Saturday letters to the editor: Writers praise Friend, Beckett, Pirie

Candidate Friend is knowledgable and thoughtful



To the Editor:

I recently enjoyed the opportunity to meet and listen to Zach Friend at a neighbor’s home. I was favorably impressed by his knowledge of the many issues of importance to the residents of the 2nd District.

I was equally pleased by his ability to listen to the questions and comments of the group of attendees and to respond appropriately. His discussion of the Safeway development plans demonstrated a thoughtful approach toward resolving issues, with a goal of protecting the interests of the community, while recognizing the limits of governmental authority. I recommend a vote for Zach Friend for Second District Supervisor.



A. Keith Lesar

Aptos



Candidate Beckett will serve honestly



To the Editor:

I fully support Daniel Beckett, candidate for 2nd District Supervisor.

A vote for Daniel Beckett is a vote to reverse the trend of increased bureaucracy and internal spending in all county departments at the expense of infrastructure and public protection for the rest of us.

Daniel will be a voice of reason and sound fiscal policy on the Board which for the past two decades has overspent and propagated excessive bureaucracy within all levels of county government. I see voting for Daniel as an opportunity to reverse that trend.

Daniel will honestly serve his constituency, not a larger political framework as Mr. Friend may be prone to. Daniel does not view serving as Supervisor as a path to other public office, as I believe Mr. Friend does. Daniel comes from the private sector, is a life-long resident of his District, and is a private property owner, all segments of the population that have been seriously underrepresented for a very long time in Santa Cruz County.

I truly hope those who agree that Santa Cruz County Government needs a change will vote for Daniel Beckett on June 5.



Kevin Larkin

Corralitos



Friend the best for filling Ellen Pirie’s shoes



To the Editor:

Whoever wins the 2nd District Supervisorial race has a hard act to follow. Supervisor Ellen Pirie has built a strong legacy of accomplishments over these past 12 years. The County has faced many challenging issues over this time period, and Pirie showed leadership on many of these issues.

Her vision for the future of the 2nd District, and the County as a whole, aligns with the aspirations of most of her electorate. What makes her accomplishments possible is her combination of a strong intellect, good communication skills, and a passion for Santa Cruz County. Thank you for your service Ellen!

Now, however, who on the slate of candidates we are now voting on has the best chance of filling her shoes? Zach Friend seems to me to be the one.



Bob Katz

Aptos





Miller’s Sandwich and Ice Cream Shop says farewell



To the Editor:

The Miller family (Dennis, Patty, Julie and Michelle) would like to take this opportunity to thank the Register-Pajaronian, the faculty and students at Watsonville High School (and other PVUSD schools in the downtown area), Martinelli’s, CRLA, Salud Para La Gente, Hope Services, Cabrillo College, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and all the residents of the Watsonville community who have patronized our business since we opened in July 2007.

Miller’s Sandwich and Ice Cream Shop will be closing on June 8 after being in business for nearly five years. Miller’s was probably the best kept secret in Watsonville with our business located on Center and Carr streets between East Beach Street and East Lake Avenue. We have provided a healthy choice for breakfast and lunch to the high school students and faculty and workers in the surrounding area. In 2010 we were awarded the Golden Carrot Award for providing healthy food options. Our Polar Bear Ice Cream has been a delicious favorite of our customers.

Michelle, who has been managing the restaurant (and putting in 11-plus hour days), as well as her sister, Julie, are moving on to complete their college educations and to follow their career paths. This has been an enormous educational opportunity for them, running a business with their father. We are extremely grateful and appreciative to the community for all the support and life lessons that were learned along the way. We also want to thank those who have assisted us in providing exceptional service to our customers over the years.

We will miss the many contacts we have made in the community and look forward to running into our customers within the community as we all continue along life’s path! We hope you can stop by during our last week in business to bid us farewell (open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily). Thank you.



Dennis, Patty, Julie and Michelle

Miller’s Sandwich and Ice Cream Shop

Watsonville



Keystone XL pipeleine is fraught with flaws



To the Editor:

Friends of Big Oil have been making a habit in this session of Congress of holding essential legislation hostage in order to hasten construction of the dangerous Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline.

It’s happening again now as Congress takes one more stab at passing a bipartisan transportation bill — a critical piece of infrastructure legislation that is important to our future economic growth and is conservatively estimated to create one million jobs.

Keystone XL is fraught with flaws, from the destruction of pristine boreal forest ecosystems, to the potential leaks into the Ogallala aquifer along its route. This measure is a poison pill, a gift to Big Oil that threatens the transportation bill, and could hold up road and transit projects and squash much needed jobs.

Instead of encouraging the production of one the dirtiest, most polluting fuels and sending it through America’s heartland, Congress should be promoting clean energy solutions. Keystone XL is a devious dagger in the transportation bill that will not bring us closer to energy self-sufficiency, but further line the already bulging pockets of Big Oil.



Susan Bayer

Santa Cruz

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