Railbanking is the answer
Who, what, why, where, when and how?
These are the questions that need to be considered in any public transportation project.
According to the RTC’s planning documents, a $1.3 billion train would primarily serve a projected 300 Watsonville commuters, making an insignificant impact on carbon emissions and traffic.
How? Such an endeavor would require another 30 years sales/parcel tax measure that must be approved by two-thirds of county voters.
This is where all meaningful dialogues end.
Does anyone actually believe that there is appetite among working class families for another regressive tax hike?
Should we be condemned to leave these rusted rails as a placeholder for decades, until the money becomes available to fulfill our wildest train dreams?
This is exactly the circumstance for which railbanking exists. To enable communities to build their trail now, and preserve options for rail in the future.
The choice is clear. Railbank the tracks and build the trail.
David Date, La Selva Beach
Recall against Newsom is just
California Gov. Gavin Newson has indeed done a deplorable job and should be recalled. When will our schools open full time for students? The educational harm that has been done to our state students is unforgivable, yet why should he care, his children go to private schools and the Public School’s Teachers Union donates to his campaign fund. As noted in the Pajaronian on May 6 only 66% of students at Pajaro Valley High School are on track to graduate and only 65% at Watsonville High School. These numbers are unacceptable and the governor should be held responsible for neglecting the needs of our students. Several other states have been open for full time classes for several months without consequences, but they have governors who actually care about and work for the betterment of their populace.
“Do what I say, not what I do” seems to be his way of governing, as he enjoyed dinner out with his political friends at the French Laundry with no masks or social distancing while dictating lockdown to the rest of us. His wastefulness of taxpayer money, as well as, leadership during the pandemic was deplorable. Remember the masks from China that cost $1 Billion and were never received? Think about what could have been done with the billions of taxpayer money that disappeared due to the state’s EDD unemployment prison scam, yet his answer to everything is to raise taxes. His newest proposal is to grant early release to thousands of prisoners with no regard for public safety. Support the recall. We need real leadership not ineptness.
Judy Doering Nielsen, Watsonville
Young people, please get the vaccine
The reluctance of young people in Santa Cruz County to get the Covid-19 vaccination is very alarming and this will make it more problematic to reach the level of herd immunity. Some of them have received it, but reportedly, the majority have not gotten the first dose. Reportedly, there are plans in the works to offer them incentives. It would seem to me that the reality of protecting their own health and the health of their family members and friends, against this lethal virus, would be all the “incentive” they would need to do the right thing. Maybe it’s time for our young people to “wake up and smell the coffee.”
Mike Bobeda, Watsonville
The Pajaronian welcomes letters. Letters and columns may be dropped off or mailed to The Pajaronian, 21 Brennan St., Suite 18, Watsonville, CA 95076. Letters and columns may also be sent via email to [email protected]. Letters should be less than 300 words, and columns are no more than 700 words. All letters and columns must be signed and have an address and phone number for confirmation purposes. We reserve the right to edit and condense all submissions.
