Letters to the Editor 10.29.26

Lines Drawn

Daniel Muñoz shouldn’t have called the Weekly “fake news” (“It’s a nasty political season in Salinas with insults and media boycotts,” Oct. 22-28). That label is lazy and it’s been abused nationally. But this column misses the bigger point. Distrust of a local paper isn’t just a Trump-era reflex trickling down from D.C. It also comes from how the paper uses its influence close to home.

When the editorial board endorses Yes on H and the incumbent that champions it, many working families in Salinas see the Weekly taking a side against them on an issue that hits their wallets, neighborhoods and ability to remain housed.

The column treats Peter Szalai the same way. He raised a real question: Why was the camera turned to hide speakers’ faces and campaign shirts, and was the city enforcing a political-clothing rule on the public? Opening the control room door wasn’t the right move, but the column makes that moment the story. The possible censorship at a public meeting gets buried.

Trust isn’t owed to a newspaper. It’s earned by showing readers that the newsroom and the editorial board are separate, that every side gets the same scrutiny, and that criticism from the community is heard, not mocked. — Colleen Ingram | Pacific Grove

~ ~ ~

Is candidate Muñoz wealthy like Musk, Bezos, Ellison to purchase his own newspaper, radio station, television channel, Twitter or Facebook to have dialog “on his terms” with the public? This combative attitude towards the media has no place in civil society. — Peter Stanger | Watsonville

Regarding the piece’s emotional response to being called fake news, let’s consider a few things. Fake news itself is ill-defined, unfortunately leaving it open for interpretation.

One interpretation might be reporting favoring financial supporters. Yes on H had a full-page paid ad in this edition, not to mention the online banners they purchased. No on H has purchased nothing from the Weekly. Could this be why citizens/readers think the editorial board leaned their thumb on the scale too heavily?

Bias for any reason can be perceived as fake. What are we left with? We can’t boycott a free paper. — John Silva | Salinas

~ ~ ~

When did journalists become such snowflakes? Yes, in a perfect world, people would be civil and act with decorum, but when you take sides, especially unpopular ones that affect the lives of others, you should expect pushback. For example, Salinas has the highest number of unhoused students in Monterey County, yet you are supporting increasing rents on the same families that are struggling. I think there should be pushback.

I don’t agree with the behavior of Mr. Muñoz or Mr. Malfitano, but geez. Christiane Amanpour is dodging bullets in the middle of war zones. You should be able to ignore mean words from two angry old men. — Gaye Freedman | Salinas

~ ~ ~

It’s neither nasty nor immature to challenge power. The question which completely bypassed the Weekly in its article on the Salinas mayor’s race is whether a governing body can censor campaign political messaging attire or signs by shutting off a camera – especially when that camera is never shut off and has broadcast many, many other political messaging conveyed via attire and signs in the past.

And, shh! Don’t tell anyone! But Mayor Dennis Donohue is the issue and his handling of free expression. — Peter Szalai | Salinas

Note: Szalai is a candidate for mayor of Salinas.

Carmel Character

Thank you for your thoughtful and kind article about Richard Kreitman (“Longtime Carmel gallery owner and community activist Richard Kreitman dies at 77,” posted Oct. 15).

I worked with Richard on the Scout House, a project that remained his enduring passion. I had assembled a development team and personally committed significant funding. Despite that support, we could not get past the City’s liability requirements. I shared my research and plans with Richard and helped him work with the Boy Scouts, but those efforts encountered further roadblocks.

Richard also spent time with me discussing another subject of his passion projects: paid parking. He was a true Carmel character who devoted considerable time and energy to the village.

A couple of months ago, Richard spoke about the Scout House and his hope that someone would finally get forward momentum. I regret not having another chance to tell him personally that I shared his hopes. — Dale Byrne | Carmel

Sign of the Times

This whole situation reeks of petty politics (“Campaign sign violations by Seaside mayoral candidate not enforced following legal concerns,” posted Oct. 19). The city initially hit Alex Miller with $7,000 in fines over campaign signs posted just hours before the arbitrary 60-day window opened, only to back down after legitimate constitutional concerns were raised. Even the city attorney acknowledges those concerns.

Rather than addressing an ordinance that may violate First Amendment protections, the city apparently thought issuing thousands of dollars in fines was a better use of taxpayer resources.

Seaside has far bigger problems than campaign signs going up a few hours early. Our streets need attention, our downtown needs revitalization, and residents deserve leadership focused on meaningful improvements rather than petty enforcement battles.

If anything, this episode demonstrates exactly why City Hall needs someone willing to challenge the status quo. Miller didn’t just roll over when faced with a questionable ordinance and thousands of dollars in fines. He stood his ground, challenged City Hall, and forced officials to reconsider their actions. That’s the kind of backbone, accountability and willingness to question the establishment that Seaside needs in its next mayor. —  Marty Harrison | Seaside

Experience Matters

I respectfully, but strongly, disagree with the Weekly’s endorsement of David Boland for mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (“Our editorial board’s guide to Nov. 3 elections: David Boland for Carmel Mayor,” Oct. 8-14).

I’m voting for Hans Buder. Unlike Boland, Buder has an extensive track record of hard work and difficult choices thoughtfully made as a councilmember, and before that, as a forest and beach commissioner. His excellent performance as a public leader stems from his even-handed temperament. His experience equips him well to confront challenges that range from overtourism to climate change to our affordable housing shortage.

Boland, on the other hand, has no governmental track record at all. We don’t know how he would conduct himself on the dais. We know nothing about his abilities as a leader or as a policymaker. We can’t know because he’s never faced the pressures of elected or appointed public office.

Effective leaders prove themselves by their actions over time. Buder has shown us he’s ready to be mayor. Boland has not. — Ian Martin | Carmel

~ ~ ~

Your recent endorsement of Nick Smith for Pacific Grove mayor ignores Luke Coletti’s accomplishments as a community activist and former council member (“Nick Smith for Pacific Grove Mayor,” Oct. 8-14).

You endorse Smith largely because he is agreeable to proposals that arise. You champion Smith’s approval of the proposed roundabout that is projected to cost $10 million, plus land acquisition, yet less than half those funds exist. Coletti opposes the needless project because there are less expensive alternatives.

Coletti also recently initiated effective opposition to the unnecessary $63,000 special election referendum led by Smith to increase both his pay.

Coletti also was successful with his initiative to limit Airbnb rentals to improve housing inventory. Coletti helped preserve three of our open spaces.

Scrutiny of public records is not harassment; it is an essential element of government at all levels — Janet Gray | Pacific Grove

Priced Out

Salinas is home to many hardworking agricultural families, as it is a major agricultural hub in California (“Despite claims of privacy violations, Salinas’ rental registry is held in confidence,” Oct. 22-28). Despite the agricultural boom, there is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed. Housing costs have gone up substantially, and it affects homeowners, renters and landlords. Many citizens are having to choose between paying rent, utilities, transportation and even groceries.

Salinas leaders should be focusing on making housing more affordable and consider adding further rental protections, as many families have seen a significant increase in rent. As new homes are being built, we cannot neglect those who need stability now.

A long-term Salinas housing plan is necessary for working families to have a chance to remain in Salinas. Citizens should be given information about proposed opportunities and policies, so they can share their opinions and make their voices heard. — Jayson Garcia-Ceja | Salinas

Sea Starring

The only reason I went to the movie to see that was the location of the filming, and I wasn’t disappointed as a land lover. The ocean is magnificent (“In the thriller Whalefall, a diver gets trapped inside a whale off the coast of Carmel,” Oct. 22-28). — Vicki Ryman | Modesto

Awesome movie! — Ellen Millett Mercurio | Morgan Hill