An article on the contemporary state of politics and control over Santa Cruz County in 1983, beginning with the paralleling omens early in colonized history, to drawing through the eras of the "old boys club", the drastic energy changes with the influx of University of California, Santa Cruz students, then the increasingly abroad influence of corporations and apartment managers.

Notables: John Watson, Rotary Club, Spiro Mellis, Larry Edler, Manny Shaffer, Donald May, Harry Brauer, Charles Franich, Dean McHenry, Dream Inn, Dick Wilson, Seaside Company / Seaside Corporation, Larry Canfield / Carleton Canfield, Charlie Canfield, Bud Rice, Ed Hutton, E Reese Davis, John Huffman, Santa Cruz County Bank, Greater Santa Cruz Credit Bureau, Bruce McPherson, Vernon Berlin, KSCO, Sandy Leask, Lionel Stolof, Mel Haber, Del Williams / Dell Williams, Alvin Shockley, Bob Rittenhouse / Robert Rittenhouse, Doug Austin, Louis Rittenhouse, Les Ley, Santa Cruz Lumber, Malio Stagnaro, Joe Stagnaro, Tom Reese, California Association of General Contractors, Don Fultz / Donald Fultz, Wade Nittler, Chic Allegrini, Louis Haber, Sam Leask III, The Forty Thieves, Earl Harris, Chick Allegrini, Fred McPherson Sr, Kermit McGranahan, Rod Atchison, Hal Hyde, Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Watsonville Chamber of Commerce, Ford's Department Store, environmentalism / environmentalists, Dr John Mahaney, Joe Ghio, Charlotte Melville, Joe Page, Fred McPherson Jr, Ernest Dillon, Don Starr, Gene Prolo, Santa Cruz Tomorrow Committee, J T Nittler, Gordon Sinclair, Henry Cowell, S H Cowell Foundation, Cowell Lime and Cement Company, Morotto Investors, Bob Bosso, Jess Jackson, Dave Koester, Bill Quale, Bryan Mooney, Wilson Brothers, Brad McDonald, Bill Nugent, Galleon Heights, Ed Borovatz, Rod Pulley, Tom Culligan, Marilyn Liddicoat, Ryland Kelley, Pajaron Dunes, Cypress Point Apartments, Outlook Apartments, Tri-County Apartment Association, Tandy Corporation, Silicon Valley