14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAy 23-29, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Home Count I so appreciate how you make local issues so approachable for residents (“The County of Monterey’s first stab at its housing plan is questionable at best,” posted May 14). Karen Strickland | via email On May 15, County of Monterey staff presented their proposal for the State’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). They informed the Monterey County Planning Commission that the proposal was in the works for nearly two years and had an extensive outreach program. However, participant after participant complained of the lack of transparency. Entire communities were left out of the discussion, whereas staff did outreach to developers. Many participants at the meeting complained that they had no idea of the proposal until the night before. Community members complained about specific sites that seem to violate the basic premise of 1) protecting desirable land uses, 2) preventing soil erosion and enhancing water quality and 3) minimizing risks from fire. The staff-calculated need for affordable housing is for approximately 3,326 units which did not include the units that are already in the pipeline. The actual number of units needed in the low- and very-low-income units are 210 and 886, respectively. However, the staff recommended building over 10,000 housing units to subsidize the developers for building the affordable units. The Planning Commission found problems with the staff proposal. The staff will return on June 5 to present their reply to the Planning Commission. Andy Hawryluk | Monterey Note: Hawryluk is president of the Olmsted Road, Highway 68 Conservation Consortium. Long Road Big Sur is not a “product” (“Limited access on Highway 1 creates hardship, but also some magic, in Big Sur,” May 16-22). I was shocked to hear a Big Sur resident and manager of Deetjen’s call Big Sur “a destination product.” His attitude reminds me of a pointed comment made by another resident who doesn’t see it that way. Marcus Foster once said, “They’re pimping out Big Sur.” Indeed they are. Marilyn Ross | Carmel To the tune of “Pride of Man” by Hamilton Camp, circa 1964: Turn around, Go back home, Back to San Jose! Can’t you see that flashing sign Telling you the road is closed? There’s no detour to reach Big Sur Rich in treasure, wide in fame Oh No! Highway One Slid into the sea again! Bruce Merchant | Carmel Campaign Season This article is hypocritical, sexist and ageist (“Two districts in Monterey have open City Council seats; a slate of candidates has coalesced,” May 9-15). Monterey County Weekly replicated the very concept in its 2022 endorsements article that criticized outgoing mayor Clyde Roberson and councilmember Dan Albert Jr. for coordinating retirement/campaign launch saying, “That’s the old way of doing things in Monterey and frankly, it stinks. The old boys club ought not get to decide who is the next ‘king.’” How then, do you justify direct involvement highlighting a blatantly orchestrated assist to this trifecta of candidates—not as a “clean” slate—but as a younger generation of the same good old boys club?! It’s patronizing to serve up this club as the main course and treat a candidate of Jean Rasch’s caliber as a side dish! Jean is the only candidate you failed to quote. She also happens to be a woman in a demographic not represented on this council, nor in the juvenile version of the boys club. Lori Mazzuca | Monterey Kick Off I absolutely loved your story on Joe Kapp (“The legacy of Joe Kapp, a football legend who cut his teeth in Alisal, is getting a fresh look,” May 16-22). What a phenomenal read. Joaquin Ruiz | Whittier, California I wish I’d had the chance to meet him. I unknowingly followed in his footsteps, growing up in Salinas. I followed him to Cal (Class of 1972). And I despise bullies. A truly remarkable man forged from our wonderful Salinas Valley. Thanks for a wonderful romp down memory lane. Walter Wagner | Salinas Both Sides Thank you for sharing this information (“A new arts and culture group is subtly advancing a right-wing agenda,” May 16-22). In these times, it is so important to question and research. You were clear in your last sentence, “What began as a brainstorming session has evolved. It’s important we know what the group’s real agenda is.” Colleen Ingram | Pacific Grove Although I am a member of CASI’s diverse board of directors, I do not ascribe to Sara Rubin’s incorrect statement that all board members are right-wing conservatives. I am not a conservative; I am a classical liberal/ libertarian on the “left.” The political spectrum is based on the classical liberal/libertarian revolutionaries who seized the Bastille in 1789 and sat on the left side of the French Assembly; authoritarian monarchists and church leaders sat on the right. I consider myself an adherent of the “Free Left” in opposition to the collectivist and aggressive “Fascist Left.” Lawrence Samuels | Carmel Retail Therapy Thank the lord! (“Monterey County’s Macy’s stores are not included in the planned closures of 150 locations nationwide,” posted May 16.) Suzanne Orlando | Monterey It’s a shame that they decided to leave the Salinas location open. The Monterey location is much better though, and I’m glad it is staying open! Stef Helbock Pummell | via social media Can we ditch the Macy’s and get a Nordstrom please!? Nicole Ashley Abbruzzetti | via social media Letters • CommentsOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.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.
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