LETTERS to the EDITOR 01.25.18

Courting the Future

I wanted to drop a note to say this story was fantastic (“Two Monterey County courts for veterans and active-duty soldiers are transforming the lives of those once lost,” Jan. 18-24). It’s evident how much effort and care you put into it, and such an important topic many people seem to ignore. Reading it made me feel proud to live here. Noah Rappahahn | Marina

Editor’s note: Rappahahn is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

What a wonderful piece! You did a spectacular job, and we are grateful to you for carrying this important message to our county residents. Wes Morrill | Corral de Tierra

Editor’s note: Morrill is the Military and Veterans Affairs officer for Monterey County.

Dead End

Del Rey Oaks is getting pretty snobby if you ask me (“Del Rey Oaks is poised to close off one of the few ways to get into the city,” Jan. 18-24). There are already several roads blocking access to Seaside. Why are they so scared of Seaside people? What about Del Rey Oaks residents who work or visit loved ones in Seaside? This sounds like it will just make it difficult for them to get where they need to go and worsen traffic elsewhere, especially if they’re trying to access General Jim Moore Boulevard. Lisa Gonzalez Newton | via Facebook

DRO is just looking for excuses. The original complaint was that people were speeding. As the article says, that’s a completely different story now – most people aren’t speeding – but residents found a new reason to complain. Maybe they should have started with the sign posting speeds without the lane narrowing. (What they did to the road doesn’t make any sense to me.) Closing the road will make traffic worse elsewhere and it will increase the time it takes to get to Ryan Ranch, Highway 68, the airport, etc., from my neighborhood. That road is why I choose to live where I do. DRO needs to think about the greater community, not just themselves. Kristen Jensen | via Facebook

They need to enforce the speed limit, not add ridiculous new restrictions. I find this ridiculous.Christine McGee | via Facebook

I have no dog in this fight, but the only way this could be any more asinine would be if DRO had proposed building a wall and suggested they could make Seaside pay for it! Charlie Meagher | via Facebook

Can we just incorporate the entire Peninsula into a single township and be done with it? This elitist bungling is only seeking to create divisions and put isolationist ideals in place. Joseph W.Borawski | via Facebook

A Matter of Taste

Too many wine tasting rooms and not enough of anything not centered on alcohol! (“Residents plan to appeal Carmel’s newest wine tasting room, saying it’s one too many,” Jan. 18-24.) I grew up in downtown; it’s a shell of its former self, and it’s sad. Tiffany Sheele | via Facebook

My husband and I have been going to Carmel almost every year since 1999, and the number of tasting rooms has multiplied. I think there are enough, unless they are spread out more. But residents should have a say more than visitors. Kathy O’Brien Gompertz | via Facebook

It’s true, there are one too many wine tasting rooms. But if that’s what’s getting business, then why not? Thomas Michael Chavarria | via Facebook

Stop it with the wine, geez. It’s an alcoholic’s paradise. How about adding back the discovery store, a museum or a movie theater? How about some sober themes? Carmel is all about drinking and indulging. How about health and wellness! This town is my favorite but I’m well aware it’s anti-health, and it calls to my dark side. Ashley Marie Hernandez | via Facebook

Border Lines

Instead of worrying about it, why not start the paperwork for citizenship? (“The White House’s immigration policy change for Salvadorans reaches Monterey County,” Jan. 18-24.) Susie Ross | via Facebook

It’s easier said than done. Vilma Perez | via Facebook

By the same token, why not volunteer to help people with their paperwork? Or maybe help pay the lawyer’s fees, or accompany someone to court? There’s no “just filing paperwork.” Debbie Ramos | via Facebook

Waiting for Justice

I grew up with this story (“Prosecutors lay out evidence in 20-year-old murder case of Christina Williams,” posted Jan. 18). She was the same age as me. I remember the first news stories on her disappearance. I was horrified for her and I can only imagine the terrible situation she endured. I remember the sadness and anger I felt once they found her remains. I felt such sorrow for her and her family. Death is too kind a sentence for this piece of walking waste, but it is the minimum he deserves. We cannot tolerate humans like this. They are monsters and must be eliminated. Adam Michael Hale | via Facebook

Good to get justice! Carolyn Plemons | via Facebook

Flu Fighters

I wish people would just cover their damn mouths or stay home when they have a cold (“The flu is packing a wallop this season, but it’s not too late to fight it,” Jan. 11-17). There are always at least a few slobs coughing all over the place. Miguel Banda | via Facebook

I got the shot, I got the flu. My doctor said the shot probably kept me from developing pneumonia. Shot or no shot, this is an evil virus. Colleen Brennan | via Facebook