12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 10-16, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Three weeks after California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas released a letter requesting nominations, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors decided on three names to nominate for an open seat on one of the most powerful land-use agencies in the country: the California Coastal Commission. The supervisors unanimously nominated District 3 County Supervisor Chris Lopez, Santa Cruz County Supervisor (and current chair of the Coastal Commission) Justin Cummings and Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson to represent the Central Coast region, which includes San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The last opportunity to vie for this seat was roughly two years ago, in 2023, when Lopez nominated himself but lost the post to Cummings who was chosen by then-Speaker Anthony Rendon to finish the last two years of the current term. Cummings’ term is set to expire in May. Despite a few comments to the board on March 25 arguing the representative should be located on the coast, Lopez’s reasoning remains the same today as two years ago—that representation of inland communities is crucial in the development and regulation of the coastline. “The public comment that was made saying that only people from the coast should have a seat at the table is the very reason I put my name,” Lopez says. “I disagree with that assumption and I think that is harmful to California where we share resources, we share the coast.” Twelve voting members make up the Coastal Commission: six public members and six elected officials, who work in collaboration with coastal cities and counties to oversee and regulate the use of land and water along the state’s 1,100-mile coastline. Four commissioners are appointed each by the governor, the Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly. The last time Monterey County had a seat on the Commission was in 2009, when former Carmel Mayor Dave Potter lost his seat after 12 years. Since becoming speaker in June 2023, this is the first time Rivas has had the opportunity to appoint a commissioner from his home region. “The speaker could have just appointed someone, but he wanted to get other options,” County Supervisor Luis Alejo says. “You don’t have to be an elected official in a coastal district to serve on the Coastal Commission.” He adds that the first-ever Latina to serve on the Coastal Commission was Lily Cervantes, an attorney from Salinas: “There is precedent.” Pacifica Senior Living, the for-profit owner of two senior communities on the Monterey Peninsula, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California last month with a long list of creditors waiting to be paid, including at least one local family and a Monterey contractor. What will happen to the two communities—The Park Lane in Monterey and Pacific Grove Senior Living in P.G., and the hundreds of senior citizens living there—should the bankruptcy go through is unknown. Pacifica has been the subject of numerous complaints at both facilities, as well as facilities it owns across California. It owns over 80 facilities nationally and is listed as the 12th largest operator in the U.S. by industry group Argentum. Pacifica filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on March 24, listing 70 creditors in multiple states with estimated liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million. In Chapter 7, a judge may appoint a bankruptcy trustee to gather and sell assets to pay off debts. The person or entity filing the bankruptcy case could ask the court to exempt some assets from being sold. Some of what Pacifica owes stems from court judgments worth millions of dollars, including cases where the company was found negligent for residents’ care. At the top of the creditor list is a family that recently won a $23 million judgement in the wrongful death of an 81-year-old resident at a Bakersfield facility. (Pacifica is currently being sued for damages in the alleged wrongful death of a Park Lane resident after a fall on the property in 2023.) Also on the creditor list is California Premier Restoration, located in Monterey. The company sued Pacifica last year for $3,600 in small claims court, stating Pacifica refused to pay them for mold remediation work. CPR was awarded $1,500. A meeting of creditors is scheduled to take place in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, April 29. Coast View County supervisors select nominees for a California Coastal Commission seat. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS SAFE SPACE Maria Alcantar has been through the worst: Her 6-year-old son, Azahel Cruz, was murdered in 2010. She is the featured speaker at this event marking Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Noon-1pm Friday, April 11. Monterey County Superior Courthouse courtyard, 142 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. 7555072, facebook.com/montereyda. LIFE READY The City of Soledad, which has been selected to participate in a workforce development program of the National Recreation and Park Association, hosts an interactive event for people ages 16-23 to provide training on life skills, such as financial literacy and résumé building. A job fair follows the sessions. 9:30am-1:30pm (sessions), 1:303:30pm (job fair) Saturday, April 12. Soledad Community Center, 560 Walker St., Soledad. Free. 223-5250, bit.ly/SoledadSurvivalGuide. TALKING IT THROUGH With the political divide destroying relationships, Braver Angels hosts a workshop to help families handle differences in a constructive way. 2-5pm Sunday, April 13. Oldemeyer Center, Blackhorse Room, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. braverangels.org. MEET THE DOULA Expecting and new parents are invited to meet local birth and postpartum doulas to learn more. 2:30-3:30pm Sunday, April 13. Marina library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. Free. bit.ly/MeettheDoula. DESIGN DAY The City of Marina is embarking on a process to develop an inclusive playground for children of all abilities. A representative from Playgrounds by Leathers and Associates will be present at a kickoff event with food, games and prizes. 6:30pm Monday, April 14. Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. COASTAL CONVERSATION The County Housing and Community Development Department hosts a meeting to discuss a proposal to address potential climate change hazards within Moss Landing. The public is invited to share feedback. 6pm Tuesday, April 15. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing or virtually at bit.ly/MLPlanZoom. Free. 7845731, countyofmonterey.gov. FIRE SAFE Hayward Lumber hosts a presentation on enhancing fire safety in homes and buildings. 11:30am-1:30pm Wednesday, April 16. Hayward Lumber, 1140 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove. Free. 373-1326, haywardlumber.com. Debt Worth Pacifica Senior Living files for bankruptcy in the face of mounting bills and legal awards. By Pam Marino Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas has until May 18 to appoint a Central Coast representative to the California Coastal Commission, or ask for other nominees. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “We share the coast.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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