Letters to the Editor 11.05.26

Iced Out

We admire Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew’s courage and moral leadership in standing up to ICE’s actions at the Monterey County Jail (“This is what standing up to tyranny looks like,” posted Oct. 28).

As a family physician and elementary school teacher, we work closely with immigrant families and witness their dignity and contributions, but also their vulnerability to discrimination and fear. ICE’s practices have raised grave human rights concerns, including racial profiling, inhumane detention conditions and denial of essential medical care. Being a true neighbor means recognizing our shared humanity and standing up for one another, especially when it takes courage.

At a time when silence is easier and safer, Askew reminds us that public service – or simply having the privilege of a voice – comes with a responsibility to defend human dignity. Her example should inspire us all. — Sundeep Gupta and Fatima Lemus-Gupta | Monterey

~ ~ ~

Thank you to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for their decision to maintain local control of facilities property, to the brave community observers for ensuring that ICE conduct did not get out of control, to the Sheriff’s Department for its oversight actions and communications to the community, and to the Monterey County Weekly for your timely and detailed reporting. Bless you during difficult times. — Susan Perrin | via email

Good. No illegals belong here without proper documentation/clearance (“Monterey County Jail goes into lockdown as protesters challenge ICE officers outside,” posted Oct. 27). Round ’em up. Get them out of here! — Bob Walker | Marina

I’d rather have ICE at jails than at job sites or schools. — Alex Bassi | Templeton

ICE, take the protesters too! They obviously don’t support the U.S

I support ICE getting criminals as soon as they come out of jail. Making our community safer. — Cheryl Rae Clark Frazure | Prunedale

~ ~ ~

Finally, law and order (“Reported ICE activity in Salinas and Seaside raises concerns across Monterey County,” posted Oct. 27). — Allen Lorscheider | Castroville

Shut Down

What I learned from working at a county agency is that you should provide the residents/customers that need your services an easy and inexpensive path to get there (“Residents are feeling the impending loss of Monterey County’s social services building in Seaside,” Oct. 29-Nov. 4). I hope the County of Monterey will ensure that wherever they choose, it is convenient to get to.

I took my first HIV test there when it was available for the first time in 1985. I am one of the lucky ones to be here 41 years later to tell about it.

Thank you for providing your residents much needed county services regardless of their ability to pay and their status. — Michael Acosta | Seaside

~ ~

It really makes life harder for those of us who sometimes went there. — Joseph Lucido | Seaside

This is such a dilapidated eyesore. Social Services deserves something better. Great opportunity for improvement. — Erin Morse | via social media

Life Support

This is my hospital because I am a Kaiser patient living in Salinas. Pass the billionaire tax to keep it open (“Funding cuts to medical care signal a tenuous future for local patients and hospitals; Watsonville Community Hospital is in danger of closing,” Oct. 29-Nov. 4). — Mike Foster | Salinas

It’s 100-percent the “One Big, Beautiful bill.” Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid cut down Watsonville’s primary source of income. — Stephen Black | Capitola

That hospital had been on the brink of closing for many years. They always say “We need funding, the hospital is losing money blah blah blah.” I wonder where did all the funding goes after all those years? — Francisco Villar | via social media

Burned Bridges

To be clear, the fire started in the building behind the workspaces on Center Street (“Carmel Valley Village fire devastates local businesses,” posted Oct. 28). To begin an article about a tragedy and claiming it was a “recipe for disaster” is incredibly insensitive to every business in that community. It did not start due to the artists, shop owners and countless businesses in that building.

The shift in the wind blowing from the west caused the fire to jump the alley and burn the backside of part of the building. The first section of this article is incredibly misleading and implying fault on victims of the partially burned building. Prayers to all of our friends and neighbors deeply impacted by this tragedy. — Lauren Proulx | Carmel Valley

~ ~ ~

Agree that the opening stings. It leads with an early tone of blame that lacks compassion as we feel the loss of a community hub. — Jules Z. Cramer | via social media

We lost our two offices and everything in them and it’s devastating. It was an older building and, yes, it wasn’t in the best shape but it was a godsend to many of us.

In this day and age it’s hard to financially make it in business and the offices there were inexpensive and so convenient for those of us who run our businesses out of them. I’m sad for everyone! — Stacie Crane | via social media

Election Daze

Serious question: Who really trusts the California elections? (“U.S. Department of Justice demands personal data of hundreds of Monterey County voters,” posted Oct. 27.) — Heidi Blasius | Carmel

The U.S. DOJ already lost numerous lawsuits against the states for not capitulating on this. The DOJ doesn’t have legal standing to demand this information. — Leo Foster | Big Sur

Elections are state province. Feds stay out. Our elections are secure. — Steven T. Polkabla | Pacific Grove

Rate Hike

Cal Am continues to argue its desal plant is needed due to water supply constraints plaguing the Monterey Peninsula (“In the midst of a legal battle, Cal Am seeks to raise desalination project cost cap by 3.5,” Oct. 29-Nov. 4). Water is no longer the constraint. There’s plenty of water now for decades of growth. What’s needed is for the State Water Board to modify the cease-and-desist order so we can use our new water supply from Pure Water Monterey.

Never mentioned in your story was the fact that this would increase water bills by 88 percent. Peninsula water costs are already extreme. One year of water using 5,000 gallons a month costs $1,938. For context, the 2025 Food & Water Watch report on the 500 largest water providers in the country shows the most expensive water is $1,416 a year for 5,000 gallons a month. Since 2017, when Food & Water Watch rated the Peninsula’s water as the most expensive in the country, our cost has gone up 61.5 percent.

Now Cal Am proposes to raise it another 88 percent to cover the cost of a desal plant we don’t need. — Melodie Chrislock | Monterey

Blame Game

I have lived in Salinas District 5 since before the city started voting by districts. I am writing to support my Councilman Andrew Sandoval (“Salinas Councilmember Andrew Sandoval declared nearly $1.2 million in debt in bankruptcy,” posted Oct. 30).

I have had good council members and some not so good. As a constituent, I can say Andrew Sandoval is one of the best no matter how others try to smear him. He answers calls, responds to texts and emails and shows up. He has the needs of his constituents front and center. — Bonnie Hernandez | Salinas

Name Tag

I appreciated the clear and levelheaded reporting in your article about the Cesar Chavez issue, and gosh, it is a big one (“What’s in a name? A lot, and it’s not always clear cut,” posted Oct. 24).

Ever since the Me Too movement I’ve grappled with that philosophical problem. I’m afraid that sexual harassment is the proverbial “tale as old as time.” But we in the 21st century are putting a ding in it. Your writing helped me think about the issue. — Nancy Larkin | Monterey

Cafeteria Counter

Incredibly embarrassing for such a reputable school in the area with a lottery list (“Former employees accused of embezzling nearly $300,000 from International School of Monterey,” Oct. 29-Nov. 4). My twins attended K-8. — Jocelyn Pfau-Kristy | Del Rey Oaks

So so sad. Mr. Terry [Bumper] was so loved at the school. — Mauree Rabin | via social media

Shop Around

Jennifer Blevins opened up a bike store. She did not open a coffee shop. In fact, there are at least six other coffee shops within a short walking distance (“Mad Dogs & Englishmen battles the City of Carmel over building permits and fire sprinklers,” Oct. 22-28).

She should sell bikes or coffee, but not both. I applaud Carmel [city staff] for not just caving into another coffee shop. — Elaine Giampietro | Monterey

Grape Crush

Photo spotlights the best winery ever, Odonata (“Last winter’s heat wave brings an early wine harvest to Monterey County,” Oct. 22-28). — Jessica McKillip | via social media