Letters to the Editor 12.22.16

A to Z

I don’t see where the oil companies have a leg to stand on (“Oil companies sue Monterey County over Measure Z,” posted Dec. 15). The people have spoken. The end. Lou Richards | via Facebook

Seems to me the people have spoken. Bring it. Patrick Kennedy | via Facebook

Let’s make it clear, then. We don’t want fracking. Kathy Keeler-deHaaff | via Facebook

Going to College

Blame everything but Hillary Clinton (“County Democratic chair files federal lawsuit over Electoral College,” posted Dec. 10). Get over it! She lost! Richard Finetto | via Facebook

To paraphrase a fellow YouTube poster: “We haven’t seen Democrats this upset since the Republicans took away their slaves.” Koller signed on as an elector knowing what the rules are. Now that his candidate has lost, he wants to change the rules so he can vote for an alternative Republican, and try to sabotage the election. This kind of self-righteous crap is why I abandoned the Democratic Party some years ago. Mike McCurley | via web

Let it go, please. Mike Holland | via Facebook

The Electoral College is working exactly the way our founders had hoped. All those against it are coming from the losing side. If HRC had won they would be all for it! Wayne Scholes | via Facebook

The people have spoken. The #NeverTrump elites and the DNC are trying to steal our democracy. If Hillary Clinton won, this elector coercion and threats would not be going on. Marilyn Galli | via web

Good luck Vinz! Gus Leonard | via Facebook

Burrito Battle

El Charrito has by far THE BEST burritos and tamales (“Changing fast-casual times and El Charrito coup in Oldtown Salinas,” Dec. 5-21). You can’t get a better prepared masa anywhere else on the Central Coast. I’ve been getting my holiday masa since the meat market days. I’m so happy that a “ma ‘n’ pa” establishment gets a nod! Cheryl Robinson | via Facebook

The Short of It

Thank you, thank you (“Carmel prioritizes crackdown on illegal short-term rentals,” Dec. 15-21). Those of us who live across the street from some of these “tenants” appreciate this vigilance so much. Carol A. Stollorz | via Facebook

Pacific Grove collects $1 million annually from short-term rental transient-occupancy taxes. This is enough to fund six police officers and enforce its rental ordinances. If Carmel allowed short-term rentals, they could similarly benefit by using the money to help the elderly and provide financial resources for desperately needed low-income housing.

Carmel’s ban results in more empty houses. Empty houses do not support local businesses or their employees. Empty houses invite crime.

These Carmel homes will never be a viable solution to the shortage of affordable employee housing. Property taxes alone prevent that. The California Coastal Act supports sensible short-term rental policies because the coast is for all people – not just those lucky enough to own. Bans go in the wrong direction. Carmel should follow Pacific Grove’s lead; they got it right!Susan Bradley | Carmel Highlands

Editor’s note: Bradley is founder of Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance.

Lyft Off

Choice… it’s a beautiful thing (“Lyft launches in Santa Cruz and Monterey,” posted Dec. 14). Nicola Bradley | via Facebook

About time! Amy Smith | via Facebook

Power to the Police

Excellent idea (“Salinas envisions its new police station to double as a community center,” Dec. 15-21). But we really need more officers on the street. EJ King | via web

This is great! David Hernandez | via Facebook

Bean Counters

City Administrator [Chip] Rerig is a top-notch man with genuine integrity and ethics (“Carmel financial audit reveals ongoing internal problems,” posted Dec. 15). He cares deeply about Carmel and will work hard to continue the charm and elegance of that great city!

The audit is just one part of that and he has demonstrated through leadership in a thorough audit! Great work sir! Stewart Roth | Carmel

Shot Down

I was lucky enough to be next to a ShotSpotter test point on Wednesday evening at 10:30pm (“Implementing unhelpful technology won’t fix Salinas’ murder rate,” Sept. 8-14). I must apologize for calling into the Salinas station and raising heck.

Any system that for a reasonably small cost can help to stem Salinas’s murder epidemic is worth missing a few winks just once.

Thanks guys for doing the best you can in a difficult gang-ridden city! Scott Perry | Salinas

Correction

A story about short-term rentals in Carmel (“Carmel prioritizes crackdown on illegal short-term rentals,” Dec. 15-21) cited an example of a rental advertised online. That rental is outside of city limits, and therefore not subject to the city’s policy; the story has been updated online to include an example of a posting within city limits.