20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY december 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Whose Country? Thank you for the great reporting. I so appreciate the Weekly. The tone and the focus of how you’ve written this article is so important it fosters a culture of kindness and inclusion (“Organized resistance to Presidentelect Trump’s second term starts taking shape,” posted Dec. 5). Elizabeth Murray | Monterey I’d like to comment on former Rep. Sam Farr’s recent letter (“Letters to the Editor,” Dec. 5-11). Stating that because most Americans do not carry proof of citizenship with them puts all at risk of deportation is so very odd. It insults our intelligence, assumes we have no idea of how our government knows who are citizens and not, and could be viewed as an illogical scare tactic. I would expect better from such a respected and esteemed former Congressman. Christine Williams | Carmel Valley Several years ago we Floridians were required to provide a birth certificate at the time anyone applied for a driver’s license. That also included those of us who applied for a renewal. Not only does my license prove I am a citizen but is scanned whenever we vote. Terry Crace | DeBary, Florida Having open borders is not sustainable economically, and letting migrants come across our borders unvetted is not safe for our communities (“County Board of Supervisors will consider creating a committee to focus on immigrants’ rights,” Nov. 28-Dec. 4). Furthermore, California has had a housing crisis going on 20 years. And now after four years and 15 million migrants, the housing shortage is affecting every state. Dwight Richardson | Salinas I just read your piece in the newsletter, and I see faint glimmers of hope that our state and county leaders are already thinking ahead and preparing for the potential (well, let’s be honest—likely) negative repercussions of a second Trump presidency. Thank you and the rest of the staff at the Monterey County Weekly for your coverage of issues that matter to all of us. I’m sure you will come under attack, as well, considering Trump’s disdain for a free press. I will be happy to continue my financial support of the Weekly. Keep up the great work! Karinne Gordon | via email Money Talks I was really disappointed with the results in Salinas (“Big spending led candidates to victory in Salinas’ $1.2 million election,” Dec. 5-11). As someone who leans left it makes me feel dejected seeing the fundraising disparity. How the hell are popular ideals that benefit the people supposed to take root when businesses can just outspend your candidate? The rent stabilization ordinance would probably not have passed with the new City Council who is much more business friendly. We shouldn’t give up though, there has to be a way to get elected in this city without sucking up to capital interests. Julian Torres | Salinas A PAC called “Protect Salinas”—protect Salinas from what? What a ridiculous name given that the majority of Salinas residents, 53 percent, are renters and that the very reason that money poured into ousting the City Council was because they actually were protecting them. What a contrast in election results between Monterey and Salinas, two city councils that were bold enough to understand that renters are more than just money makers for businesses and rental property owners. Esther Malkin | Monterey Note: Malkin is a founder of Monterey County Renters United. Gone Surfing The SURF! busway aims to connect Monterey County communities (“Monterey-Salinas Transit’s SURF! project is hurtling ahead at great expense. Is it worth it?” Nov. 21-27). However, its long-term viability is questionable given the rapid advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Tesla plans to produce the Cybercab, a fully autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, by 2026. In a situation with inexpensive, self-driving cars that can be summoned via smartphone apps, dedicated busways might not seem as useful. Spending a large sum on infrastructure that becomes obsolete in five to 10 years may prove short-sighted. The SURF! project has good intentions, but perhaps Monterey County should reconsider. For $68.5 million, the community could fund a significant number of Uber or Lyft rides for those in need. Of course, you couldn’t buy $68.5 million in Uber/Lyft credit with this money because these federal/state/county funding streams must be spent on large-scale projects. We need to do better than just accepting that spending public money badly is better than not spending it. Paul Weyant | Pacific Grove That was an excellent article on MST’s rapid transit machinations. Well written and well researched. Al Washburn | Monterey On Mission I was a longtime subscribed reader of the Weekly and Monterey County during my many years in Pacific Grove. I moved in 2022 to the East Bay. Nevertheless, I have been receiving the newsletter without interruption. I have been deeply grateful for the extended reading enjoyment. In light of that, I will be pleased to make a donation, if very modest, to the Monterey County Gives! campaign, as you suggest, directly to the Fund for Independent Journalism (“It’s Giving Tuesday. Please join in,” posted Dec. 3). The frightful menace posed by the incoming administration to the well-being of communities and their wealth of good hard-working dedicated people calls for all of us to join our efforts and voices in support of all that is most precious in our Commons. Adele Negro | El Cerrito Color Coded LOL, all I have to do is label the white T-shirt that I spilled coffee on “Mocha Mousse” and I am wearing the new color of the year...at no cost! (“Staff Picks: Pantone announced its color of the year,” posted Dec. 5.) Peter Hiller | Carmel 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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