Letters to the Editor 02.23.17

Where We Come From

I think Americans underestimate the important work that immigrants play in our economy (“County Supervisors pass a resolution welcoming immigrants; Luis Alejo closes office for Day Without Immigrants,” posted Feb. 16). This is a first step toward drawing attention to this long-ignored issue. We need a comprehensive immigration plan. I am confident that our supervisor and his staff were working hard behind the scenes today. Jennifer Stone | via Facebook

I can’t take Alejo’s “resistance” seriously until he votes to allow Monterey County to join the Monterey Bay Community Power project. Trump doesn’t believe in climate change, so if you want to stick it to the man, give us local control of our power and cleaner energy! Alexandra Bee | via Facebook

Really. He is getting paid by taxpayer dollars. I don’t believe he should have the right to decide when to and when not to close his office. Carol Ballard | via Facebook

Not liking the president is not an excuse to not do your job as a public official. What if you called the fire department and they said, “Because Trump was elected we can’t help you today.” Peter Stewart | via Facebook

Picking a fight with this administration is going to do nothing but hurt our county. Alejo is taking a cheap shot at solidarity at the taxpayers’ expense. Wayne Scholes | via Facebook

What are you fighting and resisting? (“Hundreds gather for an immigration forum in Salinas,” posted Feb. 6.) Following our laws that are already in place? It’s not hard, in fact it’s quite simple. Linda Ann Stillabower | via Facebook

For some reason, the word “resistance” has always reminded me of toddlers. Kathleen Rose Minafo | via Facebook

Drama in DRO

Now that [City Manager Daniel] Dawson is gone and [Police Chief Ron] Langford is next, that’s the best thing to happen in Del Rey Oaks (“How a culture of City Hall bullying brought Del Rey Oaks to a boiling point,” Feb. 16-22). It’s time to move forward from all the nonsense these two created and get this city back to what it was.Reggie Owens | Del Rey Oaks

Thank you so much for this. For me, sitting in the council chambers, it was high drama, but I had no idea what was going on. And yes, I’ve complained about the speeding for years. As a transportation biker and mom, the blowing [through] of the stop sign from the north at the high rates of speed scared me very much. Susan Ragsdale-Cronin | Del Rey Oaks

Haters Gonna Hate

I cannot say the Weekly disappoints. Expectations foster disappointment and I have zero expectations regarding your publication (please don’t ever use fire retardants in the paper pulp however, as using it as wood stove tinder does lend it value – I thank you for that free use). I do wonder if any on your staff possess the insight to recognize just how petty and venal your views appear to people of reason. It has long been evident to me that those suffering a “progressive” dementia will throw anyone under the bus (be it women, blacks, or the confused purveyors of the alphabet soup of sexual identification) if they deign to wander off the yellow brick road. Richard Hellam | Seaside

Bridge Gate

Scary, especially when little is being funded for infrastructure in this crazy land (“Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge on Highway 1 in Big Sur closed indefinitely,” posted Feb. 15). John Gozdzialski | via Facebook

With all the rain, Big Sur is turning into Big Slurry. Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

There goes that road trip :( Amy Craig | via Facebook

That can’t be good for business. Ken Caruso | via Facebook

Onward And Upward

I was genuinely sorry to hear [Sand City Mayor] Dave Pendergrass is stepping down (“The longest-serving mayor in the county is leaving politics – and influential posts,” Feb. 16-22). He has been a guiding influence in our area to a much greater extent than many people realize. Not only is he one of the most knowledgeable people around on many issues, but he is also a real gentleman. During my early years in politics, he helped me to understand the history behind some of our complex regional issues. I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. Rudy Fischer | Pacific Grove

Editor’s note: Fischer is a Pacific Grove City Councilmember.

Gold in the Water

A new California gold rush is at hand (“Marina residents unite against Cal Am project, which they view as an existential threat,” Feb. 2-8). The new gold is fresh potable water. Like the days of old, when miners sought to stake a claim by seizing another’s more productive mine, a private for-profit water company, having exhausted its water rights in Carmel and Seaside, is now seeking new “gold” in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin.

Cal Am has no groundwater rights so is hoping to usurp the legal groundwater rights belonging to the Marina Coast Water District. Its test slant well is drawing 2,100 gallons per minute. This pumping is diminishing MCWD’s water supply and compromising Marina’s future. If you are interested in supporting MCWD and creative, just regional water solutions, we encourage you to send comments to the California Public Utilities Commission by the 5pm Feb. 27 deadline. Let your voice be heard. Harvey Biala | Marina

Editor’s note: Biala is a member of the group Citizens for Just Water.