We've worked hard with every department to minimize cuts to services. But there's no way around it. These are major cuts, and they are going to be felt throughout the community.

It's affecting the morale of employees, hanging over their heads. We need to get it over with sooner rather than later. It's much better for employees and residents.

A lot is going to be determined by the market. We?re hoping to be a catalyst.

That kind of leadership is what I was looking for in a chief.

We would like to have the event stay downtown if at all possible. It helps downtown merchants, and it does help people get to know Watsonville. But if it doesn't work out, we're willing to cooperate, and we're just thankful the event is able to carry on.

This is great news. We've made it very clear we want job-creating businesses there, and from what I understand the prospective purchaser is planning industrial condominiums.