Pesticide use in the Santa Cruz county
Pesticides are not only harming farmworkers but also us. Pesticide use is a huge problem that is especially affecting us since we are surrounded by agriculture. It is very important to find new ways to control invasive pests, a way this can be accomplished is by using natural pesticides. An article titled “A focus on agricultural pesticide applications” states that agriculture is the second highest income generator in the county, bringing in $1.5 billion in overall economic impacts. The use of harmful pesticides used near us is not a coincidence, this is a form of environmental racism. The same article states that “The director of the center for farmworker families, Ann Lopez, said ‘you would not find this in the north county of Santa Cruz, or if it was there, there would be such an uproar that you would hear about it all over the country.’”
My grandpa worked in the fields, and he says that when he and all the other workers would be picking the strawberries there would be other people spraying chemicals just a few feet away. Due to this, my grandpa got diagnosed with cancer.
He is not the only one. His situation is an ongoing issue among farmworkers.
Santa Cruz County has the second highest rate of childhood cancer in California, 36% higher than the state average. It’s not surprising, because agricultural corporations like Driscoll’s and California Giant Berry Farms spray an estimated 5,060 acres of cancer-causing pesticides in the Pajaro Valley every year, including near schools and homes where children spend most of their time.
Andrea Palmerin Alfaro
Watsonville
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Inflammatory rhetoric is not the way
The Pajaro Valley School District and the various unions that contract with the district have reached an impasse since they have not agreed to terms. The state has a process for resolving the disputes in an attempt to avoid a strike. First is mediation, and if that fails, there is a fact finder who will sort out the facts from the hype. It seems that the unions want to avoid that impartial fact finder by staging demonstrations and disruptions at board meetings in the hopes of intimidating the board to acquiesce to their demands.
With the process already in place, let’s see if mediation will bring the sides together. If that does not resolve the dispute, then a neutral fact finder will determine whether the district’s proposals have merit and whether the union’s demands are reasonable.
The public has a right to know which side is justified in their demands. Publicity stunts and political theater like we have seen are not necessary, and only serve the union leadership and not their members. PVUSD is not in good financial shape, and they need to act responsibly as do the unions. Hopefully a strike can be averted, but inflammatory rhetoric is not the way to proceed.
Gil Stein
Aptos
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The hard truth: Understanding and overcoming Depression
The people who tend to struggle with depression are the ones who can be the brightest people in the room. They are the ones who find it easier to make you smile rather than themselves.
Oftentimes, people who struggle with depression find it difficult to reach out for help. I have dealt with a lot of pressure as a student athlete, and in trying to maintain the level of expectations I have set for myself.
Throughout my entire life, I have dealt with adversity with family and friend issues and extreme stages of grief. The absolute worst of all was the sudden passing of my older brother. That event really played a major role in my life in many ways. Being a student-athlete means there will always be people keeping their eyes on you, whether it is for the student part or the athlete part. Regardless, you will always have the added pressure. Preparing for sporting events over many years can take a lot out of athletes. It’s a fight for seconds, minutes, points, heights, the most wins, or the most successful season.
Studies have shown that student-athletes (22.3%) were at risk for depression, anxiety (12.5%), and low self-esteem (8%).
You are given this certain level of expectations, and you are expected to follow up because you committed to this. You, as a student-athlete, are expected to maintain good grades and attendance while trying to perform at the highest level for your sport. Since the age of 6 years old, I have been playing basketball at an extreme level. From age 6 to now, basketball has been my only passion, and it shows. I play hurt, sick, tired, and I lose sleep, skip meals, and overall destroy myself for the game I “love.” Understanding and overcoming depression is something many people struggle with doing. However it is very much possible to overcome such adversity.
Matthew Grell, 17
Watsonville High School
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At-large system right for Capitola
I strongly support Capitola’s transition from at-large elections to district-based elections. This important change will bring fairer and more responsive representation to our community of nearly 10,000 residents.
Under the old at-large system, neighborhood-specific issues often got overlooked. Whether you live near the beach and Wharf, along Soquel Creek, in the residential hills, or in eastern Capitola, each area has its own distinct character, needs, and challenges. District elections ensure that every part of our city will have a council member who actually lives there and understands local concerns like traffic, parking, housing, and preserving our small-town charm.
This new system promotes stronger accountability, makes it easier for regular residents to run for office, and better protects our diverse communities of interest. It also responsibly addresses legal concerns under the California Voting Rights Act, saving taxpayers from expensive lawsuits.
I urge the City Council and demographer to draw sensible, compact district lines that keep neighborhoods intact and respect natural boundaries. With careful implementation, this reform will make Capitola’s democracy more inclusive, equitable, and effective.
Capitola is a wonderful, tight-knit community. Moving to district elections is the right step forward to ensure every voice truly matters.
Mike Lelieur
Pleasure Point
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Trouble at Pajaro Middle School
Pajaro Middle School is flooding once again, but this time, instead of water, the campus is drowning in incompetence from the principal causing a lack of safety.
Following devastating flooding, the school reopened in 2025 with a part-time principal. After suffering trauma, relocation, and separation, this was deemed sufficient. The school needed to rebuild more than just a few classrooms.
Thanks to dedicated staff, the principal was moved to full-time. Unfortunately, things did not improve as hoped. Failure to maintain safety was so frequent, six teachers filed a grievance with PVUSD.
This year the hope lasted for a month. Poor communication and supervision and fights amongst students started the year. Since January the principal has failed to address:
• Selling drugs on campus
• Weapons and threats against a student
• Proper response during lock-down
• Supporting students after an attack on a classmate
Staff response was a vote of no confidence, supported by 88% of them and 71 pages of documentation.
Through grievances and complaints, the district never stepped in. The principal has chosen to stay when presented with an opportunity for a fresh start.
Pajaro deserves a school where they feel confident sending students. However, the loss of trust between principal and staff makes this impossible. For PMS to rebuild safety and trust a replacement is needed that will put the safety of students first.
PVMS staff
