4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 20-26, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH America’s adversaries are celebrating President Donald Trump’s March 14 order to shut down the federal agency that oversees Voice of America, which provides audio and online news reports about the United States to other countries, many of which do not have a free press. Trump directed his administration to gut the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which also houses Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Radio Marti. All told, the networks are estimated to reach a combined 427 million people. Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz wrote on social media that 1,300 journalists, producers and other staff were put on leave. The organization got its start more than 80 years ago by broadcasting stories about democracy to people in Nazi Germany. A former employee of a China staterun outlet called the decision “truly gratifying,” while a commentator on Russian-backed media called it “an awesome decision by Trump.” Representatives from the Government Accountability Project and the American Foreign Service Association said they are considering legal action. Good: On March 12 at a meeting in Santa Cruz, the California Coastal Commission approved a $938,960 grant to the County of Monterey to update the Moss Landing Community Plan and the county’s coastal implementation plan to address sea level rise and coastal hazards. The updates are intended to “incorporate policies that address midterm adaptation recommendations, such as elevating structures and setbacks for structures near hazardous areas.” The project will inform an amendment to the Coastal Commission-approved local coastal plan for the area, utilizing sea level rise vulnerability studies from 2017 and 2019. In practice, that means studying the technical and financial feasibility of “various adaption methods and managed retreat scenarios.” The funds require that the county identify sea level rise adaptation strategies with triggers when action should be taken. GREAT: Great news for residents in Soledad who are living along the river bed: transitional housing in the city is underway. On March 5, Soledad City Council approved $1 million for 14 modular units from AMEG Enterprises, a contractor that specializes in modular homes, that will be installed at 990 Los Coches Drive, a city-owned property. “Any piece that breaks or needs repair, we can find it at Home Depot,” says Beatriz Trujillo, economic development director. The facility will provide ADA-compliant housing, kitchenettes and a laundry area. The project is funded by Encampment Resolution Funding, a state grant to combat homelessness (Monterey County received $11 million last year to address homelessness in King City and Soledad). While the project is in the works, unhoused individuals are receiving access to local services, and some have received housing vouchers to stay at Motel 6. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The amount the City of Monterey is spending on each firefighter “turnout”— the outfits they wear in the field—in the current fiscal year, a 44-percent increase from what the city spent per turnout in 2020. Source: City of Monterey $3,813 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If we allow our prejudices to control what happens, we’ll go the way of past empires.”-Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, speaking about “one of two paths” the United States can take (see story, montereycountynow.com). Special Limited Certificate APY= annual percentage yield. Minimum opening deposit $100,000. Maximum $999,999.99. Funds to open this certificate must be new to Monterey CU. New to Monterey CU means the funds must not have been on deposit with Monterey CU in the last six months. Limit to one promotional share certificate per member. Offer available for limited time starting 01/15/2025, and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Early withdrawal penalties apply. LIVE FULL For more information, visit us at www.montereycu.com or call us at 831.647.1000 or stop by a branch nearby Salinas | Monterey | Hollister | Carmel 10% OFF your order with this ad Valid until 3/31/2025 The Sweet and Savory Spot sweet & savory crepes • paninis • bagels • tea • 11th Hour coffee Turkey & Apple Panini smoked turkey, apple, cheddar, dijon mustard, arugula, tomato, served on ciabatta THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ @ @ @ @ 1123 Fremont Blvd, Seaside 831-901-3900 Mon–Fri 7am–4pm (Sat & Sun 8am–4pm)
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