In a Pickle

IN A PICKLE… It’s that time of the year again when Squid oozes onto land to try Squid’s tentacles at some outdoor sports, since the season for catching crabs is wrapping up. Squid is intrigued by pickleball, not because of Squid’s age, but Squid’s eight arms give Squid an advantage – an unfair one at that if you ask Squid’s competition.

Neighbors of Chamisal Tennis & Fitness Club in Corral De Tierra are also bemoaning what they perceive as unfair. The sports club plans to convert two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts, while adding three more pickleball courts with the potential to convert another tennis court into pickleball. The Monterey County Zoning Administrator is set to consider the proposal on Thursday, April 10.

Pickleball’s distinctive “pop” sound when the ball hits the paddle has some neighbors up in arms, saying it impacts – you guessed it – the “rural character” of the community. In a letter to county officials, neighbor Holger Kappler wrote, “the tranquility and peaceful surroundings [are] being destroyed by this expansion.”

A noise study commissioned by the county found that noise from pickleball at the club is at most 61 decibels – generally considered to be as loud as a normal conversation. Sperm whales are known to frequent Squid’s deep sea home, so Squid knew not to expect the quiet of a library when Squid moved into Squid’s lair. Perhaps Chamisal’s neighbors should have realized the same – the term “fitness club” says all you need to know.

PAY PALS… Squid knows times are tough out there for a lot of people. Jobs are being lost, wealth is evaporating and global financial markets are in turmoil. Sure, Squid saw it coming and stocked up with a year’s supply of shrimp-flavored popcorn, but eventually it will run out and Squid will have to spend at least twice as much to buy it.

So in these chaotic times, it’s nice to have the power to give oneself a raise, which the Marina City Council did in February when it voted to increase compensation for councilmembers from $200 per month to $2,000, and for mayor, from $250 to $2,500. It was the first raise the council had in 35 years. Did Squid expect the Seaside City Council to take that lying down? Squid did not – if Squid knows anything about Seaside, it’s that the city is not to be outdone by Marina. And sure enough, on March 20, Seaside’s council voted 4-1 to increase the monthly compensations for councilmembers (including mayor) from $400 to $2,400. Take that, Marina!

Squid understands the recent push to better compensate local elected officials – they, like Squid’s colleagues, put in a lot of hours. But Squid hopes that compensation isn’t just for face time, but for homework. Do the reading, ask smart questions, make good policy – you know, those things you were elected for.