Counsel Meeting Reflections

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and staying safe.

I know this update is long overdue, but I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts from the last meeting I attended, which I mentioned in my previous update. The meeting was well attended, and nearly everyone there was present for the discussion about the safety concerns along the Bay Corridor. It was really encouraging to see so many people show up and speak about this issue. There were so many people that folks were standing up in the back! Much of the public feedback echoed what we expressed in our petition, particularly the need for a stoplight or stop sign at Bay and Meder. 

As we all know, that time of year is here again. Classes resume next week, and the concerns at Bay and Meder will now be amplified. We are already beginning to see the increase in traffic and activity that comes with the start of the academic year. We had hoped that some resolution might be in place by now, but unfortunately, that has not happened yet. I have reached out to Claire to ask for an update, and I will share whatever I hear back with everyone.

I also wanted to share a more personal update. I will be moving out of Santa Cruz, which feels very bittersweet. I live right on the corner of Bay and Meder, and witnessing the accident that happened there forever changed my life. Living here and seeing the traffic, near misses, speeding, and the daily conditions of this intersection has made this issue deeply personal for me. I started this effort because I felt that something needed to change, and because I know I’m not the only person who feels that way.

At the same time, living on the corner of Bay and Meder has brought me some really wonderful memories, too. I’ve met and chatted with so many of you at the dog park, on walks, or just in passing, and those little exchanges have given me a real sense of connection to the neighborhood. I’ll be taking that warmth with me when I leave.

Because I’ll be leaving, I’m hoping there might be someone in town who has the time and capacity to become a co-organizer and help continue this effort. I will still be commuting to Santa Cruz part of the week, but so much of this work is about what is happening right here in the neighborhood, and especially for those of you who live near this block. I would really love to see the momentum we’ve built together continue.

If this is something you feel like you might be able to take on, please reach out to me. I’d love to organize a time for us to meet over coffee or tea, talk through what has happened so far, and see what might make sense moving forward. I’m happy to share everything I’ve gathered and the contacts I’ve made along the way.

I also recently realized that funds had been sent to support this effort. It might be nice to use those funds to have "SLOW DOWN" yard signs printed and placed along the fence between High Street and Meder on Bay Street. I think having a visible presence there could help keep this concern in the public conversation as the new school year begins.

I sincerely hope that the work we’ve done together will have some impact. Thank you all for showing up, speaking up, signing the petition, sharing your experiences, and caring about this. It has meant a lot to me to see so many people, many of whom had never met before, come together around something that matters. There is something really special about that kind of community, and I feel grateful to have been a part of it.

Your Neighbor,

Chari