The Buzz 10.23.25

FREE SPEECH

If you’re reading this newspaper, you’re already a step ahead in celebrating Free Speech Week (Oct. 20-26) and Media Literacy Week (Oct. 27-31). The Monterey County Board of Supervisors celebrated the former with a resolution adopted on Oct. 21, proclaiming, in part: “The County of Monterey reaffirms its commitment to uphold, defend and protect these constitutional freedoms for all who live, work and visit here… Free Speech Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital role of free expression in our schools, workplaces, media and civic institutions, and to encourage respectful discourse in our communities.” On Friday, Oct. 24 the Monterey County Media Literacy Coalition welcomes high school students from various districts to the second annual MisInfo Day with a curriculum meant to help participants discern truth from misinformation and disinformation. Among the activities: an escape room concept designed by media literacy experts at the University of Washington (you can check out their latest games at lokisloop.org) that requires assessing the credibility of information to advance – and, ideally, “escape.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“This is a blatant attempt to try to change the rules of the game.” - Amanda McAllister-Wallner, executive director of Health Access California, on a lawsuit filed by a hospital group against spending caps (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

For nearly a decade, students, teachers and staff at Fremont Elementary School in Salinas have had to contend with active construction zones on their campus. But when the newly reconstructed school was unveiled on Wednesday, Oct. 15, all of those headaches were worth it. Alisal Union School District celebrated the grand reopening of its second oldest school, which originally opened in 1941. The phased project included a rebuilt two-story classroom building in 2021, followed by demolition of its oldest building in 2023. The project is paid for by Measure M, a $70 million bond approved by voters in 2016, which also funded the renovation of Alisal Community School. That school celebrated its grand reopening in September. The third phase, with a price tag of $17.6 million, included a new administration building and more classrooms.

GREAT:

Thanks to quick thinking and being in the right place at the right time, Seaside resident Jonathan Ahmadi prevented a home from being destroyed by fire. He was out knocking on doors in Seaside on Saturday, Oct. 18 to encourage residents to get out and vote in support of Proposition 50, the redistricting ballot measure. Ahmadi, an elected official serving on the Monterey Peninsula Airport District board, says he had a list of 50 doors to knock on and was approaching his last on Trinity Avenue around 11:30am when he heard a smoke alarm inside and then smelled burning. Ahmadi quickly called 911 after no one responded to his shouts and says Seaside police and fire responders were there in just a few minutes. They broke down the door and came out of the house with a burnt pot. No one was home. Seaside Fire Chief Paul Blaha confirmed Ahmadi’s account.