Letters to the Editor 05.15.25

In the Weeds

Am I missing something? Why would the City need to transfer ownership? It doesn’t sound like they contribute any resources for maintenance. From City Manager John Guertin’s comments, it appears like the City is not cooperating out of pettiness (“A 4.6-acre habitat reserve in Del Rey Oaks, encircled by barbed wire, is vulnerable to a new threat,” May 1-7).

As a resident of DRO, I am dismayed. The City should be serving the interests of its residents, not holding grudges. I’m sure there’s plenty of residents who would see the value of clearing invasive species, especially if it doesn’t cost the City anything! — Greg Stutzman | Del Rey Oaks

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Someone should be able to talk sense with them, without requiring a lawsuit. — Walter Wagner | Salinas

Rolling Forward

Yay, this is awesome! (“Just in time for summer, a roller skating rink is returning to Monterey,” May 8-14.) — Tamie Aceves | via social media

Yesss!! — Karyn Lee-Garcia | via social media

Think Locally

Thank you for including “Tips for getting involved at the local level” on this important civics topic (“Local government provides a platform for real people to make real change,” May 1-7). It’s always so disappointing to see voter turnout in our county even for presidential elections.

Having and supporting qualified candidates is especially critical as we live through the consequences of that not being the case in 2024.

Running for office is not easy so thank you to those that do it for the right reasons, not because of ego and greed. — Esther Malkin | Monterey

Note: Malkin is a founder of Monterey County Renters United.

Battery Power

It shouldn’t! Too dangerous! (“PG&E’s Elkhorn battery facility in Moss Landing to go back online by June 1,” posted May 8.) The neighborhood is still suffering from the fire! Why would stupid PG&E do this? — Jackie Dryden | Aptos

When profit becomes the ultimate goal, ethics and empathy are easily cast aside. — Cheryl Robinson | Prunedale

Pay to Play

Nazario Martínez frets that Republicans “reeked of wealth and white privilege” and are funded by “oligarchs” (“Letters to the Editor,” May 8-14). If that were true, then Trump and his supporters must have totally outspent the Democrats in the 2024 presidential elections. Not according to the New York Times! The Democrats spent $2.9 billion while Republicans spent $1.8 billion. In fact, Democrats and their party usually collect far more campaign money from Hollywood celebrities, tech billionaires and financial tycoons than any other political party. Now, who has the most oligarchs? — Lawrence Samuels | Carmel

All Together Now

I read a Washington Post newsletter highlighting a Dutch nursing home that has begun offering free housing in exchange for keeping residents company, to combat loneliness with mental health benefits for all concerned. This immediately brought to mind your article this week regarding the housing crisis for CSUMB students, one experienced by many student communities across our one country (“Frustrations mount for students looking for housing on CSU Monterey Bay’s campus.” May 8-14).

Why is this cross-generational approach not being tried – or at least explored more fully – here in the U.S.? So many people in need, a loneliness epidemic, mental health crises among the young at record levels. This would be a win-win if effectively realized. — Brandi Katz | Aromas

History is Now

So awesome (“The Walk of Remembrance helps us learn from a past that parallels the present,” posted May 8). — Rhonda Dominguez | vis social media

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has a wonderful Chinese history exhibit. — Pam Coz-Hill | via social media

People Power

Diversity is America’s birthright (“On May Day, workers rally for issues that impact all of us,” posted May 1). It is how we are known to the rest of the world; you might call it our brand. This administration has chosen to divide us along cultural, racial and economic lines, rather than to unite us. Remaking this country to serve only the prosperous native-born damages our brand and turns our strength into weakness. The Trump administration’s lack of due process for immigrants has brought indignation from fair-minded citizens, and protests from all over the nation. I applaud those in the streets. They have realized that ignoring others’ rights is a sure way to imperil our own. — Carol Setinek | Seaside

… All the People

The Executive Order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” targets the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture for promoting an alleged “improper ideology.” This order threatens not only the ability of institutions to engage with the honest and truthful telling of Black history, but also our shared ability as a nation to understand Black history as a fundamental component of American history.

As a Black American, I am extremely concerned about how this EO will affect the public by denying African American history. Black historical heroes like Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Tuskegee Airmen, Maya Angelou and Jackie Robinson are already being erased by government websites which is not only immoral, but also whitewashes American history and sanitizes the atrocities this country has committed. — Zoe Edington | Monterey

Baby Birds

Great news! Thanks for sharing (“Snowy plover eggs rescued from Marina State Beach hatch at SPCA,” posted April 30). — Jay Donato | Salinas