Refuge in a Firestorm

Normally at this time of year, the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds would be getting ready for the annual county fair, 4-H kids and their animals, garden produce, crafters and collectors, and an extravaganza of food booths and entertainment.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus, that event is not taking place.

“Cal Fire” from page 14

Looters were a concern, with multiple arrests made, until the Sheriff’s Office bolstered its forces with personnel from around the county and out of the area, as many as 90 officers on the weekend to deter burglars.

Another issue has been people returning to their property to check on their homes and retrieve forgotten items, potentially causing conflicts with firefighters’ plans to dump water or retardant, or worst case, residents trapped by fallen branches or power lines, requiring a rescue.

One man was cited after he tried

However, 500 people evacuated by the CZU Lightning Complex fires have sought refuge at the fairgrounds, according to Jeannie Kegebein, CEO of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation.

That’s not all.

Kegebein estimates 180 horses, 500 chickens and rabbits, 300 goats, sheep, lambs and pigs and 20 exotic animals are here, too. That doesn’t include the pet dogs to sneak back home, using a back way, getting lost and spending two nights in the woods until a friend of his called deputies. Clark said the search took 126 hours plus a helicopter to extricate him out of the terrain, and a deputy was injured riding a mountain bike to the rescue.

On Tuesday, Santa Cruz County released a map where property owners can look up their address and check the status of their home: https://www. santacruzcounty.us/FireRecovery/DamageAssessmentMap.aspx

A green marker indicates no damage. Orange means 26-50 percent damaged. A red marker means destroyed. n and cats that evacuees are keeping in their tents, many of which were donated.

And there’s a hospital set-up and a clothing store.

Restaurants and individuals have brought food for the evacuees.

“The community has been so generous,” said Kegebein.

She feels a personal connection – “my

old home burned,” she said. n

COMMUNITY NEWS Cabrillo Board of Trustees Statements

Area 5 Leticia Mendoza Executive Director Leticia.4.cabrillo@gmail.com 831-840-3246

Ibelieve in promoting social and economic opportunities in our community through access to quality education. I am a graduate of WHS Class’79. Earned a BA in Economics from UCSC in 1984, a Mas ter’s degree in Public Administration and Masters from the Doctoral Program in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

My professional experience includes visiting faculty and program assistant at UNAM and Duke University. Since 2009, I have been working as an Executive Director for a nonprofit in Watsonville; managing State funded contracts and ensuring com pliance with policies and regulations for preschool and youth programs. I have been participating in county-wide efforts to assess and support staff professional development, and in partnerships to assess and address community needs.

My professional experience, academic background and community involvement provide me with the expertise and under standing of the complex issues involved in addressing the educational needs in Watsonville.

As a student I had the opportunity to be involved in various programs and received support to follow my career path and expand my personal and professional development. For these reasons, I under stand the importance of providing an inviting, inclusive and effective learning environment to prepare students to pursue their career, professional and personal goals. Area 3

Oscar Soto, 49

Essential Worker/Veteran/Father oscar@votosoto.com votosoto.com 831-665-2502

Board.

As a husband, father, and 25+ year resident of the Pajaro Valley, it is clear that we need stronger representation for our community on the local school board.

Parents have watched over the years as precious funding and educational opportunities have been lost to schools in the northern portions of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. I will be your voice Leticia Mendoza Felipe Hernandez

Felipe Hernandez, 49

Watsonville City Councilmember/Veteran voteforfelipe@gmail.com 831-707-4382

Born and raised in Watsonville, attended local schools, enlisted in the Army at 17 as Combat Medic. Proudly served in the 1st Cavalry Division in the Persian Gulf War, earning numerous medals.

Attended Cabrillo and Gavilan Colleges, before transferring to UCSC and graduating with a degree in Community Studies. Worked as a Political Organizer with the UFW and SEIU to help improve the quality of life for working families.

Longtime involvement in Santa Cruz County and state Democratic Parties. I am a proud member of the American Legion Post 121 and VFW Post 1716.

I served as Mayor of Watsonville, the ViceMayor and as a Councilmember for 9 years.

Some of my accomplishments include: fought Sacramento to return $4.4 million to Watsonville, negotiated 90 days extension and relocation assistance at Crossroads stores, approved over 250 new homes, created our region’s best skate park for our youth and brought FedEx Regional Hub, creating over 400 jobs.

Cabrillo faces new challenges and I am ready to do the same. and fight for your children’s equal and fair share of PVUSD resources.

As the former Supervisor of Maintenance for PVUSD, I have seen firsthand the neglected conditions in most schools. Simply put, our kids deserve better!

I will take both real-world experience and the fresh energy of a new School Trustee to properly fix these big problems.

I am extremely proud to accept the support of the Pajaro Valley Classified School Workers: CSEA Chapter 132. Classified employees work hard every day on behalf of our children. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Greg Caput also enthusiastically endorses my candidacy.

Hiring, paying, and keeping qualified Edward Banks Steven Trujillo

I have served my country and our community my entire adult life. I respectfully ask for your vote to be your representative on the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees. ••• Area 7

Edward K. Banks, 71

Insurance Broker edbanks@kbkinsurance.com 831-722-4226 Age:

Ihave had the pleasure and honor to serve as Area VII Trustee for the Cabrillo Community College, representing portions of Watsonville, San Benito County, North Monterey County and the southern part of the Pajaro Valley area since 2012.

I am deeply committed to providing the best educational opportunities for all our residents.

I have lived in the Watsonville area most of my life. I attended public schools, graduating from Watsonville High School, Cabrillo College, and Sonoma State.

As a local business owner, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and will do my part in helping guide the college during the next four years. I believe in volunteering and service to help our community expand educational opportunities for everyone.

For 25 years I was a Reserve Firefighter for the City of Watsonville. I have served Teachers and staff to support our Students is critical. Elect new leadership that works for all our kids.

“Voto Soto” for PVUSD School Board. Thank You.

Amanda Hernandez

Patient Care Technician, Monterey Filing montyzee88@gmail.com No candidate statement ••• Area 6

Maria Orozco

Incumbent/UCSC Financial Aid and Scholarship Adviser votemariaorozco.com vote4orozco@gmail.com of hard-working, dedicated, and deterin leadership capacities as a Board member for: Cabrillo College Foundation, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Watsonville (Past President), Watsonville Firefighters Association, Watsonville National Little League, Watsonville YMCA, and Watsonville YWCA.

I am committed to helping our residents realize their dreams of attending college, transferring to a 4-year university or obtaining the necessary technical training in preparation to enter our everchanging work environment.

Steven Laird Trujillo, 67

Author and Educator cruztbone@yahoo.com 831-479-4159

Our community college system is dysfunctional. It does not serve all the populations of our community.

I’m a Santa Cruz county resident since 1998. I was a Monterey county resident for 15 years prior. I served as an ad hoc counselor at De Anza College in 97-98. I served on the Santa Cruz city school board from 2010-2014. I served as a bilingual teacher to CA students for 36 years.

My life is dedicated to public service. Last October, the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz county recognized me as a “Hero of the Community”. Past pro bono service: MAPA and LULAC in Salinas, Retired Teachers of Santa Cruz county, Friends of the Library and the YMCA in Watsonville, Pajaro Village HOA in Watsonville.

Cabrillo has not had a successful tax override election in 16 years. Many in our community don’t feel Cabrillo serves them. We are in the middle of a historic depression. Taking ever increasing tax amounts from homeowners is not a solution. My job is not to warm a chair; my job is to bring needed

Pajaro Valley School Board Candidate Statements

Vote Oscar Soto for PVUSD School

Iwas raised in Watsonville in a family change. Vote Trujillo for Cabrillo November n mined individuals. I am a product of our PVUSD schools, a wife, and a proud mother to my three sons.

I graduated from Santa Clara University with degrees in Pre-law, Political Science and Communication, and a Masters in Governance from the California School Board Association.

After graduating, I returned to Watsonville to serve my community.

As the only Latina currently on the board, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to equity and access to a quality education for all students.