Letters to the Editor 04.19.18

House and Home

Just rent long-term – easy and profitable (“Short-term rental owners sue the city of Pacific Grove,” posted April 11). Celia Bosworth | via Facebook

“Look, we bought these houses for the express purpose of making as much money as possible, regardless of the damage we did to the local housing market.” Joseph W. Borawski | via Facebook

Local people who work in this community are priced out of the rental market!! Who would have ever thought one would see lower Seaside getting $2,000-plus for rentals… insane. Sandi Martin | via Facebook

If I purchased a home for rental or investment potential this would piss me off, too. CJ Howard | via Facebook

People have the rights to use their property the way they see fit. I see people driving around looking for free parking and filling up spaces that are in front of residents’ houses. Now are you going to require parking permits next? Where does this stop? Government making rules without people being fairly represented? That was why we fought the British in the 1700s. Putting liens on people’s houses, fining $2,500 a day if they don’t comply, what kind of government is this?

Some people would have lost their house when this recession hit a few years ago, but renting saved them. Not everyone is rich in P.G. and there are people out there trying just to keep their head above water. So stop this madness and be fair, discuss the problem openly and with both sides coming to an agreement. Pall Forloney | Pacific Grove

Every time I leave my home in P.G. and see the anti-short-term-rental signs in people’s yards, I get nauseated. Could P.G. represent itself as a more unfriendly community? I don’t see how. Pall [Forloney] is right, homeowners should have the right to use and rent out their homes as they please. They are paying the mortgage after all!

Short-term rentals fill a much-needed void by enabling travelers the ability to take a vacation. [Short-term rentals] offer a home away from home where guests can enjoy meals together rather than being forced to eat out every meal, a huge factor when budgeting for a trip.

Stop the whining, or change the slogan to “America’s most unfriendly town.” The behavior and unwelcoming attitude is beyond embarrassing. I for one don’t want to be clumped together with the P.G. Haters! Kelly Edwards | Pacific Grove

Remembering an Ag Great

Great businessman, even greater person (“Rick Antle, CEO of Tanimura & Antle and agribusiness visionary, dies at 61,” posted April 16). Tremendous loss for all he touched and the entire Monterey County community. DM Cohen | via Facebook

Rick Antle was a good man and a good friend. Rest in peace my friend, and God bless. Gregory J. Yancey | via Facebook

RIP, Rick. We’ll miss you. Shawn Adams | via Facebook

Kid Watch

I’d sure like to know what happened to the CPS workers and/or police officers who failed to follow through on the numerous complaints made by the school workers and neighbors (“A child murder trial puts painful testimony – and heroic efforts – on the stand,” April 12-18). They are certainly complicit in the death of those poor children, in my opinion. Trish Sullivan | Salinas

I wonder where his parents are. Misty Flores | via Instagram

Shot Down

I am appalled that the Monterey County Fairgrounds is hosting the Friends of the NRA event (“Squid Fry: Point and Shoot,” April 12-18). I hope there will be a protest of some kind and I would suggest that anyone concerned about gun violence in this country boycott any future events held at the Fairgrounds until they stop hosting gun-friendly events. Targeting the pocketbook is usually the most effective deterrence strategy. Helen Ogden | Pacific Grove

Everybody up in arms (no pun intended) about Friends of the NRA, and students walked out over gun control. Yet, students and seemingly most people in Seaside are supporting the teacher who brought a gun to school… WTF?! Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

Seems to me that the real hate-filled snarkness was directed at a retired sheriff who happens to believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment is metaphorically like an ice sculpture in the desert, the best those that believe in the Constitution can do is to hold an umbrella over it to slow down its melting away. When one God-given right is taken away (by man-made excuses) can the loss of the other rights be far behind?

Have you noticed that of all the “mass shooters,” none of them have ever been members of the NRA? David Fairhurst | Carmel Valley

Tea Time

That tea room is wonderful! (“Morsels: Join Eddison & Melrose for tea – and a creative flower arranging class,” April 12-18.) We had a lovely time there; highly recommend it. Melissa Finley | via Facebook

Wine And Dine

Their food is delicious (“The Wine House is a place to sit and sip – and glance at your neighbor’s plates,” April 12-18). Henry Simpson | via Facebook