4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 6-12, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH There is no shortage of governmental bodies that review everything from street naming to police oversight. There is, however, a shortage of people able to put in the time required of such a commitment. That’s the issue Assembly Bill 817, authored by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, D-Downey, hopes to resolve by allowing advisory boards to conduct meetings purely virtually without complying with certain requirements of the Brown Act, a set of rules governing public meetings. Board members would no longer have to post their location or make it available to the public. The First Amendment Coalition opposes the bill, saying it would weaken open-meetings protections. “AB 817 doesn’t increase public access,” FAC Advocacy Director Ginny LaRoe wrote. “It offers an unfair trade-off: Let officials avoid appearing in-person in order for the public to have a right to a livestream. When public meetings go entirely online, how can a reporter approach an official to get comment or connect with community members who have views on issues being considered?” The bill, currently in committee review, would sunset on Jan. 1, 2026. Good: Businesses looking to start up, grow or just seek out advice now have more options. The Monterey County Business Council opened the Central Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at 123 Capitol St. in Salinas on Wednesday, June 5. Additional outreach centers will celebrate their grand openings in Monterey at 353 Camino El Estero on Monday, June 10 and in Soledad at 502 Front St. on June 28. The centers provide free business advisory services, such as preparing a strategic plan, creating marketing strategies or guidance on accessing capital. They are also a source of training programs and resources to business owners. The Monterey County Business Council also heads up the Monterey Bay APEX Accelerator, which helps small businesses grab often-lucrative government contracts. GREAT: It’s literally a GREAT week for Greenfield. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, announced $793,856 in federal funding for the Greenfield Reconnecting Everyone Across Town (GREAT) project on Monday, June 3. The funds will go toward developing plans to construct a bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing across Highway 101. Plans also call for widening the two narrow overcrossings on Walnut Avenue and Oak Avenue. According to the City of Greenfield’s funding application, the two-lane overcrossings are inadequate to accommodate the city’s growing population, and create a chokepoint for people traveling between the west and east sides. “In Greenfield, specifically, bridges received ‘D’ service ratings and are worsening, so a cash infusion to plan and make improvements is desperately needed,” Lofgren said in a press release. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The number of miles bicyclists participating in the annual AIDS/LifeCycle will traverse over their weeklong ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. On Monday, June 3, the riders began the day in Santa Cruz and pedaled through Monterey County on their way to King City for the night. The ride raised nearly $11 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center this year. Source: AIDS/LifeCycle 545 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We didn’t do a thing wrong. I’m a very innocent man.” -Former President Donald Trump, after a jury on Thursday, May 30 found him guilty on 34 felony counts in a hush money case (see story, page 14). PETER B'S BREWPUB PRESENTS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES Join us every Thursday from 6PM to 9PM Indoors at Peter B’s Brewpub or Outdoors in our pet-friendly Beer Garden* 6.6 RYAN SESMA, GUITAR [INSIDE] 6.13 COASTAL COMMISSION 6.20 60 EAST BAND 6.27 COASTAL COMMISSION *Outdoor dates subject to weather conditions. LOCATED BEHIND THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA | COMPLIMENTARY PARKING (831) 649-2699 | PETERBSBREWPUB.COM Personalized Care: We get to know your pet’s unique needs and preferences to provide the perfect environment for them to feel relaxed and happy. Expert Staff: Our compassionate team of professionals is trained to care for pets of all shapes and sizes, including those with special medical needs. Clean & Safe Facilities: Your pet’s well-being is our top priority. Our facilities are meticulously maintained to ensure a clean and safe environment for your beloved companion. Outdoor Playtime: Our spacious, secured play area allows your pet to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and socialization while staying with us. PEt bOarding at Pacific Grove Animal Hospital Why we’re the best choice for pet boarding: 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com VOTED MONTEREY COUNTY’S BEST VETERINARIAN THREE YEARS IN A ROW! ’23 ’22 ’21
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