For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007 – Climate Action at the Local Level
Yesterday, I talked about the attack that big business representatives have mounted against efforts to use existing provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (or CEQA) to combat global warming pollution. The June 21st letter sent by big business to the Governor and legislative leaders makes clear that effective action on global warming is going to be politically difficult. Other events at the state level underscore this point. Last week, the Governor fired the head of the Air Resources Board, stating that the ARB wasn’t doing enough to combat air pollution and global warming. Let’s see who gets appointed to replace him. The guy who got fired says that he was told by the Governor’s staff to do less on global warming “early action measures,” and that he got the axe because he pushed for more such early action measures. The independence of the ARB is what is really at stake, from his perspective.

Meanwhile, at the local level, AMBAG held a meeting (highlighted on the Land Use Report, by the way) discussing climate action “strategies for local governments.” The workshop was held in Monterey County, in Moss Landing, but not even one elected official from Monterey County attended. If you are concerned about global warming, and live in Monterey County, let your elected officials know you’d like to see some local leadership. There are things that local government can do!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 – Independence Day / Commuting Over The Hill
The Fourth of July celebrates the idea of self-government. It’s often called “Independence Day,” which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. It’s not unusual to think of “independence” solely in terms of the individual, which is where those misunderstandings derive. There is no doubt that our system of self-government relies greatly on individual action and initiative, but we are not only individuals. We’re part of a community, too. As a political holiday, the Fourth of July is really to celebrate that “community” aspect of who we are.

The Declaration of Independence said that we are “endowed … with certain unalienable Rights …,” and “that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted … deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Our individual freedoms are only protected and made effective when secured by “government.” That’s why governments are instituted, to secure the rights we prize as individuals. The late-breaking idea that “government is the problem,” espoused by so many right wing politicians and commentators, is profoundly un-American.

On another note, if you’re a Santa Cruz City resident who frequently commutes over Highway 17, take the City’s Highway 17 survey. Maybe, if we work together, we can become more independent of that difficult, and auto-centric trek. There’s more information on the KUSP website.

More Information
Declaration of Independence - http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm
Santa Cruz “Over The Hill” Commuter Survey – http://com2.govtsystems.com/rpsc/public/webform2.asp?ID=214

Thursday, July 5, 2007 – Safeway Almar Center in Santa Cruz
Tonight, the City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission is going to be hearing an important planning item. It will be of particular interest to Westside residents, and to those who drive on Mission Street. You can get more information by clicking on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org.

The proposal before the Planning Commission this evening, as part of Agenda Item #2, is to approve an Administrative Use Permit and Design Permit for the Safeway - Almar Center. As part of the project, Safeway is proposing to demolish its existing grocery store and a portion of a contiguous retail building, and then to construct a new grocery store and retail building, including outdoor seating. In order to say “yes,” the Planning Commission would have to approve a variance for the retail building to be constructed, and would have to issue an Administrative Use Permit to allow the grocery store to continue as a low-risk alcohol outlet. The Commission is also being asked to approve a Special Use Permit to allow a reduction in parking requirements for a cooperative parking facility.

The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., at the City Council Chambers. You are, of course, most cordially invited to attend, and to participate. This is an official public hearing, so it’s your chance to be heard. Significant, large-scale projects are definitely on the drawing board for the City of Santa Cruz. Don’t miss your chance!

More Information
City of Santa Cruz Website - http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/
Agenda, July 5, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting –
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/cpc/CurrentAgenda/07-05-07%20Agenda.pdf

Friday, July 6, 2007 – Sustainable Land Stewardship
Some California farmer or rancher who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to sustainable land stewardship is in line for an award, and the award comes along with a $10,000 check.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.