Portends Drought Student Views: Should Cabrillo College Change Its Name?

COMMUNITY NEWS Student Views: Should Cabrillo College Change Its Name?

Dr. Adela Najarro, who teaches English YouTube. To read these essays, visit tinyurl. Although our college is named after 2 in the Puente Learning Commu- com/cabrillo-student-name-essays. Rodriguez Cabrillo, it doesn’t mean that nities at Cabrillo College, introduces (Full URL: https://docs.google.com/ it accepts the actions that this individual student essays on the topic, “Should Cabrillo document/d/13Vz_Nb3VN90P3L9YZzGP did but gives us an insight into who it College Change Its Name?” DSyaHsTmHddw-MF0StY-8I4/edit) was named. Not only that, it’s expensive

In “Composition & Critical Thinking,” ••• to change the name of this college just known as English 2, students wrote Graciela Yepez because of who it was named after. There persuasive essays expressing their point When it comes to discussing whether Cabrillo College should have a name are a lot of things to be taken into consideration on how it will affect things later in of view about renaming change, I have to disagree with changing the future. Cabrillo College. Stu- the name because there are a lot of things ••• dents argued both that need to be taken into consideration. Armando Membreno sides of the question after reviewing the An issue that has to be talked about when it comes to having a name change Do you believe the name “Cabrillo College” should be changed? Some issue through sources is that it’s an expensive thing to do. Also, will think it shouldn’t, or others believe it on the Cabrillo College website and after con- Dr. Adela Najarro people don’t like that it’s named after an individual that has done horrific things in should. I am here to say that I believe that the name “Cabrillo College” should be ••• Julia Pimentel ducting research at the Cabrillo College library databases. the past that is unacceptable. But this discussion is a teaching opportunity for the changed. Cabrillo College is named after Juan Many people believe that a name change for Cabrillo college is a necessary and

Students volunteered to share their college because they can use it to teach the Rodriguez Cabrillo, who carries a sinister vital action to do. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo perspectives on this document and at the wrongdoings that Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo past. Nowadays, in our society, many did an incredible amount of inhumane, Cabrillo College name change exploration committed and explain why these views statues and names are changed due to the cruel things to men, women, and children. event April 22 on Zoom and recorded on don’t represent the College. history that comes with it that is no longer For this and more reasons, many want a acceptable, as it can be seen as disrespectful name change for the college. and hateful. They don’t want the school to carry Renaming Cabrillo College is a con- the name of that kind of person. The name troversial subject; even though many causes more problems than what it already believe that the college’s name shouldn’t brings. It’s respectful to the victims or those be changed, we should change the college’s who know of Cabrillo’s history not to see it name and create a fresh start for the college publicly. that removes a horrible history. Although this may be a good solution Some individuals will point out that at first, a name change would make a sigthe name “Cabrillo College’’ has been nificant impact. The name change wouldn’t around for a while. Another point that change the harm caused in the past because many bring up is the cost of what it would people will still know what happened and take to rename the College. An interesting what he did to those innocent victims. point that individuals have brought up is The process of changing the name can that Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was not doing also be an expensive cost to the school. The anything illegal as sex trafficking was legal school shouldn’t go through this process as in the 16th century. the name can be a lesson about Cabrillo’s Although sex trafficking was not kind of person. More and more people can illegal back then, Juan Rodriguez know more about his life and learn about Cabrillo shouldn’t be honored for his him. disgusting past acts. As these points do There can be other solutions for not not sound convincing, it would be vital changing the school’s name, like using the to change the College’s name. Changing money to help disadvantaged indigenous the College’s name would show respect students. Other solutions include funding to the many students out there who are classes that lack money, more courses fighting to remove the name “Cabrillo’’ about racism, and helping the community. because of the bad history that comes There can also be statues and monuments along with it. remembering the victims of Cabrillo for This would help create a new fresh what they went through. Also, monuments start for the Cabrillo College, and give the that honor the indigenous people of the college some admiration. Nonetheless, area and what they went through. the cost shouldn’t be a reason why the Renaming Cabrillo College will cost college’s name can’t be changed. If any- too much; therefore, we should not rename thing, not changing the college’s name the school but instead spend those funds would make the college’s reputation to on monuments about the barbarity of the look bad. Spanish conquest of the Americas. n

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Students argued both sides of the question after reviewing the issue through sources on the Cabrillo College website and after conducting research at the Cabrillo College library databases.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Mail Thief Breaks In

Some 40 families living on Nelson Road in the Lockhart Gulch Road area were shocked to find someone used a crowbar to pry open their mailboxes in search of valuables.

The communal setup for U.S. Postal Service mail was created after a landslide in 2011, which closed Nelson Road for four years until repairs were made.

Now families face paying for a new set of mailboxes.

One resident talked to a deputy who is handling the case for an update. The case number is 21-02675 and the person who is in charge of the investigation is Brandon Polito.

His email is brandon.polito@santacruz county.us. n

In April, a crowbar was used to pry open a cluster of mailboxes for residents in the Nelson Road area, which is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

New Hire In City Hall administration, and a bachelor’s degree in

Casey Estorga has joined the city of political science. Scotts Valley as administrative services City Manager Tina Friend said director, overseeing Estorga, who started April 26, “brings finances, human extensive subject matter expertise, strong resources and infor- collaboration and communication skills mation technology. and a positive approach to challenges.”

He has worked ••• in the public, private, Attorney General Forms Diversity Council and nonprofit sectors, most recently with the On April 29, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the County of San Benito launch of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as deputy director of Casey Estorga Council within the California Department finance and administration for the Health of Justice (DOJ). & Human Services Agency. The new council will take steps to help

He has served four years on the Gilroy ensure that DOJ’s work environment and Planning Commission and has experience hiring and retention policies can continue at Gavilan College teaching courses on to be a model for elevating the voices of all government. Californians in the workforce.

He has a master’s degree in urban “Briefs” page 18planning, a master’s degree in public

May is both a beautiful and intelligent month, being under the two signs of Taurus (Art of Living, flowers) and Gemini (Mercury’s messages). The Taurus keynote is “Let Struggle within duality be undismayed” allowing harmony to emerge from conflicts and chaos. Gemini’s keynote is “let instability do it’s purifying work.” Humanity learns through struggle and instability. They help each of us build a strong interactive personality, the vehicle that interacts with nature and the beauty of form and matter.

The beginning of May is May Day or Beltane. In between these two is Mother’s Day (May 9), the Ascension (May 13), Shavuot (May 16), the Sun entering Gemini (May 20), Pentecost and Saturn retrograde (May 23) and finally a lunar eclipse and the Gemini Festival of Goodwill (May 26). It’s quite a month of festivals (and May flowers).

May Day is a day of various celebrations, from ancient times to the present. It is the Festival of Flora (Roman Goddess of flowers). Floralia was a five-day Roman celebration. For the Druids, a new fire was lit on Beltane (May Day) signifying the life of the springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fires for purification. In Catholicism, May is Mary’s month. On May 1st the Virgin Mary, the Queen of May is crowned with flowers. At Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood, Mary’s Day (directed by Sister Corita) was celebrated yearly with parades, art, flowers, singing.

In earlier, simpler times, May baskets, containing sweets, breads, fruits and flowers, were given as gifts, left anonymously on doorsteps.

In India, May 1st is International Workers Day. In China it’s Labor Day, a public holiday. In England (and in America) there’s Morris Dancing and festivities around a Maypole (circle dance with ribbons). May Day in earlier times celebrated fertility, early harvests fetes and community gatherings. In America, May Day is International Workers Day, Loyalty Day, and Rule of Law Day.

May Day marks the end of the unfarmable winter months in the north. We also know Mayday as an international distress signal, an emergency code word, from the French venez m’aider, meaning ‘Come help me’. Sadly, the puritans frowned on May Day (celebrations).

We end the month with the Gemini Festival of Humanity. For more information each day and during the month of May, see Risa’s website — www.nightlightnews.org/Daily-Studies.

ARIES

Be aware this month of defining your self-identity (a good thing) in terms of values and virtues, not just possessions. It’s good to focus on needs and financial capabilities. Realize possessions do not define identity or self as valuable — a spiritual lens that needs continual refreshing and remembering. What is the message here? You’re valuable not only in money but in virtue, courage, strength and spirit. Tithe often.

TAURUS

Attempt to express thoughts and feelings of love, appreciation, care and nurturance to those close to you. Consider ways of using resources for future investments, not necessarily the stock market. You must begin to tend to unfinished business, communications, finances, and responsibilities. This may be difficult and will take discipline. Order and organization allow you to have the presence of mind to recognize your next endeavor, a service that answers to the present crisis and world need.

GEMINI

Working quietly and in solitude (even if in the world), preparing to dream and remembering those dreams, asking yourself serious questions and awaiting the revelatory answers is part of this month’s inner agenda. Simultaneously, something may appear that becomes a resource. It’s possibly a group you finally identify with. Each day search for what’s hidden, magic, mystical and spiritually valuable. Your values are becoming universal. Community beckons.

CANCER

You need to communicate more, share experiences, aspirations, hopes, wishes and dreams with friends. You cannot keep yourself isolated. It is not healthy to do so. Who, beyond family, are your friends? They provide you with challenges, yes. However, they are your true (beyond the biological) family. You must take authentic steps toward them. Also, garden as if your life depended upon it.

LEO

You have a deep strength supporting and aiding you when everything seems strange, difficult, tedious or restricted. This strength holds you in safety and assurance that all needs will be provided. Your accomplishments in the world are important, valuable and purposeful. But there’s one question. If you are unhappy, what do you wish you were doing instead? Where and why?

VIRGO

It’s possible you feel restrictions in your physical body coming from how you value and see yourself and perhaps in thinking of yourself as not creative. A new sense of internal structure is forming, providing you with a new perspective to bring forth what you would like to be. It’s possible previous philosophical beliefs will change. This leads to a liberation of values and a development of new virtues.

LIBRA

Take time to assess your care for friends, intimates, partnerships and environments. By participating with others and sharing resources, you’re creating deep and lasting connections (which releases Love) that provide comfort, nurture and regeneration. Relationships between you and others, in a state of separation, also must be assessed. What are they? Why the separation? You have ignored them too long. What we reject remains intimately with us. Sadness is the result. Forgiveness frees us.

SCORPIO

We live in very interesting times. It’s possible you’ve become (or want to) attracted to something deep and mysterious. Simultaneously you seek new experiences of safety and security, joint resources, and deep intimacy. You want to experience the Art of Living. These are good. Do be aware though that if you attract what’s sad and moody, you too become sad and moody. Be awake and aware of various subtle levels of energy all around. Brood upon them.

SAGITTARIUS

You need freedom, a new level of harmony, a release from limitations, struggle and duality following you around. You’re waiting for a life change, resolution of conflict, and refinement of things financial. At work, tend carefully to those around you. Here is a little mantra that the New Group of World Servers recites at noon. Perhaps you will join us. “I know O Lord of life and love about the need. Touch my heart anew with love, so I may love and give and do my part in a world in need.”

CAPRICORN

As everything of value centers around your domestic life, it’s important to realize that your goodness is about who and what you embrace, how you care, whom you include and nourish and what you create. Your goodness is not about what you deny, resist or exclude. Life is a great discipline. We live on multiple levels simultaneously and within a great paradox. This is a seed thought to meditate, rely upon and hum like a mantra. Om Mani Padme Hum. The mantra of compassion.

AQUARIUS

Whenever in difficulty, pray, recite mantras, have gratitude. Then live changes. As you feel grateful for home and family, you create closer contact (releasing love) with everyone else. Looking into your life, past, you realize what belief systems are defining your thoughts. From these choices and actions emerge. This is a mathematical equation. Your thoughts are the foundation of your life. Build your future with your creative imagination Walk around your neighborhood. Take architectural and gardening notes. Plant a little garden in pots.

PISCES

Tend to money carefully. Tell everyone they are of great value and worth. Know many will not understand. Speak the words anyway. It may be you have one good day and several confused and disoriented days. Rest within the confusion. A new harmony will come forth. Create a journal of the perfect village, community, monastery with gardens, flowers, trees, cottages, schools, a little temple. Resources begin to be structured differently. A new rhythm of values emerges. All of this is valuable for future work. “Briefs” from page 17

“California is one of the most diverse states in the country,” said Bonta. “And it’s critical that we work to ensure our institutions reflect that reality … We recognize that our strength is our people — and the stronger we are, the better we can serve. To all those who want to help make California fairer and more just: come join us. We’re always looking for the best talent to help us defend the people, values, and resources of California.”

While minority communities remain underrepresented among licensed attorneys in the state, Bonta said DOJ is committed to ensuring its workforce reflects California’s diversity, improving recruitment and hiring efforts and making it a top priority to build up the quality and diversity of candidate pools. •••

Wanted: Public Works Director

Scotts Valley is looking for a public works director to succeed Daryl Jordan who joined the city in September 2018 and is retiring. The deadline to apply is June 1.

Appointed by and reporting to the city manager, the public works director will oversee a budget of $7.3 million and a staff of 20.5 full-time equivalent employees in the Engineering, Maintenance, Parks and Recreation, and Wastewater Divisions. The department oversees planning, design, construction, maintenance, repairs and operations for city infrastructure.

Extensive experience in progressively responsible public works, some in a supervisory capacity and including the management of major public works functions, development of capital programs and experience with budgeting, personnel and procurement are required. A certificate to practice as a registered professional civil engineer issued by the State of California is desirable but not required.

The annual salary range is $122,148 to $171,888 depending on qualifications and experience.

To apply, go to www.peckhamand mckenney.com/public-works-director-city-ofscotts-valley-ca

••• May 7: Mental Health Survey Deadline

Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services announce a community survey for stakeholders to vote on the next Prop. 63 Mental Health Services Act innovation proposal.

Your voice and vote will guide the next five-year Innovation Plan with an anticipated start date of April 2022.

First watch a video at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCCINN showcasing two proposals formed from stakeholder feedback, then vote on your preferred innovation. The survey will close 5 p.m. Friday, May 7.

More information at https://tinyurl. com/schealth-mental-service n