LETTERS to the EDITOR

Open Case

This is smoke-and-mirrors excuses (“CSUMB responds to three sexual assault complaints through administrative process, not police,” Oct. 19-25). They released a document identifying a student (not a local or visitor) and told everyone to be aware. Did they remove him from classes? Housing? Is he banned from campus? Is he a danger to local, non-university students and female adults? Where is the local police departments on this?

So many questions still unanswered on campus and in the local community surrounding the campus.

They decided to name the student. If the student is guilty then these students need to step up and pursue charges. The rapes and stalking do not go away. Glenn Woodson | via Facebook

All crimes need to be investigated by the local police, not the campus police. If there was a murder on campus, would the campus police be in charge of the investigation? Chris Caffrey | via Facebook

City Limits

Don’t do it. Salinas is already too crowded and new development probably won’t lower home prices if you look at price trends (“Part of Salinas’ controversial economic development strategy is to expand outward into farmland,” Oct. 19-25). Jesus Cruz Flores | via Facebook

And, where will the lettuce and broccoli be grown? Carolyn Plemons | via Facebook

Expand outward into farmland and destroy ag jobs… Angela Dorado | via Facebook

This story is really an eye-opener regarding how poor land-use policies can result in the same old urban sprawl that results in not improving the lives of individuals, but the creation of more traffic jams.

The economic analysis seems very flawed when they continue to believe that shopping malls and retail stores will still be in demand in the near future. As Bob Roach believes, we need to continue to protect the number-one economic engine in this area: agriculture!

Also, what happened to the MOU between the county and city of Salinas back in 2006 that really directed growth to the north and east areas of the greater Salinas area? This was to make sure of proper and orderly expansion [while] protecting more of the southern and western portion of the city from expanding into prime farmland.

The article also points out the conflict between new schools being built near intensive farming areas. We want smart growth and to protect children and staff from pesticides. So why would a school board agree to build on the outer zones of approved growth areas? Placement of new schools can be one of the major factor of urban sprawl. Stephen Kennedy | Salinas

One hundred thousand residents of Salinas will be homeless because the City Council has no plan for the influx. All they care about is bringing in more big-boxes. David Hernandez | via Facebook

Tricks of the Trade

Lizzy Ratner’s article is complete rubbish (“It’s not just Harvey Weinstein, but the whole film industry that’s built on sexism,” Oct. 19-25). As someone who has worked in the film industry for 10 years, let me be clear: Actors – both male and female – are prostitutes, and virtually everyone who works in the business is “underpaid and exploited.” Like Silicon Valley, Hollywood only recognizes the color green.

What the media fails to recognize is that scumbags like Weinstein exist in virtually every profession; despots are not unique to the film industry, and they are not all male.

This is a story about a mentally-ill person who worked and lived in a world of non-reality. Movie stars are lottery winners, and what people like Weinstein are selling is lottery tickets. The movie business is based on wishful thinking, and wishing brings earned disappointment. Anybody who wants to avoid the “vast, glittering man-swamp that is the world’s film capital” has a simple solution: learn an honest trade.

Domestic goat farming, anyone? Jordan Garrick | Carmel

Alphabet Agency Soup

Dear Squid, I admire your tentacled tenacity! I’m a true fan, and I couldn’t agree with you more. I was at that meeting (“Squid watches FORA’s legal bills grow faster than new roads,” posted Oct. 16). The mood was tense and the public used every opportunity to speak out about the proposed extension of FORA’s term. FORA by any other name would still smell of bureaucracy.

Even with a name change, FORA remains a redevelopment agency. The expressions of the FORA members were that of shock as people lined up to criticize the direction that FORA has taken. It was made abundantly clear to the board that the public does not have their backs. Those of us that have lived here decades are resentful of their decisions to place gambling alongside transit stops and roads to nowhere. This must stop.

We are not anti-development; we are anti-blight. FORA has lost its purpose. This is bigger than any of us. This is for the next generation and generations into the future. We have only one chance to do it right. Paula Duarte | Seaside

Keeping Cool

OMG!!! Best news ever! (“Pacheco Water Store’s take on popsicles expands from Gonzales to Salinas,” Oct. 12-18.) Andrea Velasquez | via Facebook

One of the great secrets in Gonzales. The fruit cup with chili [powder] is amazing. Michael Vosti | via Facebook

Best popsicles around! And the ice-cream, don’t get me started! Angela Garcia Longoria | via Facebook