Plus Letters to Good Times
Sustainability Now
Hand Over the Money, Honey
Dollar Dazed
Last week we read that several parking lots in Santa Cruz will suddenly be affecting your pocketbook—come March 1, it’s going to cost. Judging by all the comments we received online about last week’s “Pay to Park” story (see Letters), it seems, not surprisingly, that the news didn’t go over too well. Well, on some level, I suppose it makes sense. The City is always looking for ways to boost revenue. But, for some, it’s a bit headscratching. For as inventive and creative as Santa Cruz considers itself to be, I’d be curious to know what other ideas may have floated around City Council chambers. Were there any? And bless the councilmembers. I cannot think of a worse fate than to sit there and maneuver oneself through the often painstaking tasks of sifting through agendas and dilemmas and, of course, all of Santa Cruz’s more colorful personalities. (Or, not so colorful.) Oh. the patience it must require. Still, I wonder if the folks on the council are really having fun? Do they greet the day feeling invigorated and excited? Are they thrilled to serve? Does their excitement spill out into the community, creating a fascinating ripple effect of enthusiasm? Questions—I am forever asking them. (And no, I didn’t just write this after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.) Well, I suppose we could ask these same questions of oursevles. Are we happy, excited and thrilled to be planted right where we are? Not a bad thing to ask actually.
