10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY novmber 7-13, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Approaching Monterey around 7:30pm on election night, the crescent moon, waxing at 17 percent, hangs over the horizon like a rust-hued sickle. The power was knocked out for at least 5,000 customers in Monterey and Pacific Grove, but it remained on in New Monterey, where at Oscar’s Playground a slate of City Council candidates—Tyller Williamson, Gino Garcia and Eric Palmer—are hosting their election night party. The atmosphere is lively. There’s a live band with four female, local high school students—Three Twenty-Five, they’re called—and they are crushing a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” The place is packed, about 50 people talking excitedly, but a latent tension hangs in the air as results of the national election play on three screens. But the attendees are here for this election, and they joyously greet the candidates they’re there to support: Mayor Williamson, who is running for reelection; Garcia, an appointed councilmember now running for District 4; and Palmer, a former city employee running for District 3. In front of a cloud of balloons, Williamson is standing for photos with many of his supporters, who include Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, and former state senator Bill Monning. When the results come in just after 8pm, Palmer takes the mic and announces them: Garcia was up 54-46 over challenger Brian Perez, eliciting cheers. Then Palmer announces the results of his race against Jean Rasch—both are first-time candidates vying for an open seat. Not thrilled, he says he’s down 13 votes. “Boo!” come cries from the crowd. “You got this!” Next comes Williamson’s race against challenger Monique Kaldy— Williamson has 68 percent of the vote, and cheers erupt. Williamson says, “I’m excited. It is very much in alignment with conversations with residents I had throughout the campaign. I think it gives reaffirmation toward the work we’ve been doing on the council to keep moving Monterey forward in a positive direction.” Rasch is having a party at Sarita’s restaurant, which is also lively. As of 8am Wednesday, Nov. 6, her lead was up slightly, to an 18-vote edge. Kaldy, who was at home, lost power around 6:43pm. Just minutes earlier, she was asked by the Weekly, as part of a slate of prepared Election Day questions, whether she believed in ghosts. She said no. She texted a few minutes later, after her power went out, saying that she had changed her mind. Hopes were high, but so were nerves, early in the evening on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day. At the Center for Change in Seaside, the Monterey County Democratic Party’s headquarters, volunteers gathered for food and wine and to watch MSNBC projected on the wall. “I’m super nervous,” says Elena Loomis. “I have to have a female president for my grandchildren, and in my lifetime.” She adds that she took her granddaughter with her to the voting booth earlier—a granddaughter who was born on Nov. 16, 2016, just after Donald Trump was elected for the first time. Windsor Lindor of Monterey arrives with his poodle, Xena. He’s here mostly to support his wife, Rebecca Lindor, a candidate for Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board of directors (who won her race handily). “I’ve seen so many people voting for Trump, it just breaks my heart,” he says. “It’s about democracy, it’s about truth. People are angry.” A Seaside family arrives for their first-ever political watch party, after getting roped into working on politics. Sharmisa Taylor, an English teacher in Salinas, got involved canvassing in that city for city council and school board candidates, and for Kamala Harris. Her family—husband David Torres, and their teenage children, Cameron and Shae—joined in at the Democratic headquarters. “It’s the first time we got involved,” Torres says. “This election is important for us. We believe in change. Trump said he was going to drain the swamp, but all he did was add to the swamp.” As newscasters called various races (such as Ted Cruz clinching the Senate seat for Texas), the room erupted in boos. For this groups, the bad news trickled in all evening, with swing state after swing state called for Trump. By the next morning, it was clear Trump had won, even as counting continues. As of 8am Nov. 6, the Monterey County Elections Department count showed that locally, 53,914 voters cast their ballot in support of Harris, and 26,596 voted for Trump. Sit In Early Monterey results show incumbents winning, with District 3 too close to call. By David Schmalz news Boosting Business Monterey County Business Council presents the inaugural Central Coast Procurement Expo. The event includes networking and workshops on contracting opportunities. 9am-3pm Thursday, Nov. 7. National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. mcbc.biz. Health Matters Monterey County Behavioral Health hosts a community listening session on the proposed Mental Health Rehabilitation Center adjacent to the Natividad Medical Center Campus in Salinas. 6pm Thursday, Nov. 7. Alisal Integrated Health Center, 331 North Sanborn Road, Salinas; or via Zoom at montereycty.zoom.us/j/92325403820. Free. Environmental Review The County of Monterey’s Housing and Community Development Department invites the public to share input on environmental topics to include in the Housing Element’s environmental impact report. 6-7:30pm Thursday, Nov. 7. Virtual via Zoom. Free. montereycty.zoom. us/j/94189045104. Building a Legacy Monterey Bay Chinese Association hosts a fundraiser for a pavilion and garden to honor Chinese immigrants in Pacific Grove’s history. 6-9pm Saturday, Nov. 9. Chef Lee’s Mandarin House, 2031 N. Fremont St., Monterey. $100. ruiqi.ma@att.net, montereychineseassociation.org. Salute to Veterans Honor those who served during a Veterans Day ceremony. 10:30am Monday, Nov. 11. California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Road, Seaside. Free. Seasonal Coping Hospice Giving Foundation hosts a presentation in Spanish about how to manage feelings of grief and loss during the holiday season. 5-6:30pm Wednesday, Nov. 13. Cesar Chavez Library, BHC Room, 615 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. hospicegiving.org/talleres-en-espanol. Funds for Fish The County of Monterey seeks applications for the Fish and Game Propagation Grant Program. The funds are geared toward projects that protect, preserve, enhance and promote fish and wildlife resources in the county. Deadline is 5pm Nov. 17. Free. 7554985, bit.ly/4feLqPC. Behind the Scenes The registration deadline is approaching for Monterey Police’s Community Police Academy. Deadline is Nov. 30. Free. 646-3805, krichard@monterey.gov. Red Tide Local Democrats were optimistic about a Harris victory, only to see Trump as the likely victor. By Sara Rubin After serving his first two-year term as mayor, Tyller Williamson, right, is on a glide path to reelection with 68 percent of the vote as of 8am Wednesday, Nov. 6. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It gives reaffirmation to keep moving Monterey forward.” Daniel Dreifuss
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