Letters to the Editor 03.13.25

Sign’s Up

I joined this protest! Women’s rights. No kings (“Hundreds gather in front of Monterey City Hall for International Women’s Day to protest the U.S. presidential administration,” posted March 10). Marissa Bishop Kobylenski | Pacific Grove

I was there with my little girls! It was electrifying! Julia Triplett | via social media

I was very happy to be there! Great turnout, women and men. Susan Harris | Carmel Valley

Are they promoting the accomplishments of women? No, it’s more leftist propaganda to resist common sense. Thomas Muto | via social media

What freedom looks like. Beautiful. Cheli Flores | via social media

Thank you, Monterey County Weekly, for being one of the few covering the protests (“A local protest movement is getting organized to take on Trump 2.0,” posted March 5). Lisa Jensen | via social media

There was a very successful rally at Window on the Bay in Monterey on Tuesday, March 4 with people lining both sides of the street. Unfortunately, there was no media.

It’s important to know that many different people came together here in Monterey: for democracy, women’s rights, minority rights, immigrant rights, federal workers, Ukraine, anti-DOGE, etc. Some brought uplifting signs, some were angry and brought more passionate ones. But it’s important to note that something’s afoot here. Sharon Miller | Pacific Grove

Job Duty

Thanks for your article concerning federal employees and their alleged low-productivity jobs (“Federal employees contend with an administration that doesn’t understand – or care about – their value,” posted March 3). As a retired career federal employee, I would like to say that this administration’s devaluation of the federal workforce also affects the morale of those of us who served in the past. To have the leaders of this country think so little of our contributions is indeed demoralizing, and factually wrong! James Trost | Monterey

Our government is $36 trillion in debt and is spending $1.8 trillion more than it brings in from our taxes. If I or you were upside down in our finances and were borrowing money to pay bills, how long would this be sustainable?

Our representatives and bureaucracy have failed us. They have known for years the debt is not sustainable and have done nothing to correct it. If the government were a company it would have filed bankruptcy, and new leadership would be hired. Oh, but we do this every two, four years. The difference this time is this president is not a politician and is relentless in correcting the issue.

The cuts that are understandably hard for federal workers. Change is always hard when corrections are made. How many families lost their homes in 2008? No one came to bail them out. I was affected by the dot-com bust where 1 in 7 employees in Silicon Valley were laid off. No one bailed us out. We fixed up our resumes and worked hard to find work. Dwight Richardson | Salinas

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The Monterey office needs FOURTEEN meteorologists? (“At least six local NOAA employees are fired from the federal workforce,” posted March 6.) Seems like maybe there’s some bloat there. How about a little bit in the article questioning the need for 14, 12, or six, for that matter? A little balance would be refreshing Marilyn Kay Flynn | Pacific Grove

Flower Power

Loved the article on Second Bloom! (“Nonprofit Second Bloom repurposes fancy bouquets to uplift hospice patients and others,” March 6-12.) Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is a recipient of their arrangements, and I can’t begin to tell you what they mean to a homebound client who not only receives our nutritious food but a beautiful flower arrangement. These flowers bring joy and beauty. Susan Elwood | Monterey

On Board

Great photos (“First-ever Monterey Bay Skate Fest draws about 100 skateboarders to Cutino Park in Seaside,” posted March 10). Paul Wetterau | via social media

Dope! Helmets should be required for all participants though. Brains are important! Allison Bautista | via social media

Drain Game

John Tilley’s letter reflects the dated view of a few who believe in Cal Am like a religion (“Letters,” Feb. 20-26). They never question. They believe Cal Am’s proposed desal plant is still needed. It’s not.

They continue to question the source water for the Pure Water Monterey expansion. But Monterey One Water has repeatedly shown the source water is secure. M1W is the builder of the project, they have the records, they have the expertise, and they’ve had the vision to produce one-third of our water supply for the past three years. Why isn’t Tilley questioning Cal Am instead of M1W? Melodie Chrislock | Monterey

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Who pays the $3 million if it were to happen? (“A community outreach process in Marina, paid for by Cal Am, gets off to a rocky start,” March 6-12).

Why, the ratepayers of the Monterey Peninsula of course. They pay for everything, including the propaganda efforts of EnviroGage. Michael Baer | San Jose

Perfect Pair

What an exquisite juxtaposition of Donna Gilmore’s letter and “This Modern World” (“Letters,” March 6-12). The former extolls the purported virtues of our newly unelected President Musk, whilst the latter brings us crashing down to the absurd reality of the situation.

And congratulations to Squid for accomplishing five such important tasks, which is sure to please our new emperor if he happens to read the Weekly (“Squid Fry: Task Master,” March 6-12). Robin Clark | Carmel Valley