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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