SQUID FRY 07.28.16: All the Rage…

ALL THE RAGE… As Squid choked on smoke-filled air, sick with grief for Squid’s friends who live in Big Sur, Squid oozed down to a July 25 meeting in Carmel, where various officials briefed residents affected by the Soberanes Fire. The mood in the packed room was tense and mournful, as at least one attendee had already lost her homes, and several dozen more worried theirs would burn too.

When it came time for questions, one man asked when Highway 1 would be shut down, and the room erupted with cheers and applause. It seems that tourists, the hand that feeds Big Sur, have become less than welcome.

Not long after, one woman asked if the trails would be closed – not temporarily, but, “until the drought’s over.” You mean, like, forever?

Sure, Squid gets it, as suspicion is running high that an illegal campfire is the source of the blaze, and yes, traffic on Highway 1 is a bummer. But here’s the thing: Big Sur and Highway 1 are public resources, and the bulk of firefighters in the mix are being funded by taxpayer dollars.

Squid loves Big Sur, who doesn’t? It’s home to one of the most stunning coastlines in the world, which is why tourists flock to it, and will continue to.

Anger about that won’t change anything.

REVOLVING DOOR… Squid loves the idea of making money for nothing, but so far the best Squid’s been able to do is find the occasional sand dollar near the lair. If only there was some kind of money tree Squid could plant…

The closest thing to that seems to be cannabis, which Squid hears grows like a weed.

Squid considered applying to the city of Salinas for a medical cannabusiness permit (see story, p. 14), but Squid didn’t have a consultant to guide Squid through the process.

Daniel Dawson, city manager of Del Rey Oaks, is now moonlighting as a pot business consultant. He’s repping Monterey Bay Alternative Medicine, of which he’s a board member, in its application to Salinas, where Dawson tells Squid’s colleague he’s helping MBAM “navigate the onerous application process.” Dawson also helped pave the way for the first MBAM location in DRO.

The whole thing doesn’t sit right with Squid, but Dawson emails Squid’s colleague to say it’s no big deal: “I do not have a conflict, one that you would pounce on as scandalous and sell lots of papers!! Sorry, but no conflict or scandal to be exposed here!”

Maybe Squid’s looking for something that doesn’t exist, like a money-growing plant, but Squid can’t help but feel like that’s exactly what Squid has found.

Perhaps Squid should take Dawson’s advice, and start selling copies of the Weekly.

Problem is, they’re free.