Double Standard

DOUBLE STANDARD… Squid thinks you can tell a lot about a creature – cephalopod, human or otherwise – by what they prioritize. Squid, for example, prioritizes accurate reporting, Squid’s health and time with friends and Squid’s trusted canine companion, Roscoe P. Coltrane. Some members of the Monterey City Council, specifically Ed Smith and Jean Rasch, have shown they have interesting priorities.

Both were unwilling to support Councilmember Kim Barber’s request to agendize a discussion about the formation of a temporary cost-of-living reduction and coordination task force, which would study affordability challenges for Monterey residents and try to form practical solutions.

Smith and Rasch said they felt that discussing the formation of an affordability task force at a future meeting would be a waste of staff’s time and effort. Yet both of them supported agendizing the painting of a crosswalk downtown in red, white and blue a few weeks ago, an action that was called “not practical” by the city manager and ultimately took up staff time for little to no tangible benefit that Squid can see.

Mayor Tyller Williamson ultimately voted to allow Barber’s request, so it will come up for a more substantive discussion. Squid thinks that with the high cost of shrimp-flavored popcorn (and everything else) these days, trying to find practical ways to help struggling city residents get by is a valuable use of city resources.

BARK, BITE… Squid enjoys oozing around Monterey County Superior Court, even if the courtroom has an unceremonious way of feeling like the DMV – half of what they say is in Latin, or might as well be. But sometimes, a judge will deliver a stirring speech and Squid’s ears perked up on Thursday, June 18 when Judge Ian Rivamonte started talking.

Rivamonte was pleased to hear that the County of Monterey and the Life Foundation have reached a settlement, which means the County will acquire a Salinas building it has long rented from the nonprofit, which is out of money. The foundation’s finances have been managed by a court-appointed receiver since last year.

Despite that, Life Foundation CEO Barnett Davis II kept moving money around, prompting the judge to find him in contempt of court. Davis’ attorney advocated for Rivamonte to vacate that finding so even if Davis walks away broke, he could at least keep his dignity.

Rivamonte agreed, begrudgingly, vacating the contempt findings “out of sheer mercy.” He wanted to issue a warning to other prospective litigants. “My orders have teeth and I will bite if prompted,” Rivamonte said. “I have anguished over this motion, spent sleepless nights thinking about what is right… The cleanest way out of this mess is to acquiesce.”

Maybe by teeth, he meant dentures.