Members of our Tax Measure R Oversight Committee are rolling up their sleeves to help shape the future of our community and guide the use of locally generated revenue to be reinvested in Watsonville.
I had the honor of appointing the following community members to serve on this committee:
• Anna Kammer.
• Vanessa Meldahl.
• Ricardo Melgoza.
• Carina Quiroz Gutierrez.
• Abel Sanchez.
• Verenice Valentin.
• Beatriz Vasquez-Flores.
These members are crucial in ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of the Measure R tax funds. In November 2022, voters approved Measure R, a half-cent sales tax on most goods sold within Watsonville.
Measure R revenues will fund community investments, including park repairs, playground expansions, trail maintenance, safe spaces for children, after-school programs, gang prevention initiatives, street maintenance, pothole repairs, library
access and services for seniors, employment opportunities, and more. I would like to thank each member, including our Youth Representative, Izabella Brandon, for joining this important endeavor, and I look forward to making a positive impact together.
As we enter the month of August, I’d like to remind you of some very exciting events happening in Watsonville. The Annual National Night Out celebration is taking place on Tuesday. A total of 10 neighborhoods and organizations are participating in this nationwide event that brings the community, police, first responders, and city officials together to get to know one another and build strong relationships. Each neighborhood will have exciting activities, food and music.
This annual gathering is a powerful tool to strengthen communities, promote safety, and empower residents to take an active part in creating safe and vibrant
neighborhoods. The Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department will be hosting a resource fair and family-fun activities from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Youth Center on Maple Avenue.
Head to watsonville.gov for a list of locations and times.
The highly anticipated Strawberry Festival returns full force this year, offering a weekend of family-friendly fun in historic downtown Watsonville: 4-9 p.m. Aug. 4 featuring live music and carnival rides only.
The festival gets underway in earnest from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 5. The festival features carnival entertainment, food, arts and crafts, strawberries and more.
The festival concludes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 6. The last day also features carnival, entertainment, food, arts and crafts, strawberries and more.
Until next time, Watsonville.
Eduardo Montesino is the mayor of Watsonville.
