About myself

Greg Lopez                                      Age: 43                                 Occupation: Construction Manager

 I am a native of Santa Cruz and attended local schools, (Natural Bridges, Mission Hill Jr. High and Santa Cruz High “77”). After High School, I attended Cabrillo College 77-79 and Cal State Hayward 79-82. After college I moved back to Santa Cruz and started a family. I have been married 20 years and have four children, Jennifer 17, Kimberley 15, Eric 12 and Brandon 9. As a parent I have been active in the education and development of my children. I worked to create the Delaveaga School Life Lab Project, and constructed the current kiln room. For the last eleven years I have sponsored a Community Pumpkin Patch in my front yard that has raised over $30,000.00 for local education. I have coached youth soccer and have been a positive role model for many. I have helped to give toys and gifts to people in need during the holidays.

If elected I will work to revitalize the Beach Flats area. Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and visitors contribute a great deal to our local economy. So why is it one of our most visited areas is one of our worst areas in the city? The Beach Flats area, long neglected, is a constant source of trouble for our Police Department. Attempts in the past to invest in the Flats have been put on hold or scrapped altogether. When will the quality of life for the people of the flats be improved? The time is NOW to make the decision to revitalize the Beach Flats and surrounding area.

Traffic is another problem long talked about but little has been done to improve it.  We have to be innovative and look for real solutions to our traffic problems. The Mission Street Corridor is an example of how traffic can be improved. So why are we going to tear it all up again to do the under grounding of the utilities? This way to construct projects is a waste of tax dollars and will create an inferior final project. I support the widening of highway 1.

Santa Cruz needs to build a strong sales tax base. A strong sales tax base is directly related to City Finances. When a city has a strong retail district it can generate more from sales tax and this revenue can be used for the good of the community. Santa Cruz has seen a great decline in its retail options. Car dealerships have moved to Capitola. Gone are the downtown department stores.  Where do the people of Santa Cruz go to buy items like bed sheets, bath towels or many other household items? The answer, of course, is not in Santa Cruz.

Thank You

Greg Lopez