe Pesticide Use

Watsonville’s Ambitious Plan Aims to Address Climate Change

What Does the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Mean for You?

House Democrats Hunt for Votes to Pass Biden’s Domestic Agenda

Vaccines Coming for 5-to 11-year-olds with Final CDC Recommendation

Watsonville Opens Search for New City Manager

The 6th Annual Capitola Plein Air Competition in Photos

Overwhelming Support Leads to Approval of Santa Cruz’s Measure A

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Nov. 3-9

ARTS AND MUSIC

COMMUNITY

GROUPS

OUTDOOR

RTC Director Recommends Hard Pass on Electric Rail Proposal

Backed by Report, Advocates Ask for Safe Pesticide Use

Watsonville’s Ambitious Plan Aims to Address Climate Change

What Does the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Mean for You?

House Democrats Hunt for Votes to Pass Biden’s Domestic Agenda

Vaccines Coming for 5-to 11-year-olds with Final CDC Recommendation

Watsonville Opens Search for New City Manager

The 6th Annual Capitola Plein Air Competition in Photos

Overwhelming Support Leads to Approval of Santa Cruz’s Measure A

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Nov. 3-9