Community Matters
Community Matters
Podcast Description
Community Matters features guest interviews to discuss topics of interest to the Santa Cruz Community. We aim to help people better understand important local issues and learn how to get involved to make a positive difference. Please listen and call in to join the discussions.
Listen to Community Matters live every Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm PT on https://santacruzvoice.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers a variety of local themes including environmental issues, housing policies, community safety, and youth mental health. Specific episode examples include updates on the Seahawk Battery Energy Storage System, discussions about the Santa Cruz City Downtown Plan, and dialogues on voting measures affecting local communities, showcasing a commitment to informing and involving listeners in key local matters.
Community Matters features guest interviews to discuss topics of interest to the Santa Cruz Community. We aim to help people better understand important local issues and learn how to get involved to make a positive difference. Please listen and call in to join the discussions.
Listen to Community Matters live every Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm PT on https://santacruzvoice.com
First Hour: Gary Patton discusses the 1978 Voter Referedum Measure J’s importance in continuing to preserve agricultural lands, require 15% affordable housing in new subdivision projects, define the urban services line and require an annual County Growth Goal that reflects the County’s fair share of the State’s growth. It can only be changed by the vote of the people…so how can the County Draft BESS Ordinance remove acres of farmland for utility grid battery energy storage use????
Second Hour: Three Guests who are local activists speak out about public safety problems with the County BESS Ordinance:
Carol Bjorn:The importance of preserving agricultural land and demanding full EIR. Opt out of Central Coast Energy (3CE) because they support siting lithium BESS in our neighborhoods. https://3cenergy.org/billing/energy-choices/opt-out/
(‘Ban Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County’ meets 1st & 3rd Mondays at Porter Library, Soquel, at 6:30pm)
Phillip Carranco: Local activist and internationally -known regulatory policy expert: The County used very little of his professionally-developed BESS Ordinance gifted to them, such as seismic safety requirements and enforcement with large fines.
Karell Reader, local farmer and activist with ‘Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County’ shares concerns that Planning Dept. is too vague on environmental review of the BESS Ordinance and the 90 Minto Road BESS Project in Watsonville…the two are mingled and confusing and the public may not have opportunities to weigh in with concerns
SUPPORT THE ATTORNEY THIS GROUP HAS HIRED TO SAVE THE AG LANDS IN OUR COUNTY:
https://www.stoplithiumbessinsantacruz.org/
learn more about the County BESS Ordinance and MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON JANUARY 13 AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR MEETING IN SCOTTS VALLEY (WHY AREN’T THEY DISCUSSING THIS IN WATSONVILLE, WHERE THEIR ACTIONS WILL HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTS THERE!)
https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/UPC/GetInvolved/MajorProjectApplications/BatteryEnergyStorageSystemsOrdinance.aspx
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