Scotts Valley Chamber Board of Directors
Opposes Measure D
Sunday July 3
3-9:15 pm – Scotts Valley Parade, Celebration & Fireworks
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he Chamber Board of Directors welcomed representatives from both sides of the Greenway Initiative Measure D to provide presentations seeking the Chamber’s endorsement. After listening to both sides and careful deliberating, the Board voted to oppose the Greenway Initiative Measure D. The Chamber By-Laws state that we must poll our membership before taking an official stance on a political issue. Of those who responded, 100% were in favor and zero members responded with opposition. Why did the Board take this position? There are four primary reason that factored into the Board’s decision: alignment with, that voiced major concerns on forced railbanking. Reason 1: Public Transportation The Felton Branch rail line f Measure D were to pass, it would provides critical infrastructure permanently end any chance of needed to access fire emergencies ever having a rail line linking North related to catastrophic wildfires as County to South County. well as search and rescue operaWill additional funding tions along the San Lorenzo River need to be secured? Could it take Corridor. decades to complete? The answer Currently, there are areas in is of course “yes”. the Santa Cruz Mountains that can However, the Board feels that only be accessed by the rail line. just because a public transportation rail line could be difficult Reason 3: Is this measure and won’t happen immediately, about the trail, the rail or both? does not mean this project should ome are led to believe that be completely abandoned. voting for Measure D is the only way to have the trail between Reason 2: Emergency Services Santa Cruz and South County. This LV Fire officials released a is not true. letter, that the Chamber is in The current plan which has
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Calendar of Upcoming Community Events
Scotts Valley Drive 3 pm: Parade & Flyover Skypark 4 pm: Live Music, Food Trucks, Games, Kid Zone 9:15 pm: Fireworks
Thursday July 21
5:30-7 pm – Grand Opening Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Fringe Salon 4652 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley
Thursday July 28 been in the works for the last two decades includes the rail AND the trail. The truth is that parts of the trail have already been constructed and are others are currently in the works. In fact, if Measure D were to pass, over two decades of work will be discarded and thrown out the window. Reason 4: Protect Roaring Camp and the Felton Branch Rail Line. hose in favor of Measure D say that their interests are only with the rail line between Santa Cruz and South County. This may be true, however, should Measure D pass there would be “rail banking” of both of these lines. Currently the line
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between Roaring Camp and Santa Cruz in federally protected. The Felton Branch rail line that is vital to Roaring Camp’s business would be giving up that federal protection. Once you give up that protection, it is gone forever and vulnerable to the whims of whichever politician may be serving at the time. Roaring Camp is vital to the community on every level, from weddings, funerals, music festivals, and families. The people it brings into our area both locally and from outside our county has a direct economic impact on our local businesses, feedback we have already received from our members.
5:30-7 pm – Joint Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
MADabolic & Faultline Brewing Compnay The Hangar, 262 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley
Saturday August 20 Sunday August 21
22nd Annual Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival Sky Park 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Thursday September 22
5:30-7 pm – Networking Mixer & Movie Cinelux Scotts Valley 226 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / June 2022 / 11