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"Anyone who has struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor."
James Baldwin
<June 3 Black Lives Matter rally at Santa Cruz Lighthouse had over 4,000 supporters.
Photo: RINGLER
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Who Wants a Big Old Garage Library?
By MICAH POSNER
Environmental Groups, including the Sierra Club, Youth Climate Action, and Santa Cruz Climate Action Network, oppose the parking garage-library project in downtown Santa Cruz and believe that building more parking encourages more automobile trips, our city and county’s single largest contribution to greenhouse gasses.
At the site of the current Farmer’s Market, the City of Santa Cruz, led by city staff, continues to pursue building a new library with some market rate housing, all enclosed within a five to six story parking garage with 274 parking spaces. City government staff says that the new structure would be cheaper than renovating the new library. They also cite a need for more parking downtown and add that an increase in parking revenue could be used to build more housing.
Library users, including a group called “Don’t Bury the Library,” are not excited about tearing down the current library in place of a new one in a parking garage. Despite a promise to make it larger, they favor a proposal to renovate the current library, for the same price.
Some people are advocating that the current Farmer’s Market site be used for a “Downtown Commons.” They oppose cutting down the 18 heritage trees currently on the site, and moving the Farmer’s Market to a lot on Front Street. They favor expanding the existing lot to accommodate more community events and making a permanent home for the market.
With the coronavirus and its economic impact, there is no guarantee there will be an increase in parking revenue, much less a need for more market rate housing.
To learn more about the issue, visit the City’s website. Or, for an opposing view, see the Santa Cruz Sierra Club or the Downtown Commons Advocates websites. To voice your opinion, send an email to
citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com
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Why Santa Cruz is Serf City: Chapter 1
By SARAH RINGLER
You often hear around town about the beauty of Santa Cruz. Frequently pictures of surfers and the beach adorn the local commercial media. However, it is more beautiful for some that others.
Low wages plague the average worker. Most job growth in the county in the last ten years, according to the 2018 Industry, Economic and Workforce Research of Santa Cruz County, has been in low-skill and low-wage jobs making around $25,000 a year. Besides not being able to afford housing, these workers also experience significant workplace abuses.
Data from a 2015 report, “Working for Dignity: The Santa Cruz County Low-Wage Worker Study” showed that 38% of agricultural workers weren’t paid their legally due overtime pay. Restaurant employers were stealing tips from 14% of their workers and half of service sector workers weren’t receiving their breaks as required by law. All workers are required by California Law to receive a written employee handbook although only 70% of Santa Cruz workers responded that they had.
To report labor abuse, go to:
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Small businesses suffer but there is help
By SARAH RINGLER
Small businesses, like the ones in Capitola Village (left), are having a rough time. Due to the coronavirus, two major economic engines in our area, tourism and university students, have nearly vanished. Shelter in Place regulations, as well as economic insecurity and health concerns, are factors that are keeping people away from stores and restaurants.
Relief could come from sharing the ownership of your business with your employees. Project Equity is an organization that helps businesses increase job quality and add to local investment by instituting employee ownership. A Slice of New York, a restaurant in San Jose, converted to employee ownership in 2017. Select Machine, out of Ohio restructured their business in 2006 when the owner retired; there are many examples of how you can keep your business open and surviving under a new model. See Project Equity’s website:
https://www.project-equity.org/businesses/learn-from-others/
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Sarah's County Covid-19 Report
Following up on last week's report, I finally got my test. I had to reschedule after forgetting to bring my Patient ID the first time. When I arrived this time, I didn't have to wait. I'm kind of squeamish and would describe the test as, for a short moment, somewhat
uncomfortable. I will get my result by email in a few days.
The Ramsay Park pop-up clinic in Watsonville provides coronavirus testing for all without a doctor’s referral. To get tested, you need to register online and fill out a questionnaire that includes various health related questions as well as health insurance information, although no one will be refused testing for lack of funds.To make an appointment to be tested at Ramsay Park, call 1-888-634-1123 or go online at
https://lhi.care/covidtesting.
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"Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man made and can be removed by the actions of human beings."
Nelson Mandela
YOUR STORY HERE
: Many of you are active in the community in various ways. Please submit a story that you think would be of interest to the people of Santa Cruz. Photos and drawings are also welcome. Try and keep the word count under 400. Also, if possible, suggest an action item. For the mid June issue, please submit by June 9th. Sarah Ringler: coluyaki@gmail.com
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From Santa Cruz Indivisible
Black Lives Matter
45th Annual Santa Cruz Pride Celebration
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W
elcome to Serf City Times.
Over time, our county has grown more stratified and divided with many people feel left out. Housing affordability and low wages are the most obvious factors. However, many groups and individuals in Santa Cruz County work tirelessly to make our county a better place for everyone. These people work on the environment, housing, economic justice, criminal justice, disability rights, immigrant rights, racial justice, transportation, workers’ rights, education reform, electoral politics and more. Often, one group doesn’t know what another is doing. The Serf City Times is dedicated to serving as a clearinghouse for those issues by letting you know what is going on and how you can support them and the county. This is not a profit-making enterprise. All work is volunteer. To subscribe, contact
coluyaki@gmail.com
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