SQUIDFRY 12.17.15: Peer Pressure…

PEER PRESSURE… Squid has a long, ever-growing list of dreams that will never come true. Among them is that Seaside changes its mascot from a seahorse – which doesn’t live in local waters – to a squid, which does.

But reality doesn’t seem to be much of a concern for Seaside, and the city does love it some horses. At its Dec. 17 meeting, Seaside City Council will consider a contract increase with a consultant to facilitate the fifth peer review for the Monterey Downs fiscal impact analysis. As laid out in that analysis, the project – a proposed Fort Ord mega-development that includes a horse racing track – will only make money for the city if two planned hotels are built, only one of which there is any current demand for.

When it comes to the peer review, Squid wonders how one part of the analysis – where the projected number of annual horse events are laid out – is going to hold up to scrutiny. The report states the source for those numbers is Monterey Horse Park, a local nonprofit that would utilize the park. Aside from the obvious conflict of interest, and of staking the profitability of a $200 million project on the word of horse lovers, a March presentation at the Oldemeyer Center put on by MHP indicated there won’t be anywhere near the 350 event days projected in the report. 350! Do horses only get two days of vacation?

But as Squid mentioned, Seaside City Council doesn’t seem to care much about facts. They prefer horses, and just want to saddle up and ride into the sunset, chasing a mirage of money and water.

NAME GAME… With yet another GOP presidential debate this week, Squid figures TV these days is so entertaining that a horse track can’t compete. Plus, there are plenty of outcomes to bet on: Will it be another Bush v. Clinton year? Can Trump really win?

While Squid was considering Squid’s bets, local pols were busy wooing some big names. Heidi Cruz (wife of Sen. Ted Cruz) was rumored to be calling local GOP shotcaller Paul Bruno this week. Squid also heard Bill Clinton might be stumping for Democratic Congressional candidate Jimmy Panetta, so Squid started asking around.

Turns out Shawn Bagley, who briefly mulled a congressional run himself when Sam Farr announced his retirement, has been courting Team Hillary for a local fundraiser. But for Bagley, who helped bring V.P. Joe Biden to Carmel for a 2012 fundraiser, the issue is money. Bagley says Clinton’s camp said it would take $400,000 to make it worth her time to stop in a blue region of a blue state. That means a lot of locals would have to pony up serious cash.

Which gives Squid an idea: If Squid hits on some bets, Squid may start a PAC of Squid’s own and invite Squid’s heroes of the sea. Those invitees will include, of course, Seaside’s mascot, Pablo the seahorse.

He lives off the coast of Colombia.