Letters to the Editor 02.28.19

Just Cruisin’

I really cannot believe they are being allowed in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (“Activists protest growing number of cruise ships in Monterey Bay, despite protocols,” Feb. 21-27). Especially since these behemoth cruise ships do NOT have a good track record as far as dumping pollutants. And as far as being allowed to discharge coolant water, it would be better if they weren’t allowed to discharge ANY water. Carla Rose James | via Facebook

Take a look at pictures of cruise ships in the lagoon in Venice. They are ruining the ecology and the total ambiance of the place. Nancy Bartell | via Facebook

Tourism is our second leading industry. If they boot the boats, they better have a plan to replace the revenue. Erin Peck | via Facebook

These people are bringing millions of dollars to our local economy without messing up traffic. Get a grip, NIMBYs. The irony isn’t lost on all of us. Cameron Barfield | via Facebook

Green and Mean

Have you folks actually read the “Green New Deal”? If so and you still believe, I have an “eternal motion machine” for sale; only $5 million (“The Green New Deal is one thing we should all be able to agree on,” Feb. 14-20). Scott Cunningham | via Facebook

Back the bill! Close the airport! Those jets pollute! Eliminate the cars! I can get to work faster on my bike! A train from Carmel to Monterey! Now! Plow over Salinas and Seaside – for wind turbines! They get the most wind! Rebuild every house in Carmel! All solar! (Sarc.) Mike Sullinger | via Facebook

The Coast Weekly is trash. Edie Powell | via Facebook

Editor’s note: The Monterey County Weekly was renamed in 2004.

You can paint a pig any way you like, it’s still a pig. Liberals/socialists will be the downfall of all of us all. We will continue to fight this every day!!! Wayne Scholes | via Facebook

Radical should not be a dirty word when it comes to climate change! We had better figure out how to pay for it, otherwise we are going to pay for it in others ways we will regret for a long long time. Janice Blaze Rocke | via Facebook

Climate change is happening here and now. The latest climate report from the UN tells us we have only 12 years to transform our economy to preserve a stable climate. For this reason we need a massive mobilization of every sector of society.

A Green New Deal is a reasonable response to this threat. While minimizing the dangers of climate change, it will also create millions of green jobs.

I’d like to thank Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Sen. Kamala Harris for signing on. Now it’s time for Sen. Dianne Feinstein and all presidential candidates to do the same. Selden Prentice | Carmel

Picker Uppers

I love these women heroes, quietly making a difference over the past 30 years (“Three Pacific Grove women keep the Rec Trail litter-free during 30 years of daily walks,” Feb. 14-20). Sioux Watson | via Facebook

Wow. Thank you! Jessica Thompson | via Facebook

Wow! How sad, though, that this degree of effort is needed. Elinora Mantovani | via Facebook

Power Down

In the past two years, the California Public Utilities Commission made a number of decisions that clearly favored investor-owned utilities, heightened uncertainties for, and stunted the growth of Community Choice Aggregators in California and consequently slowed the development of renewable resources (“As PG&E begins bankruptcy proceedings, Monterey Bay Community Power gauges uncertainty,” Feb. 14-20).

MBCP recently filed opening comments related to Investigation 15-08-019 as to whether PG&E’s organizational culture and governance prioritize safety. MBCP’s key comments:

1) PG&E should be a wires-only company and remove PG&E from generation services to focus on safety.

2) Disaggregation and decentralization of public benefits programs will further improve local community efforts.

3) MBCP believes in the need to double down on underground electrical infrastructure with priority given to locally identified needs based on areas of high risk.

MBCP is certain the CCA model provides local control and cost savings to maximize benefits for the region. Tom Habashi | Pacific Grove

Editor’s note: Habashi is CEO of Monterey Bay Community Power.

Election Season Starts Early

I was pleasantly surprised to see that someone is considering running against Jane Parker for county supervisor (“Squid Fry: Higher Office,” Feb. 14-20). Even if it is still rumors, I’m ready to see some fresh ideas. Steve McShane has done a lot for the city of Salinas. He’s energetic and extremely positive. Our county needs both. Kristin Callender | Salinas

Corrections

A story (“As PG&E begins bankruptcy proceedings, Monterey Bay Community Power gauges uncertainty,” Feb. 14-20) incorrectly stated that PG&E buys that power from MBCP then transmits it to customers. While PG&E does transmit MBCP’s power to customers, it does not first buy the power from MBCP.

A story (“A new production of Romeo & Juliet combines old tradition and progressive updates,” Feb. 21-27) incorrectly identified which actor plays which role. Anjoli Johnson plays Romeo and River Navaille plays Mercutio.