16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 21-27, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Vote Count Thanks for the explanation on voter turnout—I’ll never understand those who complain who also can’t be bothered to vote (“One of the big disappointments of Election Day is low turnout,” Nov. 14-20). Christina Lund | Pacific Grove There are 262 million Americans of voting age. Sixty-eight million (26 percent) voted for Kamala, 73 million (28 percent) voted for Trump, 121 million (46 percent) did NOT vote. Those 46 percent who did not vote are fine with 28 percent making the final decision. But together Trump voters and non-voters do make up 74 percent of American voters. Trump does have a mandate and the Democrats in Congress have no way to stop him. Pain must be shared before 121 million Americans vote. But the chances of another presidential election in four years is iffy at best. Mark Lasnik | Monterey Health Matters I read with dismay that the Monterey County Health Department fired Dr. Cris Carrillo for his advocacy for his patients at the Alisal Health Center (“Natividad clinic doctors stage a halfday strike in the wake of the firing of one of their own,” Nov. 14-20). He was terminated in retaliation for his speech regarding changes that would reduce the quality of prenatal care for his patients, after recently forming a union. Thank you Dr. Carrillo for your dedication to your patients and your profession. I will be calling my supervisor to ask that they reinstate Dr. Carrillo and support prenatal care at our county clinics rather than retaliate against doctors for seeking to provide quality health care. If you are a health care professional, a union member, or think our health care system should take better care of patients, support Dr. Carrillo and call your supervisor too. Jason Johnston | Prunedale Paved Over I’m all for public transportation, but $90 million for four miles of bus-only lane? (“Coastal Commission approves MST SURF! busway in 7-1 vote,” posted Sept. 13.) Why not something similar to the Google buses in the Bay Area where employers furnish shuttles for their employees? These shuttles would get the workers much closer to their jobs, improve traffic and parking and be paid for by the businesses that profit off these workers. Heck, maybe it would even be viewed as a perk—a clean, comfortable, free ride to work every day. Jim Sommerville | Carmel Valley Hope for the Future I just finished reading the MCGives! insert, cover to cover! (“Join the band,” Nov. 14-20; montereycountygives. com, until Dec. 31.) After my growing concern for our country’s direction, my faith in humanity is restored! Thank you everyone! Karen Sheppard | via web Traffic Jams A story (“TAMC is adapting to expedite the commute to the Monterey Peninsula,” Nov. 14-20) deceives the public into thinking new construction in Marina is driving increased traffic and road changes in Toro Estates and on Highway 68. The issue with Toro Estates has existed for many years and the decision to block westbound turns from Torero Drive to 68 was put in place after years of complaints by residents of drivers cutting through the neighborhood. The increase this year happens to coincidentally tie to the Marina construction beginning at the same time that school restarted, which always increases morning traffic substantially after a summer of relatively quiet commutes. That problem, caused by years of inaction by TAMC to address the increasing traffic on 68, is not going to go away by closing Torero Drive, spending $500,000 on synchronized lights or reopening Imjin. It will only come if TAMC builds a real solution for traffic coming from Salinas to the Peninsula. Traffic is about finding efficient means of moving from Point A to Point B, as Doug Bilse states. But that will never happen if TAMC continues to use poor facts and assumptions when developing their plans. Glenn Woodson | via web AI signals are the way to go; not the “roundabouts” which frequently become bottlenecks. Ultimately, the most cost-effective answer is to make Highway 68 a freeway from the Salinas River to Monterey, as was intended when the Salinas River bridge was constructed. The land is already mostly set aside for such, and it would simplify the traffic tremendously. Walter Wagner | Salinas Input Lacking Nov. 20 was the deadline to give public input to the County of Monterey regarding the environmental impact of affordable housing. Few knew there was a public Zoom meeting on Nov. 7 (“Toolbox,” Nov. 7-13). I was the only commenter; six other citizens listened in, while seven county employees participated. The County of Monterey claims its CEQA goal is to enhance public participation in the planning process. My concerns? Of the 56 proposed sites, 16 are in Carmel Valley/Carmel with potential deforestation, habitat destruction, fire/flood hazards and traffic congestion. Six Salinas sites include Bolsa Knolls (flood zone) where agricultural land will be converted after decades of pesticides/ fumigants/added topsoil have been applied. The nine planning areas don’t include: South County, Pajaro or other areas most in need. Karen Cameron | Salinas Behind Bars Way past time (“The law catches up with a Monterey man who awaits sentencing on the heels of a long record,” Nov. 14-20). Ron Brenaman | via web Help offered Aww man, I wanted to sign up to volunteer but their website still shows as the event being canceled and the volunteer link goes to Parade of Lights 2025 (“The fight for the Holiday Parade of Lights 2024 in Salinas is not over,” posted Nov. 15). Julian Torres | via web 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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