SQUID FRY 02.02.17: Star Gazing

STAR GAZING… For all the time Squid has spent in Los Angeles, there is one attraction Squid’s never visited: the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And unless, on the next visit, Squid can’t resist the urge to squirt ink on the star of now-President Donald Trump, Squid doesn’t expect that to change: Who cares about a name on the sidewalk?

But some officials in Monterey – a city eager to promote itself to tourists – think a local version on Alvarado Street is a swell idea. So much so that a city report on the proposal states it could potentially become “a visitor draw such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Oh, really.

Starry-eyed tourists flock to the real Walk of Fame to get a taste of glamour, and to take selfies on the stars of their favorite celebrities. But do people really think tourists are going to beeline for plaques with the names of famous people with local ties? (Proposed names include Herm Edwards, Joan Baez and Leon Panetta.) Squid proposes the city move forward with a project that promises far more entertainment value: The Monterey Walk of Shame, featuring all the region’s dubious backdoor political deals of local leaders. But alas, the city’s report says there is interest in linking the project with an upcoming local, months-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love.

Squid’s all for love in a time of so much bickering and hate. But Squid’s also in favor of an original idea.

MONEY TALKS… Squid knows many people wish money had less influence on elections, but Squid also notices that suddenly – as Hillary Clinton outspent now-President Donald Trump $1.91 billion to $646.8 million – some of those same people wish money won out this time.

Trump has flipped the script in many ways, but in the city of Monterey, the script is much the same: Money helps a lot (especially without a ton of free publicity like Trump got).

Councilmember Dan Albert Jr. unseated former Councilmember Libby Downey, largely thanks to a campaign war chest of more than $53,000. All told, Albert spent $9.57 for every vote he received, as opposed to Downey’s $1.90 per vote and Councilmember Alan Haffa’s (who also won re-election) $1.73 per vote.

The day after the election, Albert received another $2,500 from the Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association. And more than a month after the election, he received $1,000 fromMike Bruno Electric and $1,000 from Avila Construction.

While Albert isn’t required to recuse himself from voting on issues that might arise when it comes to doing city business with these donors (or others), Squid wonders if Albert – or any other councilmember, err, Timothy Barrett – would publicly acknowledge these campaign (and post-campaign) gifts. Otherwise voters might be left wondering: Are they expected to pay that support back?