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Santa Cruz County - 2nd District
Kristen
Brown
Question 1:
The Regional Transportation Commission owns the rail corridor. The RTC has unanimously affirmed its commitment to institute high capacity public transit service on the Santa Cruz Branch Line.
Do you support implementing electric passenger rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Kristen:
Yes.
Why or why not? How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Kristen:
We need to continue planning for the implementation of electric passenger rail, as indicated by the outcome of the Measure D vote in 2022. Last year, I voted to approve the electric passenger rail project concept report, along with the additional funding needed to complete the report. I will continue to move forward with planning efforts and look forward to the additional information that the concept report will provide, allowing us to make informed policy decisions.
Question 2:
Construction has begun on the trail next to the tracks, but some segments have faced opposition and resulting delays.
Do you support building a trail next to the tracks from Davenport to Watsonville?
Kristen:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Kristen:
Yes, I support building a trail next to the tracks wherever possible and will work to see that come to fruition. I will remind constituents that the RTC approved a passenger rail project concept report in 2023 that is anticipated to be completed in late-2024 or early-2025. This report will include additional details related to the development of the rail and trail alignment, and many of the questions that residents currently have will be answered at that time.
Question 3:
Neighborhoods with safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks create room for us to move freely without our cars.
Do you support improved street infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists?
Kristen:
Yes.
How would you support or prioritize projects, policies and funding to improve safety and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists?
Kristen:
I support complete streets and safe routes to school projects, and active transportation infrastructure such as buffered/green bike lanes and pedestrian overcrossings. I will consider pedestrian and active transportation safety in all transportation projects, and seek out grants and other funding opportunities for such projects.
Question 4:
The June 2022 Greenway Measure D sought to “rail bank” and tear up the tracks for a trail only.
Did you oppose the June 2022 Ballot Measure D?
Kristen:
Yes.
What do you think are the implications of the 73% defeat of measure D?
Kristen:
The defeat of Measure D indicated voters desire to maintain the rail corridor for passenger rail service. With that in mind, in my role on the RTC, I voted in favor of the electric passenger rail project concept report, and the additional funding needed to complete the report. I also advocated for an additional $2million in funding for passenger rail at the December RTC meeting when decisions were made about the allocation of grant funding.
Question 5:
The California Coastal Commission recognizes the value of both freight and passenger rail in the coastal zone for environmental and coastal access reasons. Freight rail capability is important infrastructure for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Do you support preserving freight rail capacity on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Kristen:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected?
Kristen:
I will advocate for supporting and preserving freight rail capacity on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line in order to maintain essential infrastructure and ensure that our community is well-prepared for emergencies.
Kim
De Serpa
Question 1:
The Regional Transportation Commission owns the rail corridor. The RTC has unanimously affirmed its commitment to institute high capacity public transit service on the Santa Cruz Branch Line.
Do you support implementing electric passenger rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Kim:
Yes.
Why or why not? How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Kim:
I respect the work by my predecessors and the money spent on preserving the rail line throughout the county. I believe having a clean, safe mode of transportation throughout the county connecting it to arteries which serve to move people throughout the state-is a good idea. My work as a county supervisor would provide support to go after grant funding, continued planning for and eventual build out of a system that uses the best in technological advances to build a world class transportation system.
Question 2:
Construction has begun on the trail next to the tracks, but some segments have faced opposition and resulting delays.
Do you support building a trail next to the tracks from Davenport to Watsonville?
Kim:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Kim:
Many in my district would like to see a useable trail now in our area. The fear is it may never be built in our lifetimes. If I am elected I would do all that I could to expedite the build out of trail as soon as possible. One of the problems in District 2 is the lack of infrastructure like sidewalks. For example, if you want to walk from the Aptos Village to the beach you currently need to walk in the street along a blind curve. This is not safe. A useable trail would be a very welcome and well used vital resource for our community. For bikers, walkers, visitors, families and our disabled community who rely on power/wheelchairs a trail ASAP will add safety and inclusivity to our community.
Question 3:
Neighborhoods with safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks create room for us to move freely without our cars.
Do you support improved street infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists?
Kim:
Yes.
How would you support or prioritize projects, policies and funding to improve safety and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists?
Kim:
I have touched on safety in the previous question. I will strive to prioritize SAFETY for all citizens. This will be expressed in policy decisions that I will support, including a beautiful trail for all to enjoy.
Question 4:
The June 2022 Greenway Measure D sought to “rail bank” and tear up the tracks for a trail only.
Did you oppose the the June 2022 Ballot Measure D?
Kim:
Yes.
What do you think are the implications of the 73% defeat of measure D?
Kim:
The implications are that all the options, both RAIL and TRAIL are desired by people who vote. I will continue to support both!
Question 5:
The California Coastal Commission recognizes the value of both freight and passenger rail in the coastal zone for environmental and coastal access reasons. Freight rail capability is important infrastructure for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Do you support preserving freight rail capacity on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Kim:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected?
Kim:
The rail line currently in place is extra strong to support freight cars. We won't know about technological advances in the future for a train or transportation system, but all options should remain on the table. I worry about the stability of the line in its current condition as a couple years back a friend fell through a slide area underneath the tracks between Seacliff and New Brighton and broke her back. There are multiple areas that need to be made usable and safe. Other areas of concern include the tracks south of La Selva where the ocean crashes up against the rail line. These are solvable issues that I look forward to working on and supporting efforts toward completion.
Bruce
Jaffe
Question 1:
The Regional Transportation Commission owns the rail corridor. The RTC has unanimously affirmed its commitment to institute high capacity public transit service on the Santa Cruz Branch Line.
Do you support implementing electric passenger rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Bruce:
Yes.
Why or why not? How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Bruce:
I support an electric passenger rail for multiple reasons. Rail is environmentally friendly. It will reduce traffic and the reduction could be significant if there are enough riders. Rail is a wonderful way to get from place to place—much lower stress than driving your own vehicle. If fares are low enough, it will provide transportation to those with lower income. I support electric passenger rail at this point in time and will continue to support it unless it is found to not be feasible.
My support would be expressed in voting for items that favor electric passenger rail.
Question 2:
Construction has begun on the trail next to the tracks, but some segments have faced opposition and resulting delays.
Do you support building a trail next to the tracks from Davenport to Watsonville?
Bruce:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Bruce:
I ride my bike on the already built section of the trail from Bay Avenue to Natural Bridges Drive. It is a great trail and I see many people riding bikes or walking whenever I am on the trial. The bike riders and walkers respect the others rights and use the trail harmoniously.
My support would be expressed in voting for items that favor the building of the trail.
Question 3:
Neighborhoods with safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks create room for us to move freely without our cars.
Do you support improved street infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists?
Bruce:
Yes.
How would you support or prioritize projects, policies and funding to improve safety and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists?
Bruce:
I would support projects that improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians. I would vote for funding for improved street infrastructure. Encouraging cycling and walking will not only improve traffic but also the quality of life of county residents.
Question 4:
The June 2022 Greenway Measure D sought to “rail bank” and tear up the tracks for a trail only.
Did you oppose the the June 2022 Ballot Measure D?
Bruce:
Yes.
What do you think are the implications of the 73% defeat of measure D?
Bruce:
The most obvious implication is that it is established that the voters favor rail.
Question 5:
The California Coastal Commission recognizes the value of both freight and passenger rail in the coastal zone for environmental and coastal access reasons. Freight rail capability is important infrastructure for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Do you support preserving freight rail capacity on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Bruce:
Yes.
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected?
Bruce:
My support would be expressed in voting for items that favor freight rail.
David Schwartz
Question 1:
The Regional Transportation Commission owns the rail corridor. The RTC has unanimously affirmed its commitment to institute high capacity public transit service on the Santa Cruz Branch Line.
Do you support implementing electric passenger rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Candidate declined to answer
Why or why not? How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Candidate declined to answer
Question 2:
Construction has begun on the trail next to the tracks, but some segments have faced opposition and resulting delays.
Do you support building a trail next to the tracks from Davenport to Watsonville?
Candidate declined to answer
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected? What will you say to your constituents about this project?
Candidate declined to answer
Question 3:
Neighborhoods with safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks create room for us to move freely without our cars.
Do you support improved street infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists?
David:
Yes.
How would you support or prioritize projects, policies and funding to improve safety and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists?
David:
I fully support and advocate for safer pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Question 4:
The June 2022 Greenway Measure D sought to “rail bank” and tear up the tracks for a trail only.
Did you oppose the the June 2022 Ballot Measure D?
Candidate declined to answer
What do you think are the implications of the 73% defeat of measure D?
David:
It seems a lot of people do not want to railbank.
Question 5:
The California Coastal Commission recognizes the value of both freight and passenger rail in the coastal zone for environmental and coastal access reasons. Freight rail capability is important infrastructure for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Do you support preserving freight rail capacity on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line?
Candidate declined to answer
How would this position be expressed in your work, should you be elected?
David:
There is much to be discussed before we commit to a rail system. The amount of money to accomplish a rail system is not supportable with the population we currently have. We also need to be able to provide transportation services to the greater population. I don't yet see how this system benefits the majority of the District 2 constituents.
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