As You See It: Letters to the Editor, May 14, 2008 - Santa Cruz...

In reguards to Lynn Shugart's question, "Where has all the money gone?", my guess would be out the window. Governments can be reflective of the societies they represent and Americans have the worst saving and spending habits of any modernized country in the world. Why should our government be any different? Does anybody save for a rainy day anymore? Not that I can see. We just borrow on our children's future. I could go on, but I'm sure you've got the idea.

La Bahia would be nice and it is a no brainer with respect to general positive benefits for the City. Unfortunately, this City is loaded with semi-employed Bohemians who will not have anybody more prosperous than themselves call the shots. In other words, they have nothing but time and energy to oppose cash-flow type improvements. The people who shot down the Dream Inn redevelopment were mostly trailer park have-nothings milking their unemployment and welfare checks to preserve their existence. From my perspective, I am hoping that the cost of living here ratchets up a couple of more notches in the coming decades so I can finally enjoy my Pacific Palisades of the North. Obviously, with the high concentration of welfare wankers still lurking here, this City is a far from unaffordable. I cannot wait until the day the Tattoo Parlors, Karate Studios, Check Cashing Stores, Half-Way Houses, and Pot Dispensaries are replaced by services for the deserving educated. And please relocate the County Building and Jail to South County

Pet Kattle wrote:

La Bahia would be nice and it is a no brainer with respect to general positive benefits for the City. Unfortunately, this City is loaded with semi-employed Bohemians who will not have anybody more prosperous than themselves call the shots. In other words, they have nothing but time and energy to oppose cash-flow type improvements. The people who shot down the Dream Inn redevelopment were mostly trailer park have-nothings milking their unemployment and welfare checks to preserve their existence. From my perspective, I am hoping that the cost of living here ratchets up a couple of more notches in the coming decades so I can finally enjoy my Pacific Palisades of the North. Obviously, with the high concentration of welfare wankers still lurking here, this City is a far from unaffordable. I cannot wait until the day the Tattoo Parlors, Karate Studios, Check Cashing Stores, Half-Way Houses, and Pot Dispensaries are replaced by services for the deserving educated. And please relocate the County Building and Jail to South County

How refreshing!

Pat, you da man!

This is probably one of the most astute observations of Santa Cruz I've ever heard.

Pet Kattle wrote:

La Bahia would be nice and it is a no brainer with respect to general positive benefits for the City. Unfortunately, this City is loaded with semi-employed Bohemians who will not have anybody more prosperous than themselves call the shots. In other words, they have nothing but time and energy to oppose cash-flow type improvements. The people who shot down the Dream Inn redevelopment were mostly trailer park have-nothings milking their unemployment and welfare checks to preserve their existence. From my perspective, I am hoping that the cost of living here ratchets up a couple of more notches in the coming decades so I can finally enjoy my Pacific Palisades of the North. Obviously, with the high concentration of welfare wankers still lurking here, this City is a far from unaffordable. I cannot wait until the day the Tattoo Parlors, Karate Studios, Check Cashing Stores, Half-Way Houses, and Pot Dispensaries are replaced by services for the deserving educated. And please relocate the County Building and Jail to South County

Leopold's comment "We must seek creative ways to increase the affordability of housing and construct in harmony with the environment"... "ensure that any new development is in scale with our neighborhoods."

This is still just double speak for county's nonprofit developer building poorly designed, poorly constructed high density housing anywhere and everywhere. If Leopold kisses up to COPA, then he's no different than the characters currently in office.

What made the County so terrified of the State Housing authorities? The Supes used to say "Thanks for your input", and go on their merry ways. Now they are tied in to being partners in strange projects, caught up by loaning huge sums to "non-profit" housing developers. Are loans ever repaid?

I for one have had enough of Beautz, Pirie, and Stone. How about letting some private developers build some modest housing without government subsidy. Not everyone has to own a McMansion, or even a mini-McMansion. I grew up in a 1200 square foot home, and we thought it a mansion and embodiment of the American dream. Let's get some common sense and realistic expectations back in local government.