Letters to the Editor 11.30.23

Fee For All

Thanks for sending a reporter to the East Garrison Community Services District meeting where county staff said “oops, my bad” for overcharging on our Mello-Roos taxes (“Residents of East Garrison are coming to grips with taxes and fees that weren’t part of the sales pitch,” Nov. 16-22).

You seemed surprised that we were so well behaved – maybe you were expecting people with pitchforks out for blood. Nope; for one thing our lots aren’t big enough to need garden equipment. And we’ve been here before.

East Garrison is “revenue neutral,” which means we get charged for things (like park maintenance and sewers) that everyone else pays for out of the general fund. That meeting was the fourth time residents have pointed out mistakes in the County’s math. At the same time, the County has obligations to fulfill before East Garrison is complete. Residents ask how it’s going, the reply is to trust the process.

We’ll politely keep at it, with our calculators and our requests to be included in decision-making. No pitchforks, yet. Helen Shamble | East Garrison

Water and Housing

I appreciate Agata Popeda’s coverage of this deeply troubling topic (“A solution for MPUSD students living in their vehicles illuminates the scale of the problem,” posted Nov. 18) and the informative story by David Schmalz (“MPUSD is set to open a safe parking facility for students facing housing challenges,” Nov. 16-22).

The housing crisis on the Monterey Peninsula is closely linked to the ongoing challenge of establishing a sustainable water supply. Your article could have been more impactful by highlighting the persistent failures of local government officials and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District in executing the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project since restrictions were imposed on the Carmel River in 1995 – nearly three decades ago. In recent years, instead of addressing this issue, officials have redirected public attention with the controversial pursuit by Public Water Now to acquire Cal Am and impede desalination approval.

Unfortunately, as officials engage in these distractions, ratepayers are left to shoulder substantial legal bills, all while the water and housing crises persist without resolution.

I encourage you to delve deeper into the root causes of this “embarrassment to humanity.” Exploring the underlying reasons for the existence of such a crisis will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand. Mark T. Watson | Carmel

Young Voices

I enjoyed reading the article on the Gonzales Youth Council (“An effort to increase teen engagement in Gonzales is succeeding, and spreading to neighboring cities,” Nov. 16-22). Great work by all of those students.

Si se puede! Ed Ramirez | via email

Remembering History

I vividly recall that day 60 years ago, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (“Remembering a terrible moment in time, 60 years ago today,” posted Nov. 22).

I was a 20-year-old advanced Army ROTC college student at Santa Clara University, soon to be commissioned the following year. We were called together by the senior Army officer at SCU and told that we could be “activated” early should war break out. It was a terrible day for our country. Gary Weitz | via email

On the Bus

The SNIP Bus is a brilliant concept (“SNIP Bus applies a practical solution – a mobile spay-and-neuter clinic – to solve pet overpopulation,” Nov. 23-29). Melanie Scherer is doing very valuable work, in spite of “spay and neuter makes you cuter” – gag me!

I do love and respect what she is doing. She deserves great credit as a humanitarian. I’d love to see her work extended to Big Sur. Marilyn Ross | Carmel

Giving Thanks

The Carmel Valley Angel Project so appreciates your highlight of our Thanksgiving community dinner, in collaboration with the Carmel Valley Kiwanis Club who are doing the major part of the day with us (“Volunteers strive to make holiday feasts accessible to all,” Nov. 16-22).

In addition, the Angel Project, a 501(c)(3), also provides a holiday “store” for Carmel Valley residents with kids who are having a tougher time in this economy. Reservations are required before Dec. 5 to participate; info at cvangelproject.org.

We are grateful for the generosity of the community and grant-giving organizations who make this possible, and the many volunteers who make it happen. Christine Williams | Carmel Valley

Note: Williams is president of CVAP.

Healthy Plates

Great article! The collaboration of agencies is inspiring (“State officials put their money where their mouth is with incentives for cheaper fruits and vegetables,” posted Nov. 27). Thanks for reporting on this. Mary Conway | Monterey

Walk the Talk

Such a nice walk to get the holiday started (“A chance to burn calories in advance and help others as the Turkey Trot returns to Laguna Seca,” posted Nov. 20). Cindy Burnham | via social media

Bloom and Grow

Philodendrons are my favorite for indoors (“When choosing a house plant as a gift, stick to the easy-to-grow varieties to play it safe,” Nov. 16-22). They climb trees in the wild (Philo = Love, Dendron = Tree, in Greek), so you should have a good pole for them to climb. Like tropical orchids, they have roots that get their moisture from the air, so need higher humidity for best results to keep the roots healthy. Walter Wagner | Salinas

Something Fresh

This place is really the best (“Aki Fresh is a hidden Mexican treasure in the city of Marina,” Nov. 16-22). I will drive all the way from Big Sur for it! Hannah Marshall-Moon | Big Sur

Best place ever! Priscilla Tran | via social media