The Buzz 07.04.24

FREE SPEECH

While the County of Monterey has long offered in-person Spanish interpretation at its board meetings, it had not done so for those tuning in on video. On May 7, the county began interpreting Board of Supervisors meetings in Spanish on video via Zoom. Supervisors Luis Alejo and Chris Lopez made the referral in December 2020 – at a time when government meetings were in peak virtual form, rather than in-person. The supervisors said that video-recorded meetings with Spanish interpretation were needed to keep residents engaged and informed about county matters. On the meeting agendas, there are now Zoom links in English and Spanish. Two Spanish interpreters take turns translating the live meeting, which Valerie Ralph, clerk of the board, says is a way to make sure they provide a high-quality interpretation. Ralph says that online participation in Spanish meetings is small. “Even though we may not get too many participants during the day, I still think it’s beneficial because people can go in and listen to the interpretation in the evening,” she says. The pilot program will continue until July 16.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Yes, I was surprised.” - Monterey One Water General Manager Paul Sciuto, speaking on the board’s June 24 decision to nix a plan that would have shifted the agency’s billing to property taxes. A weighted vote by two of the board’s members scuttled the proposal (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

Bank of America divvied up nearly $200,000 in grants to 11 nonprofits in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, it announced June 30. Monterey County organizations receiving grants are: Food Bank for Monterey County, Goodwill Central Coast, Hartnell College Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula College, Rancho Cielo, Natividad Medical Foundation, Seneca Family of Agencies and Monterey Jazz Festival. The grants were awarded to nonprofits that focus on improving lives through education, career pathways and providing basic needs. “Partnering with impactful local organizations to address barriers to success such as hunger, health and job skills is part of our commitment to creating real change in Monterey County and surrounding areas,” said Jennifer Dacquisto, Bank of America’s Monterey Bay president.

GREAT:

Chippy the kitten, who was saved during a rescue that briefly shut down Highway 1 in Monterey, was adopted by the California Highway Patrol officer who stopped traffic, SPCA Monterey County announced on June 27. Officer Ryan Moore was called to the scene on June 14 when a motorist reported a kitten darting into traffic on Highway 1 near the Highway 68 exit. When Moore attempted to grab the kitten, she ran into the wheel well of a stopped vehicle and climbed up to the fuel tank. SPCA Humane Investigations Supervisor Jacob Duarte was called to help, and the vehicle was slowly moved with CHP escort to a nearby parking lot. Duarte was able to scoop the kitten up after removing a few parts of the car. “I couldn’t just leave this little kitten out on the highway,” Moore said. “I needed to try to do everything I could to help her. I’m so glad that Jacob was able to get her out.”