september 12-18, 2024 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Bulldozing the Amazon 10 | Unhoused numbers 13 | Dems pull the chair 15 | Tony terrific 32 It costs more to dine out, but with rising costs also taking a chunk out of their budgets, restaurateurs tread on narrow margins. p. 18 By Dave Faries Big Bite
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com September 12-18, 2024 • ISSUE #1885 • Established in 1988 Peter Hiller (Nikon Coolpix B500, 50mm) A rainbow of fall colors in a field of flowers at Earthbound Farm in Carmel Valley. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Food costs are just one concern for restaurateurs in a time when wholesale costs are trending higher. Menu prices have been on the rise as chefs and owners struggle to cover those costs and still manage a meager profit. Cover photo: Shutterstock etc. Copyright © 2024 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: $300 yearly, prepaid. 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.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) Publisher Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) Editorial editor Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) associate editor Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) features editor Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) Staff Writer Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) Staff Writer Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@montereycountynow.com staff writer Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) Staff Writer David Schmalz david@montereycountynow.com (x104) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) Digital PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Paul Fried, Jesse Herwitz, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner Cartoons Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow Production Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser karen@montereycountynow.com (x108) Graphic Designer Kevin Jewell kevinj@montereycountynow.com (x114) Graphic Designer Alexis Estrada alexis@montereycountynow.com (x114) Graphic Designer Lani Headley lani@montereycountynow.com (x114) SALES senior Sales Executive Diane Glim diane@montereycountynow.com (x124) Senior Sales Executive George Kassal george@montereycountynow.com (x122) Senior Sales Executive Keith Bruecker keith@montereycountynow.com (x118) Classifieds business development director Keely Richter keely@montereycountynow.com (x123) Digital Director of Digital Media Kevin Smith kevin@montereycountynow.com (x119) Distribution Distribution AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com Distribution Control Harry Neal Business/Front Office Office Manager Linda Maceira linda@montereycountynow.com (x101) Bookkeeping Rochelle Trawick 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountynow.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountynow.com. now [nou] adverb at the present time or moment Monterey County Now Local news, arts and entertainment, food and drink, calendar and daily newsletter. Subscribe to the newsletter: www.montereycountynow.com/subscribe Find us online: www.montereycountynow.com
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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Rupert Murdoch, the 93-year-old billionaire business magnate, and his children are locked in a court battle over the succession plan of his media empire. Murdoch, who helms such outlets as Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, wants to hand the reins to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, according to the New York Times, as he is more politically aligned with his father’s conservative views. Murdoch’s three other adult children would lose their voting power, according to his proposed family trust. A group of media organizations that include the Times, Associated Press and others have requested a Nevada court to open up the proceedings that have been taking place out of the public eye. “The fate of the Murdoch family’s enormous fortune and vast media empire is a matter of immense public interest, and the public also has an interest in ensuring that the public courts administer justice in a proper, impartial manner,” the filing stated. The case is expected to have a series of hearings in court beginning Monday, Sept. 16. Good: It took years for Seaside to plan and then remake lower Broadway Avenue in an effort to revitalize its downtown. The street went down from four lanes to two, bike lanes were added, sidewalks widened and lovely trees now line the thoroughfare. But there is only so much a city can do: Ultimately, the private sector has to do its part to launch businesses that will bring people into the mix. Other Brother Beer Co. was a huge get, and is now so popular it’s packed most nights. There’s also been the addition of a fancy, well-appointed cafe, a fine dining restaurant, a few cannabis dispensaries and more. In recent weeks, the transformation has continued as two new businesses have opened their doors—AMG Cyclery, which hosts a group bike ride on Friday, Sept. 13 at 6pm, and just a stone’s throw away is Monterey Clay Studio, which offers pottery classes for all skill levels. GREAT: Dr. Susan Swick, the first executive director of Ohana, Montage Health’s center for child and adolescent behavioral health, has been named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, for her advancement of youth mental health treatment. Swick arrived in Monterey County about five years ago to shepherd the creation of the new center, hiring staff and expanding services to youth and their families while waiting for the physical facility to be built, a state-of-the-art compound designed to promote healing that opened last year. Swick also spent time connecting with others in the community, creating new programs in local schools and becoming a voice for what she calls youth “mental fitness,” teaching youth how to be resilient through stress and hard times. “It’s not about chasing happiness,” she told the Weekly last year. “It’s about how to face a challenge and meet it.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The amount of funding Monterey County Regional Fire District, City of Greenfield, Santa Lucia Preserve and organizations in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties received from Cal Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program. The funds are part of $90 million awarded to 94 wildfire prevention projects across California. Source: Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’ office $2,618,086 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’ve never been trained to put a dollar value on an eggplant.” -Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges, speaking about a suspect who vandalized Capra Park and whether the cost of damages elevates the potential charges to a felony (see story, montereycountynow.com). HERE TO HELP YOU SAVE Contact a California American Water conservation expert today at 831-646-3205 to make an appointment for this valuable service. Did you know that residents – both homeowners and renters – are eligible for a FREE program that will help you save water and money? With our Water Wise House Calls, a certified conservation expert will visit your home to identify ways you can save water both indoors and out by doing the following: 6 Check your irrigation systems for leaks 6 Teach you to read your meter 6 Create an individualized, annual watering schedule for your landscape Try Us First. We Pay The Highest! MONTEREY COIN SHOPPE Since 1970 same street for 40 years Open Mon-Thur 11am-4pm and Friday by appointment only. Call for an appointment: 831.646.9030 449 Alvarado St., Monterey www.montereycoinshoppe.com WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER, JEWELRY, COINS, DIAMONDS, WATCHES, ART & RARE ANTIQUES
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 For a full listing of our recognitions and awards, scan the QR code. Quality care is a cornerstone at Salinas Valley Health. Our quality care focuses on evidence-based practices to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. SalinasValleyHealth .com 450 East Romie Lane, Salinas | 831-757-4333 Proud to Rank 5-star The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created the 5-star rating system as a way to compare hospital quality and performance nationwide. Salinas Valley Health joined the top 10% of hospitals by scoring the highest – 5 stars! Recognized as ‘A’ in Patient Safety Salinas Valley Health earned a tenth consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a leading national nonprofit watchdog group. An “A” rating demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient safety. A few from our team, from left: Aniko Kukla, DNP, RN Director, Quality and Patient Safety Catherine Carson, BSN, MPA, CPHQ Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors Chair, Quality and Efficiency Practices Committee Kelsey Gray, MD, MS Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Physician Medical Director, Quality and Safety Committee
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 The largest city in Monterey County may be a humble agricultural community by day, but by night, people dress up and come out to play, especially on Saturdays. This playground is rooted in its history, both recorded and oral. A line has already formed at 201 Main—a two-story nightclub located at 201 Main St.—by 10pm. Security is tight with guards wearing bulletproof vests who pat down entrants before allowing them to enter. They are firm but polite, and reiterate that they’re there to make the club safe. Visitors entering the club say $25 to enter is a fair cover charge. “Saturday is the premiere night,” says Noel Saucedo, co-owner of 201 Main, which boasts several rooms with dancing and clubbing options, plus a courtyard for lounging. The bar down below offers a calmer atmosphere, but above are two rooms, one playing hip-hop and reggaeton music, while the other has a live band playing banda with dancers joining in the revelry. “We try to give [visitors] a ‘junior Vegas,’” Saucedo says. “We’re 45 minutes away from San Jose so we try to be part of ‘the list’ of where to go.” 201 Main portrays itself as the premiere club in Salinas and has the clientele to show for it. It also pays homage to late actor James Dean, who died in a car crash on his way to Salinas on Highway 46—the club licensed his name for its downstairs bar two years ago. “We like to say that he finally made it to Salinas,” Saucedo adds. By 11pm the line to get into 201 Main is stretched beyond the end of the block, with music that can be heard from the sidewalk across Main Street. Luckily, for those who don’t want to wait, this isn’t downtown’s only option for nightlife. Nearby at 131 Main St., Mamichelas Sushi Grill Seafood is packed. Attendees are enjoying dinner and a live band, with musicians singing in Spanish and roaming throughout the restaurant. “This is the best place to have dinner and hear music,” says Edgar León, who is wearing rodeo-like attire for the night out; his friend is similarly clad. The festive atmosphere erupts like a volcano when someone jumps out in a lucha-libre mask to share a libation with anyone willing to tilt their head back and accept a shot, poured straight into their mouth. The music speeds up and everyone else joins in with cheers, laughter and boisterous shouting. The scene outside the restaurant does indeed resemble a scaled-down Las Vegas strip. People are walking the streets looking for the next place to party, and they are dressed in ties, cowboy hats and black dresses. Nearly every bar has a line. Security guards remain present at each venue and police are driving up and down Main Street, scanning vigilantly. For someone looking for a quieter nightcap, this is not the place to be. But just around the corner on Alisal Street, The King’s Den boasts a moderately lively atmosphere. An older crowd sips simpler cocktails and beers. “This is the oldest bar in Salinas,” says Shelley Ness, who is sitting with her friend Brian Courrejou at a table along a wall decorated with nude paintings. “It’s probably the most chill bar in Oldtown now,” Courrejou adds. Courrejou and Ness recall coming to downtown Salinas in their 20s—they’ve lived in the city their entire lives. Now middle-aged, they admit that they don’t make it out very often, having walked into the humble dive bar after a concert at the Fox Theatre. But they recall a time when they say just three bars existed in Salinas, signifying a growth in options for younger people today. The King’s Den, however, is still a mainstay for an older crowd, which is why they keep coming back. “It’s the regulars,” Ness says. Downtown Salinas has added more nightlife over the past couple of years. Newer venues such as microbrewery Brew-N-Krew and Heirloom Pizza’s second location, Live@Heirloom Pizza, have popped up on Main Street, offering more hip and family-style events like live music, trivia and karaoke. Altura Lounge offers upscale cocktails earlier in the evening. Establishments such as these represent a city that is growing up, but that is holding onto its fun side, cultivating a downtown identity. Noches Calientes Salinas’ nightlife scene invites people to have fun while also celebrating the city’s historic downtown. By Sloan Campi Revelers hit the dance floor at 201 Main in Salinas on a Saturday night. The nightlife options in downtown Salinas have grown in the past year. “We try to give [visitors] a ‘junior Vegas.’” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 GET CERTIFIED Become a MWELO Certified Irrigation Auditor! More certified auditors are needed! Since 2010, an irrigation audit has been required for landscape projects that are subject to the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) or a local water efficient landscape ordinance. Consider adding this service to your business. Who Conducts an Irrigation Audit? An irrigation audit is performed by a certified irrigation auditor and cannot be the project designer or installer. What is an Irrigation Audit? An irrigation audit is an unbiased verification that installation was done according to the approved plans and MWELO requirements. 2-Day Class Includes: You will learn how to assess irrigation system performance, conduct field tests, and calculate accurate watering schedules based on plant water use, soils, and local weather data. This class provides foundational information for the certified landscape irrigation auditor exam. TRAINING: Oct 22 and 23, 2024 / Seaside, CA Fee: Member $350 | Nonmember $450 (includes manual) Registration closes October 4 irrigation.org REGISTER / Go to About > Events Calendar OCT 22-23 LOCATED BEHIND THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA | COMPLIMENTARY PARKING (831) 649-2699 | PETERBSBREWPUB.COM HAPPY HOUR SUNDAY BREAKFAST 4PM TO 6PM LATE NIGHT 9PM TO 10PM 9:30AM TO 11AM MONTEREY’S FAVORITE SPORTS BAR CATCH ALL YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS ON 18 HDTV’S H I L LT O P 871 JESSIE STREET 831-646-3975 EL ESTERO 777 PEARL STREET 831-646-3873 Pre-registration by appointment only. Please call the Preschool location of your choice for a registration appointment. Visit www.monterey.gov/rec for more info. learn - engage - play - socialize Tuesday – friday, 3 hours per day THE CITY OF MONTEREY must be “potty” trained years 3-5 for ages preschool p r o g r a m E S T E RO L LT O P L ESTERO H I E E S T E RO L E ociali y - engag - pl ar gag learn - - pl y - ze en arn - le a ocialize ay - y - sociali n - en e - play - sociali s arn - en learn - ar engage - pl lear en learn - engage - play - s e - pl
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com news The Monterey campus of Monterey Peninsula College is a sprawling, tree-filled property just off Highway 1. MPC leadership is seeking not just to draw more students to its main campus, but also to meet students where they are. “We are going to be focusing on our Marina and Seaside expansion. We want to increase access and remove as many barriers for students beyond this hill and beyond Monterey,” Superintendent Marshall T. Fulbright told the MPC board on Aug. 28. MPC’s student population from both cities is growing at a higher rate than elsewhere. The board heard a presentation on the possible expansion from MPC staff, who shared preliminary information about a campus on Broadway in Seaside. MPC currently has two satellite learning centers, in Marina and Seaside. The latter provides training for emergency medicine, and fire and police academies. Seaside has invested millions of dollars to revitalize its downtown. “We’ve made the place look really top-notch, and there’s nothing better that I could think of in this area,” said Alex Miller, a Seaside City Councilmember. Working with Seaside’s Economic Development Department, MPC identified the former Seaside Creates office as a potential location. According to MPC staff, the facility would provide an array of programs including English classes for English learners; continuing education including senior technology classes; and student services providing counseling, financial aid workshops and free immigration services. The plan is still in its early stages. MPC needs to determine the cost, negotiate terms to rent it from the city and select what classes they will offer, plus develop plans to staff it. Class Room MPC is exploring the possibility of a satellite location in downtown Seaside. By Celia Jiménez Each day doctors write prescriptions for medications to combat diseases and conditions like diabetes, heart ailments and depression. What if, along with a prescription for medication, came a prescription to head to the park for some fresh air? That was the impetus behind ParkRx, a movement that began in the San Francisco Bay Area over a decade ago, leaning on hundreds of studies concluding that connecting with nature and being active outdoors can be as healing as medicine in some cases. ParkRx Monterey County is now here, although it’s still little known. It was developed over the past year by partners Blue Zones Project Monterey County, Ventana Wildlife Society, Monterey County Parks, Monterey County Health Department and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. Over the summer, the program got a boost from three undergraduate students from Middlebury College in Vermont—Lucy Inkster, Tony Morocho and Israel Ostos Escalante— who came to the Middlebury Institute of International Studies for five weeks, working with graduate student Nadia Pshonyak, serving as their mentor, as part of the Middlebury Social Impact Corps. The students’ task was to promote ParkRx Monterey County and gather data to help the program grow. Using the interactive map on parkrxmontereycounty.org, the students visited over 25 parks all over the county, from neighborhood pocket parks to state parks in Big Sur— mostly by public transportation since they didn’t have a car until later in their stay—to get a feel for what was available. “The parks here are well established and clean and the beaches are great. We found a lot of positives, and while there’s always room for improvement, we’re working with a good foundation here,” says Inkster, a political science major. Despite that foundation, through interviewing numerous residents in English and Spanish at farmers markets and elsewhere on the Monterey Peninsula and in Salinas, they discovered there are barriers to enjoying local open spaces. In Salinas, 41 percent of people surveyed said lack of transportation is a main reason they don’t visit parks; lack of time was cited by 25 percent of respondents. In Marina the results were flipped: 44 percent said lack of time was their biggest reason. “It was very eye-opening,” says Ostos Escalante, who grew up in Venezuela before moving to Florida at age 12. “I’m not an outdoors person, not because I don’t have the resources but because of a lack of interest—but coming here [I’m] seeing that people actually want to be outdoors, but they can’t because they don’t have the resources.” In East Alisal, some people mentioned a fear of gang activity at local parks as a deterrent. ParkRx Monterey County is now on its way to becoming better well known: Kendra Howell, a senior policy lead for the Blue Zones Project, says it’s already at work through Salinas Valley Health Medical Clinics, where patients with certain conditions receive a park prescription and a link to the website in their aftercare statement. (Salinas Valley Health is a financial contributor to Blue Zones Monterey County.) There are plans to spread the practice to Monterey County Health clinics and Montage Health, as well. From left to right, Tony Morocho, Lucy Inkster, mentor Nadia Pshonyak and Israel Ostos Escalante visited over 25 parks as research for ParkRx Monterey County. Best Medicine A program that prescribes park visits for better health gets a booster shot. By Pam Marino The former Seaside Creates, a 3,800-square-foot space at 655 Broadway Ave., could be leased to Monterey Peninsula College as a satellite campus. “People actually want to be outdoors, but they can’t.” Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 8304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans Receive a free appraisal and no closing costs when you finance your first home with Bay Federal Credit Union. Apply Now! * All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, assets, and property valuation. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required. 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, extension 8304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635. No closing costs include lender fees, appraisal fees, title fees, and escrow fees. First Time Homebuyer Program available to those that have not owned a property in the last three years. Offer valid on owner-occupied single-family residences for those with a credit score of 680+. Maximum loan amounts up to $1,149,825 in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and $920,000 in Monterey County. Mortgage insurance required for loan amounts greater than 80% loan to value. Offer applicable on purchase transactions in the State of California. Offer not available on refinances. Other restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, and property valuation. 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, extension 8304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635. 97% financing is available to qualified first-time home buyers with a credit score of 620 or greater who meet underwriting approval and eligibility criteria. Loan amounts up to $1,149,825 in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and $920,000 in Monterey County. Requires mortgage insurance approval. Property must meet specific occupancy and unit requirements. Some loan amounts only eligible for FTHB only. 1524 N. Main Street | Salinas Bring it into focus by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate. The path is unclear for children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Sign up for an information session today casaofmonterey.org
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com A construction fence surrounds a few bulldozers and concrete pipes on a formerly agricultural field in South Salinas. It’s the most visual representation to date of Amazon’s plans to move into Salinas, after years of starts and stops and closed-door conversations with city officials. In late August, the City of Salinas published a notice on its website, advising the public that roadwork is scheduled to begin soon on Abbott Street and Harris Road, where Amazon proposes its distribution center. It was the first time the city publicly acknowledged Amazon by name, beyond emails and other correspondence found by the Weekly through Public Records Act requests. In late 2021, Scannell Properties, which works with Amazon on similar projects, filed an application to the City of Salinas for a warehouse and distribution facility, standing five stories tall—up to 110 feet—and a little more than 3 million square feet, making it one of Amazon’s largest facilities in the world. Plans call for the facility to be located on a portion of the Salinas Ag-Industrial Center, formerly an agricultural lot at the corner of Abbott Street and Harris Road. In 2022, then-City Manager Steve Carrigan said the project was tabled indefinitely, citing rising construction costs as the developer’s reasoning. However, in November 2023, the project was revived when Scannell purchased the property from Uni-Kool Partners for $14.7 million, County Assessor records show. City records indicate the project is largely the same as when it was first proposed in 2021. According to its development application filed with the city, Amazon expects the facility, codenamed “Project GOAT,” to employ about 1,500 people. The distribution center is planned to have 60 loading docks, 318 trailer parking stalls and 1,103 parking spaces, with 258 delivery trucks expected to go in and out daily. The developer has so far paid at least $2.5 million in permitting fees, with the permits currently under review. Scannell expects construction to begin in October and be complete in mid-2026, according to city records. When the concept was adopted in 2010, the 257-acre Salinas Ag-Industrial Center was envisioned as an agricultural commerce area, where new and relocated ag businesses could expand their operations. However, it had not received any development applications until Scannell’s first submission in 2021. In late 2021, the City of Salinas received a request from an attorney representing Scannell to eliminate the restriction that “wholesale distribution” uses on the property must be “agriculturally-related or serve the agriculture industry.” Carrigan agreed and struck the requirement, as is allowed under the specific plan. “Since the specific plan was adopted in 2010, ‘Wholesale Distribution’ has significantly changed with the rise of e-commerce, globalization, and more recently challenges in the supply chain and labor shortages created by the pandemic,” he wrote in a 2021 letter. “The agriculture industry has also significantly changed since 2010, such that the original basis upon which the specific plan was originally adopted may no longer be relevant.” Under the plan, Amazon, being the first to construct in the area, must build out the infrastructure—such as roads and utilities—which is estimated to cost more than $69 million, according to 2022 estimates by the city. This includes widening Abbott Street and Harris Road, installing a ramp metering signal on southbound Highway 101 at the Abbott onramp, and converting the Highway 68 westbound ramps and Spreckels Boulevard intersection to an all-way stop. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce has questioned why the city had not publicly acknowledged the process until late August. In a letter to the Salinas City Council in July, Kevin Dayton, the chamber’s government affairs director, wrote that allowing “massive retail warehouse operations in Salinas will dramatically influence your community for future generations. “You would act wisely and appropriately to serve as leaders and end the secrecy now,” he wrote. Dayton says the chamber has not yet taken a position on the project, citing the need for more information. Warehouse logistics and distribution are not mentioned in the city’s general plan, he notes, adding that Amazon’s project doesn’t fit the original intent of the Salinas Ag-Industrial Center. “This isn’t ag tech,” he says. “Everything that was planned and voted on by the city council was negated. It’s problematic.” The chamber also wrote to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, asking its board to discuss the traffic impacts of the project as TAMC moves forward on the US 101 South of Salinas Project. The project—developed independently of the Amazon proposal—plans to add a network of new frontage roads along Highway 101, as well as reconstruct the interchange at Abbott and upgrade the Chualar interchange, among other things. In 2023, an auxiliary lane was added on Highway 101 for vehicles entering from Spence Road. TAMC Principal Engineer Doug Blise says the South of Salinas project is now undergoing environmental review, which is expected to take at least a couple of years. He adds the project is unrelated to Amazon’s plans. “We are willing to work with the developer to help make their project as least impactful as possible,” he says. Prime Time Roadwork is set to begin as Amazon prepares to build a warehouse in Salinas. By Erik Chalhoub news Paying the Rent The City of Monterey opens the sixth round of applications for its Rental Assistance Program. Eligible Monterey residents could receive three months of assistance up to $5,000. 7am-3pm Friday, Sept. 13. Free. monterey.gov/rentalassistance. Donate Blood Vitalant urges eligible donors to give blood at upcoming drives for National Preparedness Month. 9am-1pm Tuesday, Sept. 17. Salinas Valley Health Medical Center, 450 E. Romie Lane, Salinas. Free. Make an appointment at vitalant.org or 877-2584825. Job Match Monterey County Works, County of Monterey and Workforce Santa Cruz County hosts a job fair focusing on the Pajaro community. 1-4pm Tuesday, Sept. 17. Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St., fourth floor, Watsonville. Free. Pre-register at montereycountyworks. com/events/pajaro-job-fair. Government in Action Monterey City Council meets and accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Sept. 17. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 6463799, monterey.gov. Meet the Candidates The League of Women Voters of Monterey County co-sponsors three local candidate forums. Time will be set aside for the public to ask questions. Forum for Pacific Grove mayor and city council candidates: 6-8pm Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Pacific Grove Community Center, 515 Junipero Ave. For Salinas mayor candidates: 6-7:30pm Monday, Sept. 23 at Hartnell College Student Center, building C, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. For Seaside mayor and city council candidates: 6:30pm Monday, Sept. 30 at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. 648-8683, lwvmryco.org. In Development Salinas Planning Commission meets to discuss community development matters. The commission accepts public comment. 4pm Wednesday, Sept. 18. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. cityofsalinas.org. Write it Up The nomination period to qualify as a write-in candidate for the November election is now underway. Write-in nomination period runs through Tuesday, Oct. 22. File forms at the Monterey County Elections Office, 1441 Schilling Place, North Building, Salinas. 796-1499, countyofmonterey. gov/elections. An orange construction fence is up at a former farm field in South Salinas where the first phase of construction is now underway for Amazon’s planned distribution center. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “This isn’t ag tech… It’s problematic.” Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF FUN & HELP SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE! STEAK DINNER, GAMES, GIVEAWAYS, LIVE & SILENT AUCTION & MORE! $75 DINNER TICKET TABLE PACKAGES START AT $1800 AND INCLUDE: 8 DINNER TICKETS 8 DOOR-PRIZE DRAWING TICKETS 8 - $100 GENERAL BUCKET TICKETS 1 - FIREARM CHOICE CALL TODAY & CUSTOMIZE YOUR PACKAGE! 800-500-3819 WWW.PATRIOTSOFFREEDOM.ORG Patriots of Freedom Foundation 87-1589549 MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF’S ADVISORY COUNCIL PRESENTS: A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS EXCLUSIVE FUNDRAISER ON BEHALF OF MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE OCTOBER 19, 2024 - 4:30 PM MORALES BARN 350 KLIEWER LANE, WATSONVILLE AUCTIONING TWO AKC STOFER’S LAB PUPPIES!
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY September 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com As the November election nears and campaigns for elected office heat up, voters in nearly every jurisdiction in Monterey County will also have ballot measures to think about. In Monterey, voters will decide on four ballot measures. Measure X would implement term limits of 12 years for those serving on the City Council (including mayor); if passed, those currently serving on the council would start from year zero. Also in Monterey is a common-sense rule, Measure W, that would allow those who are on the council that run for mayor and lose to continue serving for up to 40 days or until the seat is filled. Measure Y in Monterey would allow the city to lease city-owned properties for below-market rate to nonprofit, educational or government entities. The City of Monterey currently leases out 90 of its properties, about 11 percent of which are leased to nonprofits. Those include the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, which is currently leasing at market rate. (Some nonprofits lease from the city at below market rate due to leases entered into years ago.) Monterey’s Measure W would update clerical language in its city charter. In Pacific Grove, Measure Z would reduce the size of the City Council from seven to five members; Pacific Grove voters rejected a similar measure in 2022 by just 13 votes. In Seaside, Measure BB would increase a mayor’s term from two years to four. If passed, it wouldn’t take effect until the 2026 election. Seaside voters will also decide on Measure CC, which would ban so-called “safe and sane” fireworks in the city (fireworks that shoot into the sky are already illegal). Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges has long said that solving the fireworks issue is among the top priorities in his department, and the city has invested in high-tech drones to help spot exactly where the fireworks are being ignited. The sale of safe and sane fireworks helps raise funds for youth nonprofit organizations in the city, but many residents are vehemently opposed to any fireworks being allowed in the city. In 2020, after Fourth of July, the Seaside City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale or use of safe and sane fireworks in the city, but a signature-gathering campaign quickly had enough signatures to force the city to put a measure on the ballot that would overturn the ordinance. Because it was too late to put on the November 2020 ballot, the city would have had to hold a costly special election on the measure, so the council instead voted to repeal its ordinance. Seaside City Councilmember Alex Miller has long said fireworks is the issue he gets calls about more than anything—from those on both sides of the issue—and he initiated putting the decision to the voters. (Miller supports Measure CC.) Miller is clear-eyed that the ban won’t immediately solve the problem, but adds, “I don’t think you can allow fireworks and solve the fireworks problem.” Measuring Up Candidates aside, local voters have some notable ballot measures to consider. By David Schmalz If approved by voters, Measure BB in Seaside would lengthen the mayor’s term in office from two years to four. Mayor Ian Oglesby (right) is seeking re-election this November to another two-year term. NEWS “I don’t think you can allow fireworks and solve the problem.” DANIEL DREIFUSS www.cfmco.org • 831.375.9712 Donor Advised Funds • Charitable Estate Planning (CGAs, CRTs) • IRA Charitable Distributions • Family and Business Philanthropy Scholarships & More Marty Wolf is composing his legacy through the Martin R. Wolf Family Fund. Read his story: cfmco.org/Wolf Plan your giving Music. Arts. Youth. Environment. Education. Whatever your passion, we can help you design a giving plan to meet your goals. When you name the Community Foundation for Monterey County as your charitable beneficiary, you create a lasting legacy. 831.375.9712 | cfmco.org/MOCI | September 21-28 20% off all plantS, furniture, and garden decor Free local van delivery service over $350 del rey oakS 899 Rosita Rd, del Rey oaks 831-920-1231 SeaSide 1177 san Pablo ave, seaside 831-393-0400 40% off roSeS, fruit treeS, & SeaSonal itemS KL KL
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 In the dark, cold hours of Wednesday, Jan. 31, John Tilley and Amanda La Roche are traveling in Tilley’s car, slowly winding their way around the roads, parking lots and cul-de-sacs of Ryan Ranch, scanning for people either sleeping in their cars or camped outside. As they enter one cul-de-sac they see an older dark blue van with some condensation buildup on the windows. They pause to discuss: Is someone sleeping in that van? They’re not sure. La Roche marks the suspected sighting in an app designed for their task as volunteers for the 2024 pointin-time count, the biennial census of people experiencing homelessness mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The volunteers’ work will aid in the future development of policies and funding addressing homelessness and housing. Later, behind a church in another section of Monterey, they see a woman outside of a car loaded with personal belongings. They stop to chat. The woman explains she and three other women spent the night in separate cars with permission from the church; La Roche logs four confirmed sightings. Tilley, a senior vice president at Pinnacle Bank, and La Roche, a nonprofit professional, are just two of 200-plus volunteers who fanned out around Monterey County in the predawn hours that day to perform the count. Seven months later, on Sept. 5, the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers announced the results: Homelessness is up by 16 percent in Monterey County compared to the last count in 2022. A total of 2,436 people were counted. Of those, 23 percent were in shelters the night of Jan. 30, and 77 percent were unsheltered. Those who were unsheltered represented an increase of 19 percent over the previous count, according to CHSP’s report. “There was an abrupt reduction of resources to our community between 2022 and 2024,” said Katrina McKenzie, executive director of CHSP in a press briefing. She cited the loss of emergency rental programs, the closure of Project Roomkey, which housed people in hotels during the pandemic, and the end of pandemic-era eviction moratoriums as reasons for the increase, among others. “The lack of affordable housing continues to be the number-one indicator of homelessness,” McKenzie said. She cited fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment of $3,100/ month, meaning over $30,000 annually for rent. With some landlords requiring households to earn three times that, they’d have to show $90,000 in annual income, disqualifying hundreds of families, she said. A survey of 374 people experiencing homelessness in the weeks after the count showed the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness increased by 19 percent and the number of families increased by 5 percent since 2022. In a spot of good news, homelessness among veterans decreased by 5 percent; for children and youth, the decrease was 3 percent. Over 80 percent of respondents said they were living in Monterey County at the time they became homeless. Adding Up Homelessness is up since 2022, driven by the end of pandemic aid and the cost of housing. By Pam Marino Damian Gonzalez (left) and James Connery discuss next steps on Jan. 31 as volunteers bring back documentation from the annual point-in-time count of unhoused people. NEWS Homelessness is up by 16 percent in Monterey County. DANIEL DREIFUSS The exclusive benefit gala featuring Michelin chefs returns to The Inn at Spanish Bay on Sunday, November 3 ARE YOU READY? Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Tax ID # 94-2157521 MOWMP.ORG/CLASSIQUE REGISTER TODAY EVENT GALLERY
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Bus Ride Monterey-Salinas Transit, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, State Sen. John Laird and other powerful interests persuaded Coastal Commission staff to support the SURF! Busway (“MontereySalinas Transit’s embattled SURF! project is now riding a wave toward approval,” Sept. 5-11). Staff insisted that to minimize impact to environmentally sensitive habitat, the busway had to be moved to where the railroad tracks are, necessitating the removal of miles of railroad tracks. Still, many acres of habitat would be lost as a 30-foot highway is much wider than a railroad track. The historic railway would be gone, replaced by asphalt, easily visible from Highway 1. The busway bypasses traffic where traffic flows best, the short three-lane section of freeway between Sand City and Marina. Converting one lane to a carpool lane would be more effective, inexpensive and not slow down almost all buses as the busway does. The Coastal Commission has reversed its position and now finds this alternative infeasible. The reason given: SURF! could be installed quicker. Bryan Rosen | Monterey This approval was, sadly, almost inevitable. I take the smallest consolation that the impact on environmentally sensitive habitat areas will be reduced when it could have been largely avoided. The Coastal Commission staff did note this unfortunate dynamic in their August report when they wrote: “... this is a classic symptom of the way transportation project funding in California often works, where funding tends to be allocated for projects well in advance of serious environmental analysis and entitlement processes… It is the funding that drives a particular course of pre-determined action, rather than an unencumbered evaluation of potential alternatives.” Hans Ongchua | Marina I am confident that this bus rapid-transit project will establish a faithful ridership that will later leverage the still-active light rail plan for this corridor. Thanks, Sen. Laird and Assemblymember Addis, and TAMC and MST members! Barry Scott | Aptos No Cake For You Thank you for your interest in the Soledad Community Health Care District and the recent opinions expressed by Squid regarding CEO Ida Lopez Chan (“Let Them Eat Cake,” Sept. 5-11). While we respect Squid’s views, several points deserve clarification. First, regarding the CEO of the Year nomination: Nominations for the Association of California Healthcare Districts awards can come from colleagues, board members or employees. In fact, two of our employees have confirmed they nominated Chan. The nomination itself acknowledges Chan’s leadership and contributions over the past four years, including expanded services, increased transparency and stabilized finances. On salaries and livable wages, SCHCD has made significant efforts to close equity gaps. Though we are still progressing, our staffing levels exceed legal requirements, and we take pride in our efforts. While some employees have expressed feelings of being unappreciated, their concerns, though valid, are subjective. We respect their voices and are working with SEIU 2015 to negotiate a sustainable agreement. As for the cake, it was simply to celebrate Chan’s 50th birthday. The cake clearly said “Fabulous 50.” She has never claimed to have won the CEO of the Year award. Any celebration of her nomination would be deserved, as she is the first woman, and woman of color, to lead the district. Adriana Gonzalez | via email Note: Gonzalez is communications coordinator at the Soledad Community Health Care District. Smoke and Mirrors Congratulations to the parents who reported unlawful sales of tobacco products to minors to the Monterey Police Department resulting in a $25,000 fine (“Hopefully, county officials fulfill a promise to revive tobacco enforcement,” Aug. 29-Sept. 4). It’s sad the Monterey County Health Department collects Tobacco Retail License Ordinance fees from retailers, but Monterey City has to use its taxpayer dollars to enforce illegal tobacco sales to our youth. Does our Board of Supervisors really expect our elected Monterey County sheriff, who doesn’t respect our speeding laws, to do decoy tobacco enforcement activities? Dale Hillard | Salinas Big on Blues Best of luck in this expanding endeavor! (“A dance and music venue in Seaside is expanding, and hopes to grow the nightlife scene,” Aug. 29-Sept. 4.) Chris Sierra | Monterey Absolutely amazing food, owned/ operated by the kindest people. Lisa Spence Koehlmoos | Seaside Making Waves Wave Street Studios is a Monterey treasure (“Wave Street Studios is finally able to expand its programming,” Sept. 5-11). I urge live music lovers to support it so it thrives for decades to come. Mari Lynch Dehmler | Salinas Hold the Meat Today’s obsession with crafting vegetable-based patties to replicate the taste and texture of meat is admirable, but it misses the point of what makes a vegetarian option truly special (“A few restaurants resist the processed plant-based trend with veggie burgers made from scratch,” Aug. 29-Sept. 4). In the 1970s, there was no pretense or need to disguise vegetables; instead, their freshness and quality were embraced. These sandwiches weren’t trying to compete with burgers; they were in a league of their own. The layering of crisp, raw veggies, occasionally paired with a slice of cheese or a dollop of hummus, provided a burst of flavors and a crunch that was both refreshing and satisfying. It was a celebration of simplicity, with each bite reminding you of the earthiness and vitality of plant-based foods. Bringing back those classic vegetarian sandwiches would be a revelation in today’s restaurant scene. John Thomas | Salinas 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.
www.montereycountynow.com september 12-18, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 If there has ever been a season to watch political parties eat their own, this is it. First came the drama of the presidential race, as pressure mounted—including from the Weekly’s editorial board—on Joe Biden to step down from the race. Then came the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee, which met on two consecutive Tuesdays, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3, to make endorsements for the Nov. 5 election. “This is the most important work we do,” Chairperson Karen Araujo said. That was while she was still chair. After they made endorsements for local office (qualifications: must be a registered Democrat, even in the mostly nonpartisan races) and ballot measures, Araujo was ousted from her position. The members of the Central Committee had already elected a new board, with Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby as chair, set to be seated in November, after Election Day. But following months of dissatisfaction with Araujo’s leadership—including one previously failed attempt to remove Araujo from her position—the majority group of defectors found a path forward. They could amend the bylaws to strike the phrase “at the beginning of November” to describe when new board members would be seated. If approved, the update to the bylaws would take effect right away, so the board members elected back in May would be seated. “Clearly a majority of this body is advocating some urgent change,” argued Brian McCarthy, also a member of Marina City Council. “It’s not a reflection on the current chair’s job. It’s about the need for some urgent change.” Araujo’s supporters argued for a smooth transition, as previously scheduled. Margaret Serna Bonetti decried the ouster as “Trumpian.” The committee voted 24-7 to change the bylaws, speeding up the transition. But then an excruciating debate followed in which Araujo argued that “immediate” meant the change would take effect after the next general election, meaning November 2028— despite the obvious meaning to most everyone else of “right now.” An obsession with rules and bylaws and procedure has had the problematic effect of bogging down the Democratic Party with talking about rules and bylaws and procedures, instead of talking about the things they agree on—which is to say, most things—and focusing on technicalities instead of elections. “It’s not fun being the person who says, ‘eat your vegetables,’” Araujo said. Indeed. Members seemed so tired of hearing her say it, they were ready for an immediate change. It was painful listening to people argue against letting Araujo complete the final two months of her term gracefully. But then it was even more painful to listen to her try to define “immediately” as four years away, holding on even after the vote. Both sides accused each other of circumventing the democratic process. After some bizarre antics about technicalities, including a vote to overrule the chair’s definition of “immediately,” Oglesby was installed as chair. “We can either try to swim together or we are all going to sink together,” Oglesby said. “If you want to continue to argue among yourselves you can, but I’m not going to put up with that—this is not the place. I am going to make sure the majority is not going to overrun the minority, but it’s a democratic place where majority rules…We have to get some things done in a short amount of time.” To that end, the committee also voted to authorize the creation of a new PAC for the purpose of raising money for a voter guide to the Nov. 5 election. While it’s hard to imagine that the party’s activities in blue Monterey County in a blue state could have any impact on the presidential election, they certainly could have an impact on local elections. Supporters of the painful ouster say the mailer is why they had to act urgently. “I feel confident the new leadership is going to do a better job at fundraising,” says committee spokesperson Jesus Valenzuela, also a Salinas City Councilmember who is up for re-election. “My hope is we’ll be able to raise enough to have a mailer out, so we can have all of the endorsed candidates on there.” (Valenzuela did not seek the party’s endorsement in his bid for re-election; one of his opponents’ names, Cary Swensen, will appear.) Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Democracy is Messy And that is especially true within the Monterey County Democratic Party. By Sara Rubin Vroom Vroom…One thing that still makes Squid smile is how, a few years ago, Seaside introduced a “Walk of Fame” on Broadway Avenue in downtown to commemorate residents who’ve made extraordinary contributions to the city. But months later, after the first set of stars were installed, an attorney from Hollywood sent a threatening letter indicating that Hollywood owned the rights to the “Walk of Fame” moniker, and that Seaside must rebrand theirs, or else. Now, Seaside is attracting a different kind of attention from Hollywood—on Sept. 5, City Council voted to temporarily close traffic intermittently on Sept. 12 on parts of Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard between Broadway and Coe avenues because, as Interim City Manager Craig Malin told the council, “Someone is making a romantic comedy, and they couldn’t find a better place than Seaside to be happy and romantic.” The production, Maintenance Required, will be filming two scenes in town. Squid has a soft spot for rom-coms, so Squid did a spot of research about the film’s premise: The main character is a woman running an all-female auto mechanic shop, and she seeks connection in an online forum about cars, only to hit it off with a man she later learns is her chief business rival. Presumably, hijinks and romance ensue—all set in Seaside, right next to Squid’s lair. Squid has no clue when it will be released, but Squid will be sure to have popcorn ready. Party Line…Squid loves election season because it’s a great opportunity to add to Squid’s sticker collection, and also because of that patriotic feeling of living in a place with free and fair elections—out in the deep sea, it’s eat or be eaten, which is a different kind of democratic governing principle. It’s not new that people are sowing doubt about the integrity of America’s electoral system, but it was new to Squid to hear election deniers speak up at a Salinas City Council meeting on Aug. 6. Three members of the group United Sovereign Americans (USA for short, clever) asked their local council to consider a resolution in support of “A Legally Valid 2024 Election.” That’s a good premise, which Squid agrees with and probably every registered voter does too—but the proposed resolution implies that is the exception, not the rule. “California’s 2022 General Election appears to have been invalid,” the proposed resolution goes on to state. The 2022 general election was, in fact, valid—Squid voted, just once, and Squid’s vote was duly counted. Squid’s colleague invited the volunteers to take a tour of the Monterey County Elections Department with Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez, who will gladly open her doors to anyone who asks, but so far they have not accepted. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “We can either swim together or sink together.” Send Squid a tip: squid@montereycountynow.com
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