October 31-NOvember 6, 2024 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Poll Positions 6 | Feeding Frenzy 10 | Superstar at Golden State 31 | Saucy Steaks 38 First Place General Excellence • 2024 CA Journalism Awards • The people behind ghost tours and other haunted attractions are working to make Monterey County a paranormal hotspot— for Halloween and beyond. p. 18 By Erik Chalhoub Fright Nights
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com october 31-november 6, 2024 • ISSUE #1892 • Established in 1988 Celia Jiménez (Canon R6 and Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8) A group of monsters are ready to ambush passersby of a home on Division Street in King City. They are surrounded with cobwebs and yellow caution tape and, of course, Halloween spirit. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: To celebrate Halloween, “Treasure Hunt: The Ride” on Cannery Row in Monterey transformed into “Treasure Haunt,” filled with scare actors frightening guests in the queue and during the ride. Haunted Harbor was a new attraction with a goal to bring people to the area during the post-summer season. Cover Photo: Daniel Dreifuss 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 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The Los Angeles Times and Washington Post are under fire after their billionaire owners stopped the newspapers’ editorial boards from endorsing Kamala Harris for president. In an interview with Columbia Journalism Review, Mariel Garza said she resigned as the LA Times’ editorial editor after newspaper owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the board’s planned endorsement of Harris. “I am resigning because I want to make it clear that I am not OK with us being silent,” she said. “In dangerous times, honest people need to stand up. This is how I’m standing up.” At the Post, owner Jeff Bezos blocked the paper’s Harris endorsement, with multiple outlets reporting that the move came on the day Republican nominee Donald Trump met with executives from Bezos’ space exploration company Blue Origin. More than 200,000 people reportedly canceled their subscriptions in the days following the decision, according to NPR. Post opinion columnist Dana Milbank wrote that the cancellations only hurt the journalists and not Bezos, noting that the paper is just “pocket change” to the owner. Good: U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, announced Oct. 23 that he had secured $14.2 million through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Airport Terminal Program to construct a new terminal at Monterey Regional Airport to replace its existing 70-year-old terminal. The program awards $1 billion annually (from 2022-2026) to competitive grant applications to update the nation’s aging airport infrastructure. The new terminal will be LEED Platinum-certified, and construction is expected to start next spring and be completed sometime in late 2026. “Residents and visitors alike deserve a Monterey Regional Airport that is safe, reliable and comfortable,” Panetta said. “I’m proud to ensure that the federal government is investing in local airports like ours to meet the demands of modern travelers with updated amenities and enhanced safety features.” GREAT: Efforts to chip away at the monumental task of providing affordable housing in Monterey County are moving ahead, with 200 units in Greenfield. Nonprofit EAH Housing, which is already constructing 71 apartments for veterans and their families in Marina, just completed 100 units for phase one of Greenfield Commons to provide affordable garden-style apartments for low-income families and farmworkers. EAH officials announced on Oct. 16 that the construction of 100 more is now underway for phase two. It’s the company’s first use of modular-style construction, with the one-, two- and three-bedroom units built in a factory setting then transported and installed onsite. “This development is a stepping stone toward greater inclusivity and support for those who call Greenfield home, specifically our local farmworkers and veterans,” said Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much King City was awarded through the state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program on Oct. 25 for the Multimodal Transit Center Project. The project, currently in the design phase, will include a new Amtrak train stop near Pearl Street east of First Street, bringing passenger service back to the South County city. Source: California State Transportation Agency $25 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Everybody is in shock. Small towns are not immune.” -PacRep Executive Director Stephen Moorer, after a man wielding what looked like a rifle near Golden Bough Playhouse in Carmel was shot and killed by police on Friday, Oct. 25 (see story, montereycountynow.com). million 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! As your representative, she will make you proud. Vote for Celia Barberena for MPC Trustee, Area 4 New Monterey, PG and Pebble Beach Endorsed by: Monterey County Weekly Experienced, Ethical, Collaborative More information at celiabarberena.com Campaign FPPC Number: 1470717
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 More than Half of Monterey County ARE RENTERS #RENTERSVOTE The 2024 California Democratic Party Platform on affordable housing is upheld by the Democratic Women of Monterey County. We are proud to endorse candidates who: • support programs that provide unhoused individuals with dignity through shelter, job placement, and mental health services, while opposing policies that marginalize them; • advocate for the development of affordable housing, tenant protections, and the creation of mixed-income communities to prevent segregation and displacement; and • promote initiatives and policies which ensure quality housing construction and secure rights for both homeowners and renters, fostering transparency and community stability. DWMC 2024 ENDORSED CANDIDATES Jeff Baron Carmel-By-The-Sea Mayor Alex Ayala Salinas City Council District 1 Alexis Garcia- Arrazola Seaside City Council Anthony Rocha Salinas City Council District 6 Ariana Rodriguez Greenfield City Council, District 4 Belen Garcia Greenfield City Council, District 1 Amy Anderson Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Director, Division 5 Anita Crawley Monterey Peninsula Community College District Governing Board Member Area 5 Edna Viridiana Valdez Gonzales Unified School District Governing Board Michael Elliot Wachs Pacific Grove School Board, District 2 Mitchell Anthony Huerta Salinas Union High School District Board Of Trustees, Area 2 Celia Barberena Monterey Peninsula Community College District Governing Board Member Area 4 Rebecca R. Lindor Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Director, Division 3 Jonathan Ahmadi Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board, District 1 Uwe Grobecker Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board, District 3 Cary Swenson Salinas City Council District 3 Chaps Poduri Pacific Grove City Council Chris Barrera Salinas Mayor Dave Pacheco Seaside City Council Dionne Ybarra Pacific Grove Mayor Eric Palmer Monterey City Council, District 3 Gene “Gino” Garcia Monterey City Council, District 4 Ian Oglesby Seaside Mayor Jenny McAdams Marina City Council, District 3 Kim Shirley Del Rey Oaks City Council Luke Kilpatrick Sand City City Council Paul Walkingstick Pacific Grove City Council Tina Rau Pacific Grove City Council Tyller Williamson• Monterey Mayor CITIES SPECIAL DISTRICTS EDUCATION BOARDS This Ad was paid for by the Democratic Women of Monterey County FPPC#1282023 * Please note: Due to the Hatch Act, the DWMC recommends, not endorses, Mayor Tyller Williamson (Candidates were selected by a ballot vote of our membership)
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 It’s less than a week away from the Big Day, and perhaps never before have election workers across the country faced such tumultuous times in conducting fair and safe elections, often under intense public scrutiny. Thankfully for Monterey County, the situation is different, says Field Inspector Kevin Hanstick, whose job on Election Day is to oversee poll workers with the Monterey County Elections office. During a poll worker training session on Oct. 17 at CSU Monterey Bay, he addresses a group of about 15-20 trainees who are about to begin a two-and-a-half-hour poll worker training session. He opens with a boisterous “We welcome ALL questions,” emphasizing the importance of transparency to build trust in the election process. The aim: to set the stage for a productive training session that ensures a smooth voting process across the county on Nov. 5. And the voting process in Monterey County, with 914 officers to work across 207 precincts, is indeed a finetuned machine. Approximately 210,293 people in the county are registered to vote, according to data collected by the California Secretary of State’s office. While a majority of people in the county will vote by mail, the rest who decide to vote in person or drop off their ballot at a polling station will likely be greeted by one of these workers. “I have to say, Monterey County has gotten it down very well,” says Lou Richards, a long-time election worker. “I’ve had really good crews over the last five elections I’ve worked here.” At the training session, individuals are methodically walked through how to make sure each ballot went to the correct voter, which is determined by their precinct. They are taught how to assist voters who may accidentally arrive at the wrong precinct, what to do if a ballot is tampered with (which is considered a misdemeanor), and how to assist someone who might be visually impaired or newly registered. “There is no wrong place for a voter,” said Monterey County Elections Program Manager Mary Helen Gallegos during the training session. Ballots can be submitted in a number of ways come Election Day, which workers are trained to handle in a variety of circumstances. Voters can drop them off, they can vote curbside, or they can come in and vote in a polling booth. Each person has a unique identification number in which the elections office records whether or not a registered voter has cast their vote, with options for people to vote in a variety of different languages. The big day is a long one: workers must arrive at 6am and work for about 15 hours. “Be well-rested, hydrated and prepared,” is the mantra reiterated again and again during the training. There are several types of election workers: field inspectors, inspectors and clerks, all varying in degrees of responsibility. “I actually enjoy it. The vast majority of people are very pleasant and make you feel like you’ve contributed something to the neighborhood,” Richards says. Above all (and by law) the task is to ensure that the polling place remains neutral and the process ensures a fair election, which means workers are trained to look out for anyone trying to influence people coming into the polling place to vote. Electioneering—where political groups try to persuade voters to support or oppose particular candidates, parties or issues—is something poll workers are specifically trained to mitigate. Their role is to preserve the neutral zone at the polling site, which includes ensuring that campaign signs remain a certain distance away and that no political paraphernalia, such as buttons or hats, is brought inside. Rare, but possible, they may need to de-escalate and respond to a threatening situation—also part of the day’s training for potential scenarios. “We’re here to help the voter vote a ballot that has every opportunity to count. You can use the instructions and these tools to do that. Anything outside those processes, there’s help to guide you through that,” Gallegos said. Trust the Process In a time of intense scrutiny, poll workers get training to ensure the election is fair and safe. By Katie Rodriguez Mary Helen Gallegos, elections program manager for Monterey County, leads a training session for poll workers on Thursday, Oct. 17 at CSU Monterey Bay. “Be well-rested, hydrated and prepared.” tALeS From tHe AreA coDe DANIEL DREIFUSS The Chamber Promotes We are promoters, seeking to raise awareness of our members through marketing opportunities in our Chamber Connection, Member2Member news, our social media pages, and our member referral program. If you're looking for a platform to initiate important conversations and grow your business, we invite you to join our business association on the Monterey Peninsula! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 ontage Health is transforming medical care for blood vessel conditions in Monterey County with a new endovascular surgery program led by Dr. Emaad Farooqui, one of Montage Medical Group’s newest surgeons and the only board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon in Monterey County. While traditional vascular procedures use open surgery to treat blood vessel conditions, endovascular surgery is minimally invasive, meaning only small incisions are made which reduces pain, blood loss, recovery time, and complication risk. Farooqui helped develop the endovascular program at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and is now bringing his expertise to Monterey County, leading efforts to treat conditions including: • Peripheral arterial disease — Reduced or blocked blood flow to the legs, arms, or abdomen caused by fatty plaque buildup • Aortic aneurysms — A bulge in the wall of an artery that can burst and cause internal bleeding and death • Carotid artery disease — Narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck by plaque, which blocks blood flow to the brain and can cause a stroke Some vascular surgeries are already available at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula generally through traditional vascular procedures. For most endovascular procedures, patients have been referred to larger medical centers like Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Farooqui plans to build on Community Hospital’s existing vascular program to make higher levels of care available locally. “Our goal is to build a comprehensive vascular program and ultimately become a vascular center of excellence,” Farooqui says. “Patients who live here would like to stay here for their care, and we’d like to be able to offer comprehensive and innovative care for any vascular needs.” Two areas Farooqui anticipates focusing on soon are transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) to treat carotid artery disease, as well as limb salvage. In TCAR, surgeons make a small incision in the neck and place a stent into the carotid artery at the site of plaque blockage, stabilizing the plaque and creating a clearer path for blood flow. This newer procedure significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, nerve injury, and post-operative bleeding compared to traditional open surgery. In limb salvage, a multidisciplinary team repairs or restores blood supply to the legs, feet, and arms, improving functionality and reducing amputations. It’s especially important in Monterey County, Farooqui says, because of the high diabetes rate, which increases the risk of limb loss. “There are constantly new devices and equipment that improve patient outcomes and experiences,” Farooqui says. “That’s what drew me to the field of vascular surgery; it’s at the forefront of technological advances. We hope to be able to bring newer devices that improve patient outcomes and overall care to Community Hospital.” The endovascular work will be done in two hybrid operating rooms that opened at Community Hospital in 2023, which provide advanced imaging technology necessary for minimally invasive procedures. Farooqui completed a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. He graduated from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, followed by a general surgery residency at the level one trauma center on UCSF’s Fresno campus. Advanced, minimally invasive vascular procedures are coming to Monterey County M PAID ADVERTISEMENT Emaad Farooqui, MD, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Montage Medical Group Visit montagemedicalgroup.org to learn more about Montage Medical Group’s providers and specialties. “Our goal is to build a comprehensive vascular program and ultimately become a vascular center of excellence. Patients who live here would like to stay here for their care, and we’d like to be able to offer comprehensive and innovative care for any vascular needs.” — Dr. Emaad Farooqui
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com news An effort to remember and honor the Chinese immigrants who are a part of Pacific Grove’s history is gaining steam, with approximately $100,000 raised toward the construction of a pavilion, moon gate and garden in Elmarie Dyke Open Space next to the town’s historic Chautauqua Hall, to be completed by this time next year. The group behind the fundraising efforts, the Monterey Bay Chinese Association, is determined to raise another $100,000 by Dec. 31. Organizers hope to receive a big chunk of that amount at a fundraising banquet on Nov. 9. “We not only want to remember what happened in the past but look forward to the future,” says Rachel Ma of MBCA. Leaders successfully petitioned the P.G. City Council to build the pavilion and gate in the public park using private funds. What happened in the past is a painful chapter in the town’s history. The Chinese who settled in P.G. in the 1850s and pioneered the area’s fishing industry faced enormous discrimination. Their fishing village burned under questionable circumstances in 1906 and they were blocked from rebuilding. In 2022, the P.G. City Council issued a formal apology for the fire and past discrimination. The pavilion is a way to remember, Ma says, but more importantly, to look ahead. “We will build something to beautify the city,” she says. MBCA leaders believe it’s not about dwelling on the bitterness, but building a “brighter future” for the entire community, Ma adds. The Chinese Pavilion Fundraising Banquet takes place 6-9pm Saturday, Nov. 9 at Chef Lee’s Mandarin House, 2031 N. Fremont St., Monterey. $100. ruiqi.ma@att.net, montereychineseassociation.org. Legacy Gift A group sets an ambitious goal to raise money for a Chinese pavilion in Pacific Grove. By Pam Marino On Oct. 2, about a year-anda-half after the Pajaro River levee failed, flood agencies broke ground on the long-awaited Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. The five-year, $599 million project sets out to protect the river valley and its tributaries from 100-year storms, by constructing stronger levees and working on improvements to the area. Following the celebration, the environmental watchdog group LandWatch commissioned a report from EcoDataLab—a consortium of universities that applies data science to scale up climate and sustainability solutions—to get a better sense of whether the levee improvements would protect potential housing development within the floodplain. The resulting Pajaro River Flood Risk Report, released earlier in October, focuses on whether the project’s design sufficiently accounts for future climate impacts, assessing the area under both typical and extreme weather scenarios. The report concludes that, with proper levee maintenance, the area is suitable for housing development. It states that the Flood Risk Management Project is expected to significantly reduce annual flood risk, “providing resilience even against a 1-in-500-year flood for the entire town of Pajaro and most of Watsonville.” Could this be good news for unincorporated Monterey County, which the state determined needs to plan for 3,326 new homes by 2031? “People are still going to have to get flood insurance, and we all know what’s happening with flood insurance premiums because of places outside of California,” says Michael DeLapa, executive director of LandWatch. Floodplains are typically never a good idea for new housing developments in the long term, especially if these areas add to commute times for residents (i.e carbon emissions from driving), or are in high-risk fire areas, according to LandWatch. But the net benefits might outweigh the costs with the new levee plans, offering security for an area like Pajaro which is situated near public services like schools, hospitals and local businesses. “I think on measure, some housing there is probably a good thing,” DeLapa says. In the past year, two controversial farmworker housing projects have moved forward in Pajaro: one, owned by Rio Vista Group LLC, has already been built; the other, owned by Anthony Nicola, received approval in September. More than $1.3 million in funds have been distributed to Pajaro residents and businesses over the past six months to address impacts of the 2023 flood, according to the County of Monterey. And while some of the 3,000 residents in the rural community moved elsewhere, rent elsewhere can be much higher. In the midst of fatigue surrounding a history of poor construction coupled with deferred maintenance of the levee, the Pajaro River Flood Risk Report may temper some concerns about building in the floodplain, but not all. “We wanted to be as objective as possible about it and say, ‘OK, here’s what the models say, here’s what the climate impacts say,’” DeLapa says. “Looks pretty good. But there are these other risks that you need to always keep into account.” The Pajaro River levee broke on March 11, 2023, flooding the community of Pajaro. A new report looks at where development could make sense with levee improvements. High Water Mark A new report shows infrastructure can make the Pajaro River floodplain suitable for more housing. By Katie Rodriguez Rachel Ma stands in the Pacific Grove park where a Chinese pavilion is slated to be built, using private funds. The aging pergola would be replaced. A moon gate and garden are also planned. “Looks pretty good. But there are other risks.” Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 MoniqueForMayor.org PAID FOR BY MONIQUE KALDY FOR MONTEREY MAYOR 2024 FPPC# 1474298 Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto is "concerned when vacant homes are available for the public to view. What safeguards have the Mayor and Council put in place to protect these homes?" My mission will be to end wasteful spending on a program that puts homes at risk and use those funds to double the rental assistance program, helping renters with affordability now. To make housing more affordable in the long term, I will remove barriers to housing creation. The Rental Registry, by publicly disclosing vacant rental units, inadvertently makes them susceptible to crime or occupation by squatters. This poses a significant risk to both the property owners and the community at large. It creates privacy and safety concerns and costs us over $500k annually. What it does not do is create more affordable housing or create housing in general. In fact, housing availability has declined. We need real solutions and a leader who prioritizes housing and public safety. I am that leader. 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 The Creperie Cafe • Mon – Fri 7am – 4pm (Sat & Sun 8am – 4pm) 1123 Fremont Blvd., Seaside • 831.901.3900 at The Press Club Rethinking Mental Fitness— A conversation with Dr. Susan Swick, executive director of Ohana Thursday, Nov. 7 at 12:30pm UPCOMING EVENTS: Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 A Holiday Party with a bunch of the Monterey County Weekly’s writers and editors
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Over the last couple of weeks, anchovies have been showing up in shallow waters of Monterey Bay en masse, causing a local feeding frenzy among the marine mammals, sea birds and beachgoers. Tens of thousands of the bony fish have been cutting through crystal clear waters, often ending up on shorelines and causing a noisy scene of seagull squawks and sea lion barks. While the phenomenon is not new, the exact forces driving these changes in populations, especially in such large quantities in Monterey Bay, is not well understood. Francisco Chavez, a researcher with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, has been tracking these fish for the last nine years. He suggests that the high anchovy numbers could be due to larger climate shifts, changes in food availability early in their life cycle, or a combination of various factors. “We have no idea how all of this happens, but in California, Japan and Peru, the fluctuations in the anchovies and sardines are coincident,” says Chavez. “Recently, climate cycles have changed.” What we do know is anchovies move up and down the coast, as well as up and down the water column. They are motivated by food like copepods and other small crustaceans living on kelp forests, and they have been found to retreat to lower areas of the submarine Monterey Canyon to seek refuge from whales and other predators. In response to prior anchovy influxes, the Monterey municipal marina installed aerators to oxygenate the water and prevent mass die-offs, which can occur when large numbers of fish deplete the available oxygen and asphyxiate. “In the past five years, this is the first time that they’ve been turned on,” says Nichole Rodriguez, harbor coordinator for the City of Monterey. “It’s not something that we use regularly.” On Friday, Oct. 25, beachgoers at Del Monte Beach were harvesting anchovies in ankle-deep water, some simply by scooping them up with their hands; children used small fish nets. Biologists at Monterey Bay Whale Watch believe that upwelling has driven anchovies up from the depths for food, but closer to shore to escape predation from whales. “We had 71 humpbacks on our morning trip, which is a crazy amount for this time of year,” says Levi Blair of Monterey Bay Whale Watch. “Normally, we’d be seeing those every few days during the prime time of the year, not necessarily right now.” While five seats on the Salinas City Council are on the ballot Nov. 5, there is also attention on the two councilmembers who are not up for reelection this year. A new PAC called Protect Salinas has raised over $165,000, mostly focused on contested seats. But it also reports spending nearly $5,800 each against Tony Barrera and Andrew Sandoval, whose terms are up in 2026. On Sept. 27, opponents of Sandoval’s leadership took it a step further and formed a committee called Citizens Supporting the Recall of Andrew Sandoval. The founding paperwork names three people, including Salinas resident (and appointed Planning Commissioner) Tyler Burrola, as well as two attorneys from the firm Rutan Tucker LLP: James Sutton, based in San Francisco, and Thai Viet Phan, based in Irvine. They did not respond to requests for comment. Sandoval has represented North Salinas’ District 5 since 2022, when he won by a 14-percent margin against incumbent Christie Cromeenes. His leadership, both in substance and style, has been controversial since day one. His inquiries about a potential conflict-of-interest by his former colleague Steve McShane led to a pending investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission and McShane’s resignation. Candidates for other districts have criticized Sandoval’s governance style, including Aurelio Salazar, who is running in District 6 and describes Sandoval as a bully. “If there is an elected [official] that makes a decision based on their personal feelings toward me and not serving the people, then they shouldn’t be in office,” Sandoval says. He worries that the Nov. 5 election could lead to a shift in the dynamic on council, potentially overturning rent stabilization. It is unclear if the recall committee has started collecting signatures. The group needs 437 signatures to get a recall election; District 5 has 11,376 registered voters. Fish Food Anchovies flood Monterey Bay waters, activating the food chain (people included). By Katie Rodriguez news Flex Your Right Monterey County Elections operates Flex Voting Centers, where voters from throughout the county can register and cast their ballot early on the same day. 10am-3pm Friday, Nov. 1 at Pacific Grove Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. 10am-3pm Saturday, Nov. 2 at Big Sur Library, Highway 1 at Ripplewood Resort, Big Sur. On Election Day, all polling places are open 7am-8pm Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free. 796-1499, countyofmonterey.gov/ elections. Entrepreneurial Spirit Startup Factory is a hands-on workshop geared toward high school and college students looking to start their own businesses. Topics include how to create a winning pitch, financial literacy and problem solving. 8am-5:30pm Saturday, Nov. 2. CSU Monterey Bay, Business & Information Technology Building, 3052 Divarty St., Seaside. $81.88/general admission; free/students. bit.ly/4f1wWmb. Veterans Appreciation Hartnell College hosts a series of events for Veterans Appreciation Week, leading up to a Veterans Day parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. 8am Monday, Nov. 4 (breakfast with a veteran) at Veterans Resource Center, HCC-138, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. 11am Tuesday, Nov. 5 (lunch with a veteran) at Veterans Resource Center. 4pm Wednesday, Nov. 6 (By My Side film screening) at Steinbeck Hall, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. 11am Thursday, Nov. 7 (community Veterans Day event) at Hartnell College roundabout. 8am Friday, Nov. 8 (pan and cafecito with a veteran) at Veterans Resource Center. Free. 755-6700, hartnell.edu. Meet the Superintendent Salinas Union High School District holds a town hall meeting for the public to meet new Superintendent Zandra Jo Galván. 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 6. North Salinas High School library, 55 Kip Drive, Salinas. Free. 796-7000, salinasuhsd. org. Land Watchers The Bureau of Land Management seeks nominations for vacancies for its Central Coast Resource Advisory Council. The council provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on local public land use planning and management. Nominations due Nov. 15. poviatt@blm. gov, blm.gov/get-involved/rac/california/central-california-rac. Housing Review The County of Monterey seeks public input on the draft environmental impact report for its Housing Element. Public review period ends Nov. 20. 796-6414, countyofmonterey.gov/generalplanupdates. Shadow Campaign A recall effort emerges against midterm Salinas City Councilmember Andrew Sandoval. By Celia Jiménez Beachgoers line up on Monterey’s Wharf 2 to witness thousands of anchovies swimming among local marine life looking to feast. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX Monterey installed aerators to prevent mass die-offs. Katie Rodriguez
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Repeal The Cannabis Fire Tax The Cannabis Fire Tax has become an unfair burden on a new industry that is struggling with over-taxation. Over half our local cannabis cultivators have already closed because of high taxes and low prices. The Fire Tax must end so the industry can continue providing many good jobs, revenue for the County and economic benefits for the community. When cannabis businesses fail, they pay no taxes to the County and workers lose their jobs. The Fire District is primarily funded by Property Taxes and cannabis properties also pay high property taxes. The Fire Tax is very costly and is raised every year for inflation. Green plants growing in a greenhouse are at low risk of fire. Please vote YES on Measure DD to repeal the Fire Tax and save Monterey County businesses and jobs. Support local farmers and vote YES on Measure DD! PAID FOR BY RIVERVIEW FARMS 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. ENDORSEMENTS ❑✓ Public Water Now ❑✓ Monterey County Democrats ❑✓ Monterey County New Progressives ❑✓ Democratic Women of Monterey County ❑✓ Monterey County Weekly www.rebeccalindor.com, FPPC# 1476459 * https://www.montereychamber.com/about/committees/government-affairs-committee/ www.jeanrasch.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Jean Rasch Council District 3 2024 FPPC #1468148 Jean Rasch MOnTeReY cITY cOUncIL DIsTRIcT 3 Proud to be Endorsed By Alan Haffa, City of Monterey Councilmember Ed Smith, City of Monterey Councilmember Clyde Roberson, former Mayor, City of Monterey Carl Outzen, former Councilmember, City of Monterey Melodie Chrislock, Managing Director, PWN Patricia McDermott, MFT Neighborhood Association Presidents (past or present): Joe Fogel, Del Monte Beach Tom Reeves, New Monterey Pat Venza, Hans Jannasch, and Susan Nine, Monterey Vista Lee Whitney, Glenwood Mike Dawson, Alta Mesa Curt Tipton, Downtown Richard Ruccello, CONA EXPERIENCE COUNTS VOTe FOR
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Increasingly, the housing crisis has become a major political issue in California, and nowhere is that more true than the city of Monterey, where about twothirds of the residents are renters and where the economy is driven by the hospitality industry, which is staffed by employees that often travel from afar to get to work. But it wasn’t until Tyller Williamson was elected to City Council in 2018 that it became an often discussed topic in council meetings, and it’s become even more so since he was elected mayor in 2022. Gino Garcia, who was appointed to fill an at-large council vacancy in 2022, is running for election in District 4—the easternmost part of the city—to keep his seat against challenger Brian Perez, a Del Rey Oaks police officer. Garcia is the first-ever council member to reside in the district, which is filled with apartment complexes. The streets of the district are lined with signs for either of the two, as well as the two mayoral candidates, Williamson and Monique Kaldy, a realtor originally from Southern California who worked in Las Vegas for many years and moved to Monterey three years ago. In District 3—the westernmost part of the city—Jean Rasch and Eric Palmer are facing off for an open seat. Rasch is a retired attorney and longtime member of her neighborhood association, and Palmer is a former city employee running on a slate with Williamson and Garcia. The most defining issue of the campaign is the rental registry that the City Council approved in late 2023 and launched Jan. 1, requiring landlords to register their properties with the city and provide data on rental prices and occupancy, etc. The purpose of the registry is to give the city—and its elected leaders—more data to make informed decisions about housing, but it’s created a political backlash that is ultimately what inspired Kaldy to enter the race—she believes that data should be kept private, believing that it could create unrest among renters comparing their rates against other properties. A piece of misinformation that’s been circulating is that Garcia and Williamson supported eminent domain to potentially take over disused properties. It was a subject city staff introduced in February among a slate of other “miscellaneous” topics in ways the city might change its charter. It was not a topic the City Council voted on, and the council did not make a recommendation to change its charter to that effect—currently, any eminent domain proceeding for redevelopment purposes would require a ballot measure. Kaldy says she has no stake in the game on that matter—she owns a home in Monterey, but is not renting properties or sitting on them. She also says she doesn’t like how “divisive” the council has become with identity politics. “I don’t like how our nonpartisan City Council has been affiliated with sponsors from Big Blue,” she says. Williamson, who works as a federal labor relations employee with the Department of Veterans Affairs, does not publicly support any political party, by law. Change Agents The City of Monterey is front and center of the housing crisis, an issue defining campaigns. By David Schmalz Gino Garcia, who was appointed to a vacant council seat in 2022, is running for election in District 4, the easternmost part of Monterey, where there is a high percentage of renters. NEWS The most defining issue of the campaign is the rental registry. DANIEL DREIFUSS Experience Community Leadership, “Every resident of Seaside deserves a leader who listens, acts, and delivers real results for our community. I humbly ask for your vote!”
www.montereycountynow.com october 31-november 6, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 For such a small town, Carmel has some big issues to decide, like where to squeeze in affordable homes, what to do about a crumbling police station and the threat of sea level rise. On Nov. 5, voters will choose among three candidates vying for the mayor’s seat and five candidates competing for two City Council positions to lead them through those decisions. For mayor, voters have two seasoned veterans and one political newcomer to select from. Incumbent Dave Potter has been mayor since 2018, now running for a fourth two-year term. He has a long history of public service in the county, from serving on the Monterey Planning Commission and City Council, to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for 10 years, to the California Coastal Commission. “I’ve got 36 years of experience listening to the public,” Potter says, highlighting the contrast to his challengers, Carmel City Councilmember Jeff Baron and political newcomer Dale Byrne. Baron, who first joined the council in 2018, is critical of the pace of decision-making. Recently the two split on adopting street addresses, with Baron advocating to make the switch and Potter throwing the decision to voters a year from now. Byrne is a retired CEO who volunteered to beautify the city through an organization he founded, Carmel Cares. “As mayor, I’ll be in a better position to have an impact on the agenda and work with the city administration to get things done,” he says. Four of the five council candidates are running for council for the first time; Parker Logan ran unsuccessfully in 2022. Hans Buder is chair of the Board of Commissioners/Directors of the Housing Authority for the County of Monterey. His background is in real estate private equity—he founded an impact investing fund and nonprofit to create access to housing for low-income families. Bob Delves, a former software CEO, served as mayor and city councilmember of Mountain Village, Colorado between 2007 and 2013 and spent the last four years on the Carmel Planning Commission. As a commissioner, Delves voted against Carmel’s housing element, arguing against the state’s “heavy hand” in requiring a plan for more housing. He later joined the group Affordable Housing Alternatives, as did Buder, which is looking for creative solutions to adding affordable units. Logan, owner of Sade’s bar, is adamantly against adding housing. If Sacramento interests get their way, he argued at a recent forum, “we may as well just rename the city ‘One-size-fitsall-conformity-by-the-sea.’” Danny Hala is a native Carmelite and businessperson who is advocating for more town halls, sidewalk repairs, undergrounding power lines and increased efficiency of city employees. David O’Neil, a real estate developer and community volunteer, wants to protect Carmel’s charm, as well as its forest. He also wants to establish local control by transitioning to a city charter and establishing historic districts. Pick Three Carmel voters have a wide field of candidates to choose from for council and mayor on Nov. 5. By Pam Marino Carmel City Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is midterm, is running against incumbent Dave Potter for mayor. Baron says he’s frustrated with how slowly the city moves when making decisions. NEWS “As mayor, I’ll be in a better position to have an impact.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY october 31-november 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com In Service Photographer Daniel Dreifuss’ work/ artistry brought warmth and immediacy to Pam Marino’s excellent profile of two admirable human beings (“Two retired soldiers from different cultures and generations are now fast friends on a new mission,” Oct. 24-30). A trifecta, in my book, and an example of why I subscribe to the Weekly. Thanks! Sally Ryen | Pacific Grove Poison Math It’s not only methyl bromide that farmworker communities are concerned about in the Pajaro and Salinas valleys (“How much pesticide exposure in the air is acceptable?” Oct. 17-23). Of the 14 pesticides detected at the Ohlone Elementary School pesticide air monitor last year, eight are banned or not approved in the European Union, and 12 are listed by U.S. or international agencies as at least “possible” carcinogens. The cancer-causing 1,3-D (banned in 34 countries) dozen-year average of 0.087 parts per billion is more than double the lifetime cancer risk warning level set by the Cal EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of 0.04 ppb. And yes, that’s at an elementary school—an elementary school that is 98-percent Latine. This racist policy of the Department of Pesticide Regulation which allows such use leads to two basic results: More profits for 1,3-D manufacturer Dow Chemical; more cancer for our farmworker communities. Mark Weller | Salinas Note: Weller is campaign director at Californians for Pesticide Reform. Building Plan The cost of construction is now the primary hurdle to provide affordable housing in our community (“A new partnership aims to make a meaningful—and meticulous—dent in the housing crisis,” Oct. 17-23). I wish ReVision West and Shibusa good luck ground-truthing quality construction at about $350/square foot. Glad folks are working to tackle this puzzle. Aengus Jeffers | Monterey Thinking Clearly Bravo and thank you for covering this issue (“The Monterey County Media Literacy Coalition is finding ways to teach us all how to think critically,” posted Oct. 20). The day after the panel discussion, the Washington Post published a test of media literacy titled “Misinformation Is Everywhere This Election. Can You Tell What’s Real?” It’s a test worth taking and sharing. Paul Fleischman | Monterey Project Censored wasn’t mentioned in your article or its guide on news frames: media distortion of stories to emphasize, downplay or exclude. [AB 873] “informs” students through government institutions captured by corporate and political special interests, insulated from accountability. Worse, the media often acts as spokesperson. Having these entities teach children “how” to evaluate news has an engineered outcome—restricted thinking. Students would do well to examine the examiners, and ask about their conflicts of interest and what positions they’re trying to protect, including their jobs, by avoiding inconvenient topics or facts. The first time a young person armed with facts is ignored, gaslit or lied to by an official is when their real education starts. Nina Beety | Monterey In it To Win It As possibly the longest continual resident in the neighborhood around Mal’s Market, I fully support Dennis Volk for mayor of Seaside. David Schmalz’s cheap shot at Dennis over the store TV playing Fox News only illustrates Schmalz’s lack of tolerance for diversity (“Seaside voters are faced with candidates aware of the city’s challenges, if not how to fix them,” Oct. 24-30). Richard Hellam | Seaside The [endorsement] format and questions often seemed to target specific candidates, creating an unbalanced atmosphere that hindered equitable participation (“Our endorsements: Ian Oglesby for mayor,” Oct. 10-16). Many questions appeared curated for individual candidates, limiting the opportunity for all to respond and meaningfully engage. I found it particularly offensive that my candidacy was diminished to being called inexperienced, perhaps due to a lack of thorough reporting. Additionally, the editorial board’s persistent inquiries regarding my voting preferences felt disrespectful and intrusive. Karla Lobo | Seaside Note: Lobo is a candidate for Seaside mayor. Fired Up Picture this: Seaside outlaws all fireworks and suddenly those with the illegal ones are faced with total silence in the previous war zone (“Our endorsements in local, state and national elections: Yes on Measure CC,” Oct. 10-16). Where will they go? The answer most certainly is: not Seaside. They will go somewhere else. And the vets and the pets will live more peacefully as a result. Alex Mathews | Seaside Up and Away I have worked for and with Carol Chorbajian for 30 years (“Our endorsements: Jonathan Ahmadi for District 1 MRY board,” Oct. 10-16). As owner of a local destination management company, Carol knows everything there is to know about our airport. And she has done this for over 40 years. She will be able to help connect all entities in a way that will promote the best outcome for everyone. Marabee Boone | Pacific Grove Top of the Ticket Trump for president (“Our endorsements: Kamala Harris for president,” Oct. 10-16). I completely do not understand how the Monterey County Weekly could endorse Kamala Harris. How could you like what has happened the last four years, you guys must be blinded. It’s very, very sad. Roger A. Rector | Monterey Correction A listing in the Best of Monterey County® Readers’ Poll for Best DogFriendly Dining incorrectly stated The Forge, formerly Forge in the Forest, had relocated from its original location and that John Steinbeck was a visitor. That refers to the historic blacksmith’s forge, rather than the restaurant, which has occupied the same location since it opened in 1970. 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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