Friday, December 27, 2013
Mrs. Passerino and family....you may not know or remember me, but in 1977 I was hired as a young man of age 26 to become the City Traffic Engineer for Santa Cruz. I'm a native Santa Cruzan, born at the Sisters Hospital prior site on West Cliff Drive, so it was a thrill to have been selected for that postion.
I met Don through the Traffic Committee. I staffed it, and he served as chair several times during my 11 years with Santa Cruz. Don became my main mentor and helped guide me through some our more political decisions. Through his support and guidance we planned and rebuilt the intersection at Mission and Highway 1....putting in the two right turn arrors.....(something Caltrans did not support, but we knew it would work better than the existing).......he also supported our triangular "traffic circle" at Morrissey/Water and Soquel....which just about as many motorists cuss at as well as praise it!!!! but again...traffic use to back up to Branciforte to the west and even further to Capitola Road to the east before we reconfigured the intersection and signal phases.
Don helped me select the best routes for the 27 mile S.C. Bicycle Plan....most of which is now in place....and finally, Don was my biggest supporter for moving on to become the Director of Transportation for the City of San Jose where I worked through the rest of my public career, retiring in 2009.....I'll miss Don, but please know that he has a special place in many hearts, especially those that march in the annual Band Review...I wish you and your family well. James Helmer, former Santa Cruz CityTraffic Engineer, 10885 Alba Road, Ben Lomond, CA. 95005
