LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 09.15.16

Up on Downs

I send my deepest apologies regarding my previous denunciation of your journalistic staff for not providing in-depth coverage of local issues and for not taking a stand on matters of local importance (“How the Monterey Downs developer allegedly depleted a $6M family trust,” Sept. 8-14). The Weekly’s recent expose by David Schmalz, has, in my opinion, absolved you of any previous oversights. From now on I promise to never intentionally spell the name of your publication incorrectly (substituting an “a” for the second “e” in Weekly). You have made an invaluable contribution to the residents of Monterey County. I only hope you will now investigate the identities of the Mysterious Investors of Monstrosity Downs. Could they be Middle East monarchs, Mexican drug cartels, the Mafia, or Russian oligarchs… ? Bill Leone | Seaside

Does not surprise me one bit. A great piece of work and thank you Weekly for publishing this information. Well friends, cheers to an election year! [County Supervisor Dave] Potter is gone and if the voters decide to go in a different direction, there are viable (female) Seaside candidates to support. These refreshing women (and potential new leadership) could seemingly throw a wrench into the ongoing party between the Seaside “good ol’ boys” and Brian the “trust-afarian.” Party on and vote. Jenny McAdams | via Facebook

Editor’s note: McAdams is a candidate for Pacific Grove City Council.

This illustrates the precise problem with unearned power we see in Trump, Jed York, George Bush and many others who were handed everything they have and never worked a day in their lives. Miguel Banda | via Facebook

Why would the city of Seaside be negotiating with this person? The research done by Mr. Eric Petersen, retired as an auditor of the IRS, found this information open to the public. But the city of Seaside didn’t come up with this information! Who is not doing their job?

Take a look at Seaside. There is no town, no place or reason for people to congregate for coffee, fine dining or shopping. Seaside needs something to bring the people into town, a nice square with seating and restaurants. I will not be voting for anyone for City Council that is for Monterey Downs. Shirley Graham | Seaside

I’d like to see camping and a youth hostel, perhaps an elderhostel, to help the less affluent enjoy the beauty of this area. Katie Coburn | via Facebook

I would rather see some kind of sports complex that includes baseball and soccer fields for youth programs and local tournaments, with turf of course. Forget the horse track. Jacqueline Aranda | via Facebook

Tech on Crime

It’s not free (“Implementing unhelpful technology won’t fix Salinas’ murder rate,” Sept. 8-14). It’s grant-funded. That means my taxes paid for it. And while we’re at it, why would I want reactive technology? I’d rather be proactive. But what do I know, I’m just a resident. Greg Hamer | via Facebook

It is paid for. Let’s put it to the test. Every cityscape is different and San Francisco is full of echo canyons and steep hills. I want to see this go forward. Jon Brandt | via Facebook

College Cash

Instead of speculating whether or not CSUMB got a good deal, perhaps we should consider whether, given the unemployment and under-employment rates for graduates, expanding CSUMB makes any sense (“Squid Fry,” posted Sept. 12). It’s worth noting half of college entrants drop out and half of the rest take six partying-heartily years to graduate. Andrew Allison | Carmel

Rate Play

David Schmalz’s article (“Ratepayers battle Cal Am over rising water bills,” Sept. 8-14) was a rare and needed message to the public that Cal Am is holding customers hostage to its ravenous, insidious monopoly. Ravenous, because it must provide rising annual profits to its parent, American Water, to support a rising stockholder dividend, which drives its stock price. Insidious, because the California Public Utilities Commission allows Cal Am to add capitalized costs to its rate base – a practice that invites overspending with no benefit to ratepayers. There is no end to this rising rate structure unless it is ended with a public buyout. Cal Am must not be allowed to win a desal plant by default. Roland Martin | Carmel

Bistro Drama

Thanks for giving people a heads up that RG Burgers at The Crossroads was planning to take over the space occupied by Bistro 211 (“So many Monterey County food-and-drink developments it’s crazy,” June 30-July 6). A couple of days ago I noticed the Bistro 211 windows are all covered in paper, so I guess it’s a done deal. Shame on RG Burgers for helping to push out a long-time tenant, and even more shame on the leasing and management company for letting it happen. For several years, I’ve been hearing rumblings from other tenants concerned that the management company, based in Santa Clara, doesn’t value either long-term tenants, the locals who are regulars at these businesses, or the tourists who return again and again. I hope Bistro 211 will find a new space to reopen. Cathleen Cohen | Carmel

Correction

A story about California American Water’s ability to pass on desalination-related costs to ratepayers (“Ratepayers battle Cal Am over rising water bills,” Sept. 8-14) incorrectly stated that Cal Am can earn nearly a 10-percent profit on about half of the money it spends on its desal project. While Cal Am can earn that much on other capital projects, they can only earn about a 10-percent profit on a third of the money they spend on the desal project, not half.