Out of Step

Out of Step… The mechanisms by which Squid determines things in the lair are glorious and precise, thanks to Squid’s big eyes and many arms. Food or not food? Almost always food. Weapon or miscellaneous pointy object? The tap of a tentacle can tell the difference.

Things seem to be a little more complicated for Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto and District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni, who disagree on whether a crime was committed by an employee in the Monterey County Jail. Three weeks after Deputy Gaspar Estevez was arrested on Nov. 7 on charges of criminal conspiracy and concealing a handmade weapon (a shank) provided to him by an inmate, Pacioni announced Nov. 25 there would be no charges filed.

A couple of hours later, Nieto sent out her own statement asserting that she believed a crime had, in fact, occurred, but added, “It is up to the District Attorney to make a decision on whether or not to file charges.”

Squid knows these two offices serve as checks and balances for public safety and the law: The Sheriff’s Office investigates and reports its findings on the basis of probable cause, while the DA decides whether the evidence supports criminal charges, with proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

But when Squid’s eyes see one thing and Squid’s tentacles feel another, how does Squid know where to find Squid’s dinner?

Term Limits… In the sea, short-term rentals are a regular thing. The noisy, partying sea lion visitors and stinky sardine tourists in Monterey are just two recent examples. So Squid gets why the Monterey County Board of Supervisors was keen to finally pass an ordinance regulating such rentals on Aug. 27, after 14 years of wrangling. It went into effect on Oct. 14, capping short-term rentals at 4 percent per inland planning area of unincorporated Monterey County and regulating how they will operate and what fees owners must pay.

This was not to the liking of the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance, which filed a lawsuit against the board in Monterey County Superior Court on Nov. 20. The MCVRA argues property owners’ federal and state constitutional rights are being violated because the board is interfering with their ability to do business. They state that short-term renters and owners were prejudiced against during proceedings with the unfair assumption that the renters will be “detrimental to the social fabric.” They contend that if the homes were left vacant instead of rented out to vacationers, “bad stuff can happen.” They’re asking a judge to void the law.

Squid was unaware that “bad stuff” is a legal argument. And while not all short-term renters are bad actors, some are indeed noisy, stinky and worth reining in, especially in residential neighborhoods.