june 22-28, 2023 montereycountyweekly.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT a new park for carmel valley 12 | Surviving a shark bite 34 | deep drink 38 While transgender people are under attack in much of the world, some are building a life and community in Monterey County. p. 20 By Agata Pop˛eda Your Trans Neighbors
YOUR CEILING FAN is a huge fan of renewable energy. If you live in the Central Coast, you probably get your electricity from 3CE. We’re a not-for-profit made up of community members who are committed to using power for good. Which is why we’re on a path to 100% renewable energy by 2030–15 years ahead of the state’s goals. And you’re helping. All you have to do is keep being cool. Scan to find out more on how we source clean energy 3cenergy.org 2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com
www.montereycountyweekly.com June 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com ’23 NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN MCWEEKLY.COM/BESTOF PACKAGED LOCALLY SINCE 1988 MONTEREY COUNTY®
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Scan the QR code to learn more. Scan the QR code to learn more. FARMERS’ MARKET Shop for healthy, locally grown produce and enjoy freshly prepared food while supporting local vendors. Every Friday through November 10 | 12:30pm to 5:30pm Corner of Wilgart Way & East Romie Lane, Salinas WALK WITH A DOC Take a step toward better health with monthly healthcare discussions by local doctors and health experts. Experience the Power of Healthy Habits At Salinas Valley Health, we are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of everyone in our community. Join us. PATHWAYS TO WELLNESS Explore budget-friendly (often free) classes, programs, events and support groups to help you live your best life. Start your journey to a healthier you today! Scan the QR code to learn more. SalinasValleyHealth.com 12:30pm to 5:30pm
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY June 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com June 22-28, 2023 • ISSUE #1821 • Established in 1988 Stephanie Trost (iPhone 13 Pro) Goats are still hard at work on Fort Ord National Monument, where they help control vegetation through grazing, but they are happy to pause for a photo op. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@mcweekly.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Tahani Lopez, 20, is a trans woman from Salinas. She adores Marilyn Monroe, who, as a 22-year-old, strolled through Lopez’s hometown when she came to visit in 1948. Cover Photo by Daniel Dreifuss etc. Copyright © 2023 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $120 yearly, pre-paid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountyweekly.com. Audited by CVC. Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@mcweekly.com (x103) Publisher Erik Cushman erik@mcweekly.com (x125) Editorial editor Sara Rubin sara@mcweekly.com (x120) features editor Dave Faries dfaries@mcweekly.com (x110) associate editor Tajha Chappellet-Lanier tajha@mcweekly.com (x135) Staff Writer Celia Jiménez celia@mcweekly.com (x145) Staff Writer Pam Marino pam@mcweekly.com (x106) Staff Writer Rey Mashayekhi rey@mcweekly.com (x102) Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@mcweekly.com Staff Writer David Schmalz david@mcweekly.com (x104) DIGITAL PRODUCER Kyarra Harris kyarra@mcweekly.com (x105) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@mcweekly.com (x140) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Sloan Campi, Caitlin Fillmore, Paul Fried, Jesse Herwitz, Jacqueline Weixel Cartoons Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow Production Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser karen@mcweekly.com (x108) Graphic Designer Kevin Jewell kevinj@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Alexis Estrada alexis@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Lani Headley lani@mcweekly.com (x114) SALES senior Sales Executive Diane Glim diane@mcweekly.com (x124) Senior Sales Executive George Kassal george@mcweekly.com (x122) Senior Sales Executive Keith Bruecker keith@mcweekly.com (x118) Classifieds business development director Keely Richter keely@mcweekly.com (x123) Digital Director of Digital Media Kevin Smith kevin@mcweekly.com (x119) Distribution Distribution AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com Distribution Control Harry Neal Business/Front Office Office Manager Linda Maceira linda@mcweekly.com (x101) Bookkeeping Rochelle Trawick rochelle@mcweekly.com 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountyweekly.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountyweekly.com. We can tell you like the print edition of the Weekly. We bet you’ll love the daily newsletter, Monterey County NOW. Get fresh commentary, local news and sundry helpful distractions delivered to your inbox every day. There’s no charge, and if you don’t love it, you can unsubscribe any time. DON’T MISS OUT Sign up today at montereycountyweekly.com/mcnow
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 831-678-2462 612 Main St., Soledad, CA 93960 Your Home soledadcommunityhealthcaredist.org CONTACT US: Away From Home FIVE STAR RATED 5-STAR NURSING PHYSICAL THERAPY CARING PHYSICIANS ORTHOPEDIC/CARDIAC SPECIALTY CARE CUSTOM MENUS Comfort Tranquility Care Peace of Mind
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Layoffs in the media industry continue, everywhere from legacy newspapers to relatively new digital outlets. According to a June 1 report by the firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, this year so far is the worst on record, with 17,436 positions cut so far in 2023, compared to 16,750 year-to-date at this time in 2020 during the pandemic. Of those cuts, 1,972 are in news, surpassing the 1,808 announced in all of 2022. Recent cuts include a reorganization at The Athletic (owned by the New York Times), where more than 20 reporters will be reassigned and nearly 20 will be laid off; all seven editorial positions at the tech news site DotLA; and 74 newsroom positions at the Los Angeles Times, which the newspaper reported represent 13 percent of its total. (Executive Editor Kevin Merida announced the layoff decision was “made more urgent by the economic climate and the unique challenges of our industry.”) Good: The city of Gonzales is one of 10 cities that won the All-America Award in Denver this month. The awards have recognized civic innovation across the country since 1949. “They showed that they are among the best in America at engaging youth and other residents to address important challenges,” said Doug Linkhart, president of National Civic League. Gonzales was the only city from California to gain this recognition in 2023. One of the projects the city emphasized in its application was a youth-led project, the Gonzales Youth Council Mental Health Project, which focused on improving youth mental health from 2019 to 2021. As a result of their findings—showing that anxiety, stress and depression were challenges among students—the Gonzales City Council and Gonzales Unified School District board partnered to fund a school-based licensed clinical social worker. GREAT: It’s a great week in Salinas, thanks to an announcement that the city is receiving $1.65 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for being a “pro-housing” city. Salinas was the first city on the Central Coast to achieve the pro-housing designation in March, after committing to pursuing policies that encourage the creation of more affordable housing. The city plans to use the funds to launch programs that encourage homeownership and offer down payment assistance, as well as acquire, rehabilitate and preserve affordable housing. In all, 18 cities and counties with the designation received more than $33 million from the state. “From Needles to Oakland to Salinas and more, it’s truly a pleasure to watch jurisdictions stepping up to plan, promote and approve the homes California communities need,” HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez said in a statement. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The amount awarded to the County of Monterey for a state Encampment Resolution Funding grant to create a 34-unit tiny home micro-village with permanent services to house people currently living without homes on the Pajaro River. The project is in partnership with Santa Cruz County and Watsonville. Source: Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom $8 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The modernday way to love your neighbor is to pay your taxes.” -Steve Bruemmer, speaking about the emergency systems that helped him survive a shark bite at Lovers Point one year ago (see story, p. 34). million
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Summer is here! It’s time to play! At Camp Quien Sabe, campers spend a week sleeping outside under the stars and learning to live in a natural setting without altering or damaging the environment. A variety of outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, boating, crafts, cooking, games, nature lore and campfires make this an exciting and memorable week for all that attend. Register online now at MONTEREY.ORG/REC For ages 7–15 years Fee: $450 per week Weekly Sessions Available: June 26 – July 28, 2023 SCAN ME! THE CITY OF MONTEREY CAMP QUIEN SABE OVERNIGHT CAMP Celebrating 70 Years of Summer Fun Learn more online about our different overnight programs at Camp Quien Sabe. The Regular Program for children 7 through 11 years, the Environmental Team (ET) Program for 12 year olds, and the Work Experience (WE) Program for ages 13–15 years. LOCATED BEHIND THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA | COMPLIMENTARY PARKING (831) 649-2699 | PETERBSBREWPUB.COM AWARD-WINNING CRAFT BEER BREWED ON-SITE SEASONAL MENU | 18 HDTV’S | PET-FRIENDLY PATIO HAPPY HOUR 4PM TO 6PM & 9PM TO 10PM Members Save More! Certificate Special Become a Member Today 5.00% APY* 12-Month Term Offer limited to new deposits of $1,000.00+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of May 30, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawal. The minimum deposit for this 12-month certificate is $1,000.00. Does not Automatically renew. NMLS# 786119 Members Save More! Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Members Save More! Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 1141 S Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY June 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com 831 Local caddie John Jackson is having himself one heck of a summer. Roughly a month ago, the longtime Pebble Beach looper and former CSU Monterey Bay golfer received an invitation to caddie at the PGA Championship in Rochester, New York. The offer was from Michael Block, a longtime southern California teaching professional. “I’ve known him for a while,” says Jackson. “We’ve competed against each other in the past, and I caddied for him when he was up here for the TaylorMade Invitational a couple years back, so there’s a familiarity there.” In the competitive world of professional golf, a little familiarity can be everything. The player-caddie dynamic can be very volatile and comes with a high rate of turnover. So, for many caddies, it can be all about who you know. Jackson is strong in the who-youknow department. A Pacific Grove resident and member of the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship team at CSUMB, Jackson then played professionally for over six years with and against some of the best players in the world before returning to the Monterey Peninsula for a full-time gig at Spyglass Hill. “I just got tired of all the travel,” Jackson says. “I still love playing and I miss competing, which is part of the reason why this last month has been such a great experience.” After caddying for Block during his two practice rounds at last year’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills, where Jackson’s brother Dylan is an assistant pro, Jackson yielded his bag to Block’s son. Block went on to miss the cut, but the practice round chemistry wasn’t forgotten. “We had a good rapport at Southern Hills,” Jackson says. “So I was hoping that I’d get another opportunity.” As it turns out, this year’s PGA was the next opportunity. Notified that he’d be on Block’s bag for the entire week this year, Jackson arrived at Oak Hill with minimal expectations. “He’s a great player, but this is one of the biggest tournaments in the world,” says the caddie. “But he had his A-game, and just played incredible golf.” Block not only made the professional cut at Oak Hill, but found himself at even par and tied for 10th on the leaderboard, ahead of many of the top-ranked golfers in the world. It had been 25 years since a club professional made the top 10 after 36 holes, and the entire golf world took notice of what was happening at Oak Hill. “Once we made the cut and saw we were in contention, things really started to get nuts,” Jackson says. “The media attention was incredible. He was getting interviewed. I was getting interviewed. It was wild.” After a bit of a rough start to his final round, and a charge from eventual winner Brooks Koepka, the pair fell out of contention, but still tied for 15th. That came with a check for $288,333 for Block, with 7 percent of that going to Jackson. A video posted on social media and shared by CBS Sports showed Jackson tapping the numbers into his calculator app. In the video, Block leans in to check the figure before both celebrate their paydays. Jackson got some press, including in Sports Illustrated. While Block was featured on nearly every media outlet, from NBC’s Today Show to CNN International, golf media was asking, “Who is John Block’s caddie?” Block was tapped for sponsor’s exemptions to two upcoming PGA Tour events—which meant more caddie work. Jackson, who had only packed for a few days, suddenly found himself on a private jet to Fort Worth, Texas for the Charles Schwab Challenge. From there, he came home for a quick respite and “a whole lot of laundry” before catching a flight to Toronto for final U.S. Open qualifying. There were three spots available and 27 players vying for the chance. Block finished two shots short followed by another exemption into the RBC Canadian Open—and an extended stay north of the border for Jackson. “It’s been one heck of a ride, that’s for sure,” Jackson says. “Once I have a chance to sit back and reflect, I’ll think about what’s next for me.” Block Party A caddie from Pacific Grove wound up carrying the bag for golf’s biggest on-course story. By Jeff Mendelsohn John Jackson displays his caddie bib from the PGA Championship, signed by John Block and Rory McIlroy. Jackson, a Pacific Grove resident who caddies at Pebble Beach, found himself the subject of national media attention. “Things really started to get nuts.” TALeS FROM THe AReA CODe NIK BLASKOVICH SAVE THE DATE 36th ANNUAL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS presented by 1st Capital Bank THURSDAY, JULY 20 | 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM Monterey Conference Center 21st ANNUAL LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON presented by Aera Energy THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Portola Hotel & Spa UPCOMING EVENTS See the full schedule of events and register today at montereychamber.com REGISTER TODAY!
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 montereycountygives.com november 10 - December 31, 2022 OPENING DOORS Monterey County Gives! spotlights 202 local nonprofits doing vital work. With your support, we can further their impact. Join us. Pictured above: Students in Rancho Cielo’s workforce development program. major Partners: Colburn and Alana Jones Foundation at the Community Foundation For monterey County Gunde & ernie Posey Family Foundation THANKS TO OUR KEY PARTNERS MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES! 2023: Request for Proposals About Monterey County Gives!: Monterey County Gives! supports big ideas and demonstrated impact from local nonprofits. MCGives! is a partnership of the Monterey County Weekly, the Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. The Fund has raised and contributed over $56 million for local nonprofits, including over $11.6 million last year. Over $600,000 in Matching Funds: Thanks to our key partners, we have commitments of $600,000 to kick-off the campaign, which runs mid November to midnight Dec. 31. APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 28 Apply online at: mcgives.com/rfp PRINT | WEB | MOBILE Nonprofits— Apply to MCGives! Joining Together for Big Ideas and Impact
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com news Just two years after its formation, the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency is already at risk of splintering. At a meeting on Wednesday, June 14, PRFMA’s board considered a request from one its member agencies— the Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation District - Zone 7A—for a “one-time adjustment” to the funds it provides PRFMA for the upcoming fiscal year. The request was to reduce its contribution for this year by 50 percent—from $951,215 to $489,869. This comes just six months after the Zone 7A board of directors adopted a cost-sharing agreement with PRFMA on Dec. 6. PRFMA Executive Director Mark Strudley made a request for Zone 7A’s funds in March, and another request in April. Kent Edler, Santa Cruz County’s assistant director of public works, responded a few weeks later, saying other expenditures took priority—there were four drainage projects the county wanted to pursue right away, which shot up to nine projects by May. During the June 14 meeting, Matt Machado, Santa Cruz County’s director of public works, clarified that these drainage projects weren’t due to damage from this past winter’s storms, therefore were ineligible for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But he added the storm clarified the need for the projects, which he characterized as “deferred maintenance.” The other four public agencies that entered into a joint powers authority to form PRFMA include the counties of Santa Cruz and Monterey, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and the city of Watsonville. Raw Deal A new agency formed to address flooding in the Pajaro Valley is already splintering. By David Schmalz The sprawling Rana Creek Ranch in Carmel Valley is being sold to The Wildlands Conservancy for $35 million, with the environmental group planning to turn the 14,000acre property into a nature preserve. Former Apple chairman and CEO Mike Markkula, who acquired the working cattle ranch in the 1980s, has listed the property several times over the past decade—at one point asking $60 million and subsequently relisting it at lower prices, most recently for $37.5 million in 2020. But Markkula has now agreed to sell Rana Creek Ranch, considered the largest landholding in Carmel Valley, to the San Bernardino-based Wildlands Conservancy, which operates two dozen nature preserves spanning more than 200,000 acres across California and Oregon. The deal is set to close by the end of July. The transaction is funded with significant contributions from the state government, including $24 million from California’s Wildlife Conservation Board and $2 million from the California Coastal Conservancy. The Wildlands Conservancy is contributing $2.5 million, while the remaining $6.5 million comes in the form of a loan provided by Markkula, according to Wildlands Conservancy Executive Director Frazier Haney. The Wildlands Conservancy will open the ranch to the public free of charge, which Haney says could take three to five years to plan and organize in terms of staffing and infrastructure. The deal prevents what could have been an expansive residential redevelopment of the property under another owner given the site’s zoning. “It could have been subdivided into at least 60 separate parcels [that] could have been built for residential purposes,” Haney says. The acquisition includes a 9,000-square-foot conference center, built by Markkula, that will likely anchor The Wildlands Conservancy’s designs for a new “land stewardship institute” on the site, as well as outdoor education programs for children, Haney says. “The purpose is to call people back to land stewardship and a relationship with the land,” he notes. “All of our preserves are open to the public for free because we believe access to nature is a birthright.” The ranch also comes with an estate home, two guest homes and other buildings that will be used for staff housing and potentially rented out for events, “as long as they don’t impact the resource,” according to Haney. It also includes a 2,900-foot paved airstrip and helipad, also built by Markkula. “We don’t have any jets, but what we’ve heard from the local community is that [the airstrip is] something they’d like to see maintained for fire protection purposes,” he says. The Wildlands Conservancy is working closely with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, whose native lands include Rana Creek Ranch. The conservation group intends to permanently provide the tribe with some 1,800 acres of the property, either through a sale or donation “or a combination of both,” Haney says—adding that the two groups will work together in stewarding the land. “The tribe’s knowledge of the land is immeasurable,” he says. “Their deep perspective is going to help inform our management.” The 14,000-acre Rana Creek Ranch offers views of the Salinas Valley to the east. The Wildlands Conservancy plans to offer free public access and possibly a campground. This Land Carmel Valley’s Rana Creek Ranch, long owned by a former Apple CEO, will become a nature preserve. By Rey Mashayekhi The town of Pajaro flooded in March. The mission of PRFMA is to “plan, finance and implement projects and programs to reduce flood risk from the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries.” “We believe access to nature is a birthright.” landon peppel \ the wildlands conservancy Daniel Dreifuss raw continued on page 14
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Dr. Mark C. Howard, MD Wednesday, June 28th, 5:30pm Evaluation and Treatment of Rotator Cuff Pathology Please join us for our next MSJ Live Online web series as we discuss the evaluation and treatment of rotator cuff pathology. To RSVP for this event, you an scan the QR code above, send an email to lectureseries@msjhealth.com or call 831-424-1398. Please provide your name and email address so we can register you. Web: www.msjhealth.com Phone: 831-648-7200 Fax: 831-648-7204 Annual Signature Fundraiser! Support South County Animal Rescue while enjoying fine wine, BBQ lunch and live music by The Edge Band. Pinot For Paws Music by Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 12pm-3pm 30981 River Rd, Soledad, CA 93960 www.P4P2023.eventbrite.com Sponsorship opportunities available. Donate Auction items today! info@scar.pet Sponsors Host
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com It was 7:23pm on a Thursday night in October 2021 when a Marina police officer was dispatched to a report of a possibly intoxicated woman loitering at Jack in the Box. According to a police report, the woman had been sitting at a table with her head down, seemingly asleep, for an hour-and-a-half. She smelled of alcohol, and her eyes were bloodshot, according to the police report. “During questioning, the female was asked what her name was, but she would not respond, appearing confused and staring at me with a gaze,” Officer Ryan Parra wrote. Eventually police made out that her first name was “Sofia.” She couldn’t remember her birthday or where she lived; her pants appeared to be soiled. One officer found an empty bottle of vodka. The woman was arrested for public intoxication and transported to Monterey County Jail. There, a deputy claimed to recognize Sofia, and to know her identity—Sofia Ann Cortez was booked in the jail. Only the woman who was booked was not Sofia Ann Cortez. And now the real Sophia Cortez—who received a warrant for her arrest, and went through a months-long battle to remove her name from Monterey County’s criminal justice system—wants justice. “I am seeking damages for slandering my name and for humiliation. That took a toll,” Cortez says. She filed a claim against the county that was denied in May; she now plans to sue, seeking damages in an amount to be determined. A supplemental police report lays out some of what appears to have happened, but there are some holes. For example: The booking photo from the incident had been “removed by jail staff for unknown reasons.” (Officials from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, which manages the jail, declined to comment for this story due to pending litigation.) Marina police examined body camera footage showing that the woman arrested—whose first name is Sylvia—was definitely not Sophia Cortez. “Based on this latest information, I request the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office remove the arrest and any outstanding warrants under the name Sofia Cortez on 10/21/21,” Parra wrote in the supplemental report on Dec. 31, 2021. It wasn’t until four months later that the case finally disappeared. Cortez works for the county and has a few side hustles—designing Christian-themed clothing, distributing Herbalife products and running both a tax prep and credit repair business. “My business took a hit,” she says. “At this point, sorry isn’t good enough.” Board members representing the latter three agencies were none too pleased by Zone 7A’s request. Ari Parker, representing Watsonville, pointed out the deferred maintenance was something known about before Zone 7A entered in the contract, and asked: “What’s to stop you from doing this next year?” She added, “I worry that we’re in our infancy. We already started behind, and this is moving us further behind.” As the back-and-forth continued, Machado added that another option would be for Zone 7A to cancel its cost-sharing agreement with PRFMA altogether. “There are provisions [in the contract],” he said, that would allow for it. After discussion about whether that would even be possible, PRFMA’s attorney, Gary Bell, said, “It would be difficult to withdraw.” Machado told the board: “[Santa Cruz] County Counsel has weighed in on this and they have a vastly different opinion than what you just heard.” Monterey County and MCWRA’s representatives to the board—county supervisors Glenn Church and Luis Alejo—echoed similar concerns to Parker’s. “You made assurances this isn’t going to happen again, but there’s a little bit of a credibility gap here,” Church said. Alejo added that he wanted the agency to start off on a “strong footing,” and that the approximately $500,000 represented a “significant amount” for PRFMA’s capital reserves. (The loss of half the Zone 7A funds means there would only be $1.2 million in capital reserves for a whole host of planned projects, totaling tens of millions.) Alejo, who is also an attorney, noted that attorneys disagree about how to interpret documents all the time, and that ultimately, those disagreements may need to be settled through litigation. The tense discussion made it sound like that’s the direction this could be heading. Parker told Machado: “I did not like that you said if we didn’t play nice then you were just going to walk away. I want you to understand that.” Machado responded, “If we can’t work together with similar community issues and concerns that we can’t work jointly to resolve, then I don’t know what choice the county [of Santa Cruz] or [Zone] 7A will have.” The PRFMA board ultimately voted 3-2 against giving Zone 7A its requested discount, with representatives for Zone 7A and Santa Cruz County outvoted by Parker, Alejo and Church. ID Crisis A Salinas woman’s name ended up in court records by mistake. Now she’s suing. By Sara Rubin news Melting Pot The 24th annual Multi-Cultural Festival brings a day of food, crafts and music to Marina. This family-friendly event is packed with live performances throughout the day and multiple opportunities to learn about different cultures present here in Monterey County, and around the world. 10am Saturday, June 24. Vince DiMaggio Park, 3200 Del Monte Blvd., Marina. Free. 884-1278, cityofmarina. org. Pet Worms Salinas Valley Recycles hosts a workshop about composting. Come and learn about worm composting, backyard composting, and how to convert your kitchen scraps into rich nutrient soil. Families are welcome. 10am Saturday, June 24. Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City. 775-3000, svswa.org/free-compost-workshops. Pocket Parks Each week, volunteers with the Friends of Seaside Parks Association work on neighborhood parks to keep them clean and clutter-free. Come make a difference in your community and help with weeding, mulching, planting and picking up trash. Children and pets are welcome. FOSPA meets 10am-noon every Saturday, rotating through parks. On June 24, they are at Lincoln Cunningham Park, San Pablo Avenue and Yerba Buena Street, Seaside. Free. friendsofseasideparks.org. Housing Plans The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) holds a housing summit to unveil a new white paper titled “Practical Housing Policy: Increasing Supply and Affordability for the 6th Regional Housing Needs Cycle.” This summit aims to gather different stakeholders like policymakers, housing advocates and developers in a space where they can bounce ideas and plans off each other and come up with better housing solutions. 8am Tuesday, June 27. CSUMB Alumni & Visitor’s Center, 100 Campus St., Seaside. $39; free/MBEP members. 582-4723, mbep.biz. Helping Hands The Hope Crisis Response Network is looking for volunteers to help repair properties damaged by flooding in Pajaro. The Greenfield Pajaro Response Team will undertake repair projects. Provide a helping hand and help get Pajaro back in shape. Projects begin Saturday, July 15. Free. Contact Ariana Rodriguez at 277-0514 for information on how to participate. Being mistakenly identified as the subject of arrest for public intoxication strained Sophia Cortez’s marriage to the point of divorce, among other problems. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “Sorry isn’t good enough.” Daniel Dreifuss raw continued from page 12
www.montereycountyweekly.com JUNE 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans * The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is variable and is based upon an Index plus a margin. The Index is the “Prime Rate” as published in the “Money Rates” section of the online edition of the Wall Street Journal on the first day of the billing cycle. Eligible Lines of Credit loan amounts up to $400,000. As of March 24, 2023, the variable APR for Home Equity Lines of Credit ranged from 8.50% APR to 10.00% APR, depending on your credit score (the lowest APR disclosed includes any applicable rate discounts). The maximum APR during the term of the plan is 18.00%. The maximum loan amount is $400,000. An estimate of the fees imposed for opening the plan are $750 to $2500. However, these fees will be waived and/or paid by the Credit Union provided that our security interest in your home is maintained for at least 36 consecutive months from the date the HELOC account is opened. Otherwise, you must reimburse the Credit Union for these waived and/or paid fees (not to exceed $500). An annual fee of $75 is required on all balances of less than $20,000 after the first year. During the Draw Period, you may convert the variable interest rate and repayment schedule on a portion of your outstanding balance to a fixed rate and repayment schedule (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Home Equity Line of Credit Agreement). Each time you fix a portion of your loan balance, you will be assessed a charge of $50.00. Only three (3) fixed-rate options may exist at any one time. Offer is available for new applications submitted through December 31, 2023. Loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Interest rates and programs terms are subject to change without notice. Property insurance is required. Other restrictions may apply. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required at the time of closing. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call a Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant at 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 304. Get the Most from Your Home Upgrade in the ways that are most meaningful to you with a Home Equity Line of Credit from Bay Federal Credit Union! Apply Today! Visit bayfed.com/helocflex to learn more. 540 Million Gallons Stored MONTEREY PENINSULA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MPWMD.NET • 2023 — Second-best year ever for Aquifer Storage & Recovery • 540 million gallons of excess Carmel River rainwater stored in Seaside Basin (1,656 acre-feet (AF) • Capable of supplying over 17% of the Peninsula’s annual water needs • We now have almost 3,000 AF of stored water supply Doug Steakley Photo
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com After weeks of hearings and deliberations, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is set to meet on Thursday, June 22 to approve a $1.9 billion budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year beginning July 1. But while this year’s county budget—largely considered “status quo” and relatively unchanged from last year’s—is all but done and dusted, the conversation is already shifting toward next year, when the county will have to grapple with the loss of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal pandemic stimulus bill. The loss of one-time APRA funds is “one of the biggest challenges” facing the county government’s near-term fiscal outlook, County Administrative Office Sonia De La Rosa says. Having been allocated $84.3 million in ARPA dollars since its 2020-21 budget, the county will go through the last of the federal money—$24.6 million—in the upcoming fiscal year. “In years to come we’re not going to have those dollars, and are going to have to contract the number of services we can provide while also seeing increases in [county employee] salaries and benefits,” De La Rosa notes. County Budget Director Ezequiel Vega adds that the absence of ARPA funds may require cutbacks to some government positions in the following 2024-25 fiscal year. “We’ll have to see what the priorities are, and then we will have to try to match those priorities with available funding,” he says. Among the most significant changes to this year’s budget include a 30-percent reduction in funds—over $1.2 million—to administer the county’s cannabis program, meant to correspond with declining tax revenues from a struggling cannabis sector. “The intent was to ensure we didn’t have to use general fund money to subsidize cannabis program operations,” Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says. She notes that declining cannabis revenues mean “there’s no longer cannabis money rolling into general fund expenditures [for other county programs].” Among departments to see increased funding is the Sheriff’s Office, which is projected to receive around 19 percent of the roughly $848 million general fund (the second-most behind social services, which receives 33 percent). The Sheriff’s Office received an additional $1.1 million on top of its $157.7 million recommended budget to fund seven new positions, most tied to county jail operations. With county coffers benefiting from higher projected transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues thanks to a recovering tourism sector, there is momentum on the Board of Supervisors to divert more TOT money toward county roads. Supervisor Glenn Church has pitched diverting a higher percentage of TOT funds—a proposed 25 percent— to bolstering the county’s road fund in next year’s outlay. (Road fund expenditures are projected at $76.2 million.) County staff are set to examine Church’s proposal for potential inclusion in the 2024-25 budget. Supervisor Chris Lopez, whose South County district is heavily reliant on county infrastructure, agrees with the idea: “I’d like to see a percentage [of TOT revenue] added to bolster our roads.” Balancing the Books The end of federal pandemic funds means next year’s Monterey County budget could be tighter. By Rey Mashayekhi “Long term, I’d like to see more dedicated revenue toward infrastructure specifically,” Supervisor Chris Lopez says. “We’ve got large stretches of roads that are in dire need of investment.” NEWS “We’ll have to see what the priorities are.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DR. BRYNIE KAPLAN DAU, MS, DVM VOTED MONTEREY COUNTY’S BEST VETERINARIAN TWO YEARS IN A ROW! ’22 ’21 SURGERY DERMATOLOGY FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE AND MUCH MORE COMPASSIONATE CARE WITH EXCEPTIONAL MEDICINE. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com
www.montereycountyweekly.com June 22-28, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 A jury in Monterey County Superior Court has awarded Jared Stiver, a former employee of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and parent organization Montage Health, $9.95 million in damages for unlawful termination, after jurors agreed with Stiver that CHOMP and Montage had engaged in violations of patient care regulations he reported, as well as a whistleblower protection law. Montage officials said in a statement they plan to appeal. According to the complaint filed on Dec. 3, 2021, 17 days after he was terminated, Stiver was hired in 2007 as a supervisor at the Tyler Heart Institute at CHOMP. He claimed that during his employment, administrators retaliated against employees who reported or complained about patient care, billing practices and violations of regulations and laws. They did so, he said, through fabricating, concealing or destroying information and soliciting other employees to turn on targeted employees. He also claimed that those targeted were assigned unsafe working conditions, harassed and punished in other ways. “Individual employees who did not follow the program but who demonstrated an honest and forthright nature were singled out for removal,” the complaint states. After a three-week trial that concluded May 24, the jury unanimously agreed with nearly all the points raised by Stiver in the lawsuit, except in a few instances where one, two or three jurors voted “no” on individual claims—a majority vote of at least nine jurors was still a successful verdict. All 12 agreed to the damages: $4.95 million for lost compensation and $5 million for punitive damages. In their statement, Montage officials said they were “surprised, disappointed and strongly disagree” with the decision. Stiver claimed that as far back as 2017 he reported “improprieties” in patient care and billing to management. In one case he noted an abnormally high rate of complications occurring in cardiologist procedures and instructed staff to file reports, per hospital policy. He claims he was told by a manager to “get on board” and support the status quo. The lawsuit contends a patient died after Stiver’s warnings. Court documents also state that Stiver found issues with billing that he believes resulted in millions of dollars in expenses to the hospital; in another situation, he found patients were billed the full amount for incomplete procedures. After lodging his complaints, he said he was reassigned and saw a reduction in hours and pay, as well as verbal abuse. In October 2021, when management learned he intended to sue, they terminated him, according to Stiver. Stiver has since been able to find alternative employment, according to his attorney, Mark O’Conner. Montage officials said in their statement that the verdict “does not reflect or align with Community Hospital’s values and practices—putting patient care and staff well-being at the forefront of everything we do,” the statement reads. “We fully intend to appeal this decision on a number of legitimate grounds.” Winning Whistle A fired Montage employee wins nearly $10 million in a lawsuit for unlawful retaliation. By Pam Marino A former Montage employee claimed in court filings that executives were aware of employee complaints about human resources officials, but there were no improvements. NEWS “Employees were singled out for removal.” NIC COURY We would like to inform you that effective June 15th, 2023, Dr. Chang will no longer be a member of Monterey Spine & Joint. We would like to extend our best wishes to him as he embarks on his well-deserved retirement. Rest Assured that you can continue your healthcare journey with Monterey Spine & Joint. We will ensure a smooth transition and arrange for your care to be transferred to one of Dr. Chang’s trusted partners. They will be fully equipped to provide you with the highquality care you have come to expect from our practice. However, if you prefer to seek care from another facility, we understand and respect your decision. To facilitate this, we kindly request that you complete the medical records request form linked below. This will enable us to promptly transfer your medical records to your chosen healthcare provider. Medical Records Request Form: https://www.scanstat.com/patient-record-request/ If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at 831-648-7200. Our dedicated team is here to support you during this transition and ensure your continued well-being.
18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY June 22-28, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Big Plans What an inspirational story! (“Rancho Cielo construction students set to compete in an international sustainability competition,” June 15-21.) We need more news stories like this one, which is uplifting. Thank you. Nancy Callahan | Carmel Highway 156, Revisited Of course. That interchange has been in need of an upgrade for many years (“A major project at Highway 156 in Castroville risks losing funding due to delays,” June 8-14). Promises followed by promises broken. It’s the refrain of a really bad song that we know too well. Phil Candreva | via social media Home Build I’m a staunch Democrat and longtime supporter of Gavin Newsom. I also support affordable housing and understand that homes in general are in short supply in California. But now that two of our largest insurance companies, State Farm and Allstate, have decided not to accept any new policies for California homeowners, I wonder how the 33,274 new housing units mandated to be built in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties (“The clock is ticking for cities and the county to meet a housing plan deadline,” June 8-14 and June 15-21) will be insured. Lacking insurance, how will most of them qualify for mortgages? Without a mortgage, who would risk plunking down cash on them? Add to this the dire lack of water, and I fear that these building plans will not end well. Holly Haynes | Monterey optical illusion It is so very sad that something as universally joyful as a rainbow has now been linked to hate, anger and fear (“Sign of the times—even a feel-good sticker at the library sparks outrage,” posted June 14). As a society, we must find a balance between inclusion and exclusion. I applaud your response to the library participant. Steve Loos | Hollister I’m buying a ton of these stickers and T-shirts tomorrow. The Monterey Public Library is wonderful and [Library Director] Brian Edwards reminds me of some of the best librarians who encouraged me to read during my youth. Aengus Jeffers | Monterey What an inspiring read. It’s great to know that we have such inclusive, creative and thoughtful leadership at the city of Monterey. The Monterey Library and Museums have been given a jolt of positive energy and momentum. I look forward to checking out the new Buffalo Soldiers exhibit at the Presidio of Monterey Museum (“City historian Jordan Leininger spent three years tracing the story of Buffalo Soldiers in Monterey,” June 15-21). There is so much opportunity to highlight stories and people that have not historically been given a spotlight for their contributions to our community. You can tell that Brian Edwards enjoys his work and has been the perfect addition to the library and executive team. Keep up the great work. Eric Palmer Sr. | Monterey Thanks for your article. How great to have a library director so upbeat and talented that he approaches a reading program with imagination and wonder instead of fear and judgment. We are indeed fortunate! Roberta Myers | Monterey Race Relations I am worried about the extreme heat and wildfires raging across the country. I feel for people who lose their lives and livelihoods to extreme weather, and it’s only a matter of time until it directly hits me and my community (“Letters,” June 8-14 and June 15-21). Seeing headlines covering these climate disasters made me realize that most news stories show no connection between them and the main cause: fossil fuels. This is dangerous, because many people will continue to refuse to see that longer, hotter, deadlier summers are caused and perpetuated by the fossil fuel industry. The science is clear—the longer we allow fossil fuel companies to dig and burn, the worse the impacts of the climate crisis will be. Climate impacts disproportionately affect people and communities who are already marginalized. People who did the least to cause the climate crisis suffer the worst from its impacts, while oil companies continue to hit record profits (“Squid Fry: Oil Money,” June 1-7). Media have an important role to play and a moral obligation to tell the whole truth. It’s time to make one thing about extreme weather very clear: it’s not a “crisis” that just happens to us—it’s a crime, and the fossil fuel industry is to blame. David Farwell | Carmel Leadership Role Congratulations Carmen!! (“Gonzales appoints Carmen Gil as the new city manager,” posted June 9.) She is perfect for our community and I can’t wait to see what her collaboration with the City Council and other entities will bring to Gonzales! Cheli Flores | via social media Sweet Kindness I recently walked into Nece’s (“The sweet story behind Monterey County’s only gluten-free bakery,” April 27-May 3). The guy behind the counter smiled and said, “How are you today?” “Since you asked,” I said, “I’m dying and I feel awful.” His face dropped. But I had to tell him. I needed to tell someone. I had completed 10 straight days of proton radiation therapy. I awoke with achy muscles and pain throughout my body. I have to go for a run every morning, but not this one. I’ll still go to the office, I convinced myself. I showered, dressed, got into the car. Along the way I decided to try a cinnamon bun at Nece’s—might perk me up. When I finished telling Scott about my situation, I ordered a cinnamon bun. Scott put it in a box and slid it across the counter. “This one’s on me,” he said softly. Once in the car, I cried. Someone I never knew was so kind. My pain was so intense that I had to return home. My discomfort eased with each bite of that fragrant cinnamon bun. I slept the rest of the day. Dan Presser | Monterey Letters • CommentsOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@mcweekly.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==