In this Weekly Dump, we’ve got needles poking junior guard instructors, a shooting on Ocean street, the city loses to dirty bathrobe guy, review of the 1st city council candidate forum, a stabbing on the river levee, a drunk falls off the lost boys bridge, a porta-potty gets stolen, Free Foghat show, New microbrewery coming to the westside, Hugh’s News, election watch, Decinzotized, weekly shout outs, local food porn, and maybe a few other things.

Visiting Instructor Steps on Needle at Junior Guards Competition

Well that sure didn’t take long. It happened again. This time a visiting instructor from another beach stepped on yet another needle last week on Main Beach. I reported last month it happened twice. How many times do we let this happen? How often is acceptable?

Here’s what Scott Collins, Assistant to the City Manager had to say this time:

“I wanted to let you know that the we had an unfortunate incident occur during the NorCal Junior Guard Competition today on Main Beach today. An instructor from an outside agency was struck by a needle on his foot near Lifeguard tower 2. Fire staff were notified and responded immediately to the scene and followed the established protocols for dealing with this type of situation. The area where the needle was encountered was inspected by Fire personal and then again by Beach maintenance staff. No further needles were found. City staff notified all the supervisory staff and the participants in our program about the incident, and sent an email to all Jr. Guard parents this evening. Though these incidents are rare, they are very troubling when they occur. In an effort to keep the beach safe for Junior Guards and other beach users, staff will continue the beach maintenance program consisting of daily sifting and visual inspections of the beach.”

Did he actually say this was a “rare” occurrence? Define “rare”? As in “not daily”? Is he so oblivious to the fact it already happened AT LEAST TWICE EARLIER THIS YEAR. I like Scott. I know he means well. But he’s just a tool in city manager Martin Bernal’s continued deflection of dealing with this issue. Let’s just let our community’s children run around barefoot on a public beach where dirty needles are buried. I’m not saying MIGHT be buried, because recent events have shown us they ARE buried there.

And where do you think these needles are coming from? I’ll venture an educated guess. THEY COME FROM THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ. Your tax dollars hard at work here. Of course, nobody can ever prove that they came from the county because the county is doing everything it can to stop any way of tracking needles back to their program. Transparency and accountability are dirty words when it comes to the COUNTY RUN FREE NEEDLES FOR JUNKIES program. I understand this is a County run program, and the city itself can’t do much to actually stop it. But they can do a much better job cleaning up the county’s mess on city property, or where the city is responsible for public safety. It’s just willful ignorance all the way around here.

Shooting on Ocean Street Goes Mostly Unreported and Unnoticed by the Community

I’ll bet most of you didn’t know there was a shooting on Ocean street on Friday night. At 9:30 PM on a Friday night on one of the central arteries in and out of Santa Cruz. It would have been PACKED with cars driving home from the Boardwalk (and there was a free Y&T concert at 6:30 and 8:30 that night). But apparently nobody saw anything. Nobody but KSCO radio (RADIO!) even bothered to report it as “newsworthy”. Don’t expect the city to broadcast this kind of news out! But I’d hope at least one of the lame local media companies (Senile, KSBW, KION) to pick it up. Nope. I’ll report it though! (Thanks MP for the tip!)

Here’s the blurb from KSCO:

“Santa Cruz police are investigating a shooting that took place on Friday night. Authorities say that patrol units responded to reports of a shooting victim on the 600 block of Ocean Street shortly after 9:30 p.m. At the scene officers located a gunshot victim, who was subsequently transported to a trauma center. Anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to contact Santa Cruz police.”

Talk about a lack of details and information. Was nobody there? Little help! I can tell you the 600 block of Ocean is around Ocean and Dakota, and within a block of the county building. It’s one of the busiest blocks on Ocean and nobody seems to have seen anything. Or nobody’s saying anything. Publicly. It’s bad for business to be reporting shootings along the road everyone drives to get to the Boardwalk.

City of Santa Cruz Loses To Guy Dressed in a Dirty Bathrobe

In what might be the most laughable AND pathetic item I’ve ever reported on the Dump, the city of Santa Cruz lost an appeal filed by serial pain in the ass Robert Norse by a vote of 11-1.

Norse filed an appeal of the city’s recent reformed RV ordinance, which took years to develop and had been thoroughly watered down to appease any concerns that could possibly be raised by the Coastal Commission. Scott Collins represented the city and seemed over his head here. Where was the City Attorney, the guy the city should be using to present the most compelling legal argument here? Not here. Where’s Martin Bernal, the city manager, the tail that wags the dog? Not here. Where’s the mayor? Not here. No, they sent Scott to deal with it. So they wouldn’t look bad when he lost. So they could blame him and deflect any blame on themselves. They set Scott up to fail here. They hung him out to dry. And they did this to him against ROBERT NORSE. Talk about adding insult to injury. I know Scott. I like Scott. I can’t really blame Scott here. Sure he could have been better prepared.

THE CITY COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER PREPARED. It’s not in Scott’s job description to have to argue city policy in front of the Coastal Commission. It is in Bernal’s job title to “manage the city” as city manager. What a useless waste of $250K a year we spend on this guy. We’ve been promised some ACTUAL reform here for YEARS and all we’ve gotten for it is lip service from Bernal. Now he can’t even get past the troll in the dirty bathrobe. What’s it going to take to replace Martin Bernal as city manager? Losing to Robert Norse is not a good look. It’s what happens when you have a clueless city manager.

Wait. How Did the City of Santa Cruz Lose to the Guy Dressed in a Dirty Bathrobe?

The Dump has the answers where nobody else does! We sent Hugh, our intrepid city council beat reporter, to cover the hearing as only Hugh can. Here’s Hugh’s coverage:

What an incredibly horrible experience that was. The California Coastal Commission held their monthly meeting at the Hilton in Scotts Valley. There was a panel of 12 people none of which live in Santa Cruz County. We have Dayna Bochco, wife of Steven Bochco – Creator of Law and Order lives in Northern CA, Effie Turbull-Sanders, an attorney and board member of Social Action Partners from SoCal and Martha McClure, Del Norte Board of Supervisor to name a few. Robert Norse was there in his bathrobe, teddy bear in belt and read his appeal. Norse was very well behaved, no bellowing, no pontificating, just read his gibberish to the commission. His usual band of kooks were in the audience doing “jazz hands” whenever they heard something they approved of. Some of the commissioners had a “WTF” look on their faces when he approached the mic in his robe. I thought this was a good sign.

I was so very wrong. Scott Collins had 3 minutes to respond to Norse’s appeal. Councilwoman Richelle Noroyan asked to speak for 1 of those minutes. And then it happened. The unthinkable. The Coastal Commission which is supposed to “protect and enhance California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations” suddenly became advocates of the homeless. I have no problem with anyone advocating for the homeless or for anything else they believe in. But do that on your own time. What followed were a series of lectures aimed at the City of Santa Cruz and everyone in it. Martha McClure said “I am really tired of everyone thinking that the homeless are all thieves and drug addicts. I am in a in a position, in my belief system that communities need to stop running people out and start finding a solution” So I ask you this Martha, can they park on your street? What is the discarded needle count in Crescent City? And while you are accusing people of making broad statements of the homeless did you not make a broad statement yourself by saying “everyone thinks the homeless are thieves and drug addicts”? Did anyone on this commission research on the services that ARE provided for those that are unhoused? And most importantly WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH PROTECTING AND ENHANCING CALIFORNIA’S COAST AND OCEAN FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS?

Both Richelle and Scott asked the Commission why 35 other cities along the coast were allowed to have parking restrictions for over-sized vehicles without seeking a permit from the Coastal Commission. You know what that was met with? Martha McClure saying “I think we should go back to those 35 cities and revoke those parking ordinances” at which point Richelle yelled “Great! Then the RVs can start filtering into those communities and not impact Santa Cruz so much!”

BRAVO RICHELLE! BRAVO! Thank you for having the big voice. Thank you for standing up for the residents of Santa Cruz. Thank you for standing up for your constituents that have been writing to City Council and complaining about the trash, the feces, the drug dealing, the fighting, and the theft they are experiencing by having multiple RVs camped on their street with people camping in them. I hope these same people that have complained about these situations now in turn write to Richelle and thank her. She had our backs yesterday. Commissioner Steve Kinsey (from San Rafael) shamed Richelle for speaking the way she did, saying as an elected official she should know better. Sorry bro, that shit doesn’t cut it for me. YOU should know better. Everyone on this commission should. Don’t be coming into our community and telling us how we should handle it. Your job is to protect the ocean and beaches. It is NOT to tell communities how to deal with people living in RVs.

First City Council Candidate Forum Takes Place

The first forum for Santa Cruz city council candidates took place yesterday. Sponsored by the Association of Faith Communities, this was a very “progressive heavy” event. The sponsoring group also sponsors an ongoing program for the homeless where they share the burden among a series of local churches on different days of the week.

Candidates participating: Everyone!

Best Performance by a Candidate at the 1st Forum*:

Chris Krohn Martine Watkins Steve Pleich Steve Schnaar Jim Davis Dru Glover Robert Singleton J.M. Brown Cynthia Mathews Sandy Brown Nate Kennedy

*There’s no science to this. It’s just my humble opinion. It has nothing to do with my preferred candidates. It’s mostly about public speaking and who worked the room the best (or worst). And this event’s audience favored the progressive candidates over the moderate candidates, which resulted in mostly lower scores for some candidates who might otherwise score higher with a different audience. – BD

So here’s my personal observations and opinions about each candidate’s performance tonight:

Chris Krohn:

Used the podium (first to do so) and used it like a preacher working his congregation (to very good effect). He even got a couple “right ons” out of the crowd. Read a prepared script mostly, but went off script to hammer certain points home (the “preacher” effect). Really knew how to work the crowd. Kept wanting more, more, more! (but no discussion of how to pay for more). Ended his 5 minutes with bible quotes. At a church. The guy knows his audience here.

Martine Watkins:

Poised and very professional. Very good public speaker. Used the podium. No script. Stressed family and family issues. UCSC grad, masters in public policy. Good passion (without the fake dramatic effect like Pleich and Krohn), talked about integrity, data driven policy, and transparency! Even though she went last (they went alphabetically), she was one of the best, if not the best speaker. She didn’t get the best crowd reaction (that would be Krohn and Pleich) but she was the most poised and seemed the most “plug in ready” candidate. She did better than the mayor did. Impressed me.

Steve Pleich:

He starts out by thanking numerous people and plugging himself and he doesn’t bother to give his name (after the first couple candidates were admonished about it by the crowd and the MC). So his listening skills are suspect. He dropped a laundry list of all the stuff he’s volunteered for (and it’s quite the list) but his speech and delivery were monotone and rambling (the usual). He seemed to take credit for everything, including the handout everyone got. Ended it very loud and preachy (like Krohn) trying to work the crowd into a final frenzy over the homeless camping laws. Kind of worked but I think they were fired up mostly because he was, not over the issue. Didn’t use the podium, no script.

Steve Schnaar:

Good public speaker, used the podium to good effect, kind of soft spoken but got more animated as time went on. Played up “peace” theme. Passionate but rambled at times. Discussed a laundry list of pro homeless positions, mentioned Stacy Falls and the sanctuary camp, bike church and the homeless, etc. Came across as very “non kooky” for a kook sponsored candidate. Had a sense of humor, wasn’t all shouty and preachy like a few others, just calm and down to earth. He did pretty good actually, better than I anticipated. Good applause from crowd.

Jim Davis:

Jim Davis wore the hat! He’s a musician and looks every bit the part. I want to call him “Leonard” (as in “Lynyrd Skynyrd”). He’s a character. He writes jingles for KPIG. He showed up with a black eye. Claimed it was a car door and he considered coming out and saying he’s “fighting to be elected” (sense of humor! got good laughs). He wore a tie! Very supportive of the homeless issues, then he started RAILING on the needle exchange and the needles issue! Caught everyone off guard there. One minute they were cheering him on (homeless issues), then they fell silent (needles). But it didn’t stop or discourage him from putting the needle issue on BLAST here. Funny, engaging, even Drew (who was next in line) said it was hard to follow that. Not sure what to make of him now. Very progressive on some stuff, very moderate on others. The crowd loved the guy. Most “average joe” there.

Dru Glover:

It’s Brent’s favorite purple shirt! (Brent was there filming, good thing he wore a different shirt). Born and raised here, went to Harbor High. Moved to Washington to help mom’s business. Moved back and now works as program director for the resource center for non-violence. Talks way too fast, but he’s a good public speaker and he’s comfortable doing it. Tried to pack every talking point into his 5 minutes, no time to digest what he was saying. But a pretty good “elevator pitch” if he learns to slow down. Actually said the words “public safety” at one point!

Robert Singleton:

Didn’t use the podium and no script. Very comfortable at public speaking, good pacing and energy. Not monotone. Good passion. Good elevator pitch. Looked very young against the others (and a very old audience) but played off it well. “Investing in our future” was kind of his central theme. Talked data driven policy making. Crowd was pretty receptive to him. Cordial. Not “hallelujah” like some of the others got, but receptive and cordial. He did well, and will do better to a more moderate audience. He seems pretty comfortable and I think he’ll get even stronger as this plays out.

J.M Brown:

He went first so he kind of got lost and forgotten by the end of the line. Didn’t have the benefit of the warmed up crowd so the reaction was kind of meh. They liked him ok. He “came out” to the crowd and discussed the challenges of being gay and accepted by the faith based community. Said “affordable housing” is his top priority. He actually said the words “public safety” but not with any real substance behind it. More like he was just dropping the expression for those that wanted to hear it mentioned (like me). At least they are talking about it now! But he did fine, maybe not his crowd so a bit uncomfortable, and going first is tough. He spoke very monotone and it just kind of droned on after a couple minutes.

Cynthia Mathews:

It’s hard for me to rank her so low here but it was a tough crowd for her. Many in the crowd blame her for the issues they are railing on. But the crowd was polite and respectful, no shouting or booing. She did fine, but it just felt like she was “phoning it in” here (to a mostly hostile but respectful crowd). She just felt kind of out of place. No real passion, lacked energy, monotone delivery, but she handled it like a professional (that was phoning it in). She also said those 2 words I want to hear (“public safety”) but again it was in passing without any real substance behind it. Almost a humble brag when she discussed “experience”. One thing I cringed at was when she said (and this is a quote) that the issues we face locally are “eternally a work in progress”. Is that a nice way of saying nothing ever gets done in the status quo world we live in?

Sandy Brown:

Sandy Brown bombed here. She was completely unprepared. No script. She yammered and hemmed and hawed her way through about 3 minutes, gave her background in a rambling sort of way, no continuity, no solutions, no mention of any issues other than she doesn’t like city hall. She had nothing. Nothing to offer. No solutions. Awful public speaker. She looked and acted like someone who just walked in off the street and had no idea why they were there.

Nate Kennedy:

Nate is Nate. He brought color and flair to the debates as I hoped he would. He made people laugh. Uncomfortably. Not so much with him but at him. He talked about mierda. He talked a lot about mierda. He was kind of the comic relief. He lightened the mood but nobody really took him seriously here.

Candidates who uttered the words “public safety” tonight: J.M. Brown, Dru Glover, Cynthia Mathews

Coming next week: I start dropping endorsements!

Transient Fight Results in Stabbing Along San Lorenzo River Levee

In another example of over tolerated degenerative behavior downtown gone bad, two transients got into a fight which resulted in one bum stabbing the other one. The fight apparently started as a fist fight on the footbridge crossing the river and carried down onto the levee where the man was stabbed.

According to Dep. Chief Steve Clark, the man suffered “significant stab wounds” and was transported to a trauma center in the Bay Area. “He was totally uncooperative with our officers and refused to acknowledge any of the details of the incident,” Clark said. What a gem this guy is. Can we roll out the welcome mat for him here? Why not.

At least the local Senile covered this incident. You can read more here.

Santa Cruz Begins San Lorenzo River Annual Maintenance Activities

The city of Santa Cruz began annual maintenance activities on the San Lorenzo River on August 8th. These activities include annual evaluation of the need for a low flow channel; sediment disking in channel gravel bars and at the toe of the levee slope; vegetation maintenance and removal; and storm drain maintenance and clean out. Without this maintenance, the flood protection of this system is significantly reduced. Work is expected to continue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for approximately four weeks. According to the city, there will be minimal impact to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. I’m not sure if they will be closing off the grassy areas along the levee as they’ve done in the past. While this is great for flood conveyance, it’s also a chance to clean out all the crap left behind by the local homeless that regularly pollutes the river and kills the fish and wildlife. And let’s hope none of the workers clearing the levee get stabbed by getting caught in the middle of any bum fights.

Drunk Falls Off Lost Boys Bridge

In what likely happens more often than we actually know about, a drunk suffered critical injuries after falling from the San Lorenzo River train trestle just before 2 a.m. Saturday. Two Boardwalk security officers pulled the unidentified man from the river and administered CPR with the aid of California Highway Patrol officers until Santa Cruz Fire personnel arrived on scene, according to Santa Cruz Fire Capt. Todd Meyer. There’s a perfectly good, safe pedestrian and bike path to the side of the bridge. But I can’t tell you how many foolhardy idiots I see walking the tracks. Add in drunk and dark and you have a recipe for a painful long drop into a shallow river. Just because the Lost Boys can fly, doesn’t mean you can.

Read more here!

Porta Potty Stolen From the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club

Keeping with the general theme of this website (mierda), I have to sadly report the theft of a porta-potty from the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club. This just in:

“Sometime in the hours of late last Friday or early (pre dawn) Saturday, someone stole a portapotty that we had rented for the SC Mtns Challenge! It was up on top of North Rodeo Road across the road from the view on top. Small reward offered. We are a small nonprofit and we are going to have to replace this if we cannot find the jerk who took it”

(Photo of the actual stolen porta-potty)

Who in the hell steals a porta-potty? Couldn’t find anything else to steal?

Free Concert With Foghat at the Boardwalk!

Rewarded with seven Gold records, one Platinum record, and one Double-Platinum record, Foghat has never stopped touring and recording. Foghat Live was a staple of mine growing up. The current lineup features original member Roger Earl, Craig MacGregor, Bryan Bassett (of Wild Cherry fame), and Charlie Huhn (former singer and guitarist with Ted Nugent). Today’s version has been together for 10 years since the passing of Lonesome Dave.

Last year they put on a hell of a show. Shows at 6:30 and 8:30 as usual.

New Microbrewery Coming to the Westside

Coming soon to Swift street: The Humble Sea Brewery. Plans are to occupy two tenant spaces within an existing multi-tenant industrial building at 820 Swift. One of the suites will be used for manufacturing and office functions (3,200 square feet), while the other will be used for a small (800 square foot) brewpub. An outdoor patio area would also be created. Construction is expected to begin in the late summer/early fall.

Hugh’s News!

Hugh is back! After missing the last meeting before the council took the month of July off, Hugh is back reporting the latest news and updates from city hall. I had a look at the agenda and it’s not particularly exciting this week. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be drama and righteous indignation! -BD

The Santa Cruz city council was back from their summer vacation (they took the month of July off so I did too). You’d kind of figure after missing a month they’d get down to some serious business. Nah. It was pretty boring. Sure the usual cast of colorful misfits showed up at 5 to complain about whatever they always complain about. Pat Kitler blathered on about Trump, Clinton and Israel. Aren’t oral communications supposed to be for items that the City Council can actually do something about? City Council Candidate Nate Kennedy brought up a very good point during oral communications. The “no smoking signs” on Pacific Ave are barely visible. But the whole meeting was pretty “breezy” shall we say, and was wrapped up by about 6PM. They did cover a few topics. There was a long and contentious discussion about a new housing project going up on River street. They mostly argued about the low income housing requirements. Micah actually kept his long speeches to a minimum (but Don Lane didn’t). They passed an ordinance requiring the safe disposal of drugs and sharps.

City Council Election Watch

We’re into August now and the race is heating up. Soon the candidates running for the city council will be seen walking the hoods, knocking on doors wanting to chat. I’m sure they are all very nice folks. Chat them up! Ask them why public safety isn’t their top priority! Because really, what’s more important than being safe? Nothing. I think being alive and healthy tops my personal wish list.

You’ll start seeing their signs popping up everywhere all over town. You’ll see them at community forums debating local topics. I’ll share what I know. It’s mostly opinion. I’m also going to rate them on what I’m calling my “Progress-o-meter”. 1 being a Trump Republican. 10 being Don Lane. If I deem a candidate worthy, I might throw an early “official endorsement” (think of it like the golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent). And I’ll add casual observations overall every now and then.

UPCOMING CANDIDATES FORUMS:

August 27: Democratic Women’s Club Candidate Forum, 155 Center St.

August 29: Candidate Forum, 301 Center St.

September 22: Downtown Association Candidate Forum, 307 Church St.

Declared Candidates:

J.M. Brown

Sandy Brown

Jim Davis

Dru Glover

Nate Kennedy

Chris Krohn

Cynthia Mathews

Steve Pleich

Steve Schnaar

Robert Singleton

Martine Watkins

J.M. Brown:

Brown is a former reporter for the Sentinel. He works in communications and brand management with a successful local firm, and has an impressive list of endorsements. He is currently serving as a City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Commission member and a member of the Santa Cruz County Housing Advisory Commission. I wouldn’t go so far as to proclaim him a “moderate” candidate, but he’s moderate compared to most of the others.

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 7



Sandy Brown:

Sandy Brown is an assistant professor at the University of San Francisco and University of the Pacific. She previously worked for the local Community Action Board, and was previously a sustainable agriculture consultant with Swanton Berry Farms. She has taken part in the city’s Living Wage Advisory Committee, the Citizens’ Police Advisory Board and Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission. She also previously worked on the campaigns of former city council members Tim Fitzmaurice and Mardi Wormhoudt. She’s progressive. Real progressive.

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 9



Jim Davis:

I’m finally learning more about Jim Davis. Apparently he’s a sales rep for radio stations like KPIG locally, and he’s a musician that plays in a band. In a recent Senile interview, he was quoted as saying “I’m just kind of fed up with the City Council, the way it is right now. They talk a lot but they don’t really do much” (yeah, I’m personally feeling you there Jim……. – BD). Davis said he does not have any traditional government experience, having served on no boards or commissions, but said he believes he could do a better job than the sitting council, regardless. He also supports “safe spaces” for the homeless to sleep, and when asked about the homeless issue locally he said “I’m not saying I’ve got all the answers, I don’t. But I’ve got an open mind, I listen to people and I am really saddened. We have almost 3,000 people in Santa Cruz County, and Santa Cruz city has plenty, believe me. And we do nothing for them”. Say What!

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 9.5



Dru Glover:

Founder of “Project Pollinate”, a community activism group that likes to throw parties 4 times a year in San Lorenzo Park. Not sure if he works or what his paying job is. Seems to be popular with the younger “progressive” crowd (UCSC students in particular). Has never held public office before. Seems like a smart guy. I still can’t really find out much about his past. And I’m told he lives with everyone’s favorite local anarchist (who doesn’t want to be called an anarchist anymore). WARNING: ENDORSED BY MICAH POSNER

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 8



Nate Kennedy:

Hard to take Nate seriously. No website. I hope he does make the first forum at least. I doubt he has any money or support. I think he’s mostly running so that his ideas get heard. In reality, he has little to no chance of winning a seat. But he brings color and flair to the summer debates!

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 9

Chris Krohn:

Another former mayor and city council person comes back to try to haunt us. He is the Internship Director for the Environmental Studies Department at UCSC. He was elected to the Santa Cruz City Council in 1998 and was mayor of Santa Cruz in 2002. He’s been out of city politics for 14 years. Why on earth does anyone think we need him again? The Santa Cruz Weekly actually described him as “one of Santa Cruz’s most famously leftist former mayors”. He would be the reincarnation of Don Lane. He gets the Perfect 10 on the Progress-o-meter.

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 10

Cynthia Mathews:

Current mayor. Long time city council member. Long time property owner and manager. Has been involved in Santa Cruz politics for at least 20 years. Has been Mayor previously. She has had a history of leaning progressive but has become more moderate in recent years. I can’t really say we’re friends but I know her and I have a lot of respect for her. She always seems to have the best interests of the entire community in mind, not just a favored group.

Do I know them personally? Yes

Progressometer Rating: 6



Steve Pleich:

I’ve known Steve for a few years. Not really well but we know each other. I actually like Steve personally, but I have my issues with him on the city council. He seems to try every 4 years and always comes up well short, so I don’t really expect this time to be much different. He loves attention. He loves the limelight. He loves to hear himself talk. He has run twice before, largely on repealing the sleeping ban and other homeless issues. WARNING: ENDORSED BY MICAH POSNER



Do I know them personally? Yes

Progressometer Rating: 9.9



Steve Schnaar:

Founder and director of the Santa Cruz Fruit Tree project, and a volunteer mechanic for the Bike Church. Long time social activist. Has had previous issues with SCPD and the city council. Married to Stacy Falls, longtime progressive advocate for homeless issues and co-founder with Brent Adams of the sanctuary camp project. WARNING: ENDORSED BY MICAH POSNER

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 9



Robert Singleton:

Robert Singleton is a co-founder of Civinomics. He serves as a policy analyst for the Santa Cruz County Business Council, and was recently appointed to the Santa Cruz Downtown Commission. I’ve met him a couple times and he’s a nice enough guy. He’s smart, ambitious, and idealistic. He organized a survey on local homelessness that contradicted the “county sanctioned” ASR survey and showed better data collection methods that resulted in better, validated data. So he’s not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects and try to identify better solutions. He seems both progressive and pragmatic.

Do I know them personally? No

Progressometer Rating: 6



Martine Watkins:

A mother of two, Watkins works as the senior community organizer in the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. I know Hugh thinks highly of Watkins, and I think highly of Hugh’s opinion. She also has a strong, mixed bag list of endorsements from local politicians and leaders. I think she leans progressive but not when it gets in the way of public safety.

Do I know them personally? No. But Hugh does!

Progressometer Rating: 7



Local Food Porn

Kelly’s French Bakery, 402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz

DeCinzotized – Classic Steven DeCinzo

Weekly Shoutouts!

Weekly shoutout to Santa Cruz city council candidate Robert Singleton for reading and engaging with us on the Dump! At least one of them is paying attention. Weekly shoutout to current city council person Richelle Noroyan for taking time out of her day to be the only person who works for the city (on her own time) to back up Scott Collins at the Coastal Commission hearing.