Supervisor Bruce McPherson — Latest 5th District News
Bruce launches re-election campaign for March 2020
Former Secretary of State seeks third term on County Board of Supervisors
Bruce McPherson announced June 28 he is seeking re-election to a third term on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors representing District 5, which covers the San Lorenzo Valley and parts of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz.
“Working alongside people in the 5th District and throughout Santa Cruz County over the past seven years, we have succeeded in making our community a better place to live, work and play,” said McPherson, who was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. “I will continue to work with everyone to reach our shared goals of public health and safety, environmental protection, effective government and a strong economy.”
McPherson, a former California Secretary of State who represented Santa Cruz County for two terms each in the California Assembly and Senate, led the way during his second term as supervisor in creating Monterey Bay Community Power, the state’s first tri-county community-choice energy authority. As a locally controlled agency, MBCP now provides carbon-free power at less cost than investor-owned utilities to more than 95 percent of customers in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, with some jurisdictions in San Luis Obispo County also joining this year.
A native of Santa Cruz County, McPherson has been at the center of supporting the new Felton library and park, as well as planned library renovations in Boulder Creek. He was a leading figure in the November 2018 passage of Measure G to support parks and public safety investments. In March 2019, he brought the job-training organization Santa Cruz Downtown Streets Team to Felton to conduct litter clean-up and homelessness outreach.
“Bruce has shown a deep commitment to our community — from championing our libraries and parks, to advocating for fire safety and road improvements, and supporting our local businesses,” said Judy Anderson, senior vice president-regional manager for Liberty Bank and a resident of Felton. “He always responds when the need arises.”
During his service on the Board, McPherson also pressed for more Sheriff’s deputies on patrol and helped to open substations in Felton and Boulder Creek. He also was a leader in merging the San Lorenzo Valley and Lompico Water Districts; secured the lead gift for the Bear Creek Recreation facility; set aside $10 million for Highway 9 corridor improvements within Measure D in 2016; and is now spearheading fire protection and prevention efforts.
“Bruce cares about public safety, our schools, and has fought hard for critical infrastructure improvements in his District,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart. “He is clearly the best person for this job, and I am confident he will continue to serve the 5th District well.”
In addition to Sheriff Hart, McPherson is endorsed by all four of his colleagues on the Board: Supervisors Greg Caput, Ryan Coonerty, Zach Friend and John Leopold. Other elected officials who endorse McPherson include Congresswoman Anna Eshoo; Assemblymember Mark Stone; and Mayors Martine Watkins (Santa Cruz), Jack Dilles (Scotts Valley) and Jacques Bertrand (Capitola.)
“People know I have worked with local, state and federal agencies to make improvements in the 5th District and throughout our County,” said McPherson, who also serves on the Regional Transportation Commission, METRO Board of Directors and Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments Board of Directors. “I am dedicated to continuing that effort,” McPherson said, “and I thank all of our constituents who share their ideas and give their time to strengthen our community.”
Election Day is March 3, 2020. Follow the campaign on Facebook.
Wee Kirk Church in Ben Lomond – Historic Designation
The National Register of Historic Places in the County of Santa Cruz may soon add another Santa Cruz County jewel – the Wee Kirk Church.
The Wee Kirk Presbyterian Church in Ben Lomond, California has been nominated by Lisa A. Robinson, a San Lorenzo Valley historian and director of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.
The church is a tall building, with a steeply pitched gable room, bell tower and entrance portico. Community residents know it best by its bell – which children are welcomed to ring – and by the large redwood tree on its eastern side.
The church was built by the Ben Lomond Land and Lumber Company in 1891 and offered to any religious organization that would hold regular services. The Presbyterian Church organization purchased it for $900. It consists of two adjoined buildings. The first structure is the church built on the south west corner of Central Avenue and Main Street. The second is a hotel cottage which was moved to the site in 1923 from a nearby location.
In 1929, the church windows were replaced with memorial stained glass lights, and in 1949 church members decided to change the name of the church to the Wee Kirk of Ben Lomond, a name chosen because of the large number of people of Scottish descent in the area.
The building was sold in 1969, when the congregation merged with the Felton Presbyterian Church congregation. It was used as office space and storage until 2014, when it was purchased by Dr. Steven Leib and his wife, Vivian.
The Leibs have restored the building beautifully and with historical accuracy. The building is now used as Dr. Leib’s Country Doctor family medicine practice.
Dr. Steven Leib and his wife, Vivian, purchased the building in 2014, restored it using appropriate historical treatments and have used it as Dr. Leib’s Country Doctor Family Medical Practice.
Photo courtesy of the Press Banner
Update to Storm Damage on Local Roads
The most recent storms have pushed damages in the County to more than $30 million in damage to our local roads and infrastructure, causing some of the most significant challenges in recent memory. The Board of Supervisors declared a third emergency in as many months and has submitted requests to the state and federal government for funding. Many roads have sustained damage and have caused major impacts – including Valencia, Bear Creek, Glenwood, Zayante, Soquel-San Jose roads and Smith Grade.
Governor Brown approved the declaration for the January storm events and has requested assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program, which could provide additional funding for the Federal Aid Routes (major arterials and collectors) in Santa Cruz County. Under the current funding approvals, this would mean that more funding would be available for roads deemed “federal aid routes” (usually major roads such as Valencia, Zayante, Soquel-San Jose, Bear Creek) than local roads. The state disaster funding provides coverage (usually up to 75 percent) for the cost of repairs. However, the Governor did not make these funds available for the December storm damage. We are working with our state and federal legislative delegations for funding for damages sustained in December as well.
Then, on Feb. 14, President Trump followed up with a major disaster declaration for the state, including Santa Cruz County, triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover for damage that occurred from January 3 to 12. The FEMA funding is available for public facilities and roads, including utilities, centers and others that provide essential governmental services.
I am very disappointed that the many private roads and private properties that have been damaged are not available for FEMA recovery funds under the President’s declaration. Our already fragile mountain roads have taken a beating, as they were used by commuters and commercial traffic as an alternative to Highway 17. We will continue to work with our federal representatives to get assistance for private property.
I am keenly aware of the issues that the recent storm damage has caused throughout our County. They are real and very problematic. In some areas of our district we had days where people were completely cut off from their home as slides had eliminated access or flooding prevented all ability to travel sections of our district. With the emergency declaration providing up to 75 percent of the funding needed for certain roads, this leaves a multi-million-dollar gap of funding for repairs (even just focusing on top priority repairs) associated with the recent storms. As many of you are aware, just by looking at the condition of our local roads in general, Public Works doesn’t have a few million dollars extra for road repairs. Because of this reality, the Board of Supervisors is looking at the possibility of borrowing to address high priority roads (like Valencia and Bear Creek) that were damaged. Options could include the best use of transportation impact fees, Measure D funds, and Surface Transportation Block Grant funds.
Taking out such a loan would most likely mean that other road work (such as planned capital improvements – road overlays, repairs etc.) that isn’t from storm damage might be delayed (in some cases significantly). However, we recognize that these storms have caused situations that must take priority over other road needs. If you have potholes that need attention, please use the Citizen Connect mobile app through the County or the Public Works page to report directly – http://www.dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ReportProblem.aspx – this helps us inventory them and work with Public Works and getting them filled. We recognize this is a difficult and frustrating situation and thank you for working with us as we try to address these very pressing needs caused from the recent storms.
Private Well Owners to Meet
Some 1,100 private well owners in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin are being notified to let them know about a groundwater management process this is getting underway, including a public meeting on Feb. 22. The basin, which extends from Upper Branciforte Creek to Boulder Creek, is in a state of overdraft, resulting in lowered groundwater levels and reduced streamflow. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 requires that action be taken to eliminate overdraft by 2040. The solution will likely involve a combination of water efficiency, increased groundwater recharge and supplemental supply, with costs to users based on impact on the groundwater basin. To stay informed, please check the website at www.smgwa.org and attend the meeting on Feb. 22 from 7 to p.m. at the Scotts Valley Water District.
Americorps Team Returns
An amazing team of young people from across the country have been working on a series of habitat restoration projects in San Lorenzo Valley. The AmeriCorps team, under the skilled leadership of Linda Skeff of the San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Program, has worked at Highlands Park in Ben Lomond, pulling out the rubber around the playground which could be an environmental hazard to the nearby river. They’ve also been working on projects at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park and a riparian corridor restoration project in conjunction with the Felton Library and San Lorenzo Valley Water District. The community has pitched in, donating food for the team. We are fortunate to have had the team here for a second time. We thank them for their amazing progress.
PG&E Community Pipeline Safety Initiative and Impact on Environment
Image: Kevin Collins
The County is working with PG&E and community advocates on an ambitious Community Pipeline Safety Initiative along the 60 miles of high-pressure gas transmission lines in Santa Cruz County. PG&E has proposed to remove hundreds of trees above its gas line along Graham Hill Road between Santa Cruz and Felton and in other areas of the County.
While I appreciate that PG&E must have the ability to maintain, inspect, and operate its system, and I support measures to ensure pipeline safety, I share a number of residents’ deep concerns about losing the trees. Concerns have been raised regarding the impacts on water, road stability, water, air, wildlife, and long-term health and safety.
Supervisor John Leopold and I asked that the project be put on hold while the County creates a framework agreement with PG&E that makes sure our local and state environmental regulations are met, and incorporates specific guidelines for tree removal with the intent to minimize the number of trees cut.
Cannabis Cultivation in Santa Cruz County
Image: Monterey Herald
Registration for the County’s new cannabis cultivation program closed on November 6. This registration process is voluntary; however, we anticipate that only the owners of registered cannabis cultivation sites will be eligible to apply for a local license when they become available. The goal is to allow existing growers to register, receive feedback from the County on the degree to which their cultivation site conforms to the proposed regulations, and allow the County to collect information for the evaluation of the environmental impacts associated with cultivation activities in Santa Cruz County including existing conditions, impacts and recommendations for appropriate regulation of cannabis cultivation. For more information visit: https://scccannabis.co.santa-cruz.ca.us. Read more about the cannabis cultivation issue in Santa Cruz County in this recent Santa Cruz Sentinel article.