4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 22-28, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH That there is beef between the City of Seaside and former city manager Jaime Fontes, who was hired in 2022 and fired on June 6, 2024, is not new. What is new is that Fontes has filed a claim against the City, a precursor to a lawsuit against a public agency. The Weekly requested a copy of Fontes’ claim, but City Attorney Sheri Damon says it will not be released while the claim is pending a potential settlement. “We have sent that claim to our insurer and we are in the midst of negotiations. I don’t want anything to happen here that would potentially affect a resolution,” she says. Citing a section of the California Public Records Act that exempts pending litigation, Damon says a copy will be made available only after the City acts on the claim. But a 1988 California Court of Appeal decision in the case Poway Unified School District vs. Superior Court of San Diego County unambiguously resolves this issue in favor of disclosure. “The case law is crystal clear that claims submitted to public agencies under the Government Claims Act must be disclosed on request,” says David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition. “They are not exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act.” Good: In the near future, CSU Monterey Bay science and engineering students will have new labs and other workspaces to study and support the region’s oceanic resources and agricultural industry. The university celebrates the groundbreaking of the Edward “Ted” Taylor Science and Engineering Building on Thursday, Aug. 22. The 20,000-square-foot building, which will include room for CSUMB’s marine science program and new mechatronics program, is named after the father of Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary will also have offices in the building. The $38 million development is funded through donations from the Taylor family as well as the Berkshire Foundation, the Packard Foundation and others, in addition to federal funds secured by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta and the university’s reserves. GREAT: For years, families with children facing mental health crises had to travel outside the county, and sometimes out of state, for residential treatment, but that’s changing the week of Aug. 26. Ohana’s 16-bed residential unit is slated to open at its campus in Ryan Ranch, Montage Health officials announced. Children under 18 will be able to stay for two to six weeks in the “engaging camp-like environment,” receiving help for issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma and more. “Now we can offer effective, comprehensive treatment right here in our community,” said Dr. Susan Swick, executive director of Ohana. “This is one more step in our efforts to improve access to effective care that we hope will result in better mental health for Monterey County kids and families.” The opening comes eight months after the Ohana campus opened offering outpatient services. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The preliminary total sales figure from the five auctions that took place during Car Week, an amount down 3 percent from the previous year. In all, 1,143 vehicles sold for an average of $476,965 per lot. Source: Hagerty $392 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “This is the most recognizable race car in the history of race cars.” -John Kraman of Mecum Auctions, unveiling a 1970 Porsche 917K in Monterey that was driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans (see story, montereycountynow.com). million 24th Annual August 24th – 25th Free Admission Turkish Festival 11AM - 7PM Monterey, CA Custom House Plaza Monterey State Historic Park Live Music Dance Food Art Exhibits www.turkfestca.org info@turkfestca.org (831) 224-6501 24 Annual August 24th – 25th Free Admission Turkish Festival 11AM - 7PM Monterey, CA Custom House Plaza Monterey State Historic Park Live Music Dance Food Art Exhibits www.turkfestca.org info@turkfestca.org (831) 224-6501 nual 25th on ish val A ark Food Art Exhibits turkfestca.org (831) 224-6501 24th Annual August 24th – 25th Free Admission Turkish Festival 11AM - 7PM Monterey, CA Custom House Plaza Monterey State Historic Park Live Music Dance Food Art Exhibits www.turkfestca.org info@turkfestca.org (831) 224-6501
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