Letters to the Editor 03.06.25

Work Force

Absolutely shameful (“At least six local NOAA employees are terminated in sweeping federal firings,” posted March 3). I am so sorry and thank you for the good and important work you did. We were better for it. Randi Buckley | via social media

Insane! You’re highly educated, doing your job well – and suddenly you get an email saying you’re unfit to continue, and you have a half-hour to clean out your desk and scram – and your boss doesn’t even know about it yet. Disgusting. Leslie Patiño | via social media

I’m sorry this happened to them. It’s going to get much worse, in my opinion Ray Bethke | via social media

How is this making America great again? Jessie Call | via social media

This liberal cesspool Monterey County Weekly is always trying to sell their propaganda (“DLI and NPS employees wait to hear if they can resign amid federal chaos,” Feb. 27-March 5). Gerald E. Thompson | via social media

This is reality, not propaganda. Where’s the lie?? James Schultze | via social media

Shop Local

One day is not going to have any impact. Try a month, then we’ll talk (“During tomorrow’s 24-hour economic blackout, boycott the oligarchs and shop local,” posted Feb. 27). Thomas Gray | Seaside

Nothing is stopping any of us from doing this for a month, two months, six months, or from now on. I know I am planning to change my habits permanently. Monica Glatzel Williams | Prunedale

Monica Glatzel Williams, same here. Guadalupe Migdalia Aguillon | Soledad

Thanks a trillion dollars for your beautiful article about shopping at local stores and the no-shopping-at-AmWal-etc. I congratulate you for being brave and encouraging people locally.

There is a beautiful and clean non-profit cooperative grocery store chain in Eureka (North Coast Co-op) that sells everything. I wish something like that chain would start in Monterey-Salinas. H. Rahbar | Seaside

Speaking of Shopping…

I love this mall (“Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey sells for $123.5 million,” posted Feb. 27). The team does a great job with incorporating activities for the community. Working for one of the retailers is what brought me to this town. My son and I have spent 13 years doing the Halloween trick-or-treat. It is our ritual. Love it! All the restaurants are on point too. Wish they had more. Germaine Ng | via social media

It should also be noted Del Monte is among the best intact examples of a midcentury shopping center, designed by master architect John Carl Warnecke. Christopher Hanson | via social media

They need to add an interactive entertainment option, like a roller skating rink! Kim Smith | Monterey

Feeding the Fire

Probably lots more of these to come (“Haute Enchilada owners file federal lawsuit against Vistra over Moss Landing fire,” posted Feb. 27). The loss of business alone is likely substantial, in addition to health challenges and emotional distress. Punitive damages are not likely, but attorneys always ask for them. Walter Wagner | Salinas

Power Up

Regarding your reference to Elon Musk being an “unelected” “foreign born” “billionaire” (“Local federal workers remain in limbo after receiving offers of resignation with pay,” posted March 1).

Every executive branch federal government employee is not elected. They take direction directly or indirectly from our constitutionally elected president. Do you seriously not know that?

Being foreign-born and a U.S. citizen is part of what our country is built on. Why do you use this as a negative? Do you have personal prejudices against foreign-born citizens in the U.S.?

Being a billionaire is not a crime. Are you implying it is bad or somehow illegal to be a billionaire in this country?

Your statements appear to be propaganda and not journalism. I think you can do better and not fall into the Democratic Party propaganda trap.

I suggest you watch the Elon Musk interview on The Joe Rogan Experience. As a “journalist,” I think you would want to get some firsthand information before attacking someone’s character. Donna Gilmore | Monterey

Stand Down

This is why I support local news (and the Weekly, in particular): In the middle of a grim news story about a police stand-off in Seaside, Sara Rubin writes, “… and church music could again be heard from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.”

This combination of fine reporting with compassionate acknowledgment of community is good journalism (Seaside resident Joe Cubbage surrenders after hours-long standoff with police on suspicion of making death threats,” posted Feb. 24). Sally Ryen | Pacific Grove

Word Up

It’s a wonderful library! (“In five years, El Gabilan Library has shown the value of breaking with tradition,” Feb. 27-March 5.) Linda Wahlig | via social media

Dining Out

Bah! Steinbeck and Ricketts wouldn’t have attended in the first place – a non-union hotel that ruined Ocean View Boulevard – oops, I mean Cannery Row – with none of the people with whom they liked to hang (“C Restaurant’s Steinbeck dinner was just what the author – and Doc – would have wanted,” posted Feb. 28). Mark Weller | Salinas