Letters to the Editor 05.03.18

Castles in the Sand

Don Orosco claims that evicting tenants, bulldozing businesses, clogging traffic, and ruining the view to build his “South of Tioga” complex in Sand City will be good for locals (“A massive development in Sand City faces opposition, but could be approved in weeks,” April 26-May 2). Can anyone explain that logic? Because what a high-rise hotel between Granite Rock and the Salvation Army will definitely do is create traffic jams for everyone shopping at Costco, Tesla and Acme Coffee. It will be the third eyesore after the Embassy Suites and the totally separate Bay Shores eco-resort. It will evict the hand-crafted, award-winning, family-friendly, one-of-a-kind Sanctuary Rock Gym and replace it with… more tourists. Save your valuable view. Save Sand Dollar, Edgewater and Auto Row traffic flow. Save Sanctuary Rock Gym. Save Sand City. Say no to the “South of Tioga” resort. Kent Leatham | Pacific Grove

More housing is a critical need on the Peninsula. I’m sure there are employees in the adjacent shopping center who would give anything to be able to walk to work. Car access to the shopping center is difficult. Two more hotels satisfy no crying need, and the additional tourist traffic will negatively impact the shopping access. Mr. Orosco has historically gotten everything he’s requested from Sand City, but this proposal needs more than just the tweaking he’s offering. George Lentz | Seaside

Opposition is always a given, in any development for that matter. Now will you excuse me, while I go hug a tree! Chris Sierra | via Facebook

Just wait, Monterey County is going to be overrun with more tourists and more over-developed cities. This quote in [a recent article on msn.com about] how Venice, Italy is dealing with overpopulation/tourism really stood out, because this is something we should really start doing in Monterey before it gets worse: “All tourists know that if they are respecting the city, they are welcome. At the same time, however, we have the task of safeguarding Venice.” Thomas Michael Chavarria | via Facebook

Safety First

I’ve had first-hand experience dealing with Monterey County Sheriff’s Department (election coverage, September 2017-April 2018). My son was the victim of homicide March 5, 2016. From 17 detectives we are down to six; public safety is not a priority. In my opinion, the lack of empathy and compassion for victims is the ultimate crime. It should be your first priority; we are sending a bad message to the community.

A few months before my son’s murder, a man was shot and killed at 12 noon, and we haven’t done nothing to improve these conditions. Help in these neighborhoods with surveillance or something. As a community we are sending the message that it’s not my problem. You don’t want to walk in my shoes and wake up a broken-hearted mother. Misty Arias Malloy | Salinas

Pay to Play

Just think what the money could be donated to, to use for food and housing or schools instead of TV ads and postcards (“Campaign fundraising for June primary exceeds $711,000 to date,” posted April 28). Jan Shriner | Marina

Dream Home

This is completely outrageous (“A look at what $1 million can buy in different parts of Monterey County,” April 26-May 2). Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

And even more homes sit empty most of the year. There should be no tax advantages for second homes in housing critical areas. Niels Andrews | via Facebook

Payment Plans

And yet the District Attorney’s Office can do a million-plus-dollar remodel, including all new furnishings (“Dwindling county reserves and increasing costs mean possible layoffs and service cuts,” April 26-May 2). Just check out the county’s surplus warehouse which is full of barely used office equipment and furniture. It’s free if you know the right folks! Jude English | via Facebook

For five years, the county has been going through the motions of writing an ordinance to regulate short term rentals. Accomplishing this would mean an infusion of several million dollars a year to the county. The Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance recently proposed that the county adopt an interim ordinance that would at the very least, get people who are currently renting on board with paying transient-occupancy tax. Even that turned out to be too much for the county. When the political will to get things done does not exist, we get the results described in this article. Jan Leasure | Monterey

Editor’s note: Leasure is director of the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance.

Changing It Up

Awesome, I liked Sly McFly’s for the atmosphere but the food was not fresh. The new menu sounds good (“Menu changes bring casual sophistication to a longtime Cannery Row favorite,” April 26-May 2). Austin Barkis | via Facebook

Say Cheese

I saw them filming a prank at the Cannery Row Antique Mall (“Peter Funt brings decades of pranks in Candid Camera to the stage at Sunset Center,” April 26-May 2). Pretty funny. I was so happy to see it because my dad and I watched this show all the time! Kim Schreiber | via Facebook

They used my grandmother’s house for an episode. Pretty neat to watch it. Michael J. Ihnot | via Facebook

I loved watching this show! CJ Howard | via Facebook