12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FIRE FEARS It’s good to know scientists are working on it, but there seems little action on the part of government officials (“Two weeks after Vistra battery plant fire in Moss Landing, residents are still seeking answers,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Clearly, all crops in at least a two-mile radius should be trashed and scrupulous measures taken to rehabilitate the soil. The other major action that should be taken is that which will assure this never happens again. If that takes shutting down the plant, so be it, but I imagine there are various steps that could be taken to construct containment structures that would prevent the escape of these horrific, deadly chemicals in any future accident. John Thomas | Salinas Zero risk is necessary in environmentally sensitive areas with vital farmlands (“Yes, we need safeguards—but we also need battery storage technology,” Jan. 23-29). Thank you, Supervisor Glenn Church and Assemblymember Dawn Addis for standing up for our marine sanctuary and our farms. Thank you to researchers with Moss Landing Marine Lab for detecting the spike in heavy metals in Elkhorn Slough soils after the fire. Yes, we need battery storage systems to lower our carbon footprint, but we need them in the right place with the right technology and the right safeguards. We should not be lowering carbon by raising other environmental hazards. We also need to be involved in the process so we can stop granting permits to companies with long histories of putting profit above safety. If we close the revolving door between utility industries and commissions who regulate utilities, we just might be able to accomplish our clean energy goals. Karen Morgan | Watsonville CHANGING OF THE GUARD Big loss for our community (“MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh will step down at the end of the school year,” posted Jan. 31). Jennifer Burton-Kuyper | via social media Such a loss for our schools. Thank you for all your efforts, PK! Jacquie Atchison | via social media BORDER WAR This is a bunch of ridiculous nonsense (“Monterey County protesters join a nationwide movement to show the power of immigrants,” posted Feb. 3). Good that our new administration is making these changes. Pretty soon they’re gonna want this to be a national holiday. Sandra Edwards | via social media I believe we were doing just fine before this border problem. You all realize you are taking more from U.S. than giving. NOW GO HOME! Susan Cooper | via social media Democracy at work. Those that are against this peaceful protest are the problem. Cynthia Houseman Ross | via social media ON PAR Dave Faries’ recap of Wyndham Clark’s record round got me thinking about a few things (“Wyndham Clark looks back on his record-breaking round at the 2024 Pro-Am,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Maybe driving into the rough isn’t so bad when you’re shooting into wet, slow greens. Also, the story doesn’t mention that lift, clean and place rules were being used for the tourney. The European tour does not recognize a record played under “winter rules” as official. The American tour does. Why? When you give yourself a preferred lie with a clean ball in the fairway, you have changed the nature of the game. If Hurley Long’s score of 61 was fired under normal rules, then Clark’s 60 should have an asterisk. Mateo Ryan | Seaside Note: The PGA Tour counts course records set under lift, clean and place conditions as official. FORGING ON Sad to hear this (“Carmel’s iconic Forge in the Forest restaurant is closing: ‘We’re devastated,’ says owner,” posted Jan. 31). It was an interesting, beautiful space for casual dining. Carmel is squeezing out all but the billionaire class. Such a shame. Lori McWilliams | via web HELPING HANDS I love this caring fire recovery article (“Ideas for how to help people in LA after the fires,” posted Jan. 30). This might be the most encouraging thing I’ve heard in the last 10 days particularly. Thank you. N.J. Sloan | via email PADDLE FORWARD Thank you for highlighting the sport of outrigger canoeing (“When there is a stretch of water to race on, Heidi Laber is always up for the challenge,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). As mentioned in the interview, while you can paddle as an individual, there is a great community of paddlers in the area. Hi’ilani ‘o Ke Kai (formerly Ke Kai ‘o Uhane) has been sharing paddling and hula with the community since 1984! Racing can be a part of participating in paddling, but it isn’t required and many of our members choose to just come out and paddle (or dance hula). It is mostly about celebrating this amazing area we are blessed to live and play in. There is no person in the canoe more important than any other—it is all about being together and working as a collective. We’ve got members from 9-79 years old. I invite anyone who wants to spend more time on the water to come out to a free recreational paddle on the first and third Sunday of each month. Aaron Palmer | Monterey Note: Palmer is a coach with Hi’ilani ‘o Ke Kai. IN MOTION James is the best! Saved me from needing shoulder surgery last year (“Physical therapist James Takehara is always happy, and always in motion,” Jan. 23-29). Max Feldman | via social media I very much enjoyed your interview with the physical therapist. I respect “motion is lotion” and the whole interview was very enlightening and enjoyable. An McDowell | Monterey I’ve been going there twice a week since October last year. Couldn’t be happier. Recovery is going way better than I expected. Léo D’Andréa | via social media 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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