Letters to the Editor 05.25.17

Paved Over

Finally. The entire coastline is eroding, in part, because of this (“A state agency flexes its muscle against Cemex. This time, it’s not a threat. It’s an order,” posted May 16). Karen Ladner Gunby | via Facebook

I’m happy, but cynical they will just submit a lease application and years more mining will go on. Patricia Domingo | Seaside

Another business and jobs destroyed by, this time, land-grabbing government. Mike Holland | via Facebook

It’s about time California finally orders Cemex back to its home base, but being California, Cemex can disobey the law and remain here illegally operating knowing California doesn’t deport. Candace Truman | Seaside

Fair Hearing

Perhaps if the judge had not been dozing off during the trial (or checking her eyelids for holes), she may have come to a different decision (“No new trial for Jack Sagin, in prison for life for a 1985 murder,” posted May 18.). Exoneration, probably not, but a new trial, at a minimum, would certainly have been fair. Yes, he was convicted without DNA evidence. We all know jailhouse informants wouldn’t lie. However, had DNA been available for trial in 1985, the absence of it surely would have created doubt. Jerry Kosar | Maricopa, Arizona

Editor’s note: Kosar is Sagin’s brother-in-law.

Problem Solvers

Thanks for Pam Marino’s article about homelessness among seniors and the lack of affordable housing in the county (“Skyrocketing housing costs coupled with an aging population mean more pressure on senior housing – and more homeless seniors,” May 11-17). Although there have been people and groups working on housing issues and homelessness over the past 20-some years, the situation would probably have looked markedly different had FORA’s original general plan earmarked 50 percent of housing to be built on Fort Ord lands for affordable and low-cost housing.

The opportunity was there – and still is, to an extent – for co-housing projects, prefabricated homes, small-scale, ecologically-sound housing projects, etc. We can do better.

So many abandoned, derelict buildings still stand, awaiting demolition. Where’s the political will among local officials to put greater resources and money toward addressing the county housing needs? Vision, innovation and determination – our local city and county leaders can make it happen. Make good use of Ford Ord lands. Judy Karas | Monterey

On Trial

The guy is a piece of crap, a street thug who found his way into public office via the voters in his district who believed all his BS (“Former Salinas City Councilman Jose Castañeda goes to trial,” posted May 15). Hope he goes down big-time. Rick Shephard Sr. | via Facebook

So I see he still hasn’t learned to take no for an answer. Lynne Siqueiros | via Facebook

This is one of two stories I love to follow. He is like a bad soap opera. Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

Pray to Play

The person/s who wrote the column decried having to hear a prayer at a Seaside City Council meeting (“Squid Fry,” May 11-17). He/she apparently does not know that Seaside is just loaded with churches… and people of faith. That same morning at the Embassy Suites were several hundred people gathered to hear a speaker tell us about the strong linkage there has been between faith and our government, from its inception and down through the years. Those gathered prayed for our communities, our established institutions and our nation. At noon there were groups all over our county, praying at flagpoles in various towns. Probably the largest turnout was in Seaside!

We are thankful that contrary to Squid’s understanding, the government is barred from exerting any rule over our belief or nonbelief. This does not preclude that individuals may offer prayer to God for those who govern over us, nor that we expect our government to do righteously. Perhaps [Squid] should get off of shrimp-flavored popcorn, and begin a diet of hearing God’s Word. Carol Stollorz | Carmel

Short Term, Long Time

I love how the [short-term rental] property owner cites noise as the primary issue, when housing for permanent residents is the primary issue (“P.G.’s short-term rental ordinance is popular – outside of the city – and is set for change,” posted May 17). What kind of disconnect has to take place for someone to think noise is a bigger issue for residents than finding appropriate housing? Joseph W. Borawski | via Facebook

It’s Pacific Grove, complainers rule. Jody Hutchinson | via Facebook

Ride On

God rest him (“Motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden dies following cycling crash,” posted May 22). What a shame, not from motorcycle racing, just from riding his bicycle. Patrick Kenedy | via Facebook

So tragic! Stephanie Johnstone | via Facebook

War of Worlds

It’s not This Modern World that’s getting disgusting, it’s the continuing lies, corruption, and harmful policies of Trump’s presidency (“Letters,” May 18-24). Disgusting by any reasonable standards of ethics, intelligence and fairness. Bob Gotch | Carmel