Slip On In

SLIP ON IN… Despite Squid’s obvious personal interest in water, Squid cannot possibly ooze to every public meeting about the subject – there are just too many agencies and too many subcommittees. So for a long time, Squid did not notice that ex-Salinas city manager Steve Carrigan was attending a bunch of those meetings as a part-time employee of Monterey One Water, the region’s sewer agency. Carrigan caught Squid’s attention in January because M1W approved a full-time contract with him, good for three years, until 2029, with an annual salary of $281,195.20.

The number made Squid’s beak drop open, perhaps because even with a free ink supply, Squid will never net that much. Or perhaps it was because when Salinas City Council unceremoniously fired Carrigan back in 2023, it came with a year of pay ($235,000). Or because his termination coincided with him almost getting hired as city manager of the City of San Bernardino, which Carrigan subsequently sued, and then settled with, for another $800,000.

Now, as M1W’s senior director of administrative services, he’s earning more than he was as the top employee of the City of Salinas, which is a head-scratcher for Squid. Carrigan assures Squid’s colleague he is no longer a flight risk and plans to stick around until retiring in three years: “I’m just trying to do everything I can for M1W, and keep a little lower profile.”

MIXED MESSAGES… Squid never needs to buy ink – Squid makes Squid’s own. Others are not so lucky and need to consider paying for a way to share their messaging. They might be paying attention on Feb. 26 when Gonzales city officials celebrate a ribbon-cutting for a new digital billboard installed along Highway 101.

The billboard is available for commercial advertising, but will also be used for law enforcement communications such as AMBER alerts, individuals wanted by the FBI and emergency announcements. Scott Smith, owner and operator of Golden Bear Outdoor Advertising and Legacy Sign Company, installed the sign. He says a significant portion of advertising will also be used for tourism promotions for the city and notes Gonzales businesses that advertise on the board will get a 25-percent discount. City Manager Carmen Gil says, “This project is about strengthening how we communicate with our community and the region.”

Squid’s colleague asked about advertising rates but didn’t get a clear answer; Smith says it depends on the length of the message or the time of year, but that could get pesky when a natural disaster strikes or if an AMBER alert goes out.

Squid isn’t sure if a digital billboard is the best place to sell ink if the message can change to an FBI-wanted poster immediately afterward. Squid will keep working on Squid’s ad pitch though, since ink is permanent.