Letters to the Editor 02.11.16

Green County

It’s a good start (“County releases draft ordinance on medical marijuana,” posted Feb. 4). Chief concerns are: Indoor only? Come on, let it grow outside like nature intended; concentrates banned? Nonsense – that’s inconsiderate to legitimate medical needs and also creates a niche black market.

Concentrates will be always be made regardless of the law. Don’t waste time trying prohibition-style tactics. Jeffrey Oropeza | via Facebook

I’d put a condition on indoor grows that they have to meet certain power consumption guidelines (i.e., must use LEDs or LEPs, not metal halides or halogen). Outdoor grows have their issues too: theft, and weed is invasive – it will spread and grow wild. Wyatt Patry | via Facebook

Whose businesses get selected to participate? Whoever pays them the most? Seems shady. Carlo Overhulser | via Facebook

What really sucks is that by doing this, the cartel is just bringing more attention by law enforcement to the Big Sur coast. (“Cartels target Big Sur for big drug shipments,” Feb. 4-10). Leave the marijuana business to the locals Mike Romanow | via Facebook

Cartels have utilized the Big Sur coast for cultivation for years. It only makes sense to have supplies, weapons and whatever amount of drugs delivered as close as possible Greg Fowler | via Facebook

Dune Food, Dudes

It’s great that the center is getting eateries (“A redesigned food project in The Dunes gets initial approval,” posted Feb. 4). With the Wellness Center, new VA clinic, theater and shopping center, there is a desperate need for something other than Target’s cafe. I just hope they do a nice sit-down restaurant or other establishments. Marina doesn’t need a Chipotle or Starbucks! Chipotle is in Sand City and Monterey already. Starbucks is already in Target in the center. They should be bringing things in that are not a couple miles or minutes away. Mary Klotz | via Facebook

Stop the corporate coffee!! Get ACME, Philz (Palo Alto) or something comparable – affordable but different. Glad the complex was approved though!!! Stephanie Shonley | via Facebook

Finally! There has been a huge need for this since the shopping area opened. I’m OK with letting the fire pit go. It would have added great atmosphere, but look what happened to the one next to Peet’s in downtown Monterey. Erin Lowry Ferguson | via Facebook

Hope this works out! I used to work at the skating rink there and a ton of people weren’t even aware there was anything back that way! This area has so much potential, especially because CSUMB is right next door. Ollie Greene | via Facebook

About time. But I do agree it needs to have some different and healthy options. Janis Spencer | via Facebook

The city of Marina will put a wrinkle in it, just wait and watch. Kari Klein | via Facebook

Thought this was a thing. Guess I was wrong. This is taking forever. I say forget it; I waited as long as I could and ate somewhere already. Casey Coleen Gilliam | via Facebook

Please have something other than junk food. Patie McCracken | via Facebook

Wheels Turning

Mountain bike riders take care of the forests and trails better than anyone else on the planet (“Toro Park illegal bike trail raises concerns,” Feb. 4-10). David Linnevers | via Facebook

Bikes or no bikes, the park is always subject to erosion. Fix it and move on. Greg Fowler | via Facebook

Burn, Baby

I’m concerned about methane gas dogs produce on the beach from farts so I think for all of our health we need to ban that. Hahahaha. (“Photo: Citizens show their support for #Carmel beach fires at city council meeting,” posted Feb. 2.) Peter Speciale | via Facebook

All the Carmel fireplaces burning full blast and a few campfires can’t. Who will get to use the King’s Forest? Tom Tessier | via Facebook

Loco Motives

Missing from this discussion is the impact on potential passenger services on the rail route (“Crude oil rail train project comes to a head,” posted Jan. 29). With long stretches of single track, the line will come closer to maximum capacity with additional trains (presumably about one per day in both directions). This will leave less room for planned passenger services from Salinas north, and still less for any expansion south of Salinas. Without a massive investment in rail infrastructure, this proposal is going to shut Monterey County out of much needed future transportation capacity. If the oil company is intent on pursuing this plan, they should at least be held to paying for upgrading and increasing the capacity of the rail line. Brian Ashurst | via Web

ICE Cold Questions

Please ask the congressional candidates how they feel about how various local communities are either appropriately responding or not to federal ICE Secure Communities “hold requests” for dangerous or repeat offenders already in custody. (“Jimmy Panetta leads in congressional fundraising with big donors,” posted Feb. 2.) Also, same question with respect to the local “Sanctuary Cities” and similar “quasi legal(?)” policies and practices? Lupe Rivera | via Web