Letters to the Editor 02.07.19

Ride On

This is such a win-win-win story!!! Local Economy – Safety – Health. I can’t wait for it to be completed (“State awards TAMC $10.3 million to build the first segment of FORTAG,” posted Jan. 31). Henrik Kibak | Seaside

Yay! More options for green travel! Maybe people will chose to ride or walk and reduce the Peninsula traffic. Dani Carvalho | via Facebook

Excellent news! Dody Gammelgard | via Facebook

Boo!!!! Waste of funds. Who rides this corridor? Nobody. Beth Peerless | via Facebook

We got homeless to take care of but sure, let’s build a trail, LOL. Frederick Jack Nelson | via Facebook

People Power

I just can’t believe anyone gives a platform for this (“Rebecca Traister: The author of Good and Mad is good and mad, and brings her message of empowerment to Monterey,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). This is a good example of what’s wrong with our country. Kathleen Rose Minafo | via Facebook

An angry feminist leftist who specializes in identity politics speaking at Planned Parenthood… everyone grab their pink hats and their resist shirts… yeah, I will pass on this one. I think I would rather listen to someone run their nails across a chalkboard. Eliot Davis | via Facebook

Cop Count

And the police wonder why they aren’t trusted (“A Monterey police officer sues over traffic citation quotas – and alleged retaliation,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). Brian Janicula | via Facebook

Thank you Officer Bryce Morgan for exposing this illegal practice and the unwarranted retaliation by those who prefer to work outside the framework of the law. The law that is meant to protect our citizens, not use them to bolster department statistics and revenue. Margaret Carey Lang | via Facebook

Rent Control

This is the same rationale used with wharf leases (“The Portola Hotel and city of Monterey are again at odds over the conference center,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). If only my rent was the same as it was decades ago? If businesses think they should get rent control, residential renters should too. Esther Malkin | Monterey

Greedy is what it comes down to. I hope they forgo their lease of the ballroom and the city doesn’t negotiate to give it back. That’d teach ’em! CJ Howard | via Facebook

Money Talks

So sad on so many levels (“Missing money from Monterey County Bar Association leads to a criminal investigation into a nonprofit leader,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). MaryAnn Leffel via Facebook

Can’t wait to see what happens when she has to hire a lawyer… Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

Sugar High

Since 2016, the Central Coast YMCA has delivered a diabetes prevention program to Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito county residents (“A major diabetes threat brings together Monterey County health care providers in a fight for lives,” Jan. 24-30). The program is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-based curriculum and research demonstrates people who finish the program have a 60 – to 70-percent chance of not progressing to diabetes. Many insurance companies cover the cost of the program. The YMCA offers financial assistance for those who need assistance and who are not covered by insurance.

The Central Coast YMCA collaborates with SVMH, Montage, Hazel Hawkins and county health departments to deliver the program. The YMCA’s diabetes prevention program helps people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes adopt healthy lifestyles. The one-year program has 25 sessions led by a trained lifestyle coach. The class (eight to 15 adults) meets for an hour to discuss losing weight and increasing physical activity through healthy lifestyle change. Bill Proulx | Seaside

Editor’s note: Proulx is director of healthy living for Central Coast YMCA.

Sing Out

I’ve heard Holly Summer’s beautiful story (“Peninsula native Molly Hanmer and her L.A. band’s debut record is rock catharsis,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). What a legacy she has left in her daughter. Love the album, especially “Love Song” and “Mama’s in the Spirit World Now.” Jo Lynne Costales | via Facebook

Congratulations, Molly! Absolutely beautiful. Lindsey Crow Scheiber | via Facebook

Deep Breaths

Thank you for positive article (“Two counselors talk team-building and other life lessons students learn through wilderness therapy,” Jan. 24-30). Matthew Merrill and Walter Orion are people doing good works with thought and caring. Lucky are those who get educational experiences and mentorship so vital to understanding and having a good life. One is concerned about the effects on all of us of the digitized world. We know not what we are creating. But I have long believed that if humankind is going to survive, we must stay connected to the Earth. I learn a lot by observation which translates into metaphors for living. I find great solace in nature and agree there is “no life lesson that doesn’t occur in nature.” Barbara Evans | Carmel

Correction

A story about diabetes prevention programs listed an incorrect phone number for the Central Coast YMCA (“A major diabetes threat brings together Monterey County health care providers in a fight for lives,” Jan. 24-30). The correct phone number is 757-4633.