No Good Deed

No Good Deed… In Squid’s youth, Squid heard a story of a legendary money kelp plant that sprouted dollars. Squid has yet to see such a plant in real life.

When Montage Health CEO Steve Packer announced last month the creation of the Montage Health Fund for Teachers, seeded with $5 million, it was presented as sort of a money tree. All K-12 teachers in Monterey County would magically receive up to $1,000 before the end of this school year, with the idea of using it toward health care costs.

In his remarks on March 15, Packer did not mention that Montage is also in tense negotiations with the Municipalities, Colleges, Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG) regarding insurance policies for teachers and other public employees. But it was only a matter of time before some members of MCSIG would start questioning the money tree. Steve McDougall of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers union wrote to the board of Salinas Union High School District on April 21 to say: no thanks. Except he said it less politely, and raised the question of legality when it comes to an adjustment to compensation. “I refuse to accept these funds, and the District is creating exposure for itself as it shall not let a third party alter my compensation, neither positively nor negatively, sans my consent,” he wrote.(“We are shocked and dismayed,” Montage VP Kevin Causey says of the concerns.)

In the money kelp story, there are no negotiations – just fast-growing green. Turns out it’s a myth.

Shiny Objects… Squid’s been pleasantly surprised in recent years with how Seaside’s lower Broadway Avenue – the city’s downtown – has come to life with the infusion of new businesses and those hustling to make a buck. While Squid has consistently been a cheerleader for that success, Squid’s tentacles sometimes cringe when seeing how city officials are trying to promote the street. A so-called “Walk of Fame” to honor local residents was approved in 2022 by Seaside City Council, and has cost the city thousands of dollars. Also, it no longer exists. That’s because an attorney from Hollywood alerted the city that the concept was trademarked, so it was renamed to Seaside Stars, billed as “a unique attraction that enhances and encourages a walkable downtown.”

The latest effort to brand the downtown is a new sign on the corner of Del Monte and Broadway that reads, “Welcome to Downtown Seaside, Broadway Avenue.” Even though anyone who is driving on Del Monte who could see that sign would either be driving by it, or already turning onto Broadway. The City Council approved it at a cost “not to exceed” $17,000 on April 18. But who’s counting?

Squid suggests, next to the sign, that they put a fire pit to burn all the money the city is spending on clumsy attempts to brand a street that speaks for itself.