Community Corner

What Would Santa Cruzans do if they hit the Mega Millions Jackpot Friday?

Charity, family, fun are high on the list, if they snatched the half a billion before taxes jackpot.

Lottery fever is sweeping the country, even the oasis that is Santa Cruz.

It's hard not to fall sucker to the lure of a $500 million before taxes prize, even though the odds against winning are so high, you would be just as likely to win by finding a ticket or having one fall out of the sky, as you would by buying one.

From a Huffington Post article, you are more likely to be struck by lightning or die of flesh-eating bacteria than winning the regular California lottery jackpot with odd of 1 in 18 million.

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But as the commercials say, it doesn't hurt to dream and here are some of the dreams of our locals.

Mayor Don Lane:

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I tend to play about once every year or two...when I hear there's a huge prize. If I won, i would give it most of it away to good causes with a special focus on long term solutions to homelessness. For fun, I'd take a very long trip. Maybe to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Rex Manson, President Aptos Rotary Club:

Pay your mortgage.. and mine.. and put out the greatest party Santa Cruz has ever seen.. then disappear to an unknown island in the South Seas where the people are brown and tanned and never heard of the Republican Party or Rush Limbaugh!

KPIG-FM DJ Laurie Roberts:

Help the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter, which is $250,000 short on their funding from the county this year.

Leticia Scott-Curtis, Cabrillo College English Professor:

Fund the Cabrillo College journalism department forever. Fix my mom's house which has been falling apart since 1968 when my dad died of pancreatic cancer. Fund all kinds of research for cancer, but especially pancreatic and colon cancer. Help my kids get great educations so that they can follow their dreams. Pay off the debt for the Salesian Sisters in Corralitos.


City Councilman Ryan Coonerty:

I don't play lotto -- occasionally I'll do an Irish-themed scratch-off -- only to be disappointed that luck is not in my genetic code as society claims. If I won, I'd take care of my family, plan amazing vacations, give a half to our local schools, quit everything and become a high school football coach...

Karen Kefauver, Social Media Consultant:

I don't play the lottery, but if I won in a freak moment that I purchased a ticket, I would buy an around-the-world travel ticket. I have the book my bedside already: Edward Hasbrouck's The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World. Bring it on!

Danny Keith, CEO Grind Out Hunger

I would feed as many people as I could.

Bella Fiore, Hair Stylist at Tonic Salon and Day Spa:

I would definitely take care of all my family and their bills, houses included.. Take care of a few close friends in need. Put some away for myself and my son and the rest put towards many charities and people on need on all levels. Especially education and medical for women and children. :)

Dee Wallace, Professional Blues Music Fan

Split it with my son and then donate to several charities for musicians like HART and give to Dale Ockerman's for scholarships, Guitars Not Guns, Blues in the Schools. I'd also buy my house back and do a lot of maintenance (I have a reverse mortgage on it right now) and travel to Blues festivals all over the country...and maybe even get back on the Blues Cruises.....I have my numbers chosen.....wish me luck!!!!

Hmm...I'd also give an endowment to ERMCO - Educational Resources of Monterey County - they go great things for homeschooled children of all ages - check them out, Brad. My son and I went on several trips that they sponsored and I have helped them a bit in the past. And I'd quit worrying about how I'm going to pay for the rest of my life.....

Ginny Mitchell, Musician and Founder of the

Pay my debts and move to Canada, keeping a patch of ground where I could return in the winters. Then I could be with my family and look forward to old age because I wouldn't have to worry about being sick, because I'd have health care. Help my friends who've been struggling. Set up an endowment fund for cancer and MS research. Put the grand kids through a good college.

Erik Elfring, Phish Phanatic:

I'd start a Super PAC! It seems like they are pretty self-perpetuating after an initial ridiculous amount of start-up money. Then I'd use the $$$ from that to influence or buy Supreme Court Nominees, so that I'd be home free (legally) forever. Hey don't laugh... it could (and has) happened.

Retired Sheriff's Deputy TK Davis, Current Pajaro Gambler:

1. Take care of my relatives.

2. Create a Costco-type store for victims of violent crime (to be defined) and Police Officers/Firefighters

3.Charter a flight to Vegas with all my friends and give them $5,000 each as they leave the plane.


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