Plus Letters To the Editor
With the Grateful Dead playing farewell shows in Santa Clara this week, nostalgia for the band is running high. And Santa Cruz is, of course, a hotspot for it, with its Dead history going all the way back to what legend holds was one of the first Acid Tests. But it turns out that in reality that’s not exactly how things went down, and in the cover story this week, DNA looks at what exactly did happen at that famous Halloween party, and also reflects on the reason for the band’s everlasting mystique, as viewed through his own history as a teenage Deadhead.
Also in this issue, John Malkin reports on concerns from community members, the mayor of Santa Cruz, city councilmembers and former local politicians about SCPD Deputy Chief Steve Clark. Malkin charts how these tensions developed, and writes about his own history with Clark as part of the Santa Cruz Citizens’ Police Review Board.
I was heartened by how another group is dealing with communication issues this week, namely the primary players in my story this week about the future of the Warriors franchise in Santa Cruz. There are difficult and complicated issues to be hashed out in planning for that future, and the relationship between the Warriors and city staff have sometimes been strained as they’ve dealt with high-pressure, high-stakes projects. But I can’t say enough about how forthcoming and open Santa Cruz Warriors President Jim Weyermann, City Manager Martín Bernal and Executive Director of Economic Development Bonnie Lipscomb have been in talking about those issues. In their hands The possibilities they’re considering are exciting, and I have the feeling the process is in good hands.
STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Bully Pulpit
I read the review of Anita Telle’s book regarding childhood bullying (GT, 5/20), and I’m very pleased with the work she is doing standing up for the rights of children who are treated cruelly simply because they are regarded as being “other” and therefore inferior and undeserving of kindness and respect. I regard childhood bullying by peers along with child abuse by adults as one of the most serious political and social issues in the world, since bullying is the basic pattern behind all forms of institutionalized violence, social hierarchy and conformity, both in adults and children, worldwide. Contempt and violence toward women, gays, the transgendered, people with disabilities, the poor, the homeless, eccentrics, nonconformists and dissidents, other races, cultures and ethnic groups, intellectual prodigies and the emotionally sensitive, are directly tied in with childhood bullying. My belief is that bullies are afraid of expressing their own vulnerabilities and insecurities, and the social shame that goes with it, so they take it out on others whom they perceive as being more vulnerable and insecure in their social standing. When we recognize that all human beings are vulnerable and insecure and bear the ugly legacy of social shame, then we can heal both individually as people and collectively as a species.
Erich J. Holden, Santa Cruz
Rail Study
Thanks Anne-Marie Harrison and the Good Times for a well-written article (“Getting on Track,” GT, 6/17).
The RTC appreciates the level of community interest in the Draft Passenger Rail Feasibility Study and encourages everyone to participate in the discussion by reviewing the report findings, taking the online survey (sccrtc.org/rail), and sharing links with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. The survey is now available in English and Spanish, and the comment period closes on July 31.
The intent of developing current ridership, cost and funding projections for rail transit is to advance a robust and honest community discussion about future transportation options, and steps needed to meet the transportation needs of future generations.
Karena Pushnik | SENIOR PLANNER, RTC
ONLINE COMMENTS
Re: ‘Getting on Track?’
Isn’t this a little shortsighted? Where are people going? Where are people coming from? Is this limited to just Watsonville? What then? Shouldn’t this be looked at for being able to make regional connections to SF and San Jose, with connections to Sacramento, if it is to bring tourists? Connecting to the outside world and a comprehensive connection to other regional rail services would seem critical, and this study doesn’t even seem to get that.
— Former Transit Planner
Trains are good for our visitor economy, the environment, and for people who may be struggling for good transportation options. This is a smart investment for a gridlocked county that was approved by voters in 1990 as part of prop 116. The RTC is doing the right thing with this project, and just think of that beautiful rail trail.
— David E Wright
People love to visit Santa Cruz. Building a rail infrastructure and adjacent bike trail will only invite more tourists to Santa Cruz. Tourism is Santa Cruz’s top economy. We must take care of our tourists, because they take care of us! The Skunk Train in Mendocino brings in $20 million annually to their local economy!
— Theryl McCoy
Letters Policy
Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for length, clarity, grammar and spelling. They should include city of residence to be considered for publication. Please direct letters to the editor, query letters and employment queries to le*****@gt******.com . All website-related queries, including corrections, should be directed to we*******@gt******.com .
SHIPPING OUT The sun sets on Aptos’ SS Palo Alto. Photograph by George Zadravec.
Biking the Bay
On Friday, many Santa Cruz teens are doing their first century bike ride—100 miles round trip between Santa Cruz and Monterey. This is the sixth year of
“Bike the Bay,” which promotes cycling, alternative transit and bike paths, as well as teaching middle and high school students the virtues of taking on a big challenge and conquering it. The ride leaves at 10 a.m. Friday from the Bike Church at 703 Pacific Avenue.
Rollin’ Down the River
Santa Cruz is on the verge of a big step toward bringing another water sport to town—paddling on the San Lorenzo River. A task force has recommended that the city try a pilot plan allowing paddle craft between the Laurel Street Bridge and the mouth of the river on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between August and November. The boats will be monitored by wildlife officials to make sure they don’t bother wildlife.
