Reflections on My Tenth Year as Your County Supervisor, By Zach Friend

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Reflections on My Tenth Year as Your County Supervisor

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

As I begin each new year as your County Supervisor, I like to report back in this column on some of the things we’ve accomplished because of your partnership and communication of priorities.

The year 2022 saw some historic South County investments, continued investment in roads and parks and some change at the Board of Supervisors. However, we still have a number of challenges in our community — from a number of local residents continuing to rebuild from the CZU fires, hospitals and health clinics facing continued strains from COVID, flu and RSV challenges, nonprofit and faith partners seeing a continued increase in demand for safety net services and more.

While the past year presented a number of challenges, as a community we still accomplished a lot. Here is a very small overview of what was accomplished in our district in 2022 and a window into what we will continue to work on, together, in 2023.

Preserving South County Health

Care Access: One of the largest issues in 2022 was working to save Watsonville Community Hospital. The herculean effort saw the community raise about half of the one $60 million price tag and the County and State funding significant portions to bring the hospital back into community ownership and save it from bankruptcy.

The hospital is provides lifeline service to many residents in our district and is an essential part of the greater regional health system.

Additional South County Invest-

ments: Work continued to bring a new South County Service Center — a fullservice County government building similar to the one in downtown Santa Cruz.

The new center, located on Westridge Drive in Watsonville, will bring County services to residents in the southern and mid-county areas in ways never previously experienced. This will save on commutes and provide direct access to health, human services, public safety and many other services.

Using federal investment funds we also brought new high-speed internet options online for some South County residents near Bradley Elementary, Calabasas and some other schools. This year we will see additional investment in high-speed internet infrastructure to expand access and coverage to South County residents.

Local Roads: Measure D work continued this year in Rio Del Mar and some areas along Soquel near the library as well as some road prep work for next year’s Measure D work in Seacliff. Additionally, speed tables were installed in two sections of Rio Del Mar due to a neighborhood partnership and some new beacon crosswalks are planned with grant funding for multiple locations in our district — providing a safer pedestrian crossing option.

Storm damage repairs have continued, including awarding the contract for repairs on Trout Gulch. Additionally, storm damage work along Valencia and San Andreas was completed and tree work (to prevent road blockages and downed power lines) was conducted throughout the district.

With our securing of $107 million in State Congested Corridors funding, there will be significant improvements on Soquel (for bike and pedestrians), the new Mar Vista bike/pedestrian overcrossing will become a reality and additional auxiliary lanes on Highway 1.

Flood Control: One of the greatest accomplishments this year was the continued progress on the Pajaro River levee project. After successfully securing a $181 million investment from the State for the local share of the flood control project, we secured a federal commitment for the project that will ensure that the project becomes fully funded.

In addition, local voters supported an assessment for ongoing operations and maintenance. This is the largest investment, from any state, in a levee project like this one and the first time in history we’ve seen this level of federal investment in any local infrastructure project.

We’ve hosted regular visits from senior members of the D.C. Army Corps Headquarters and regional office, had a visit from Sen. Alex Padilla other Congressional, White House and State partners essential to the funding of the project and keeping the momentum going.

Parks: This year we broke ground on the reimagining of Willowbrook Park in honor of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.

The park, thanks to significant community contributions and a large investment from the County, will include a new reflection and memorial area in Sgt. Gutzwiller’s honor, a new playground with improved accessibility features and a revamped tennis, basketball and pickleball area.

The tennis/basketball/pickleball courts were completed and the memorial area is now under construction.

Libraries: Major steps have been taken toward fulfilling the promises of Measure S.

The Aptos branch remodel is wellunderway with stunning features, high ceilings and lots of natural light.

It will reopen to our community in the summer of 2023. The remodel follows La Selva and Capitola Branch libraries that reopened over the last two years after their remodels.

Community Meetings & Outreach: In 2022, we continued community meetings throughout the district.

Community and neighborhood meetings were held in Seacliff, La Selva, Rio Del Mar, Watsonville, Capitola and Corralitos.

In addition, I’ve written approximately 50 columns in local papers (like this one) and neighborhood newsletters to communicate with our district about county happenings while maintaining social media presence to share information about our district.

Moving Forward: The above is just a partial list of what has been accomplished this year and I know there is a lot more to do on all of these issues in 2023.

Looking forward, this year we can expect the new library to come online, the next phase of the Aptos Village to be under construction, a new hotel to begin construction in the Seacliff area, new affordable housing developments to begin in multiple locations in the County and much more.

We will also have two new County Supervisors taking office, Supervisor Justin Cummings in the 3rd District and Supervisor Felipe Hernandez in the 4th District.

This past year we estimate that as an office we received nearly 20,000 emails and calls from constituents and the communityat-large many with requests for service to our office on road issues, neighborhood public safety concerns, storm damage, environmental issues, PG&E outages, library remodeling, the Watsonville Community Hospital, behavioral health issues, criminal justice reform efforts, hotel and development projects, Internet access and more. n

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As always, I appreciate your feedback. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

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Krissi the Kitten!

Krissi greets everyone with big purrs. She loves people and is very engaging. She gets her kitten energy out with wand and feather toys and after a play session is happy to curl up in your lap. Krissi’s fur is sooo soft — it’s one of our favorite things about her!

You have to feel it to believe it. She is an easygoing kitten and we think she would do well in a variety of environments.

Now through the end of December SCCAS is having a “Home for the Holidays Adoption Special” where all Shelter pets will be available for a “Pay it Forward” adoption donation of the adopters’ choice. The suggested donation is between $50-$200 and adopters can select a fund for their donations to go to: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (specialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip (including registration), age-appropriate vaccinations, routine treatment for worms/fleas, and a free pet wellness exam with a local participating veterinarian. If you are looking for a furry friend for the holidays, come to the Shelter and meet your new best cuddle buddy!

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:

Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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Winter Fun

MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM OPEN HOUSE

10 a.m.-5 p.m., 886 Cannery Row, Monterey To show appreciation to the local community, Monterey Bay Aquarium will host a Community Open House for residents of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties (valid identification required).

No tickets or reservations necessary, but visitors must present a photo ID and proof of current Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito county residence. This includes: • Photo I.D. with a local address • Matricula Consular • Current student identification from any university or community college located within any of these counties • Utility bill • Monthly bus passes from Monterey-Salinas Transit, Santa Cruz Metro, or San Benito County Express • Individuals who reside in a senior center or other group home may present a letter from the organization where they live with their name listed as a resident. Photo ID will be required.

Don’t forget to bring your matching photo ID. Guests of local tri-county residents must pay regular admission prices and pur-chase tickets in advance.

Thursday January 25

LUNCH WITH SUPERVISOR ZACH FRIEND

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will have a lunch meeting at Seascape Golf Club, featuring Second District Supervisor Zach Friend as the speaker. The price is $30 for members in advance, $35 non-members and at the door. RSVP at 831-688-1467.

Thursday January 26

VOLUNTEER FOR 2023 PIT COUNT

5 p.m.-10 a.m., Location TBD The County of Santa Cruz is moving to conducting the Point in Time homeless count annually and needs community support.

The 2023 PIT count will be done using an app-based data collection tool, and will cover the entire county in one morning. Sign up at https://asr.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_2f3KayP7qtQJNdk

Volunteers will work in groups, meeting their team members either at a central deployment center location or a convenient location before walking/ driving their assigned routes and aiding with data collection.

Volunteers are asked to bring their vehicles to use in the count if they are able. Contact Alex Werner at alex@appliedsurveyresearch.org. for more information.

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The Housing for Health Partnership and Applied Survey Research will host community meetings to gather input and volunteers for the count Friday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon and Thursday, Jan. 12, time TBA. Meetings will be in person. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ santa-cruz-county-2023-point-in-time-count-planningmeeting-tickets-464743970727

Saturday January 28

education visit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, sponsored by the Santa Clara Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. This is the closest local stop for Santa Cruz County. Admission is free.

The exhibit educates visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes and serves as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam Veterans.

“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who have served and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” said Karen Worcester, executive director. “The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the stories of those who served and sacrificed.”

On Dec. 17, Wreaths Across America coordinated 596 truckloads of wreaths to all 50 states and beyond, delivering to 3,702 locations a total of 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths. Sponsoring a wreath is $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica. org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live balsam wreath to be placed on the headstone of an American hero on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, National Wreaths Across America Day.

Saturday February 11

25 YEARS OF HOPE & HEALING DINNER

6 p.m. (Dinner at 7 p.m.), Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., SC Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services will celebrate 25 years of hope & healing at a gala at the Cocoanut Grove. There will be food, drinks, music, dancing, and inspiring stories. Tickets are $125 per person (other options available) at https://jacobsheart.ticketspice.com/25years

Friday February 24 thru Sunday February 26

2023 BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

7 p.m. each night, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz Get off the beaten path, stand on the highest peaks, ski the steepest slopes, and be a part of the gripping adventures waiting for you at the 2023 Banff Centre Moun-tain Film Festival World Tour, brought to you by UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec.

Tickets are $23 for Aspen (Fri) and Juniper (Sun), $25 for Willow (Sat), with each night featuring completely different films. A special $10 rate is available for UCSC students for the Juniper show.

This event supports UCSC Adventure Rec student programs, affording UCSC stu-dents the chance to share in the magic of outdoor adventures.

Film ratings and advisories are included in the descriptions. Consider checking be-fore purchasing tickets for the young adventurers in your life. For tickets and list of films visit https://recreation.ucsc.edu/ adventure/banff.html

Fabric, Hawaiian surfer Mainei Kinimaka (Aspen)

Saturday February 25

PVUSD PARENT CONFERENCE

8 a.m.-3p.m., E. A. Hall Middle School, 201 Brewington Ave, Watsonville Pajaro Valley Unified School District will host a daylong parent conference at E.A. Hall Middle School. n