Editorials

Mountain community unites in time of need

Although mountain dwellers are reputed to be an independent sort, they also have a reputation for sticking together in time of need. Those who live in the Santa Cruz Mountains have stuck together through fires and floods and a devastating earthquake.

So when word began to spread last week that popular middle-school principal Lorrie Wernick had been fired, the mountain community came together again.

Although it was legal within the Education Code for the district to let Wernick go without cause, community members didn't think it was fair--particularly for a principal who had won support for making herself completely accessible to parents.

That Wernick was told she would be put on administrative leave immediately also rankled.

And so, two days after Superintendent Mary Ellen Lewis informed Wernick of her status, hundreds of community members showed up at a school board meeting.

To their credit, board members gave those in the audience an opportunity to speak before reconvening behind closed doors.

No one's talking about what prompted the decision to fire Wernick in the first place, nor is anyone saying what went on behind closed doors among Lewis, Wernick and the board.

One can only guess that the board and the superintendent figured nothing good could come of an administrative action that rallied the community as quickly as a raging fire or rivers of mud toppling trees had done in the past.

Bear Creek Preserve

We sincerely hope the Midpeninsula Open Space District gets what it bargained for when it signed a 150-page contract with Arlie Land and Cattle Co.

We've been following the trials and tribulations of the Alma College property since Los Gatan Pete Denevi first announced plans some five years ago to turn the area into a golf course and country club.

After Arlie bought the property in 1997, including the 211 acres where Denevi had his option, the Oregon-based company dug up old land grants, effectively circumventing current planning regulations which limit lots to about half the 50 now being discussed. Arlie brought a lawsuit--and lost--against the Greenbelt Alliance. A lawsuit brought by Pete Denevi is still pending.

We agree that the open space district had to take the leap, but the contract that paves the way for the creation of the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is fraught with contingencies.

We hope the district can prevail upon the Packard Foundation for the funding that would allow the purchase of all the land and the logging rights. Without this backing, we fear the district will be in for a long and bumpy ride.

Police Report

Drawbacks of a universal remote

Obituary: Olivia Davies

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

Wildcats succeed at K-Bell Invitational

LG tennis team splits two decisions

Ben Shanker pitches to LG win