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COMMUNITY NEWS
Women: Your Turn To Run For Office By Jondi Gumz
f you see more names of for a seat on the Watsonville female and Latinx candiCity Council. dates on your ballot in June, To those who think they are not yet qualified, Santa perhaps they were inspired by Cruz Mayor Donna Meyers an October webinar featuring said women coming out women who have run and of careers in nonprofts or won-- or ran and lost, teaching are natural leaders. The 2-hour virtual event A bigger question, on Zoom was sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Women’s Ana Ventura Phares Meyers said, is: “How do Commission and League of Women Voters you bring your true self (to the elected of Santa Cruz County. A followup survey role)? How do you keep your focus on what matters most to you?” was in Spanish and English An elected official must vote on At the peak, 75 were in attendance. Women make up about half the popu- hundreds of agenda items during a lation in Santa Cruz County and hold about 4-year term, so it’s a challenge to keep the issue that got you elected in focus. 36% of elected offices. Capitola Mayor Yvette Lopez The June 2022 election seems a long while off, but from committing to run, Brooks, who won in her first campaign getting signatures of supporters, raising for office in 2020, admitted she “was funds for the campaign, getting voters’ terrified… but took the plunge.” She attention and securing their votes, is it a said she was asked to run by Capitola Councilwoman Kristen Petersen. job for a rookie? Brooks posts regular updates about “I’m so glad I went first,” Ana Ventura Phares, who won her campaign Capitola on her Facebook page. She
Please join us in-person for our fall
has an interview series on Facebook Monday, October 18, from 6-7 p.m. she will talk with representatives from Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) and then on Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 6-7 p.m. her guest is Santa Cruz County Superintendent Dr. Faris Sabbah. “Put yourself out there,” said Jenny Sarmiento, who lost her bid for Watsonville City Council despite her nonprofit experience and serving on the Planning Commission. She signed up for Toastmasters to improve her public speaking skills, and found it worthwhile. “You understand other points of view,” she said. “Our voices matter,” said Stephanie Barron Lu, executive director, executive
director, Positive Discipline Communti8y Resources. Dorian Seamster was the moderator. Former longtime county clerk and elections official Gail Pellerin gave words of encouragement. Tricia Webber, her appointed successor will be on the ballot in June, seeking a full term. Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati, who was elected to the bench in June 2018, will also be on the ballot. In 2022, seats on local school boards, water board and recreation boards will be on county ballots — unless the number of candidates equals the number of seats, in which case, the candidates will be sworn in, no election needed. “Women in Office” page 23
U.S. Bank — Back in Aptos
Open House October 16, 11:00am - 2:00pm
RSVP suggested, contact: admissions@MountMadonnaSchool.org Bus transportation / Nonsectarian CAIS & WASC accredited / 375-acre campus Independent, nonprofit school
408-847-2717 MountMadonnaSchool.org 18 / October 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
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ibbon-cuttings have been few this year, but U.S. Bank got a warm welcome from the Aptos Chamber of Commerce when it opened its newest branch on Oct. 6. The new
office is located in the remodeled Rancho Del Mar shopping center in Aptos. U.S. Bank formerly had a branch elsewhere in Aptos. n
