Letters to the Editor: Aug. 8-14

Gold in Them-Thar Cars

Although a small county, Santa Cruz falls statewide behind many larger counties—in many areas. In the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola we already pay some of the highest sales tax in the state. Bob Smallman (“When Does It End?” Letters, July 25) gave figures on some of the ways we are already taxed and re-taxed due to the inefficient use of taxes already collected. Apparently our local cultural creative rulers are unable to provide creative solutions other than utilizing the well-used instant gratification fix of another regressive tax. For truly instant gratification, and saving us money, why aren’t they using the California Driving Code: 22526 Anti Grid Lock—about not blocking intersections? This does not require any new laws or any new paid studies. Starting now during our tourist summer Boardwalk rush—beginning on Thursday afternoons through Sunday evenings—our well-staffed police force could be used for extremely efficient revenue collection. All they need to do is sit at the several intersections beginning at the Ocean Street freeway off/on ramp to the Boardwalk and enforce the existing law. With great ease they could cite the self-absorbed folks who don’t mind blocking the intersections in their haste to arrive and depart Santa Cruz via Ocean Street. This would provide ample easy revenue for the county, offsetting the other vital impacts of tourism here on our water systems, electrical energy, air quality and beat-up roads

Linda Louise

From The Web

Elder Abuse Widespread

Thank you, Georgia Perry and Santa Cruz.com for the sunshine of the media on the Olvera case (“Leaving Las Vegas,” Currents, Aug. 1) and the bleeding of Guadalupe Olvera’s estate from his court-appointed conservator and “protector,” Jared Shafer.

Unlawful and abusive adult conservatorships are harming families and pauperizing vulnerable, disabled and elderly people all over this country. Conservatorship law is designed to “guard,” “conserve” and “protect” incompetent people and the public. Over the years, the laws have been misused, misapplied or manipulated to unjustly enrich court-appointed fiduciaries at the expense of and to the detriment of the very people the courts have appointed them to protect.

The Olvera case is an apt example of the old adage that one can “steal” more with a pen than a gun. Because the courts have “sanctioned” the abuse (by approving of the exorbitant fee billings), complaints to policing authorities are to no avail.

This outrageous abuse can happen to anyone. We all become vulnerable at some time in our lives.

Guardianship abuse is elder abuse!

Elaine Renoire

National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse

Civil Penalties for Criminal Acts

It is well to remember that local laws of elder abuse and financial exploitation are considered a “civil” matter when most of the abused victims are subjected to criminal activities.

Clever lawyers, guardians, trustees, and in a good many cases, family members are involved, in compliance with the judiciary to cover up the lack of law enforcement, to investigate and prosecute reported elder abuse and exploitation as a crime.

Erna Boldt

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