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By Sharan Street
Published Nov 21, 2022

It’s the thought that counts. And Santa Cruz Gives hopes we’ll think about 63 community organizations and their good work. It’s the thought that counts. And Santa Cruz Gives hopes we’ll think about 63 community organizations and their good work. Image credit: Sofirinaja   Shutterstock

11-21-22: Giving More Than Thanks

This week the holiday season kicks off, with Thanksgiving inexorably followed by Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the madness of December. Shoppers are making their lists, checking them twice—and hopefully spending their dollars in local stores, giving a boost to the local coffers.

Many will be thiking about a different sort of gift: a donation to Santa Cruz Gives. Founded in 2015, this holiday fundraiser is presented by Good Times in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County and aided by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and local businesses. This year, Santa Cruz Gives is raising funds for 63 local nonprofits, and any donation of $5 or more is welcome. To learn about the participating groups, visit SantaCruzGives.org.

Foundations of Democracy

As we head to the end of 2022, there are also beginnings. After Measure E passed in June, the the city of Santa Cruz changed in two significant ways. For the first time, Santa Cruz voters will elect a mayor directly. At the same time, the city is midway through switching to district elections and cutting from seven to six councilmembers.

Renee Golder, who was already serving at large, is now representing the newly formed District 6. And freshly elected Scott Newsome will fill the District 4 seat. Voters in the other four districts will elect their own representatives in 2024.

In light of these changes, we offer up two explainers by Jonathan Vankin. In an exploration of what it means to be a California city, he writes, “The clearest benefit of cityhood is self-government—the foundation of the democratic system.”

And he also delves into the growing number of cities switching to district-based voting—not only why the change is happening, but why it matters.

Cities in California: What Does it Take to Be One?

California has three cities of more than 1 million people, and 187 of over 50,000.
California is full of places and communities, but most are not cities. Here's what it takes for a community to become a city, the benefits of being one—and why the state has a 'de facto moratorium' on new cities.

Voting Rights...the Final Frontier

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.

Districts Can Deliver

Finally, though municipalities are the bedrock of local governance, many Californians do not reside inside the boundaries of a city or a town. How, then, are water supplies, fire protection and other necessities delivered? The answer: a special district with its own governing board. Vankin explains it all, starting the very first community service district, created back in 1952.

Community Services Districts, Explained

There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

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