Letters to the Editor 05.05.16

A Walk in the Park

Fantastic news! (“140 acres of Rancho Cañada golf course to become parkland,” posted April 26). Kudos to the coalition of enviro groups that made it happen, and to the Hatton family for securing the land’s legacy as a natural open space. This will be a critical link in the long-planned corridor/trail network for wildlife and people. Will the 200 acre-feet really remain in the river, or will they be developable water credits? Kera Abraham Panni | via Facebook

The cease and desist order says “Cal Am shall not divert Carmel River water to service new connections” until the illegal diversions have been halted. The fact that some water has been saved does not change the fact that illegal diversions continue and that the CDO remains in effect. That’s why efforts to claim the CDO’s discussion of new water counting against diversions, somehow meaning that saved water doesn’t, isn’t sitting well with the [State Water Resources Control Board]. I expect they’ll give us an extension of some kind anyway, though. Keith Vandevere | via Facebook

Here’s the downside. To remove the courses and facilities and install trails is going to cost in the millions. They just put $500K into Palo Corona, and it’s primitive to say the least. That will also leave Monterey Pines and Laguna Seca as the only affordable courses on the Peninsula. If the Park District was smart, they would leave the banquet facilities and rent them out for weddings like Rancho does now. Beautiful setting. Jeffery Olms | via Facebook

OK, loss of more jobs and tax revenue – check. Rehab costs – check. Donate to public from private and property tax [revenue] reduced – check. What a deal! Mike Sullinger | via Facebook

I guess it makes sense now as to why they (golf course groundskeepers) were letting the course go. From the tee boxes, trimming the trees and spits around the greens, etc. Too bad. Tony Cabreros | via Facebook

How sad to see, what a terrible decision. Great memories playing CCS and junior golf in general there. Nick Bailey | via Facebook

In Labor

There are jobs out there, but no one wants to do them (“Even with 4,300 new ag jobs, Monterey County unemployment stays high,” posted April 26). Salinas Valley farmers are looking for irrigators, labor companies are looking for workers, transplant companies are looking for employees. Mark Manzoni | via Facebook

“We need action. We need jobs. We need growth. Let’s clear-cut the last remaining stands of oak forests in Fort Ord so we can build a horse racetrack, condos, and retail space so we can create dozens of minimum wage part-time, no-benefit jobs. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the economic expansion and job growth savior of Monterey County – Monterey Downs!” Jeffrey Oropeza | via Facebook

Body Logic

I think this looks disturbing to anyone whether you are on the anti-abortion side or the women’s rights side, but you don’t have to look if you don’t want to (“Anti-abortion groups preach at CSUMB,” posted April 23). Yes, it is an in-your-face form of protesting via images, but it is not inductive of physical harm to anyone. It is not a violent protest. It is just images and some writing. So, no you cannot say that you were forced to see it when walking by it, unless someone physically grabs you and holds your head and face to look in that direction. I also think that using the disturbing and large images of abortion is part of the point (if not the point itself) of their protest. They want people to look at how disturbing it is/think about it… duh! Remember these people are trying to recruit people to their cause. Ashley Harrison | via Facebook

That’s the price of free speech. I can’t believe someone would consider calling the police about this, especially at a university. Are they idiots? Yeah. Do idiots deserve to have their First Amendment rights left untrammeled? Yeah. Gordon Myers | via Facebook

Although I strongly disagree with anti-abortion activists, if CSUMB allows free speech on campus, these folk have every right to be there. So do the people protesting against the anti-abortion message. Free thinking and dialogue is what makes this country amazing. I think a college campus is possibly the best place for this. Hopefully each side will respect the other and have a civil discourse. Shane Russell | via Facebook

Heaven forbid we expose college students to alternative viewpoints. Christopher Basil Jon Sandoval | via Facebook

It’s meant to have this impact, and to provoke independent thought where only rainbows and lollipops currently reside. Looks like it did its job. Jeff Vaselech | via Facebook

The Politics of Economics

I wouldn’t trust any organization that honors Tanimura & Antle (“Economic summit puts regional development in crosshairs,” posted April 27). The company ruined Spreckels with its calculating plat development of oversized cookie-cutter (high-priced) “homes” and now, instead of paying living wages to its employees, the company takes praise for building housing for low-wage workers brought in on H-2A visas – as if agricultural work is somehow specialized. Next up, southeast Salinas along Highway 68: T&A will destroy those acres too, likely again with the county’s blessing, because both deem the land more valuable as suburban real estate than crops or open space. Erik Roycraft | via Facebook

How many poor and working class people were in the room? Were our perspectives included? Devin Podeszwa | via Facebook