Letters to the Editor 10.15.26

Big House

This is a monstrosity being put in a scenic area (“A Builder’s Remedy proposal for nearly 1,000 apartments on Highway 68 stirs concerns,” Oct. 8-14). Highway 68 is already almost impassable; I commute and it takes me an hour each day to go 16 miles. Now I’ll have to look at this eyesore. For shame, letting the skyline be bought by the biggest bidder. I’m disgusted. Wendy Oberbrecklon | Monterey

Highway 68 won’t be able to support all that traffic – it is already close to being a parking lot now. Gail Krempasky | Salinas

It’s really unlikely to be built in its current form. Most likely this is a case of the developer submitting something massive so they can negotiate down. Dixie Albertsen | Pacific Grove

The county didn’t have a certified housing element and the penalty for that is “Builder’s Remedy,” which allows developers to submit applications on housing identified parcels.

Welcome to California housing law. Be mindful of who and what you vote for. This is a direct result of legislation passed years ago. David J. R. Mack | Salinas

Battle Ground

Your endorsement of Measure H understates what Salinas families stand to lose (“Our endorsements on local ballot measures and state propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot: Yes on Measure H,” Oct. 1-7). If 7,000-8,000 occupied apartments save an average of $150 monthly under local stabilization, families retain $12.6 million-$14.4 million annually, or $1,800 per household for groceries, child care and local businesses.

Deteriorating apartments existed before Salinas adopted its 2024 ordinance. Oxnard adopted rent stabilization in 2022 and has roughly 3,500 housing units in approval or construction. Protecting tenants and building housing happen together.

Measure H repeals rent caps, anti-harassment, just-cause eviction safeguards and rental registration. Local protections give families guidance and a petition process.

Your editorial acknowledges repeal will not accelerate construction. Why remove protections families need while they wait?

Build more housing. Keep renter protections. Vote No on Measure H. Rosa Gonzalez, Jacob Sandoval, Ben Nurse, Matt Huerta, Jasmin Topete | Salinas

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“Why are you so antagonistic toward ‘the impassioned pleas of renters’?” asks Salinas resident John Silva (“Letters,” Oct. 8-14). Is it because Publisher Erik Cushman and CEO Bradley Zeve shoved their opinions down the throats of the people who actually put out the paper (most likely employees are renters)? Your editorial acknowledges Salinas’ failure to meet its regional housing needs. Yet you direct your frustration toward renters and the tenant protections that shield them from displacement.

Wealth and privilege have long influenced Salinas institutions, while working-class families fight simply to remain in their homes. If the editorial board truly cares about the housing crisis, demand more affordable housing – not fewer protections for vulnerable tenants.

Renters are not the enemy of progress. A system that prioritizes wealth over people is. Maggie Power | Salinas

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How sad that all that money is going to take people’s rights away and you guys support it. And you endorse people who will vote no on it. How ironic. Sophia Cortez | Salinas

Run to Win

I’m impressed with Tom Reeves (“The people we elect will shape our communities for years to come. Here are our picks for Nov. 3: Kim Barber for Monterey City Council District 1,” Oct. 8-14). He regularly participates in city council meetings with solid, down-to-earth observations and suggestions. He has background in the city and how it works, he’s a long-time resident, and he’s been president of his neighborhood association. He brings a problem-solving skill set and calm that’s sorely needed by the city as it faces unprecedented challenges. He is an excellent candidate. Nina Beety | Monterey

Kim Barber, as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget, voted to halve the rental assistance program. The rental registry is costing renters and property owners $330,000 per year with very little to show for it. Barber claims to be the champion for affordable housing and holds up the MidPen development as an example. Problem is, the contract with MidPen was signed before she was on Council.

The budget’s structural deficit is actually worse than has been stated. Kim doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge this even though staff has brought this to the council’s attention.

My idea to use $1 million of NCIP funds for affordable workforce housing is just a start. What has Barber proposed? A committee to study affordability.

Please, before you vote, check out my website tomformonterey.org. Tom Reeves | Monterey

Three Peat

In the 10 years that I have known her, Liesbeth Visscher has proven that she has the leadership, integrity and drive needed to protect our city’s future (“Liesbeth Visscher for Marina mayor,” Oct. 8-14).

When our local water resources were threatened by Cal Am’s proposed desalination facility, Liesbeth didn’t hesitate to take action. She helped to organize support for Citizens for Just Water in building a powerful citizen coalition. Her tireless efforts brought our community together to stand before the State Water Board.

Our city needs a leader who is grounded in family values, connected to our neighbors, and proven in defense of our local natural resources. Debi Nobriga | Marina

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As our city grows, we need Liesbeth Visscher’s analytical skills, experience and expertise to lead all of the complicated issues facing our city. Liesbeth is the only candidate with city government experience. Experience matters! Cheryl de Gier | Marina

Rock the Boat

This may be the least convincing endorsement of an incumbent I’ve ever read (“Ian Oglesby for Seaside mayor,” Oct. 8-14). The Weekly acknowledges serious failures in Seaside’s leadership, yet endorses Ian Oglesby because he’s steady, runs meetings effectively and has a seat at the regional table.

Seriously? That’s the bar?

Oglesby has spent 16 years on the council and as mayor. Look around Seaside. Are our streets better? Is downtown thriving? Are we keeping pace with neighboring cities?

What bothers me most is that the Weekly seems more concerned about Miller upsetting people than about Seaside’s lack of progress. Sixteen years is enough. If Oglesby’s greatest accomplishment is not rocking the boat, it’s time for someone who will. Marty Harrison | Seaside

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Lacey Raak really cares about her community and puts in the work. She’s a shining star! (“Lacey Raak and Annalisa Mitchell for Seaside City Council,” Oct. 8-14.) Arianne Tucker | via social media

Out of Nowhere

Your baffling decision to endorse David Boland is appalling (“David Boland for Carmel mayor,” Oct. 8-14). To say he is “new to politics” is a grotesque understatement. He is a newcomer to Carmel who has never served on a city committee or commission, never attended a City Council meeting and, as far as I know, he has never involved himself publicly in any of the many issues in which our residents enthusiastically participate.

Hans Buder is David Boland’s polar opposite. The leadership he has shown on issues critical to this city has been so impressive that he developed an early groundswell of support for his mayoral run long before Dale Byrne announced that he would not run for a second term.

You blew this one, big time, and your editorial board should be ashamed of itself. Chris Campbell | Carmel

Heart Break

It sounds like the Monterey County Sheriff’s investigation of the death of Baby Angelita went by the book (“Father who allegedly raped 14-year-old daughter had warrant out for arrest before birth of ‘Baby Angelita,’” posted Oct. 8). I am a retired law enforcement officer, previously assigned to child abuse investigations.

As anyone can imagine, the crime scene as it has been described must have been horrendous. We ask a lot of the men and women in law enforcement investigating such cases. The human toll upon the psyche of those who protect us cannot go unappreciated. It must have been very difficult for the officers and agents involved to then receive unwarranted criticism.

Rather than chastising their work we should be appreciative of what they have endured and accomplished despite the psychological shock that comes along with such an investigation. We should be thanking, congratulating and supporting these individuals. Seth L. Goldstein | Monterey

Corrections

A story about the Arab American Club of Monterey misstated one partner’s family history and current city of residence (“A film about Palestinian struggles galvanizes a Monterey woman to take action,” Oct. 8-14). Julie Drezner lives in Monterey, not Carmel Valley. Her ancestors left Bethlehem in the early 1900s, not after the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

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A story about candidates for Hartnell inaccurately reported on Sofia Ramirez’s resume (“Six candidates vie for three Hartnell Community College trustee seats,” Oct. 8-14). She has worked in education for 17 years, but just four of those years at Alisal Union.

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The reopening of Maya Cinemas, originally scheduled for Oct. 9, was postponed after the Weekly went to print (“Great Week,” Oct. 8-14). The reopening has been delayed to a date to be determined.