Community Matters

Hour One: CalFire/Santa Cruz County Fire Chief Jed Wilson and Chief Sam Filson discuss emergency response in unincorporated areas, CSA 48, proposed reorganization, proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility for Watsonville, and lessons from LA Fires. Hour Two: Elaine Johnson and Bruce Van Allen discuss Workforce Housing Solutions Act initiative in the City of Santa Cruz.  $96/parcel an...

Hour One: Initial difficulty with technology precluded Assemblymember Addis interview but discussion with Mr. Phillip Carranco, Regulation Policy Expert Phillip Carranco re: need for County Urgency Ordinance and lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) moratorium until Technical Advisory Committee can convene so that Ordinance is not bought and paid for by the battery industry. Hour Two: Watso...

Hour One: Santa Cruz City's Biggest Expansion Plans and Environmental Comment; Review of Feb. 14 Presentation at UCSC by Moss Landing Marine Lab Prof. Ivano Aiello showing significantly elevated levels of nickel, cobalt and manganese in soil samples of Hester Slough after the Moss Landing Vistra battery fire at Moss 300. Hour Two: Continued conversation with listeners about the Moss Landing Fire,...

Hour One: Interview with Tonya Rivera, "Never Again Moss Landing" about the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Fire and grassroots action. Hour Two: Interview with Kris Kirby and discussion about moving out of California...what to consider and how to do it.

Hour One: Update on "Never Again Moss Landing" group actions re: Moss Landing Vistra Fire, update on proposed Seahawk Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, update on Santa Cruz County Fire Dept. Advisory Group formation. Hour Two:Rick Longinotti and Frank Barron discuss Santa Cruz City Downtown Expansion Plan Draft EIR inadequacies re: analysis of water, unl...

First Hour: Barry Branin with Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation and fight against a BESS in Morro Bay. Second Hour: Phillip Carranco, Regulation Policy Expert and how local government can make more restrictive regulations for BESS projects in Santa Cruz County and at Moss Landing.

Hopefully, this version is clear and complete!

Guests Kristen Colishaw and Kris Kirby,  longtime Santa Cruz County residents,  both moved out of California in 2024.  Both are fourth or fifth generation Californians.  Why did they leave?  Neither has regrets..find out why. 

Interview with Mr. Daniel Ferguson, 2024 Monterey County Veteran of the Year, about his experiences as a teacher at Soledad State Prison, and his public service in the County. Second hour with other political issues in Santa Cruz County.

Discussion with Nancy Sondel, Ely Suarez, West Mossgrove, and Xaloc Cabanes about youth mental health and Project Oasis in Watsonville, CA

Discussion of local and state election topics, including Measure Q and Prop 5

Discussion of Highway One widening, Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line and trail status, impacts of encroachment on adjacent mobile home park residents, Zero Emission Passenger Rail Project and Trail (ZEPRT), Quiet Zones.

Interview with Dr. Mark Strudley, Director of Pajaro River Flood Management Agency https://www.pajaroriverwatershed.org/projects/pajaro-river-flood-risk-management He has been honored for his work to help move this long-overdue project forward: https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/County/CAO/press%20releases/2022/Laird%20Honored%20for%20Bill%20that%20Makes%20Levee%20Project%20Affordable_1.1...

Community Matters Host Becky Steinbruner discusses opposition and support for Santa Cruz County ballot Measures 1) Measure R (opposition) for Central Fire District's  $221 Million Bond measure to build three new fire stations and training center; 2) Measure M (opposition) due to lack of oversight on previous bond measures ($150 Million Measure L in 2016), broad language to describe what actually w...

Scotts Valley Fire Chief Mark Correira describes First hour: Scotts Valley Fire Issues and Measure S for a $24.5 Million bond measure to build a new fire station,  https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/Elections/November5,2024PresidentialGeneralElection/LocalMeasures/MeasureS.aspx Second hour: Why Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association opposes Measure Q, the Land Trust's deceitful actio...

Bruce Holloway describes San Lorenzo Water - Measure U   Listen to Community Matters live Friday afternoons from 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com

What is Happening in local political circles guest Kris Kirby   Listen to Community Matters every Friday, 2pm-4pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com/

Originally aired on August 30, 2024, LAFCO Director Joe Serrano discusses what annexations and consolidations are in store for Santa Cruz County.   Listen to Community Matters live every Friday, 2pm-4pm PST on https://santacruzvoice.com/