SQUID FRY 01.01.15 - Sell Out

SELL OUT… Squid’s cephalopod cousins know how to hide. Some cuttlefish can change colors like chameleons. The day octopus can do bright reds and dark purples and throw in texture changes too. Squid loves it.

But Squid just can’t abide when a city tries to hide from Squid. They should know better. This past summer, it came to light two Monterey Public Works Department employees were put on leave – one paid, one unpaid – over allegedly selling scrap metal owned by the city (like damaged street signs) for their own profit. The city hired an outside firm – reportedly at a rate of $200 per hour – to investigate, but Squid recently learned no criminal charges will be pursued. That’s according to Monterey Police Lt. Leslie Sonne, who says City Council directed staff “sometime in November” not to pursue them, though that doesn’t show up on any City Council agendas. Dino Pick, the current director of Monterey’s public works department (the allegations took place under the watch of Assistant City Manager Hans Uslar), says he can’t comment, as the investigation is personnel related. Ditto for City Manager Mike McCarthy.

Squid can only guess why Sonne was so candid (she did retire Dec. 30), but Squid doesn’t like what Squid’s seeing either way. One local city made a habit of keeping secrets over the last year (hint: it’s by the sea), and we all saw how that went.

PAY TO PLAY… Every year about this time, Squid starts getting more realistic about New Year’s resolutions. Plans to shed 10 pounds, cut the deep-fried shrimp and stop gossiping? Those feel impossible, so instead Squid comes up with attainable goals: put a tentacle into every Monterey Downs-related document, don’t snore during city council meetings, join a softball team, get outside. The lair can get a little musty.

So Squid was pleased to see Monterey County Parks pushing an annual parks pass, good for entrance fees and parking at six spots: Toro Park, Jacks Peak, Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Royal Oaks Park, Lake San Antonio and San Lorenzo Park. And an added bonus, half-off admission to Lake Nacimiento.

Then Squid looked at the price tag, and felt a little sticker shock. For $80, Squid can get into six (and a half) parks all year long. Also for $80, Squid can buy a National Parks pass, and access 2,000-plus sites all across the nation, including Pinnacles National Park.

But at places like Pinnacles, there are no ball fields. You’ll recall Squid’s revised New Year’s resolutions include joining a softball team. Squid hears you might be able to play softball soon, very soon, at Toro Park. That’s thanks to a private proposal to build a ball field – while asking public users to shell out, too. Squid will start saving to realize Squid’s dreams in 2015.