MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT SEASIDE’S CENTER FOR THE ARTS 10 | WILDFLOWER TRIATHLON RETURNS 32 | TRANS AM ON TRACK 33 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • IT CAN BE HARD TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN WASHINGTON, BUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS LISTENING. P. 20 By Sara Rubin LOCAL POWER
may 30–june 7, 2025 Discover the Art of the Plate at participating restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea with immersive food experiences, curated menus, special offers, and village-wide events set in some of Carmel’s most scenic and whimsical locations! Presented by Lead Sponsor Media Sponsors Local Sponsors Find the event calendar, participating restaurants, purchase tickets, and more at CarmelCulinaryWeek.com or scan for details! party at the plaza Carmel Plaza, Mission & Ocean Ave May | : – : pm $ per person, $ VIP Enjoy amazing food, regional wines and live music in this beautiful outdoor setting! la dolce vita on dolores st Dolores St between th & Picadilly Park June | : – : pm | $ per person Experience the “joys of the table” at a familystyle Italian dinner along with experiential food and wine activities. pub crawl-by-the-sea May –June | $ per person Take a delicious journey to Barmel, Links Club, Vesuvio, and Flaherty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar. Enjoy a specialty cocktail and yummy snack at each location! soirée-by-the-sea La Playa Hotel, Camino Real & 8th June | : – : pm $ per person, $ VIP Indulge in an unparalleled, one-of-a-kind food and wine experience set against a stunning coastal backdrop. culinary showdown Devendorf Park, Junipero & Ocean Ave June | : am-: pm | $ per person Bringing together chefs, fresh ingredients, and a food lover’s day of fun competition at Carmel Farmer’s Market! boho bites & beats Dolores St between 6th & the Art Association June 6 | : – : pm $ per person, $ VIP Step into a street fair-style world of flavors, global cuisine, and a bohemian experience! th ar o th plat Village-Wide Events Produced by Carmel_Culinary_Week_2025_Weekly_FullPg_9.5x11.32_Final2.indd 1 4/29/25 8:07 AM 2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Scan QR code for tickets, VIP packages, and camping info. or visit WeatherTechRaceway.com LET’S REDLINE YOUR RACING FANTASIES MAY 9-11
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 • ISSUE #1918 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Linda Maceira (iPhone 8) On a cool, overcast morning near Arroyo Seco, a thick fog blankets the oak woodland, putting its barren branches into stark relief. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Local organizers and local elected officials say that it’s easier to make your voice heard—and make a difference—at the local level than the federal level, where power structures are more responsive. Cover illustration: Karen Loutzenheiser etc. Copyright © 2025 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $300 yearly, prepaid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) EDITORIAL EDITOR Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) FEATURES EDITOR Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@montereycountynow.com STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER David Schmalz david@montereycountynow.com (x104) STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) DIGITAL PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) CONTRIBUTORS Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Paul Fried, Jesse Herwitz, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner CARTOONS Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER Karen Loutzenheiser karen@montereycountynow.com (x108) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Jewell kevinj@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alexis Estrada alexis@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lani Headley lani@montereycountynow.com (x114) SALES SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Diane Glim diane@montereycountynow.com (x124) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE George Kassal george@montereycountynow.com (x122) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Keith Bruecker keith@montereycountynow.com (x118) CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Keely Richter keely@montereycountynow.com (x123) DIGITAL DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Kevin Smith kevin@montereycountynow.com (x119) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION CONTROL Harry Neal BUSINESS/FRONT OFFICE OFFICE MANAGER Linda Maceira linda@montereycountynow.com (x101) BOOKKEEPING Rochelle Trawick 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountynow.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountynow.com. Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe Go to montereycountynow.com We Deliver… NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Local news everyday
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 SalinasValleyHealth.com In celebrating you, our 800+ nurses, we want to recognize your remarkable courage and dedication. You contribute to a legacy of care, compassion and healing. Happy Nurses Day – Tuesday, May 6! HONORING OUR NURSES
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Bill Owens, longtime executive producer of 60 Minutes on CBS News, tendered his resignation on April 22, telling his staff in a memo that “over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience.” This comes after Donald Trump sued CBS News for $10 billion last November for election interference because of the show’s editing of its October interview with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. That led to increased oversight from CBS News executives over the show, which Owens called “a slippery slope.” Meanwhile, Paramount, CBS News’ parent company, has reportedly discussed settling the lawsuit despite legal experts saying the lawsuit has no merit, and comes as Paramount seeks federal approval for a multi-billion dollar merger with Skydance, an entertainment company bankrolled by tech billionaire Larry Ellison. Good: The County of Monterey Health Department is launching an initiative to provide free naloxone and fentanyl test strips through public vending machines at four locations in Salinas and Marina. Naloxone, also known by its commercial name Narcan, works to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose within minutes. Fentanyl test strips give people the ability to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl so they can take steps to reduce the risk of overdose. The machines, stocked with 250 units of each item, come with instructions in both English and Spanish. They are located at the county’s new Behavioral Health Access Outpatient Clinic at 30 Pearl St., Salinas; the Monterey-Salinas Transit Center in Salinas, at 110 Salinas St.; the MST Marina Transit Center, 280 Reservation Road; and the Monterey County Jail, 1410 Natividad Road, Salinas. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1pm Thursday, May 1, at the MST Salinas Transit Center. GREAT: It’s great news for Monterey County families: The Maternal Mental Health Task Force has recruited and trained 43 new birth doulas, with the help of partners and an $800,000 grant last year from the region’s Medi-Cal provider, Central California Alliance for Health. Doulas have been shown to increase positive birth outcomes and reduce anxiety in mothers. The Task Force’s efforts will be highlighted by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 6 (at 10:30am) in honor of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Other events include a forum coupled with a Birth & Family Resource Fair on Sunday, May 4, at the Salinas Impact Center (at 232 Monterey St., Salinas). The forum runs from 9am-4pm, and a resource fair from 11am-4pm. A community walk in Salinas is set for 5pm Wednesday, May 7 at Closter Park (401 Towt St.) and another walk in Castroville at 5pm Thursday, May 8 at North County Recreation and Park District (11261 Crane St.). GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many rebate applications the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District approved in 2024 for homes and businesses, amounting to $318,467 and saving an estimated 7.6 acre-feet of water annually. Source: Monterey Peninsula Water Management District 2024 Annual Report 1,080 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We should not let perfect housing be the enemy of the good.” -Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby, speaking to the price point of the available units at the new Seagrove Apartments (see story, montereycountynow.com). KEEPING DIVERSITY FLOWING Tuesday, May 6, 2025 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monterey Beach Hotel 2600 Sand Dunes Drive | Monterey, CA 93940 We’re proud to host the Annual Supplier Diversity Showcase. This day, filled with networking, learning and collaboration, provides a great opportunity to connect with diverse suppliers. Attendees will get a first-glance opportunity with the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project. To RSVP or for more information, please email Alexus.Russell@amwater.com. Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 1:30pm-4:30pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more NEED CHICKS? WE HAVE THEM! $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY SHAVINGS, PETLOCK, ADVANTAGE/ADVANTIX, OR SERESTO COLLARS. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. CHICKS ARRIVE EVERY FRIDAY! OUR CHICK BREEDS: RHODE ISLAND RED BARRED ROCK AMERAUCANA GOLDEN SEX LINK BLACK SEX LINK CORNISH CROSS PULLETS: $7.00 CORNISH: $4.50 HURRY! THEY SELL OUT FAST
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 ’24 Monterey County Bank’s 12-month CD Offering Grow your savings with a secure 12-month Certificate of Deposit at 4% Interest Rate. 4% Interest Rate / 4.07% APY* Minimum Deposit: $100,000 Opening Your CD Is Easy! Visit any of our locations or call our branch managers for assistance: Carmel Valley: Nam Nguyen, Branch Manager Salinas: Diana McColl, Branch Manager Monterey: Karen Speed, Branch Manager Pacific Grove: Simi Johnson, Branch Manager montereycountybank.com *APY info: The annual percentage yield assumes interest will remain on deposit until maturity. A withdrawal will reduce earnings. Early Withdrawal Penalty: If your Account has not matured, any withdrawal of all or part of the funds from your Account may result in an early withdrawal penalty. Available to new funds only. Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of 2/18/2025.
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Friday night, April 25 may as well have been a Saturday because the Carmel Delights burlesque troupe recreated sexy versions of iconic Saturday Night Live sketches such as “NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls” and an impromptu “Weekend Update” with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey impersonators at the troupe’s monthly show at Pearl Hour in Monterey. The audience’s belly laughs were quickly accompanied by enthusiastic whooping and hollering when a performer named Antoinette walked up on stage with a cane in hand to perform a burlesque striptease. Antoinette, whose true name is Arabella Sarver, became disabled due to an injury that now impairs her ambulatory ability, requiring her to walk with a cane. But that doesn’t stop her from getting in touch with her sensuality. The Carmel Delights welcomed the young performer up to their stage as part of one member’s mission to implement more diversity in the art of burlesque. That performer behind the initiative is Monterey County’s Poet Laureate Rachelle Escamilla, aka Coco Quetzel, who wants to ensure that everyone— regardless of gender, sexuality, color or ability—has an opportunity to create an expressive form of their own sexuality and empowerment through stage performance. As someone who was raised in a conservative Catholic household where body positivity was the last thing she felt she’d ever understand, Escamilla’s love of burlesque started when she became an audience member. “I was like, ‘Oh my god they’re so sparkly,’” Escamilla says. “The performers [are] goofy and sexy and I was like, ‘Damn! I want to do that.’” As a board member of the nonprofit Carmel Delights, she recently approached the City of Seaside with the idea of adding an introductory burlesque class to the recreation department’s catalog. City officials approved the plan. The class, which starts May 5, will be taught by Escamilla and troupe leader Callie McKenzie, aka Honey Delight, at the Oldemeyer Center. The curriculum does not include actual stripping, but is based on what McKenzie calls the pillars of burlesque: classic moves, persona and stage presence, movement and clothing reveals, props and crowd work, and specialty dance styles, storytelling and cultural connection. For both performers, the Oldemeyer Center presented an accessible stage for anyone to come and learn how to get in touch with their body. “My daughter takes tap dance classes at Oldemeyer; I fell in love with it because it’s in Seaside which is historically diverse,” Escamilla says. “One of my biggest goals is to diversify the burlesque scene in Monterey—to just see different bodies [on stage].” According to Escamilla and McKenzie, burlesque is not about the striptease, and both women feel that everyone deserves to see themself as a sexual and powerful being. For both dancers, adding such a class to take place at the Oldemeyer Center represents a pathway for those who might not otherwise know about burlesque to discover it. “If we’re going to diversify [burlesque], we have to go where people don’t know,” Escamilla says. Adding to that accessibility effort, an anonymous donor is offering a scholarship to people who identify as queer or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). Sarver was already a burlesque and drag performer before her cane, but the dance form became her access to the world. “If this is what gets me out of being bed-ridden, then why not use it to become engaged in every aspect of my life? Why be ashamed?” she says. She acknowledges that much of society tends to push those with disabilities into a box—but she’d like people to know that she’s an average person. “I’m equally as sexy and messy as every other person on the street,” she says. “Having a diverse audience normalizes that.” Intro to Burlesque takes place from 6-6:50pm May 5-26. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. $48 for Seaside residents; $60 for non-residents. 899-6800, ci.seaside.ca.us/336/Adult-Programs. Body Work A local dance troupe seeks to add more diversity to burlesque—both in the performers and the audience. By Sloan Campi Callie McKenzie of the Carmel Delights performs at Pearl Hour, playing the character of Mary Catherine Gallagher from Saturday Night Live. “[Burlesque] caused me to look at myself differently,” McKenzie says, reflecting on the art form’s body-positive message. “I’m equally as sexy and messy as every other person.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE NIK BLASKOVICH Join us for an informative update from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. From the bottom of the ocean to the stars and a new generator too! Find out what's new with FNMOC. Presented by the City of Monterey, the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance, and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. GET TICKETS! FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM FERRANTE’S AT MONTEREY MARRIOTT TICKETS: $45 • INCLUDES BREAKFAST PRESENTED BY Join us for an informative panel discussion on AgTech: What Do Opportunities Look Like and Can Monterey County Be A Leader? Panelists include: Monterey County Farm Bureau: Norm Groot (Moderator); Monterey County Supervisor: Chris Lopez; Stout Technology: Ryan Mazzuca; The VINE at UCANR: Gabe Yountsey; Western Growers Association: Walt Duflock
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Mother’s Day SUNDAY, MAY 11th | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Celebrate Mom in style with an elegant Mother’s Day Buffet at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.Treat her to a decadent dining experience featuring a lavish selection of chef-curated dishes, fresh seafood, gourmet entrées, and delectable desserts. There will also be fun activities available such as create your own Mother’s Day Cards and a festive banner to take family photos in front of. $125 ADULTS $49 CHILDREN (Ages 6-13) Free for children under 6.Tax and service charge not included. Pricing for children adjusted upon arrival, kindly book for the total seats desired. RESERVATIONS (831) 645-4058 PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES ALL YEAR LONG! THE CITY OF MONTEREY FOR MORE INFO + REGISTRATION MONTEREY.GOV/REC (831) 646-3866 SCAN ME! play! MONTEREY PRESCHOOL ADULT & SENIOR PROGRAMS ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES GYMNASTICS YOUTH DANCE CLASSES SCHOOL BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES & CAMPS AND MUCH MORE!
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS An ambitious grassroots cultural center, Palenke Arts, that has been delivering arts and culture programming in Seaside for almost a decade, will finally have its own home. The new multicultural art center is expected to be 25,000 square feet on the Seaside High School campus. “It’s a response to consistent need and a result of natural collaboration between Palenke Arts and Seaside High School,” says PK Diffenbaugh, superintendent of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Under an agreement approved by the MPUSD board on April 22, the district will lease the ground to Palenke for $1 a year. It’s still unknown where exactly the facility will be built, but Diffenbaugh stated there is plenty of space on the campus. All members of the MPUSD board commented that district students’ already greatly benefit from the organization’s activities, even if operating, until now, from just a locker room at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, in addition to a small teen center that opened in 2024 in Seaside. The board unanimously voted to approve the lease to support a project that has long been the vision of Juan Sánchez, founder and executive director of Palenke. Naturally, this is just the beginning of the journey. Palenke Arts has secured a $1 million grant from the state for the building, and Sánchez estimates another $12 million will be needed to complete construction. Besides Palenke’s center, MPUSD plans to build a brand-new theater. Project details will come after studies, conducted by the district, and listening sessions with the community. Palenke offers classes in music, dance, painting and more, in addition to hosting festivals and concerts. Up Stage Nonprofit Palenke Arts is on a path to building a 25,000-square-foot arts center in Seaside. By Agata Popęda On Tuesday, April 22, Salinas City Council voted 5-2 in support of steps to rescind four ordinances, including Monterey County’s first rent stabilization measure. Councilmembers Andrew Sandoval and Tony Barrera, who are the only remaining members of council from 2023 and 2024 who voted in support of the policy last year, cast the two dissenting votes. The vote on April 22 was not binding, but directs city staff to bring a formal ordinance to council that will rescind four ordinances following up on a request to do so in March. The council is expected to take a formal vote as soon as Tuesday, May 13. The council moved to revoke a suite of three passed last fall: a tenant anti-harassment ordinance; a just cause eviction ordinance requiring landlords to provide three months’ relocation assistance in the event of a no-fault eviction; and rent stabilization, capping annual rent increases at 2.75 percent for units in buildings built before 1995. The fourth was a residential rental registry approved by council in 2022 that took effect May 4, 2023. The registry requires property owners to list their rental properties with the city and pay a fee of $45 for units built after 1995 and not subject to the rent control ordinance, and $170 per rent-stabilized unit. As of April 14, city housing staff reported that 50 percent of suspected rental units—10,963 units—have been registered. Of those, two-thirds (7,317) are rent stabilized. Real estate broker Mike Handley of Town ‘N Country was one of many voices in support of revocation. “You cannot legislate affordability,” he said. “These types of policies, while well intentioned, tend to backfire.” In addition to the revocations, City Council also voted to pursue a potential rental assistance program to help struggling renters, dozens of whom addressed the council on April 22, as well as to provide monthly reports on new construction to improve accountability on increasing housing supply. Boosting supply was a primary motivation several councilmembers gave in explaining their votes. “We need to work on the supply side,” Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas said. “Other jurisdictions have helped stabilize rents by increasing supply. That’s simply economics. Emotion aside, the data tells us we need to focus on building.” Organizers in a coalition that led the charge on rent stabilization over the course of two-plus years— from groups like Building Healthy Communities, Center for Community Advocacy, and others—plan to meet with Barajas before the vote. “He needs to hear that residents are concerned about the decision he is making,” says Joel Hernandez Laguna, executive director of CCA. Hernandez also serves as an elected official on the board of Salinas Valley Health, and says that like a group of physicians and other health professionals who spoke out in support of rent stabilization, he sees the ordinances as a health issue. “Highcost rent is causing overcrowding,” he says. “Overcrowding is a health issue.” Coalition members are also asking church leaders at St. Mary’s of Nativity Church in East Salinas to hold a mass in support of rent stabilization on Sunday prior to the vote. A longer version of this story appears at montereycountynow.com. Doctors for a Healthy Salinas (including, from left, physicians Juan Magaña, Jaime Gonzalez and John Silva) spoke on April 22 in support of rent stabilization. Rent or Own Salinas City Council votes 5-2 in favor of rescinding four renter-protection ordinances. By Sara Rubin Palenke Arts Founder/Executive Director Juan Sánchez, shown in the nonprofit’s teen center that opened in 2024, envisions a dedicated, dignified space for performance and creativity. “Emotion aside, the data tells us we need to focus on building.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 201 Alvarado St. Downtown Monterey 831-647-9000 • Spaontheplaza.com Deepen your spa experience, your beauty and your well-being. DON’T FORGET ABOUT GIFT CERTIFICATES MAKE THE PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT Mom MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS Mom’s Tropical Escape $320 - 2 hours Treat Mom to a day of tropical relaxation with our cocobalm massage followed by a brightening papaya facial and hydrating guava treatment. Tropical Bliss Massage $185 - 80 minutes Have Mom relax her mind and body with an exotic blend of coconut and lime oils. This luxurious massage deeply hydrates while energizing the senses. ’24 VOTED BEST SKIN CARE 13 TIMES AND BEST SPA 7 TIMES Experience the perfect fusion of craftsmanship and elegance at our exclusive Mother’s Day event. Showcasing designer handmade bespoke jewelry, exquisite jewelry beaded bags and artistic crochet flower arrangements. Mission Street & 5th Carmel by-the-Sea Jarilynjewelrycarmel.com • 831-238-0977 MAY 9, 2025 | 2:30-6PM suits jackets blazers dress trousers casual trousers made-to-measure trunk show friday may 2nd & saturday may 3rd with fitting expert Tim Giffen formerly “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Imagine the kind of sleep you’d get if a construction crew set up shop near your house every night. You’d likely be grumpy, maybe stressed, especially if you were expected to perform your best at work. It’s not so different—but with higher stakes—for harbor seals at West Beach in Pacific Grove near Hopkins Marine Station, where researchers have been studying how noise impacts a declining population. During the 2022 pupping season, they found that nearby roadwork likely caused a sharp drop in births, significantly impacting a mother seal’s reproductive success. Researchers partnered closely with local community scientists from Bay Net, a naturalist program under the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Bay Net volunteers have tracked local harbor seal populations since around 2003, serving as the sanctuary’s eyes and ears along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail. “We saw a lot of miscarriages and stillbirths during the [2022 pupping season],” says Ryan O’Conner, who led the study. He notes a sixfold increase in failed births. “High stress levels in any mammal can cause reproductive failures. The more time pregnant seals are awake and disturbed, the less healthy they are.” The study comes a year after the California Coastal Commission approved revised plans for a hotel at the American Tin Cannery, a few blocks from West Beach. The 222-room resort must incorporate input from local harbor seal groups, resource agencies and scientific experts. Mitigation measures include avoiding tree removal, pruning or chipping from Nov. 1 to July 31 to alleviate disruption during pupping season. Nocturnal animals, harbor seals feed at night and “haul out,” or sleep on the beach during the day, avoiding predators to rest and nurse in warmer environments that help them conserve energy. In the first weeks of nursing, mother seals can lose 25 to 30 percent of their body mass. Energy conservation is crucial, and local groups warn that every disruption adds up. “It’s death by a thousand cuts,” says Kim Akeman, a long-time Bay Net volunteer. Hopkins researchers remain hopeful that with strong science and community support, construction can be guided to better protect wildlife. “I’m hopeful for our harbor seal population,” says Giulio De Leo, a faculty member at Hopkins. “We have good data, great science, a municipality that’s listening, citizen scientists. Altogether, we’re well positioned to understand what’s needed to monitor this population moving forward.” It took over 14 years for the County of Monterey to pass a short-term rental ordinance last August. It took less than three months for the ordinance to be challenged in Monterey County Superior Court by the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance, claiming that by limiting the number of rentals to just 4 percent of inland unincorporated Monterey County, it was violating property owners’ constitutional rights and interfered with their ability to do business. The controversy has attracted a second lawsuit, as well as a citizen’s group petition to Monterey County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wills seeking to allow them to join the original suit as defendants alongside the county. In January, Fred H. Faltersack filed against the county, asking a judge to prevent enforcement of the ordinance, which went into effect in October. He claimed that when he invested in securing a short-term rental permit in 2023 for a property his trust owns in Carmel Valley he was promised the permit “in perpetuity.” The county’s ordinance, he argued, would deprive him of a vested right to continue to offer the property as a short-term rental. The county responded in court documents that Faltersack had no legal standing to challenge all provisions of the shortterm rental ordinance, only a seven-year extension provision related to his permit. County Counsel Susan Blitch asked Wills to declare Faltersack’s contentions invalid. Wills denied her request after a hearing on April 11. He also suggested during the hearing that Faltersack join MCVRA’s lawsuit. On April 25, lawyers for the county and MCVRA were in Wills’ courtroom for a hearing concerning a petition by the Carmel Valley Association, asking to be added as defendants. Wills denied the request, recommending the group file an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, brief in support of the county’s ordinance. The county and the MCVRA will be back in Wills’ courtroom on Tuesday, May 13. Safe Haven A new study reveals the impacts of noise on local harbor seals. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS CODE RED Supporting Indigenous Communities Group presents Red Dress Day, raising awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous people. This year’s event focuses on prevention by utilizing traditional native-Indigenous ways of mediation, reconciliation and healing. 11am-3:30pm Saturday, May 3. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. (410) 443-1138 (text only), pendragon2@earthlink.net. SAFETY FIRST Big Sur Fire hosts an open house event to share resources and answer questions from the public. Fire apparatus, tools and equipment will be on display. Noon-3pm Sunday, May 4. Station 1 at Post Ranch, 47900 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. 667-2113, bigsurfire.org. FUTURE FACILITIES Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is planning the future of its schools’ facilities. The public is invited to share feedback on the upcoming Facilities Master Plan. 5:30pm Monday, May 5 at Marina High School, 298 Patton Parkway, Marina. Thursday, May 8 at Seaside High School, 2200 Noche Buena St., Seaside. Monday, May 12 at Monterey High School, 101 Herrmann Drive, Monterey. Free. 645-1200, mpusd.net. PUBLIC SERVICE Salinas City Council meets and, as always, accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, May 6. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 7587381, cityofsalinas.org. COMMUNITY CHAT Ben Jealous, the former president and CEO of the NAACP and current executive director of the Sierra Club, speaks during an event hosted by York School’s Black Student Union. Jealous is a York alum. 6:30-8pm Thursday, May 8. York School, Gawain Family Outdoor Theater, 9501 York Road, Monterey. Free. 3727338, york.org. BOOSTING BUSINESS Applications for the second round of grant funding for Pajaro businesses affected by the 2023 flood are now being accepted. The program, administered by the Monterey County Workforce Development Board and Department of Emergency Management, provides funding for beautification projects. Applications accepted through May 16. Free. 796-3331, bit.ly/PajaroBizGrants. Vacation Rules People on both sides of the short-term rental issue seek to opt into a lawsuit against the county. By Pam Marino As of April 29, Bay Net volunteers have recorded 72 successful births of harbor seal pups so far this season on beaches along the Rec Trail in Pacific Grove. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “I’m hopeful for our harbor seal population.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 1273 Surf Avenue, Pacific Grove 4 beds, 3.5 baths • $6,795,000 • www.1273SurfAvenue.com 67 and 69 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley 2 beds, 1 bath • $2,400,000 • www.67And69WCarmelValleyRd.com 5th Avenue 3 SE of Perry Newberry, Carmel-by-the-Sea 3 beds, 2 baths • $2,145,000 • www.5thAndPerryNewberry.com 7 Via Joaquin #10, Monterey 2 beds, 2.5 baths • $1,199,000 • www.VillaViaJoaquinUnit10.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code Life doesn’t have to be a struggle. Breakthrough offers tools that help men live with more clarity, connection, and purpose. You can create the life you want. It starts here. Transform Your Life with Breakthrough Men’s Community Spring 2025 Workshops – In-Person & Online In-person starts May 1 / Online starts May 7 Monterey, CA & Virtual Worldwide Financial aid available “This group has been life-changing for me. I'm so glad I tried it.” – Eric Ferguson. Registration closes soon! Sign up at: breakthroughformen.org 2020 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT 2:00 PM AT THESE LOCATIONS THE SUPERIOR COURT URGES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Greenfield Tuesday May 12 Monterey Wednesday May 13 www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/grandjury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 Salinas Thursday May 14 Monterey Courthouse Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 pm Salinas Courthouse Thursday, May 8 at 2:00 pm King City Courthouse Friday, May 9 at 10:30 am www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 The 2025–2026 Civil Grand Jury Needs You! 2025 INFORMATIONAL SESSION AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT THESE LOCATIONS
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com After learning in December that the Municipalities, Colleges Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG) was facing a $12 million deficit due to record medical insurance claims last fall—$11.6 million alone in October—the board of directors embarked on finding ways to make cuts and recoup money any way possible. Combined with a reduction in claims in March from members at schools, community colleges and cities, the deficit was just under $7.3 million. “We’re headed in the right direction,” Borden Darm, a consultant with Keenan & Associates, told the board at a meeting in Salinas on April 24. A contract with Salinas Valley Health that began in March last year resulted in an 18.6-percent cost reduction in claims compared to other providers. One of the cost containment measures MCSIG initiated as of April 1 for future savings was to limit who is eligible for coverage of GLP-1 drugs, used to control diabetes and have become popular for weight loss. Monthly claims for the drugs were around $400,000. With the limits they could save between $75,000-$100,000 per month. MCSIG also contracted with a company called WellRithms that analyzes bills from health care providers to find overcharges and billing errors. WellRithms attempts to get the money back, retaining 25 percent as its fee. MCSIG could net an estimated $4.5 million from the service. Not all the cost saving measures were well received. The board voted 14-10 to use a third-party vendor, Transcarent, for cancer care, beginning July 1. Under the contract, members must have their case reviewed by Transcarent which decides where the member will be treated, depending on the type of cancer, at partner facilities. It could be within Monterey County, or a neighboring county. MCSIG President Steve McDougall said members and their dependents could receive treatment at a facility elsewhere “with fantastic, worldclass, fabulous outcomes,” adding that the treatment is fully covered with no deductibles or co-pays. Last year MCSIG experienced $12 million in claims related to cancer—it’s estimated it could see $2 million in annual savings using Transcarent. Lynda Horejsi, representing the Monterey County Office of Education, pointed out that MCSIG features only preferred provider organization plans, known as PPOs, which allow a member to choose providers. “The whole point of choosing a PPO is to have a choice,” she said, voting against the proposal. Members were told to expect a premium increase of between 10-16 percent in the next fiscal year, beginning July 1. A final decision on the percentage will be made in June. One member asked whether to expect any additional assessment charged to member agencies in the future, after the board voted last December to assess member districts a total of $6.7 million to address cash flow issues. “We’re going to do our darndest to never let that happen again,” McDougall said. Digging Out The insurance group representing school districts pinches every penny to reduce its deficit. By Pam Marino The MCSIG board of directors shown at a meeting in December 2024, while discussing a $12 million deficit. Since then the deficit has decreased to $7.3 million, thanks to lower claims. NEWS “We’re headed in the right direction.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Voted Monterey County’s Best Antique Shop ’24 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 On April 22, Nikki Nedeff, a volunteer with the Monterey chapter of the California Native Plant Society, addressed the Del Rey Oaks City Council with a seemingly simple ask. She wanted the city to give her and other CNPS volunteers permission to pull invasive French broom from the borders of a native plant reserve on city property at the northeast corner of Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard and South Boundary Road. But nothing on the former Fort Ord is ever simple. The 4.6-acre reserve is host to one of the few remaining stands of undisturbed native habitat—coast live oak woodlands and maritime chaparral that once stretched from the Monterey Airport to the Salinas River mouth. It was set aside by the Fort Ord Reuse Authority in the late 1990s as an environmental mitigation for widening Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard and other road projects, and FORA also entered into a contract with Del Rey Oaks and CNPS to set the property aside as a plant reserve in perpetuity. But just over a decade later, FORA proposed realigning Gen. Jim’s intersection with South Boundary Road further north from its existing location, partially cutting through the reserve. FORA and the city were supposed to negotiate with CNPS to find a solution to that problem, but did not, and in June 2020, CNPS sued them both for failing to honor the contract. That led to nearly three years of litigation and a 2023 settlement in which Del Rey Oaks agreed to leave the habitat undisturbed—the new intersection would be rerouted even further north. (The engineering and planning for that realignment is currently underway). But while the matter is settled in one sense, all is not well inside the concertina wire lining the property. Nedeff has twice asked the city if CNPS volunteers could access the property to eradicate the French broom so it doesn’t take hold and crowd out the natives. But the city has rebuffed Nedeff’s offers. Del Rey Oaks City Manager John Guertin says the settlement agreement states that no vegetation can be removed from the reserve, and he emphasizes one thing he insisted be included in the agreement—that the city have “no affirmative duty” to manage the property. (Though it does require the city to put up interpretive signs around the border, no less than 125 feet apart, titled “Del Rey Oaks Habitat Reserve,” which has not been done, in violation of the agreement.) Nedeff says CNPS is not interested in litigating the matter further, and that she and others feel the spirit of the agreement—protecting the reserve’s resource value—should allow for removal of invasives. But Guertin is adamant, and says, “If they want to take over ownership and maintenance, then we’d be happy to transfer title to them.” However, CNPS—a statewide nonprofit—doesn’t hold property as a rule. Unless another entity takes ownership, one of the last remaining stands of native plants in the region will slowly lose its ecological value, encircled by concertina wire. Native Land A 4.6-acre habitat reserve in Del Rey Oaks, encircled by barbed wire, is vulnerable to a new threat. By David Schmalz California Native Plant Society Monterey chapter President Brian LeNeve and volunteer Nikki Nedeff at one of several places along the reserve’s border where invasive French broom grows. NEWS They feel the spirit of the agreement should allow for removal. DANIEL DREIFUSS Two Portola Plaza Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 649-4511 portolahotel.com $89.95 Adults $74.95 Seniors (65 or older) $29.95 Children (12 to 6) | Under 5 free SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025 | 10AM TO 2PM Reservations are required. To reserve a table, please call (831) 649-7870 or email lhenderson@portolahotel.com DAVE CONLEY ON PIANO mother’s brunch day AT PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA Complimentary Mimosa for Mom Treat Mom and Grandma to a spectacular dining experience the whole family will cherish. Brunch kicks off with a Complimentary Mimosa for Mom to start the celebration on a sparkling note, followed by an exquisite buffet hosted in the elegant De Anza Ballroom.
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 1-7, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET Your hater’s propaganda on your cover graphic aside, I don’t recall you had any covers depicting Barack Obama bowing obsequiously to Arab tinpot dictators during his regime (“Alarmed over the actions of President Trump and corporate support, people are using how they spend their money in protest,” April 24-30). Richard Hellam | Seaside Thanks, Pam Marino, for a fine column (“A growing number of people are using their pocketbooks to protest the presidential administration,” posted April 27). I decided to celebrate Liberation Day in a most appropriate way, by closing my Amazon account. If Bezos can send $1 million to Trump for the inauguration, he doesn’t need my pennies. It’s been exhilarating to find new, neighborly places of business, local ones, to support. Donald Scott | Carson City Find something meaningful to write about that’s happening in Monterey and stay out of politics. Kathleen Curatolo Hannah | via social media FINGER FOOD Many locals, including myself, were out priced to afford to be able to attend (“Pebble Beach Food & Wine in Photos,” posted April 14). It’s really quite a shame. When I reached out to Pebble Beach Food & Wine to ask about a locals rate, they offered 10-percent off the Grand Tasting event, which was around $400. Many locals felt that was a slap in the face. The majority of our industry on the Peninsula is hospitality-based and simply can’t afford the ticket costs this event charges. Let’s make this event accessible to locals next year and push for 50-percent off tickets. There’s plenty of money to be made still, but we need to also focus on letting locals be a part of this event, not just the upper class. Cassandra Grigsby | Monterey PAY UP Five of the seven [members of] city council and the mayor are bought by ag; they are voting the way they are told to vote (“Salinas City Council votes 5-2 in favor of rescinding rent stabilization,” posted April 23). They do not care about the average resident or small business. I say that we remind renters to vote at the next election and make your vote count. If renters do not vote, money wins. Cary Swensen | Salinas Rent control is foolish and destroys livelihoods from the property owner to the renter. Government controlled markets only fail every time! Peter Hernandez | Hollister Note: Hernandez is a past candidate for Congressional District 18. IN HEALTH There is one solution and that is to get profit-making and -taking out of the system (“The health care system is broken. Efforts to fix it are missing the mark,” April 24-30). Maureen Wruck | Salinas The useless middle man—health insurance industry—adds no value to medical services and a ton of cost in a for-profit system. Miguel Banda | Salinas BOOK WORM As a biologist, career museum professional and volunteer on our local library board of directors, I have had a front-row seat to the dramatic, positive results of increasing access to museum and library experiences, collections, science and cultural resources for learners of all ages and desires (“Libraries are under attack at the federal level. Monterey County Free Libraries director is not optimistic,” posted April 8). The mission and vision of your local library and museum is to serve you. We exist to provide you and your family and friends with accuracy, integrity and inspiration by inviting you to think for yourself. Museums and libraries offer unlimited possibilities for engaging ourselves in powerful moments to fuel imaginations, improve scientific understanding, re-invest in our democracy and empower new explorers, inventors and saviors. Take a moment today to use your voice, write a letter, show up at town halls, and most importantly to vote for leaders who believe in the power of truth and the right to know. Carla Bitter O’Sullivan | Pacific Grove SWIM GYM This is great! (“As a Marina sports center inches closer to construction, the public is invited on a tour,” April 24-30.) A community investment for health and wellness, heck yeah! Diane Carmack | via social media To safeguard Marina’s financial resources, City Council and residents must carefully re-examine the past financial analyses. Initial evaluations by the consulting team revealed a promising outlook when considering the sports center as a standalone facility. The analysis projected a positive cash flow, indicating its potential as a self-sustaining investment. However, the financial viability significantly diminished when the aquatic center was incorporated into the plans. A subsequent proposal to dedicate a portion of the sports center to roller sports further eroded the project’s financial feasibility. This addition resulted in an analysis showing a clear negative cash flow, indicating it would require ongoing subsidies. These findings underscore the importance of a fiscally conservative approach. While recreational facilities offer community benefits, their development must be guided by realistic financial projections to ensure longterm sustainability and protect the city’s overall financial health. Hans Ongchua | Marina ONE FOR ALL It was a night of wonderful film, live dance and live music. Our nation of immigrants makes America great (“In three distinct performances, Palenke Arts uplifts one voice—that of the immigrant population,” April 24-30). Jane Anfinson | via social media I love Palenke Arts! Their performances are always awesome. Celia Bosworth | Salinas 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.
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 1-7, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 There is an elegant winwin premise underlying the state’s Homekey initiative. The concept is to convert hotels or motels into long-term supportive housing. The units go in a building footprint that already exists, and serves a community that desperately needs a place to live; the hotel owner can sell a property, one that they had perhaps disinvested in. Homekey grew out of the temporary Covid-era Roomkey initiative, and is now in a final round of funding, after allocating at least $2.8 billion to create 15,000-plus housing units. It’s elegant in concept, but some projects have been difficult in reality. A now-bankrupt developer, Shangri-La Industries, went belly-up while working on three projects in Salinas and one in King City, leading to lawsuits and delays in getting projects done and fully inhabited. On Tuesday, April 22, King City Council approved a settlement agreement, and authorized the acquisition of the foreclosed property, formerly a Days Inn—and its sale to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey for $1. It means the project can finally go forward after it was approved in 2022. “King City is the first public agency to develop a path forward after the devastating actions of Shangri-La Industries and its management, and we finally get our Homekey project to reality,” King City Mayor Mike LeBarre said. “It took a long time to unwind ourselves from that debacle. But this wasn’t done alone.” He reserved thanks for a long list of people— city, county and state-level staff and elected officials. Thinking in partnership is what worked for King City. Partnership needs to be part of solving homelessness, and the good news is that county leaders are eager to be collaborators. County supervisors Luis Alejo and Wendy Root Askew serve on the county’s Health, Housing, Homelessness and Human Services Committee (known as 4H). When they last met on Monday, April 28, the spirit of collaboration was clear. “The county cannot and should not attempt to solve homelessness on our own,” Roxanne Wilson, the County’s homeless services director, said. “We are all in this work together,” Askew said. That spirit of collaboration really mattered when Wilson pitched the committee on a proposal from developer Anabasis, which envisions converting the 43-room Sand Dollar Inn on Fremont Boulevard in Seaside into permanent supportive housing. Anabasis partners are Dean Sparks of Carmel Valley and Adam Conour of Merced County. Both men are Army combat veterans who, in the 20 years they’ve known each other, have been on a mission to help fellow veterans out of homelessness. The firm, with help from consultant Kurt Overmeyer, is applying for Homekey funding. (It’s too soon to have a design locked in—with City approval, they will add modular family units to the parking lot—but Overmeyer anticipates they’ll request $15-$20 million.) If approved, Anabasis will acquire the hotel from the Panchal family, which would invest the proceeds into their other nearby hotels. And the Monterey Peninsula would get its first (and much-needed) Homekey project. Anabasis pitched the idea to the 4H Committee because the state’s requirements have gotten stricter. To qualify for a Homekey grant, they need a letter of support from what’s known as a Continuum of Care provider, and also an enforceable commitment to fund operations for future residents for five years. Alejo and Askew eagerly said they were prepared to pledge $5 million ($1 million a year). “We will figure out how to backfill that when the time comes,” Askew said. “I wouldn’t want to see an opportunity lost,” Alejo added. That funding commitment is a big deal for Anabasis, which will next go to Seaside City Council for approval before submitting its application to the state by a May 30 deadline. “We have more big hills to climb, but we climbed the biggest mountain,” Overmeyer says. “Maintaining a great relationship with cities and counties is critical,” Sparks says. Imagine what could have happened in Pacific Grove, where public opposition put a stop to a potential Homekey project in 2022. Now, three years later, Seaside has a chance to step up where P.G. bailed, with eager partners across the county. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Housing First Where leaders are willing to say yes, there are solutions to homelessness. By Sara Rubin ZERO STARS…In between oozing around on land to see what type of reality government officials and lobbyists are living in, Squid likes to check out from reality by holing up in the lair to play some Grand Theft Auto. After a long night of listening to electeds ramble, nothing is more satisfying than carjacking a brodozer—virtually, of course. Squid is excited for the newest iteration of the series releasing this year. Apparently, Rene Alvarez Landa and Jose Olegario Gonzalez of Royal Oaks couldn’t wait either. The two men were busted on April 21 after they allegedly stole a tractor from a Royal Oaks home early the previous morning. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the owner had installed a tracking device on the tractor, so he was able to track it to a property on San Miguel Canyon Road, about two miles away from where it was stolen. When deputies arrived, they found the tractor was in the process of being repainted a different color. That may have worked in Grand Theft Auto— the virtual cops miraculously stop chasing you when you repaint the vehicle you stole—but in real life, it’ll take a lot more to fool detectives. The men were booked into jail but have since been released. Their arrests cost them, too—Landa’s bail was set at $75,000, with Gonzalez’s at $30,000. At least that’s one thing reality has in common with the game. SAY WHAT?…Speaking of oozing around to hear electeds ramble, Squid’s statocysts perked up after a long two-plus hours of public comment in Salinas City Council chambers on Tuesday, April 22, to hear what councilmembers had to say about a suite of rent stabilization ordinances passed in 2022-24 (see story, p. 10). After all, Councilmember Aurelio Salazar opened his remarks by saying, “Disclaimer: I am the most longwinded councilmember,” only to be outdone in length by Councilmember Andrew Sandoval a while later. Salazar did indeed give an extensive personal biography, as sort of a “yes, but” preamble to advocating to rescind all four ordinances. Councilmember Margaret D’Arrigo was brief with her words of empathy: “I come from a farmworker family, we employ about 2,500 employees,” she said, referencing 20-plus years at D’Arrigo Bros. Salazar also offered some guidance on how to listen, which includes: “You put your finger on your head and say, what I’m hearing is…” He heard from renters who wanted to keep the ordinances in place, only to override those concerns. He also heard from property owners, who wanted council to revoke the ordinances. “Property companies—they’re people too, right?” Salazar said. Squid checked. No, companies are not people, despite what the Supreme Court says. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “I wouldn’t want to see an opportunity lost.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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