Letters to the Editor 09.24.15

The Fine Print

Local newspapers can have a renaissance (“The Salinas Californian is slashing its print schedule. What’s next?” Sept. 10-16). They need to advertise themselves better of what they can be in this computer/iPhone/tablet-saturated society. (That being a break from the gadgetry.)

Read the local news without having to plug in, in natural light, not having to wait for a page to load. And read the news. Most people online go to their personal preference sites and that’s it.

Also, newspaper machines need to be modernized. I notice every day their appalling, blasted, war zone, graffiti-tagged condition everywhere on street corners and next to diners all over America.

People will respond to the crisp and new. Machines need to be able to take bills, or a credit card, rather than having to rummage for six to eight quarters.Charles Birimisa | via Web

Thanks for this vital story. As a veteran morning newspaper reader (age 89) and (still) a freelance journeyman journalist, I share deeply the concern you’re illuminating. And I look forward particularly to reading your next installment covering the Herald, which I have been watching diminish since I became a subscriber when I moved up here from Malibu in 2006. And even though they’ve become tissue-paper thin (in content as well as physical heft), I give them credit for fighting the good fight in whatever way they can. And opening up the morning’s edition in my kickback recliner with my coffee is still a prerequisite to a good day for me.

But I’m afraid, as I infer you are, too, that it’s a losing battle. I have three wonderful sons, all in their 50s, and not one of them subscribes to a daily paper! The most news-conscious of them, before he heads off every morning to Disney Imagineering in Glendale to design some new theme park attraction, sits down in his kickback recliner with his coffee by his side and pops open his MacBook Pro laptop and signs on to the BBC website.

Well, what are you gonna do? Thank God for weeklies, but dang, they sure pale in excitement after the sixth morning-coffee reread! Ward Lauren | Carmel

Since the Herald is light as a feather and employees are leaving in droves, how long before they reach a tipping point and nobody’s left to turn on the lights or drive the delivery truck? (“At the Monterey Herald, absentee owners may be worse than no owners at all,” Sept. 17-23.) Should we start a betting pool?Kevin Lewis | Pacific Grove

Oh, Those Uninsured

I love that we didn’t get to vote on that. I am glad my tax dollars are being used effectively. FML. (“County OKs plan to pay for health services for uninsured,” posted Sept. 16.) Chase Helms | via Facebook

So wait, we’re supposed to be happy to pay for people breaking the law? Ugh.Kathleen Rose Minafo | via Facebook

An important, much-needed program for sure, but as I suspected my family is still left out. “The middle” is something we fall right through. It’s OK, we’re used to it. Devin Podeszwa | via Facebook

Which “uninsured”? Jay Bennett | via Facebook

So what else is new? Gloria Dake | via Facebook

Net Effect

They also catch boats! (“Marine mammals score major victory as feds move to regulate drift gillnets,” posted Sept. 14.) We snagged one with our sailboat in the Dominican Republic – caused us all sorts of difficulty, delayed us by almost a day and required a large blade to cut us free. They are almost impossible to see (Dominicans don’t have fancy floats!) and impossible to avoid at night. Laurie Hamilton Ehlke | via Facebook

Cop vs. Cop

Drunk, stupid and armed is no way to go through life, Mr. Federal Police Officer! (“Off-duty federal cop charged in Seaside police shooting that left him injured,” posted Sept. 11.) Although in his defense, it was Seaside. (Just kidding folks… ) Timothy Foley | via Facebook

Where is the video footage? Every armed officer should be recorded and available for public record at this point in time – way too many issues with abuse of authority or questions in cases to not have officers wearing video surveillance! Lives should not be in jeopardy over what an officer(s) decides to report. If you are equipped with a deadly weapon, you should be on constant surveillance. No questions! Proof should be the only justified reason for firing upon civilians. Dave Sinor | via Facebook

Cops risk their lives every single day to protect the public. Are there “bad apples?” Absolutely. Does that mean all cops are bad? Not even close. I agree personal cameras are a good idea but to automatically assume the cop is at fault is just wrong. Considering the report prior to their arrival, the potential for the perpetrator to cause harm, and the potential for innocents to be harmed, the officers’ reactions are understandable. Should cops serve and protect? Abso-stinkin-lutely. Should the public have more respect for law enforcement? They most certainly should. Coleen Dunham | via Facebook

Jose Redux

Is it really justice for Salinas? (“Salinas Councilman Jose Castañeda posts bail, released from jail,” posted Sept. 12.) Sounds more like justice for Castañeda. Don’t involve the residents of Salinas to get you out of this rut. He just needs to stop. Abril Marquez | via Facebook

Miller Time

That is some serious bullshit: What a douchebag. (“Former King City acting police chief sentenced to three months in county jail,” posted Sept. 16.) Rachel Duchak | via Facebook