SQUIDFRY 12.01.16: Running Away…

RUNNING AWAY… Squid admits to being lazy and slow-moving. When Squid is hungry, however, Squid darts impressively quickly toward its intended prey – maybe as quickly as the Pacific Grove City Council is running away from the Fort Ord Reuse Authority. The council members are looking to bolt because they are none too keen about the FORA board’s intent to extend the life of FORA another 17 years, from the already-extended 2020 dissolution date to 2037. Not only is FORA like a dysfunctional family, it costs Pacific Grove $14,000 per year, and the small city – which isn’t adjacent to Fort Ord lands – is also on the hook with other member cities for state CalPERS retirement benefits for FORA employees.

At the Nov. 16 P.G. City Council meeting, Councilmember Dan Miller said he’s ready to cut ties. Councilmember Casey Lucius (who also serves on the FORA board) agrees Pacific Grove needs to cycle out, but reminded everyone that per state law, the city is required to participate through 2020, although Mayor Bill Kampe said he thinks there might be a way to exit earlier. The plan is to research exit strategies on a timeline of ASAP – even faster than Squid can get to a bowl of shrimp-flavored popcorn.

WHALE TALES… Speaking of America’s Last Hometown: Squid had barely emerged from Squid’s post-Friendsgiving meal stupor when Squid heard the Pacific Grove Police Department had been called to investigate an alleged crime. According to the police log, on Nov. 25, an Ocean View Boulevard resident reported short-term renters next door had unscrewed the light bulbs from their outdoor lights.

The resident deliberately left the lights on to ward off any suspicious characters who might try to break in, but instead attracted tourists from next door who weren’t enjoying the all-night glow. So much for P.G. seeming to have its short-term rental drama all figured out.

Tourists vs. full-timers are also doing battle over the controversial Berwick Park whale sculpture. When Jeanie Anton, chair of the city Beautification and Natural Resources Committee, told City Council short-term-renting visitors remarked on how much they loved the new sculpture, Councilmember Dan Miller replied from the dais, with tongue firmly planted in cheek: “It’s nice to know the people from short-term rentals like the sculpture, because that right there means a lot to me.” (City Attorney David Laredo vetoed the idea to remove the sculpture entirely, because of artist’s rights.)

The police officer who took the unscrewed light bulb report is the only one who offered up a good idea, as recorded in the log: “I suggested to the reporting party that they install motion detector lights so that their lights are not on constantly.”