Letters to the Editor 10.22.26

Park n Ride

Many national parks and state parks use shuttles because of the huge increases in tourist traffic. This should take care of the huge lines of cars parked along Highway 1 on either side of the entrance, and the danger to those passengers becoming pedestrians walking alongside the highway (“Planning Commissioners advance Point Lobos ParkIT! shuttle plan to address traffic and safety,” posted Oct. 15). — Walter Wagner | Salinas

Expand parking at the Barnyard, Crossroads, Larson Field. Shuttle people into the parks with cheap electric carts. Charge for the shuttle ride, approximately half of the cost of admission with their own car. Big Sur workers, residents and staff get a free shuttle ride into Big Sur and back to their parked vehicles. — Jonathon Martin | via social media

The Barnyard, maybe, but the Crossroads makes more sense without impacting the entire mouth of the Valley. I don’t think Larson Field is a good idea. That would require too much additional traffic on a two-lane residential street that already gets too much traffic. — Pam Clark Hansman | via social media

Q for Quarrel

No on Q (“Marina, faced with crumbling facilities, asks voters to consider a utility tax,” Oct. 8-14). Just got my water bill, with its increase. — Dawn Trego | Marina

There’s no doubt city personnel need new buildings. I contest the way in which leaders have made this plan, or lack thereof. Developers have been given vast leeway to build. I’m angry the leaders have not negotiated ways in which the [city] buildings could be funded with development fees.

Asking us to do this heavy financial lifting is irresponsible. You are not representing our interests. — Barb Patchin | Marina

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Build the [police and fire] stations where the work matters most. Let City Hall be uncomfortable and think of their money mismanagement. — Allen Carter | via social media

The problem is the creation of another source of tax revenue sold to people as a way to improve public safety, when the money will go to the city’s general fund. It is a deceptive tax at best. — Ryan Eller | Seaside

I totally support the safety of Marina but not when the city has clearly shown its priorities are not aligned with the residents and cannot be trusted with a tax that “may” go towards new facilities. The new Mercedes-Benz dealership clearly shows how much the city officials are out of touch with what is needed in Marina. — Priscilla Omoto | Marina

Jury Service

Although the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury does not publicly identify its members, I have no objection to identifying myself as a current juror (“The Buzz: Free Speech,” Oct. 15-22).

Serving on the Civil Grand Jury has been a great experience. I’m working with a dedicated group of community-minded Monterey County residents who volunteer their time to help improve local government.

For anyone interested in how our county and city governments operate, I would strongly recommend considering Civil Grand Jury service. It’s an opportunity to learn about local government, examine how public agencies operate and contribute to recommendations that can improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

The application process for the next July-June term typically opens in April. I encourage anyone interested to consider applying. — Scott Ansok | North County

Home Team

Thank you for having good clear reporting on a very complex, emotional issue, of need for housing and environment and density and Builder’s Remedy projects (“The County of Monterey’s housing plan has the finish line in its sight,” posted Oct. 13). I appreciate your reporting. Thank you. — Elizabeth Murray | Monterey

Running Race

[Monterey City Council candidate] Tom Reeves is right about one thing: Monterey needs workforce housing. But moving $1 million from neighborhood improvements is not a housing strategy (“Letters,” Oct. 15-21).

Housing takes land, financing, water, partners and a path from approvals to keys. Families struggling with rent cannot wait for construction. We need immediate help and lasting homes.

Our budget required painful choices, including reduced rental assistance. I won’t pretend otherwise. But the program has helped households, and the responsibility to keep people housed remains. The rental registry won’t lower rent by itself. Its data must guide assistance, preservation and action. MidPen began [a housing project] before my council term. Our job is to move it forward.

Fiscal responsibility matters. So does whether the people who teach our kids, serve our meals and care for our neighbors can still live here.

Monterey does not need fewer tools. It needs leaders willing to use them. — Kim Barber | Monterey

Note: Barber is seeking reelection to District 1.

Re Run

The endorsement of one-year P.G. resident Tara Leweling for City Council begs for a response (“The people we elect will shape our communities for years to come. Here are our picks for Nov. 3: Tara Leweling for Pacific Grove City Council District 3,” Oct. 8-14). Before my foot injury, I walked to 268 homes in the district to hear voters’ ideas and concerns. One message came through loud and clear: They want a change of course.

None of the top issues I heard about repeatedly: fiscal responsibility, traffic safety and affordable housing, were even mentioned in the Weekly’s analysis, which was an enthusiastic embrace of the status quo. This view is not supported by the public here.

I have a record of effective leadership on the issues people care about here. As a former city councilmember, planning commissioner, affordable housing advocate and longtime resident’s champion, I know that experience matters. Leweling does have potential, but this is no time for on-the-job training. — Susan Goldbeck | Pacific Grove

Note: Goldbeck is a candidate for City Council District 3.

Top Job

Imagine my surprise, pun intended, when once again the Weekly endorsed nothing but Democrats (“Xavier Becerra for Governor,” Oct. 8-13). Your logic on Becerra is laughable. You criticize Steve Hilton because he’d take California backward. Well, Democrats have had a supermajority now in California for 16 years and hold every statewide elected office. Becerra even said that Democrats just need more time when asked how he would fix California’s problems. It’s worked out so well for us hasn’t it? The Weekly’s solution, keep voting Democrat. — Jeff Frye | Monterey

Message, Medium

As far as property management companies go, A.G. Davi seems to be a pretty good one. Our adult daughter lives in one of their Salinas properties, and they seem to maintain it well and respond promptly. However, they have erected several “Yes On H” signs on the lawn in front of the apartments (“Fierce battle to sway voters continues in Salinas over rent stabilization ballot measure,” Oct. 8-14).

Whatever the tenants’ views on that issue, they must pass by the signs in order to reach the front door. Lease provisions prohibit any tenant from placing a sign on the lawn or on their door or even in their window.

They may not own the property, but for the tenants who live there and disagree with the message, it is an aggressive affront. Please, A.G. Davi, take down the signs. Put one up on the manager’s office if you must, but leave your tenants in peace. — Jo AnnNovoson | Salinas

Main Course

Yay! So beautiful and no animals were harmed (“Monterey County chefs sign up for a month-long challenge to add vegan dishes to their menus,” Oct. 15-21). — Adrianne Smith Bishop | via social media

[Organizers] Camilla and Helbard are amazing! The absolute best people. — Briana Sanford | via social media

Big Band

Gratitude to the Pacific Brass Band, who performed “Spanish Fiesta” at Hidden Valley Music Seminars on Oct. 18 (“Hot Picks,” Oct. 15-21). It was a tremendous concert, performing challenging yet enjoyable music. The conductor made sure we learned a good deal too about each piece and composer, whether Spanish or wannabe-Spanish.

Overall, it was the type of (free) community event that makes this area a wellspring of culture and art. I’m already looking forward to the holiday program! — Roger Anderson | Monterey

Top Honors

Way to go [Staff Sgt. Sean] Warnock! (“A Monterey-based soldier competed for the title of Drill Sergeant of the Year,” Oct. 15-21.) — Elisa Ramos | via social media

Congratulations! — Stacey Shelton-Farmer | via social media

Raise a Glass

The article didn’t note the new production facility’s location, 11440 Commercial Parkway, Castroville (“Alvarado Street Brewery’s transition to a new facility means a lower-alcohol facelift for its lager,” Oct. 15-21). The opening was predicted to be “in fall 2026.”

I’m looking forward to doing a bike ride from Castroville and visiting all the locations. It’d be a fun Alvarado Street Brewery crawl with ample opportunity to burn-off the alcohol between locations along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail. — Peter Stanger | Watsonville