Letters to the Editor 05.18.17

College Credit

As a recent retiree, it’s simply painful to see what MPC has become (“MPC president under microscope in the midst of rocky relationship with faculty,” posted May 10). It is no coincidence that MPC is on probation for the first time in its history during the tenure of the current administration. Among my many complaints during my last few years there was the near total lack of communication from the president’s office to the faculty and staff. This is a prime example of “top down” administration style. He can blame a previous administration for the current state of affairs (and doesn’t THAT sound familiar??) but we who were “boots on the ground” know the truth. The Board of Trustees needs to put away their rubber stamp and hold the president and his recent hires accountable for the current deplorable state of affairs – morale at an all-time low and salaries that are an embarrassment. Gary Bolen | via Facebook

Editor’s note: Bolen is the former chair of theater arts at MPC, and was involved in the college’s theater program for 17 years.

That accreditation probation is a huge problem! That absolutely must be resolved or the college will be in an extremely serious financial situation. Julie Davis-Bryan | via Facebook

Open letter to the Board of Monterey Peninsula College: it is appalling that you have not demanded access to the various groups on campus to gain a real picture on the decision made by you to bring this real lack of leadership to MPC… What MPC needs now is a transformational leader who is committed to developing the whole campus, faculty and staff, and to a mutual respectful shared goal for meeting student and community needs. It is about doing the right thing so that we return real shared governance that is seated in mutual respect and support for common goals. Leandro Castillo | via web

Editor’s note: Castillo is division chair of Business & Technology at MPC.

Pop Up

Great location… but the song is seriously lacking (“Miley Cyrus’ latest music video, “Malibu,” is filmed on Garrapata State Beach,” posted May 13). Sorry, Miley. #nottheclimb Jon Brent | via Facebook

Awesome! I love me some Miley. Chris Sierra | via Facebook

I sure wish there were a local resource or commission that advocated and worked with the locals for crew and labor for these shoots. Seems like Hollywood spends a lot of money here; it would be nice if they left more of it. Doug Mueller | via Facebook

Editor’s note: The Monterey County Film Commission exists for this purpose.

Seeking Justice

My daughter had her birthday the day Christina went missing (“Charles Holifield pleads not guilty to 1998 murder of Christina Williams,” posted May 9). I participated in one of the search groups who combed the Fort Ord area where she was last seen walking her dog. Many of us were frightened to imagine a young girl could be taken in broad daylight seemingly right from under our noses. With sticks we knocked down the high vegetation looking for her small body. We cried, we looked and came back the next day and did it again and again and again. Saddened, we continued to search. This piece of shit needs to pay for his crimes. I was afraid for my daughter from that day on. Imprisonment for life doesn’t seen harsh enough. He should fry. Elyse Battey | via Facebook

Life without. Throw the key in the ocean. He makes me sick. Karin Lindgren | via Facebook

Back in Business

I believe that a fair-minded reading of the article does not jibe with what you are trying to say (“Squid Fry,” May 11-17). It reads that a rich boy has expensive toys, and your writer appears to begrudge that, which is too bad, because even a cursory look into Mr. Talbott’s history will show that he worked his butt off, over many decades, to achieve his success, including personally planting his original vineyard by hand.

If you knew that Mr. Talbott does not own the businesses which you mentioned, then what was the purpose of mentioning them at all, if not to show him in a bad light?

The motorcycle collection in Carmel Valley is Mr. Talbott’s way of giving back to the community. Perhaps you can give him some credit for that. Peter Blackwell | Carmel Valley

alternative facts

Tom Tomorrow’s political cartoons are getting disgusting (“This Modern World,” May 11-17). Mandatory organ harvesting is from Planned Parenthood, not President Trump’s health care plan. The Saul Alinsky way is accuse others on what you are really doing. That is what this cartoon is about. Marilyn Galli | Carmel

Corrections

A story about the challenges of housing for seniors (“Skyrocketing housing costs coupled with an aging population mean more pressure on senior housing – and more homeless seniors,” May 11-17) incorrectly reported two figures on the age of homeless women surveyed in a recent report; 12 percent of women in the Salinas Valley were 61 and over, not 21 percent, and 14 percent of women on the Monterey Peninsula were 61 and over, not 4 percent.

A story (“A lawsuit alleges the Monterey Bay Air Resources District is spending big, illegally,” May 11-17) incorrectly stated an earlier lawsuit against the district was filed by two former employees, Mike and Teresa Sewell; Mike Sewell is a former district employee, and Teresa Sewell is current employee.