october 10-16, 2024 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT is west end celebration over? 8 | broadband for big sur 14 | dj’s spin a whole new world 40 THE ENDORSEMENT EditionThe 2024 election will impact you on local, state, national and international issues. Our editorial board weighs in. p. 18 OPEN STUDIOS A r t T o u r A program of Arts Council for Monterey County 2024 guide inside First Place General Excellence • 2024 CA Journalism Awards •
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com october 10-16, 2024 • ISSUE #1889 • Established in 1988 D.R. Cooper (Panasonic DMC-FZ50: ISO100, F/5.6, 1/400, 88mm) Coming in for landing! A pelican glides onto the water of the Carmel Lagoon. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Kamala Harris, formerly a U.S. senator representing California, the state’s Attorney General and San Francisco District Attorney, is the Weekly editorial board’s pick for president of the United States. Cover illustration: Barbara Kelley 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 OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The U.S. Navy must acknowledge that records exist of an investigation into whether a Marine Corps veteran mishandled classified documents, a federal judge ruled Sept. 30. The veteran, Jordan Duncan, was arrested in Idaho in 2020 over his alleged involvement in a neo-Nazi plot to sabotage the power grid following an investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. During an open court session, a prosecutor revealed that Duncan was in possession of a hard drive of classified materials during his arrest, and that the FBI was investigating him. When Raw Story requested those records under public records laws, the Navy refused to acknowledge whether it had the records, citing that such a revelation could benefit “adversaries of the U.S. government.” Judge Loren L. AliKhan rejected the notion. “It is crucial for Americans to have a comprehensive understanding of the military’s policies and actions taken in response to domestic extremism and security,” Raw Story Publisher Roxanne Cooper said. “This transparency is not merely a matter of curiosity, but a cornerstone of democratic oversight and accountability.” Good: Good news comes with the Oct. 8 approval by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors of an event permit for the Wildflower Experience, returning after a six-year hiatus. The triathlon and endurance racing series is scheduled to take place May 2-4, 2025 at Lake San Antonio. The event has been held since 1983, but was marred with postponements due to low water levels in the lake in the past decade. The course was temporarily modified for the 2014 and 2015 events, but the Board of Supervisors closed the park in July 2015, effectively canceling it for 2016-2017. After co-owners Terry and Betsy Davis decided to retire their company, TriCalifornia, their daughter, Colleen Bousman, took over in 2018 under her own company See & Be Productions. Low water levels canceled the event a third time in 2019, followed by cancellations due to the Covid pandemic in 2020-2022. GREAT: A new bike path project in Monterey is starting to take shape, as the Monterey City Council awarded $230,810 to BKF Engineers to carry out environmental and engineering planning for a separated bicyclist and pedestrian path that will travel on Mark Thomas Drive, Fairground Road and Sloat Avenue. While the project might ultimately be built in a piecemeal fashion depending on funding sources, the idea is that the plans be “shovel-ready,” meaning that they’ve received all necessary approvals. Monterey traffic engineer Marissa Garcia says the path will loop in various destinations like the Fairgrounds, Hyatt Regency Monterey on Mark Thomas Drive and the Naval Postgraduate School on Sloat Avenue. Mark Thomas Drive in particular has little or no shoulder, so the path will finally offer a safe route through that stretch of road. Garcia says the planning is expected to be done in a year to 15 months. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s the number of new housing units the City of Monterey must plan for through 2031. The state-mandated number is outlined in the city’s housing element document, which was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on Oct. 4. Source: City of Monterey 3,654 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s a worldwide culture that happens 365 days a year.” -Carri Rochelle (aka TidbiT), speaking about Burning Man during a local gathering of “burners” at Del Monte Beach in Monterey on Oct. 5. About 500 people attended the event throughout the day (see story, montereycountynow.com).
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 “The most important role for the MPUSD is to provide a quality education for our students; it is not to become a real estate developer and landlord.” …Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, 2024 Put Education First. Vote NO on Measure A! For the third time since 2010, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) is again asking taxpayers to pay for “most urgent needs”. • In 2010, we voted to approve Measure P and gave MPUSD $110 million. • In 2018, we voted to approve Measure I and gave MPUSD $213 million. • Now, MPUSD is asking us for $340 million more in Measure A! Schools already get 61% of all Monterey County tax expenditures. • If Measure A is passed, taxpayers in Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Del Rey Oaks and Sand City will have to pay back over $1.2 BILLION in bonds and interest. • For example: A home valued at $800,000 would start paying $800/year in property taxes and end up paying at least $24,000 over the 30 year life of MPUSD’s 3 bonds! • MPUSD wants to use $60 million of Measure A funds to build 60-80 rental units only available to MPUSD staff with all rental proceeds going to the district. • Surveys have shown that MPUSD teachers really want competitive salaries (not subsidized housing) so they can choose where they want to live. • Measure A gives no guarantee that this housing would ever be built. • ALL the language in Measure A is so vague that MPUSD could spend our tax dollars on almost anything. • MPUSD needs to be fiscally responsible and put EDUCATION FIRST. VOTE NO ON MEASURE A Paid for by Pondick and Tollner Taxpayers in Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Del Rey Oaks and Sand City have a choice.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Three teams showed up at Monterey Peninsula College for a scrimmage between the Lobos and Skyline College baseball squads on a clear Saturday in Monterey. Two were composed of junior college ballplayers, many of them fighting for a spot on the final rosters. The other might be considered by many to be a necessary evil. But Kate Hart puts the emphasis entirely on the former. “Some of my closest friends are umpires,” she observes. The fact may not be appreciated by fans, coaches or players, but the third team on the field—the umpire crew— may be the most important part of the game. Hart is one of them, a veteran of 23 years officiating youth, high school and college games, a vocation the Monterey native took up after struggling to just watch her son’s games from the stands. “I’m not a person who sits,” she explains. “I tried [umpiring] and it was surprisingly fun. It requires athleticism. It’s a mental challenge, too.” Hart was one of more than 50 arbiters who gathered at MPC on Sept. 28 for a mandatory fall clinic under the auspices of the Central Coast Collegiate Baseball Umpires Association. Most were there to learn about new rules and keep their skills sharp. Unless they are one of the few who make it to the top—there are just 76 umpires for major league baseball—the pay is modest, the work seasonal and each call potentially subject to scorn. Such is the burden of the position that, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, over 20,000 umpires left scholastic baseball between 2018 and 2022. “It’s not a glamorous position,” Hart points out. “It takes a thick skin.” Yet as umpires rotated onto the field to officiate the scrimmage or honed their ball and strike skills against an electronic tracking system under the watchful eyes of CCCBUA instructors, it was evident that the men and women in black don’t take their responsibility lightly. According to Darryl Johnson of Marina—32 years an umpire, 18 on the college level—one of the most fundamental demands of an umpire is to get into the proper position to make a call. “When we teach, it’s situational awareness,” he says. Johnson explains that skilled umpiring provides definition for players through high school. From clear decisions, they learn the strike zone and the rules. The importance of the position ramps up at the junior college level. “The players only have two years to get recognized [by a Division 1 school],” he says. “It’s crucial to call balls and strikes as intended—that pitcher’s record is on the line.” A love of baseball brought Johnson to umpiring. Being on the field—taking part in the game—keeps him involved. “There’s a nice intensity to it,” Hart agrees. “The best umpires—you don’t know they are there. The rules control the game.” Some rules are amended every year, and their application varies from high school to the professional level. So part of the fall clinic is spent in the classroom. And there are drills in the nuances that escape the notice of fans, players and coaches. One involves a baseball attached to the end of a golf club. Its purpose is to train officials to keep their heads fixed—“Keep your nose straight,” one instructor put it—while tracking the ball. As Johnson points out, it’s about being in the right position. “If there’s an appeal, you need to be able to defend it,” he adds. When a player or manager disputes a call, officials are taught to keep the situation under control, first by ignoring the remark then by acknowledging it with a firm “I understand, but we are not going to discuss balls and strikes.” If it continues, the next steps are a warning and, finally, ejection from the game. At the CCCBUA clinic, umpires were evaluated on such aspects as knowledge of rules, positioning, hustle and judgment. But their demeanor on the field and professionalism both on and off were measured, as well. Umpires will make mistakes, of course. But unseen by fans, umpires evaluate their performance after each game. “There’s a lot that goes on in learning how to umpire,” Hart says. “I’m always trying to get better.” Making the Call An umpire clinic illustrates the important work of—and critical need for—the oft-maligned officials. By Dave Faries A common theme at the recent collegiate umpires clinic was the severe shortage of officials at all levels. As Darryl Johnson puts it, “Each game deserves a capable umpire.” “The best umpires— you don’t know they are there.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS LOCAL PEOPLE n LOCAL BANK
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 8304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans *6.99% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on Home Equity Lines of Credit with up to 80% combined loan-to-value (CLTV) or less. The introductory APR will be fixed at 6.99% during the 12-month Introductory Period. After the 12-month Introductory Period, the 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 September 19, 2024, 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. 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, 2024. 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. 8304. 1524 N. Main Street | Salinas Apply Today! Renovate your home, not your wallet. 12-Month Introductory Rate of 6.99%APR* with HELOC Flex Paid for and authorized by Dave Potter for Carmel-by-the-Sea Mayor | P.O. Box 4317, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921, FPPC ID#1443556 | Paid Political Ad JIMMY PANETTA Congressman, 19th District SUE McCLOUD Former Carmel-by-the-Sea Mayor KEN WHITE Former Carmel-by-the-Sea Mayor SAM FARR Former Congressman, 20th District JOIN US IN SUPPORTING DAVE POTTER FOR CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MAYOR! FOR A FULL LIST OF ENDORSERS VISIT WWW.DAVEPOTTERFORMAYOR.COM Fmr. Mayor Dan Albert Tonya Antle David Armanasco Andrew Armanasco Paul Barber David and Donna Berger Sarah Berling Mike Brown Mark Blum Marguerite Blum Paul Bruno Brian Call Mayor Mary Ann Carbone Peter Carcione Charles Chrietzberg Bart Christensen Lou Cosentino Richard Cowperthwait Gwyn De Amaral Mayor Scott Donaldson Bill Dormandy Shary Farr Rebecca Fingerhood David Fink Scott Fradin Danielle and Aaron Fox Jack and Dawn Galante Rachel Goss Michael Groves Maggie Hardy Bob and Robyn Harrell Paige Healy Patrick Healy Sara Hinds Jack Holm Marian Horton Adam Hughes Toni Iseman Aengus Jeffers Rick Johnson Ross Kaplan Berit Keeble Alec and Buff Leach Hal and MaryAnn Leffel Thomas Leverone Denny Levett Vivien Lindley Doug Lumsden Shel Lyons Michael Mason Michael McMillan Murtaza Mogri Adam Moniz Robert Morris Clifford Nichils Natalie Nielsen Tom O'Brien Jay Pack Alan Perlmutter William Perocchi Jan and Niels Reimers Jon and Ann Reynolds Jim Rice Councilmember Bobby Richards Graeme Robertson Fmr. Councilmember Gerard Rose Tony Salameh Dana Schemm Eric Schlosser Sabu JR Shake Neil and Jill Sheffield Dixie Smith Florence Speck Doug and Lisa Steiny Mark Stilwell Bruce Taylor Chris and Anne Tescher John Turner Randy Tunnell Nancy and Tim Twomey Valentia Valentine Paige Viren Mark Watson Sara Zirkel...and more! ELECT JEAN RASCH MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 District 3 – Who are We? Skyline and Upper Monterey Vista, With Homes Surrounded by Trees What Are Our Primary Issues? • Safety: Fire protection, Forest and Vegetation Management, and Dealing with the Results of the Climate Crisis • Maintaining a Robust Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) • Affordable Housing for All of Us and for the Next Generation • Strong Neighborhoods and Vital Neighborhood Associations Who Knows Our Issues and Since 2012 Actively Works to Resolve Them? JEAN RASCH EXPERIENCE AND PARTNERSHIP COUNT www.jeanrasch.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Jean Rasch Council District 3 2024 FPPC #1468148
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com news Over 20 years ago, developer Nader Agha decided to adorn the Holman Building in Pacific Grove with a large, half-moon shaped, Tiffany-style stained glass window depicting Butterfly Town’s beloved monarch butterflies. “There’s nothing like it,” Agha says. “I designed every butterfly in that window, every leaf. It took me eight months to design it.” The colorful 12-footby-8-foot window towered over downtown P.G. until Agha sold the building nine years ago. The window was not part of the deal— it’s been in storage at his Monterey office since then. He’s had offers to purchase it but he refuses to sell it. “It’s for the city,” he says. For the past year Agha has been trying to donate it to the city, to no avail. Every location suggested has been deemed not workable, with concerns about vandalism and breakage. After a suggestion that it could fit inside the halfmoon shaped window frame at the P.G. Museum of Natural History, Executive Director Rachel Miller expressed concerns to the council about damage to the historic building during installation, the window blocking natural light and the cost of longterm maintenance. She said bird strikes and guano are ongoing issues for the museum. All minor issues, Agha says. His company has the architects and builders to install the window wherever can be agreed on, and he’s willing to foot the bill. The window donation was included on City Council’s agenda when they met on Oct. 2, but Agha temporarily withdrew his offer so that he and his supporters could find alternative locations. Fans of the window formed the BBB Committee, or “Bring Back Butterflies,” to gather public support for its eventual installation. Gift Return A treasured monarch butterfly stained glass window has no place to land in P.G.—for now. By Pam Marino The 2024 West End Celebration in Sand City might not be the last year the event takes place, but it will be the last year that Steve Vagnini, who’s coordinated it for the last 14 years, will be making it all happen. And given how much work Vagnini has put into West End over the years—often pulling 10-hour workdays over the weekends in the months before the event, he says, as he was still working his full-time job as county assessor—he’s not sure the event can continue at the $95,000 the city budgeted for its expenses this past year. Just to break even, he thinks another event promoter would probably require a budget of at least twice that. Whether the turn of events is the result of one very big misunderstanding with the city isn’t clear—city officials say they’re sorry to see him pull out of the event—but this is how it played out from Vagnini’s perspective. Last October, he presented a proposal to City Council with a budget for the 2024 event adding $5,000 for an intern position “that will begin a succession plan for my ultimate replacement.” He was planning to retire from putting on the event at some point, he explains, and wanted to make sure he could hand it off to a successor to make the transition seamless. But this year, during the event, Vagnini says he found out from a food vendor that the city was considering finding another event organizer to replace him. The more he asked around, the more he heard the same thing from others. Vagnini felt—given all the years he devoted to West End—that if true, he should have been the first to hear it. He finally did hear about it from the City days before an Oct. 1 City Council meeting, when the council was set to consider issuing a request for proposals for coordination of the 2025 West End Celebration. Vagnini attended the meeting and stood in front of the council and read from prepared remarks. “As anyone that knows me knows, I am passionate about Sand City, the arts and the West End Celebration,” he said. “It is a labor of love that has literally at times consumed my life.” He added that, with the succession plan he had put into place, he had been prepared to continue in his role “as long as it took to ensure a smooth transition.” But then Vagnini got to the crux: “Due to the way that this proposal has been handled by the city,” he said, “showing a blatant lack of respect and appreciation for all of my years of commitment…I cannot continue to serve as event coordinator.” Those words marked the end of an era, 14 years of coordinating the event and 22 years of promoting its music. City Manager Vibeke Norgaard says she’s grateful to Vagnini and how easy he’s been to work with over the years. Norgaard adds that the RFP wasn’t pre-planned—she’s unsure about what Vagnini heard during the event—but that it was suggested by Councilmember Jerry Blackwelder during a meeting on Sept. 17, and was subsequently placed on the Oct. 1 agenda, given that Vagnini had mentioned his future retirement last fall. In the meantime, she says, the city is working to put together its RFP. “This is a very important cultural event,” she points out. “We’re going to take some time and carefully draft this.” Sand City’s West End Celebration attracts all manner of revelers, including those wearing stilts, as seen at the 2024 event. West Ending A major shakeup puts the future of Sand City’s signature event into question. By David Schmalz Developer Nader Agha wants to donate a stained glass butterfly window to the City of Pacific Grove but finding a location is a challenge. He says an appraisal valued it at $250,000. “It is a labor of love that has…at times consumed my life.” Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 TYLLERFORMONTEREY.ORG PAID FOR BY TYLLER WILLIAMSON FOR MONTEREY MAYOR FPPC#: MOVING MONTEREY FORWARD ORGANIZATIONS MONTEREY LEADERS AGREE TYLLER WILLIAMSON IS THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR MONTEREY MAYOR “Tyller is the right choice to lead Monterey. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and he has proven himself to be an effective champion for policies that improve the lives of residents. It's time to welcome a new generation of leaders in our region and I'm proud to endorse Tyller as my choice to be Monterey's next mayor.” MARK STONE California Assemblymember, District 29 (Former) “I am pleased to endorse Tyller Williamson for Monterey Mayor. Tyller has shown firm dedication to public service and demonstrates an absolute commitment to the best interests of the people of Monterey.” DAWN ADDIS Assemblymember, District 30 “Mayor Tyller Williamson and I have worked collaboratively together to address Monterey issues on water, transportation, housing, and much more. As we engage state agencies on these issues, he has been a great partner in reaching out to Monterey residents of all perspectives to make sure their views are included. There’s much more to do, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to address our region’s challenges.” JOHN LAIRD State Senator, District 17 WHO IS TYLLER? ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com With Election Day approaching Nov. 5, Salinas City Council might experience more of the same direction—or a sharp shift. Five out of seven seats are up for grabs, including the mayor. There are 14 candidates running, only three are women, so there is a chance constituents would only have male representatives. (Currently, there are two women on council. Neither Mayor Kimbley Craig nor Councilmember Carla Viviana González are seeking re-election.) Two defined factions have emerged with different stories about the current Salinas City Council: one that believes the council is dysfunctional, and those who praise recent decisions despite challenges. (Decisions include upgrading parks, approving a 2.75-percent rent stabilization ordinance and also firing the former city manager last year.) “I think my colleagues are doing a phenomenal job,” says Councilmember Tony Barrera, who has represented District 2 for 18 years, and is not up for re-election this year. “But the message has gotten lost on attitude, and how divisive it is.” The dysfunctional discourse intensified with former councilmember Steve McShane’s resignation in April, leaving the District 3 seat empty. Eleven people applied to fill his vacancy, and Jesus Valenzuela was appointed in May for a six-month term. He is now running for the remaining two-years of the term, along with three others: Cary Swensen, an educator and officer for the League of United Latin American Citizens, who ran against McShane in 2022; David Maisonneuve, a real estate appraiser; and Margaret D’Arrigo, a Hartnell College trustee with experience in agribusiness, the region’s economic engine. District 1 will have a new representative, with two candidates for the seat: Alex Ayala, a general contractor and restaurant owner in San Jose; and Jose Luis Barajas, a business adviser at the Monterey County Business Council. In Districts 6 and 4, incumbents Anthony Rocha and Orlando Osornio are seeking their second terms. Rocha has one challenger, Aurelio Salazar Jr., a Hartnell College trustee. Osornio is facing two challengers: Gloria De La Rosa, who represented District 4 for 22 years and endorsed Osornio upon her retirement in 2020; and Albert Lomeli, a teacher who ran and lost against Osornio in 2020. Issues in District 4 include a visible increase in sex trafficking along King and Roosevelt streets. This isn’t new in the area, but it increased after Gov. Gavin Newsom repealed penal code sections that made it a misdemeanor to loiter for the purpose of prostitution. Salinas police regularly close a pathway between Kern and King streets to reduce prostitution activity. Earlier this year, the council passed the Red Light Abatement Act, holding Salinas property owners accountable for prostitution activity on their property. Lomeli says the focus should be on human trafficking and efforts to diminish it. Osornio has met with local organizations and organized a march to bring light to the issue. Like District 4, the mayoral race also includes a former official, Dennis Donohue, who served as mayor from 2006-12, alongside De La Rosa. Donohue works in ag tech, and is committed to elevating Salinas’ profile in that regard. “We are a global destination in the ag tech world,” he says. But his campaign focuses on a broader view of economic development; he describes the train station as “an underutilized asset” that could become a hub. Chris Barrera is a real estate agent and president of a LULAC chapter in Salinas, who ran unsuccessfully against Craig in 2020, coming in second in a five-way race. Retired principal Ernesto González García, who finished third in that election, is running again. Councilmember Andrew Sandoval is running Barrera’s campaign. Much of the dysfunction—including McShane’s resignation—has focused on Sandoval’s conduct. “There’s nothing wrong with asking questions and holding people accountable,” Barrera says. “Things are changing, and along with change comes arguing.” Most candidates object to a lack of transparency and community involvement behind the upcoming Amazon warehouse project in South Salinas. Another thing candidates largely agree on is the importance of Measure G, a sales tax initiative that is critical to the city’s operations and is set to sunset in 2029. It is projected to generate $24 million this fiscal year. Topics residents are concerned about include public safety and street/ sidewalk disrepair. Several candidates want a more robust police department. Barrera calls for the city to hire more officers and increase officers on patrol. Donohue says the city should provide alternatives, like use of technology to aid police officers because it will take time to hire. González calls for updating city policies to better attract local candidates to SPD jobs. On rent stabilization, the candidates diverge into two camps. Opponents of the recently approved policy include Donohue and D’Arrigo, who say they would look to benefit both landlords and tenants. Barajas says he would instead focus on getting affordable units built. Lomeli notes the ordinance only applies to a small percentage of homes and says it won’t solve the housing stock problem. “Rent stabilization didn’t work in New York—why does City Council think it will work in Salinas?” says Salazar, who thinks the priority should be higher-paying jobs. Rocha, Osornio, Valenzuela, Barrera, Ayala, González, García and Swensen all support the ordinance. On Edge With five races on the ballot, Salinas City Council could see a dramatic flip. By Celia Jiménez news Season Ready Monterey County Health Department is partnering with local organizations to provide no-cost flu vaccine clinics around the county. 1-4pm Thursday, Oct. 10 at CSU Monterey Bay, Otter Student Union Room 210, 3118 Inter-Garrison Road, Seaside. 11am-2pm Saturday, Oct. 12 at Central Park, 207 Fifth St., Gonzales. 10am-2pm Sunday, Oct. 13 at Albert & Donna Olivera Clinic, 467 El Camino Real, Greenfield. 4-7pm Monday, Oct. 14 at Salinas Boys and Girls Club, 85 Maryal Drive, Salinas. 4-7pm Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Chualar Fire Station, 24281 Washington St., Chualar. Free. mtyhd.org. Fire Wise Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District guides a tour of fire fuel mitigation projects. The event includes a walk through a non-native eucalyptus grove at Garland Ranch to see how the area is being managed. 4-6pm Thursday, Oct. 10. Garland Park Visitor Center, 700 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. Register at mprpd.org. Meet the Firefighters North County Fire Protection District hosts an open house. Meet North County firefighters over hot dogs and drinks, and check out equipment and fire safety presentations. 4-6pm Thursday, Oct. 10. North County Fire District, 11200 Speegle St., Castroville. Free. 633-2578, ncfpd.org. Platinum Year The City of Seaside hosts its 70th birthday celebration with live music, arts and crafts, games, complimentary food and a drone show. 4-8pm Sunday, Oct. 13. Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-6800, ci.seaside.ca.us. Stay Healthy Big Sur Health Center hosts a health fair with flu shots, dental screenings, lab testings, food, music and more. Attendees are also invited to donate blood. Noon-5pm Tuesday, Oct. 15. Big Sur Health Center, 46896 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. 667-2580, bigsurhealthcenter.org. On the Dais 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, Oct. 15. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3799, monterey.gov. Downtown Vision Marina City Council considers the Downtown Vitalization Specific Plan. Public input is accepted. 6:30pm Tuesday, Oct. 15. Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. cityofmarina.org. Chris Barrera, one of three candidates for Salinas mayor, speaks to supporters at a campaign event on Friday, Oct. 4. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “There is nothing wrong with holding people accountable.” celia jiménez
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 ELECT REBECCA LINDOR Monterey Peninsula Water Management District • Division 3 Director (Monterey) I support MPWMD’s current eminent domain lawsuit to buy out Cal Am. My opponent is on record opposing the buyout.* Cal Am’s thirst for profits has given us some of the most expensive water in the nation. The only way to bring the cost down is through public ownership. Almost 85% of the water systems in California are publicly owned. EDUCATION I studied at the New York Institute of Technology and CSUMB where I obtained my California State Certification as a Paralegal, with emphasis in Criminal and Civil Law. I currently manage a law office in Monterey. ENDORSEMENTS “I STRONGLY endorse Rebecca Lindor to succeed me as MPWMD’s Division 3 Director. I know Rebecca and after years of seeing her in action, her leadership and commitment to public ownership makes her the right person for the job.” —Marc Eisenhart, current MPWMD Division 3 Director ❑✓ Public Water Now ❑✓ Monterey County Democrats ❑✓ Monterey County New Progressives ❑✓ Democratic Women of Monterey County Paid for by Lindor for Director Division 3 MPWMD | www.rebeccalindor.com, FPPC# Pending * https://www.montereychamber.com/about/committees/government-affairs-committee/ PAID POLITICAL AD | AUTHORIZED BY JIMMY PANETTA FOR CONGRESS | P.O. BOX 103, CARMEL VALLEY, CA 93924. FEC# C00592154 JIMMYPANETTA.COM Fighting for our values in the 19th Congressional District ON NOVEMBER 5TH OR VOTE BY MAIL
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com A hotel construction boom is underway in Monterey County, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge, says Rob O’Keefe, president and CEO of See Monterey. Done right, it could increase tourism revenue, already a $3 billion industry. Done wrong, new hotel rooms could “cannibalize” existing ones, he says. It’s just one example of the opportunities and challenges facing Monterey County’s number-two industry, still not fully caught up to pre-pandemic levels. The industry has struggled under the weight of decreased foreign travel, bad weather and continual Highway 1 closures in Big Sur. “We have a lot of work to do. We’ve got to gain lost ground and then some,” O’Keefe says. “We’re going to do a lot better if we’re working together as a community.” To help navigate the way forward, See Monterey commissioned studies and research to create the Monterey County Tourism 2030 Roadmap, or MCT-2030. The plan predicts that tourism will create $18 billion in additional revenue, but stresses the need for “unprecedented community collaboration” to tackle challenges around transportation, housing, retail offerings and other community infrastructure. Transportation opportunities/challenges are another example, with a new terminal sporting five gates under construction at Monterey Regional Airport. Once completed, possibly by 2026, it potentially means more visitors flying in, but the question remains how to get them around without cars, so as not to add to traffic. For that O’Keefe says they’re looking for collaboration between Monterey-Salinas Transit, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and others. MCT-2030 also emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between the community and tourism, which drives hotel and sales taxes to local governments to pay for services and infrastructure. One goal is to “enhance quality of place,” or creating a community that both visitors want to live in and tourists want to visit over and over again, O’Keefe says. It includes improving infrastructure, but could also include increased retail and entertainment experiences that could be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. A “residential sentiment” survey conducted this year on behalf of See Monterey showed that most residents understand the importance of tourism to the economy. (Between 69 and 77 percent of respondents by city said they did.) Respondents indicated a strong preference for attracting environmentally conscious visitors. Currently hotels are under construction in Pacific Grove (Kimpton), Sand City (Marriott) and Seaside (Hyatt), with more already approved. To fill them, O’Keefe uses the phrase rising tides lift all boats: “We’re going to a whole new level of tide.” The bureau is working on opening new markets in the midwest—Sun Country Airlines did a test between MRY and Minneapolis that began Aug. 8 and ends Nov. 3—as well as Europe, China and Japan. One goal is to pull visitors away from other California destinations like Napa and Palm Springs. Road Trip With 1,000 new hotel rooms coming, See Monterey signals a need for community collaboration. By Pam Marino A hotel construction boom is coming to Monterey County, with 1,000 new rooms— including the Sand City project, shown above—joining an existing 12,000 rooms over the next five years. NEWS “We’re going to do a lot better if we’re working together.” DANIEL DREIFUSS CHILDREN VETS PETS ENVIRONMENT MAKE OUR CITY SAFER! PREVENT • Prevent high exposure to noise from fireworks • Prevent wildfires and fires to homes and buildings • Prevent harm to the environment Vote YES on Measure CC Safe and Sane Fireworks ARE contributing to illegal fireworks Save Tax Dollars in Police and Fire overtime MEASURE CC C-CITY SAFETY C-CARE FOR CITIZENS Paid for by the Seaside Committee Against Fireworks FPPC#1473769 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 “Eric has the right kind of experience and temperament, having lived in Monterey over half his life and spending his career in public information and engagement. He brings the perspective of younger, working families to council discussions and decisions - to help the city be more responsive to their needs.” Jane Parker, ret. Monterey County Supervisor “Eric understands how city government should work, and he is passionate about taking care of the quality of life in our district. He has been in public service his entire career and will be an excellent council member." Mayor Clyde Roberson, retired ERIC PALMER FOR MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 3 READY ON DAY ONE WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE + A DEDICATED CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN MONTEREY NEW LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE VISIT ERICPALMER.VOTE Paid for by Eric Palmer for Monterey City Council 2024, FPPC #1467510
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com As the pandemic spotlighted, access to the internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From health care and online banking to education and disaster communication, much of everyday life requires being online. The rural communities of Big Sur know this extraordinarily well, where it has been a struggle for the past 18 years to figure out a solution to get internet access to residents spread out across such diverse, coastal and rugged terrain. However, progress may finally be on the horizon. “I feel we’re at a point where it might finally happen,” says Patte Kronlund, executive director of the Community Association of Big Sur (CABS). “We are actually talking about what may be possible and identifying the challenges in the Big Sur area.” CABS has been working closely with U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley; the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership; County Supervisor Mary Adams; and consultant Kyle Evans, who was recently hired through a grant from the Community Foundation for Monterey County to address the region’s internet access issues. Together, they’re collaborating with internet service providers (ISPs), including GeoLinks, Surfnet and Cruzio, to assess what’s needed to bring reliable broadband to the region. Since the pandemic, internet access has improved with the introduction of service providers like Starlink and GeoLinks, but high installation costs and monthly fees remain a barrier for many. “A connection from Starlink is over $100 per month, with an initial investment of $500 to $700 depending on what kind of equipment you need to get,” Evans says. “It’s wonderful that that’s an option but it doesn’t cover the needs of the community 100 percent.” Big Sur’s heavily wooded forests, windy days and salty air can complicate the installation and upkeep of certain setups. For example, Starlink’s satellite dishes need to have a clear view of the sky. GeoLinks frequently experiences issues with service when high winds and rain knock its radio towers out of alignment. Couple this with a scattered population, and it might not make sense to internet providers financially. “That’s honestly been the biggest challenge that we’ve faced. ISPs, they’re businesses—they need to make money, and getting infrastructure down here is very expensive to begin with,” Evans says. There is a multi-pronged process to accomplish such a goal, relying on state and federal funding to create a patchwork of infrastructure that suits both the local residents and the geography. CABS breaks the process into three phases: the “First Mile,” establishing the main connection into the area; the “Middle Mile,” expanding the network throughout the region; and the “Last Mile,” which connects individual homes. “It’s challenging because people that live down here still deserve to be taken care of the same as everybody else in Monterey County,” Evans says. “That’s what I’ve really been pushing for.” Seeking Signal A coalition of Big Sur leaders are working to get funding for internet access in tough-to-reach places. By Katie Rodriguez A Starlink satellite dish, which requires a clear view of the sky, works for some, but not all in Big Sur. Other providers also struggle with the region’s features. NEWS “We’re at a point where it might finally happen.” TAJHA CHAPPELLET-LANIER VOTE STATE SENATE STANDING UP for the CENTRAL COAST Paid for By John Laird for Senate 2024 FPPC #1434540 “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 10-16, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES ALL YEAR LONG! THE CITY OF MONTEREY FOR MORE INFO + REGISTRATION MONTEREY.GOV/REC (831) 646-3866 SCAN ME! play! MONTEREY PRESCHOOL ADULT & SENIOR PROGRAMS ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES GYMNASTICS YOUTH DANCE CLASSES SCHOOL BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES & CAMPS AND MUCH MORE! VOTE4GINO.ORG VISIT OR SCAN TO LEARN MORE! I support the implementation of infrastructure for safe walking and biking and improvements to our city facilities. IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 10-16, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Black and White Our branch has always aimed to represent the best interests of our community. It is unfortunate that Mr. Jealous has chosen to interpret our actions as prioritizing corporate interests over community values (“The local NAACP asked Ben Jealous, Sierra Club’s national leader, if he was willing to acquiesce to Chevron. He said no,” posted Sept. 19). To address the serious allegations concerning Chevron’s involvement, it is crucial to reiterate that our primary objective is to support initiatives that benefit our community and uphold our mission. Acceptance of donations is always conducted with transparency and for the purpose of furthering our educational and community support initiatives. It is deeply regrettable that Jealous perceives our actions as a betrayal, particularly given his deep connections to this branch and the NAACP’s broader mission. However, his public statements have caused significant harm to our branch’s reputation and have sown unnecessary division, spreading yellow journalism. We remain dedicated to our mission and values and are committed to the advancement of communities of color without compromising our principles. We invite open dialogue to resolve any misunderstandings and to ensure that our mutual goal of community advancement remains intact. Lyndon Tarver | Marina Note: Tarver is president of Monterey County’s chapter of the NAACP. Get Out The Vote Well said (“Too many local candidates have a history of not voting,” Oct. 3-9). Your tone was measured, but quite clear. It would be interesting to see if there’s an improvement next election cycle. Christina Lund | Pacific Grove Sad to see so many excuses for not voting. With all the options, there is really no good excuse. H.S. Brown | Pacific Grove If you don’t vote, you shouldn’t complain about what happens. Likewise, if you don’t vote, you shouldn’t be running for a position. Walter Wagner | Salinas Campaign Cash I find it hard to believe that the Weekly, being the top investigative newspaper, is completely oblivious to the abhorrent and irresponsible behavior of the Salinas City Council over the last several years (“Big business is spending big money on Salinas City Council elections,” Sept. 26-Oct. 2). The entire Salinas Valley—residents, business people, police officers, Chamber of Commerce and more—are coming out to support change and new leadership, because of the offensive and destructive behavior of the current City Council. They have made bad financial decisions, including firing and paying out a city manager a whopping $250,000! The council voted for a 400-percent raise for themselves when the city had critical needs, such as police and fire and street repairs. Councilmember Andrew Sandoval led the charge to intimidate councilmember Steve McShane, presumably leading to his [resignation]. Former Police Chief Roberto Filice left due to “political circumstances.” This city council’s dysfunctional and irresponsible lack of leadership is doing substantial harm to Salinas. When councilmember Carla Gonzalez insulted the public with an expletive-filled tantrum, no councilmembers admonished or even criticized her behavior. People throughout the community are greatly concerned and are working together and providing necessary financial support. Bottom line, Salinas’ residents expect better. John M. Phillips | Salinas Note: Phillips is a retired Monterey County supervisor. Voices from the Past Thank you, David Schmalz, for persevering and getting these wonderful letters published (“William H. Brewer’s letters from 1861 provide a unique window into when Monterey County was still the Wild West—and it was wild indeed, Oct. 3-9). They gave me a new sense of appreciation for the beauty he described. Imagine a whale decomposing on the beach surrounded by bears feasting. Or a sky full of condors searching for a meal. All happening as the country went to war back east. It must have seemed like a world away. Thanks again for this great trip through time. And for helping us to remember that the English language, when respected and celebrated, is a pleasure to read. Bruce Herrmann | Carmel Fan Club I stand with Superfan Dan. He makes games so much more fun (“Monterey Bay F.C.’s Superfan Dan is on the bench, infuriating regulars,” Oct. 3-9). James Wakefield | Seaside First, we were to understand it was a “misunderstanding.” Now it’s the fault of a “third party.” All I see is an organization refusing to accept responsibility and apologize for “terrible, untrue and unsubstantiated claims” made about Dan, the most visible, joyful, inclusive and positive fan in the stands. First-timers to Cardinale Stadium would be forgiven to assume Superfan Dan was an official mascot. However, Dan is not employed by MBFC and therefore owes the club nothing. He has given so much and doesn’t deserve the disrespect. I stand with Superfan Dan. Jennifer Voorhees | Marina Corrections A story inaccurately stated that Kara Woodruff worked in the California Natural Resources Agency (“As district director for Senator Laird, Kara Woodruff works closely on key issues like climate change,” Oct. 3-9). Laird presided there as secretary, but Woodruff did not serve there. A story about candidates for Pacific Grove City Council inaccurately stated that Nick Smith could have run for re-election this year (“Six candidates vie for three seats on the P.G. City Council while three battle to become mayor,” Oct. 3-9). The Pacific Grove City Charter limits councilmembers to serving two consecutive terms, so mayoral candidate Smith—who was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020—would term out. 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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