Letters to the Editor 12.28.23

Home Build

And there goes the taxpayers’ money. And zero accountability (“The developer behind Homekey housing projects is defaulting on bills and loans,” Dec. 14-20). Sheldon D. Bloom | via social media

Homekey is a successful part of moving people from the street to the security of having employment, a home and some peace. Don’t let this bad news dim your view of what is being accomplished in our community. John Tilley | Monterey

All Aboard

So we are going to spend $78 million to see if people will ride the bus from Marina to Sand City (“MST’s SURF! project is advancing, but kinks are still getting smoothed out,” Dec. 14-20). And we are going to build a new, completely separate road west of Highway 1?

Since this is an “experiment” how about just putting some trolleys on the existing track and see if anyone shows up? Or, just drive some buses down the existing road? What? Too simple? Makes too much sense. Nah, let’s just blow $78 million, what the hell! Jeff Turner | Seaside

SURF! is a classic boondoggle project. The six miles of bus-only lanes only goes from Marina to Seaside and does nothing about Blanco Road and nothing going further south to Monterey.

I took these routes and found that MST’s ridership numbers simply don’t bear out. At the height of the commute, there were maybe 20 people on the 21 line. Adding more frequent buses during the height of the commute would do the same as SURF! at a fraction of the cost.

They are going to tear up some beautiful coastal habitat for bus lanes that hardly anyone will use. At the last Marina City Council meeting, even the MST representative said the project won’t likely get people out of their cars. Then it won’t reduce congestion on Highway 1 at all!

The Department of Transportation’s grant practices of going directly to transportation authorities lets them cook these crazy projects up in a vacuum, and then try to ram them down the public’s throat.

Thanks for your writing on the article. We plan to be vocal opponents at the Coastal Commission meeting. Jeff Markham | Marina

Story Time

It may be time to retire your short story contest when the winning story was a reworked parable probably heard at Thanksgiving from a drunken, right-wing relative (“101-Word Short Story Contest 2023,” Dec. 21-27). Some of the others were far superior. Marilyn Ross | Carmel

A slow start to the Christmas weekend. Morning coffee, a chilly but sunny morning. Very pleasant. Enough time to read all of the short story entries. Concise, witty, entertaining, touching, in so many moments.

Thanks and appreciation to each of you – the contributors, and the editors. Jim Wilkinson | Salinas

Drink it in

This column (“Fertilizer nitrate pollution is killing our communities. We must stop this public health crisis now,” Dec. 21-27) answered questions I’ve had since moving to “The Salad Bowl” of the Central Coast. Do I need to be concerned about the quality of our water? Is pollution from the ag industry affecting it? Safe, drinkable water should be everyone’s right. It’s a basic need!

I’m glad to read there is a move to regulate against unhealthy levels of nitrates, but that should already be in place. Why did the state change our regional board’s decision? How can we enjoy the wonderful bounty from our lands if it causes our farmworkers long-term health risks? Laura McKenzie | Monterey

Rescue Attempt

Cutie! Thanks for rescuing her! (“The anatomy of a marine mammal rescue – in this case, an emaciated sea lion,” posted Dec. 19.) Claire Fay | Carmel

Dug In

In your latest edition of Squid you double down on disinformation by saying I have: “introduced an ordinance to allow councilmembers to pester line-level city staffers for information” (“Squid Fry: Merry Squidmas,” Dec. 21-27).

You also removed the links in my previous letter that provided your readers an opportunity to read the ordinance for themselves (“Letters,” Dec. 21-27). Here they are again:

Agenda report: tinyurl.com/Inquiry-AgendaReport

Video: tinyurl.com/Inquiry-Video Luke Coletti | Pacific Grove

In Flight

So sweet! Happy birthday, Pam! (“When family and friends rallied for a Seaside resident’s 80th birthday, everyone noticed,” Dec. 14-20.) Samantha Cabaluna | via social media

How fun!! I love it! Carol Verga | via social media

Gone Fishing

The rainbow trout is reportedly a better game fish with a good fight, compared to cutthroat (“Lake San Antonio gets stocked with rainbow trout for the first time since 1985,” posted Dec. 23). This should provide lots of fun for the kids (and kids at heart), and promote increased usage of the reservoir. Walter Wagner | Salinas

Christmas Cookies

I wanted to make your pecan logs but didn’t have pecans, so I made walnut logs. They were great – I thank you for your recipe! (“Baking Christmas cookies this week? This family recipe is always a hit,” posted Dec. 20.) Betty Oberacker| Santa Barbara

These have been a holiday essential for my family for nearly 60 years. When my daughter was in first grade, she had a wonderful teacher who shared the recipe. The cookies we made were round, and always called “Mrs. Pariss’ cookies.” Over the years, I learned they are also called Russian teacakes, Mexican wedding cakes and probably many more names.

They are so super-heavenly-delicious! If everyone could have them for dessert, maybe world peace would happen! Marilyn Brown | via email