Letters to the Editor 05.30.24

City Strife

The reasons Mayor Craig cites for her pending retirement from the Salinas City Council are very distressing (“After 12 years in public office, Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig announces she will not seek re-election,” posted May 24). She has been an effective mayor and council member. George Lentz | Seaside

Honor the Fallen

Freedom isn’t free; it’s costly. Memorial Day is the one day we as a nation honor the sacrifices of our fallen service members. It’s not a holiday for beer, barbecues, concerts and merchandise sales (“Several ceremonies are planned on Memorial Day to remember those who died while serving the country,” posted May 24).

Considering the rich military history of the area, I was disappointed in the complete lack of coverage or respect for the sacrifices made on our behalf.

In fact, the only military mention in last week’s issue was concerning the liability albatross former Ford Ord has become (“As Seaside stumbles through trying to develop its Fort Ord property, liability keeps cropping up,” May 23-29). The Weekly can do better! Jack Murphy | Monterey

Note: Murphy is director of the County of Monterey’s Military & Veterans Affairs Office.

Green Sheen

Thanks for Erik Chalhoub’s article (“Cali Roots went green more than a decade ago, and the results speak for themselves,” May 23-29). It is encouraging to hear about the progress so far. Personally, I’m particularly excited about the bike and skate valet service.

Nevertheless, I wonder if the “900-pound gorilla” might be getting overlooked. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation to the event – let alone if someone is coming from out of town or even flying to get here – must surely dwarf the beverage containers that are consumed on site.

Clearly, such carbon emissions should be factored into the greening of any of the local events that attract distant visitors. Eugene Loh | Pacific Grove

Global Conflict

Thank you for at last writing something more meaningful about THE WORLD (Gaza in particular) instead of trite nonsense about food and “fine dining” that seems to have been the staple diet of these newsletters and the paper (“A story of war and human suffering across the globe hits close to home,” posted May 20).

The globe we live on is bigger than beautiful Monterey and we/you should reflect on that in news copy and stories. Yes, local issues are important but in the overall scheme of things insignificant with where the geopolitical status of the world is right now. Less typical USA insularity!

Keep up these types of editorials – less fluff about restaurants and their latest food offerings. Charles Knight | via email

~ ~ ~

I thought you worked for Monterey County Now, not Al Jazeera. What’s the connection to the county? Some would accuse you of WOKENESS. The war [was] started by Hamas, as you know. Many Israeli babies are dead. Yes? Carl Silverman | New York

Both Sides

In her May 16 opinion piece, Sara Rubin works hard to find a villain where there are only passionate concerned citizens with the courage to speak out to solve big problems (“A new arts and culture group is subtly advancing a right-wing agenda,” May 16-22).

I have attended a number of California Arts & Sciences Institute (CASI) events, including the one featuring Dr. David Henderson, a former member of President Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers. Somehow Ms. Rubin fails to mention the purpose of the talk was to uncover the root of poverty and lay a path for self-determination and economic vitality for working class families.

At least that was my takeaway. Sounds pretty subversive, doesn’t it? Mike Gibbs | Pacific Grove

~ ~ ~

This is not about a right-wing agenda or a left-wing agenda. This about people caring about their community, which is an up or down agenda.

It is so easy to criticize conservatism, calling them right-wing just because the left-wing does not agree with conservatives. Marilyn Galli | Carmel

Grow Where It’s Planted

Navarro’s is such an amazing nursery! (“A unique Castroville nursery is trying to stay in business by buying the property it leases,” May 23-29.) Manuel is so knowledgeable and kind. I tell everyone that will listen to shop there. Lauren Dwight | Marina

I hope he succeeds! I used to work with him. Stephanie Shonley | via social media

No Grow

The Photo of the Day is very lovely, but it unfortunately glorifies an invasive weed, ice plant (“ETC Photo, posted May 24). A picture showing a native flower would have been much better. Carl Nash | Washington, D.C.

Picture Show

This concerns Rob Rogers’ most welcome take on the fascist treasonous freak, D.J. Trump. I noted in your April 18 issue a letter from a disaffected, shrill nut [opposed to Rogers’ cartoons] (“Letters,” April 18-24).

Please don’t let this nut influence you to curtail Rogers’ appearance. The point of his efforts finds much favor among many of your readers. Bruce G. Elliott | Salinas