SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT HIGHWAY 1’S LONG CLOSURE 10 | JOAN OF ARC’S DRAMATIC ARC 31 | SWIMMING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL 36 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • How a world-class astronomy institution ended up based in Monterey County. p. 20 By Sara Rubin STAR POWER
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NOW HIRING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM LEADERS Whether you are looking for a role that is part-time and purposeful or you’re passionate about helping kids learn and grow, this is the perfect fit. Various School Sites Openings at: • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts • Monte Vista TK-8 • Ord Terrace Elementary WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Inspire and Mentor: Be a positive role model and guide for students. Fun and Engaging: Lead games, activities and enrichment programs. Serve Your Community: Make an impact right here at home. Competitive Pay: $23 - $27/hour to mentor and engage with kids. Great Hours: Work only 12:30-6 p.m. $23-$27/HOUR Competitive pay range APPLY NOW BE THE DIFFERENCE OUR STUDENTS NEED the.mpusd.net/programleadermcw 831-645-1283
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 If you know Community Hospital, you know Montage Health. montagehealth.org The fact is, we’ve always been here. You’ve just known us by a different name. The people at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula created Montage Health to deliver exceptional care to more people, by expanding our services beyond the hospital. Today, we’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Still independent, nonprofit, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 • ISSUE #1937 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 David Lehrian (Sony A7RV, Sony 50mm macro lens, Nauticam housing, Marelux strobe with snoot. 1/160s, f/13, ISO400) It’s snack time for the lion’s mane nudibranch (Melibe leonina) seen at Wharf 2 in Monterey. It is using its hood to gather particles from the water to ingest. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA)’s 36-inch telescope takes in the night sky from its perch in the observatory on Chews Ridge. Cover image: Courtesy MIRA 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 Annie Cobb annie@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 SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Salinas Valley Health Specialty Clinic | 1033 Los Palos Drive, Suite A, Salinas | 831-757-2058 Accepting New Patients! Call 831-757-DOCS or our clinic for more information or to schedule an appointment. QUALITY HEALTHCARE DELIVERED LOCALLY FOR EVERYONE SalinasValleyHealth.com/neurology INTRODUCING GURVINDER KAUR, MD Dr. Kaur has extensive knowledge in key areas of neurosurgery using the least invasive and most technologically advanced treatments for her patients. • Expert in treating primary brain tumors, brain metastasis and pituitary tumors • Highly skilled in awake craniotomies with brain mapping to preserve motor and speech functions in the brain • Adept in care of patients with degenerative spine conditions, spine tumors and carpal tunnel FELLOWSHIP University of Miami Miami, FL RESIDENCY Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL MEDICAL EDUCATION UCSF School of Medicine San Francisco, CA Specializing in Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology For more information about Dr. Gurvinder Kaur, scan the QR code.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A federal appeals court rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to have a defamation case against him thrown out on Monday, Sept. 8. In early 2024, a jury found that Trump must pay $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll for repeated social media attacks and other statements, after she accused him of sexual assault in her 2019 memoir. After the U.S. Supreme Court granted expanded presidential immunity in 2024, Trump sought a new trial. But the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, calling the damages awards “fair and reasonable.” A spokesperson for Trump called the case a “witch hunt” and “Democrat-funded travesty,” while Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan told the Associated Press the decision affirmed that “Carroll was telling the truth, and that President Donald Trump was not.” It is likely that Trump will now ask the Supreme Court to weigh in on the decision. Good: A massive blank wall in the heart of Pajaro will soon become a vibrant display of the small agricultural town’s identity. Salinas-based Hijos del Sol, headed up by artist José Ortiz, has been chosen to create a mural on the side of an industrial building on the 400 block of Salinas Road. The 160-by-25-foot mural will feature a woman rising from the Pajaro River, standing against a backdrop of farmland and mountains. The mural is funded by Assembly Bill 102, which allocated $20 million to the County of Monterey to help Pajaro recover from the 2023 flood. Through the Community Foundation for Monterey County, nonprofit Community Bridges received funding, and directed $30,000 toward the mural project. Hijos del Sol was also awarded $45,000. “Like birds, the people of Pajaro have grown wings to fly, and we are honored to bring forth this mural as a reflection of their strength, beauty and hope,” Ortiz said. GREAT: Rural hospitals are facing immense challenges, but despite those challenges, the Mee Memorial Healthcare System in King City is working toward expanding its offerings. On Sept. 4, MMHS officials announced Mee is the first hospital in California to introduce a full-body X-ray and fluoroscopy imaging system, part of the modernizing of the diagnostic imaging department. “Bringing this groundbreaking technology to Mee Memorial is a remarkable milestone,” CEO Rena Salamacha said. “It shows that rural hospitals can be leaders in innovation, bringing world-class care to patients right here in their own community.” The next phase of renovations includes adding a state-of-the-art CT scanner and a new mammography system. The hospital is also renovating its emergency department. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much money has been secured for Monterey County children under CalKIDS, a children’s savings account program launched by the State of California in 2022. A total of $33 million has been set aside for Monterey County, with 25 percent of eligible children so far registered. Source: Hartnell College Foundation $9,327,350 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We are not going to back down on this one.” -Monterey Assistant City Attorney Karin Krattli, after the city refused to pay out the plaintiff in a 2022 slip-and-fall lawsuit. A jury found the city was not at fault on Aug. 27 (see story, montereycountynow.com).
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Mike Haynes gives back through his donor advised fund at the CFMC to support youth and local causes. Create your giving plan. We can help. Donor Advised Funds • IRA Charitable Distributions • Charitable Estate Planning (CGAs, CRTs) • Family Philanthropy • Scholarships & More 831.375.9712 | cfmco.org/GiveBack | SIMPLIFY Your Giving I have peace of mind and can focus on giving. It’s seamless.” – Mike Haynes, Haynes Charitable Foundation Fund World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area September Lunch Event “Reflections About Israel, Iran & the Gaza War” Friday, September 26 Professor Avner Cohen Senior Fellow, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies Middlebury Institute of International Studies Avner Cohen, widely known for his path-breaking history of the Israeli nuclear program, is an Israeli-American author and expert on nonproliferation issues, focusing on the Middle East. He will discuss how the October 7 HAMAS attack on Israel, the Israel – Iran War, and the ongoing Gaza War are re-defining conflict and security in the region. Professor Cohen is not an armchair commentator. He was in Israel most recently when Iran fired missiles at Jerusalem after the Israeli and American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this past June. www.wacmb.org or call (831) 643-1855 11:30am Registration • Lunch 12 noon • 12:45pm Program Reservations Required • Registration Closes on Friday, September 19th, 2025 $55 for members • $65 for guests - WACMB will accept auditors to this event Monterey Marriott - Ferrante’s Bay View Room Visit our website www.wacmb.org for information and reservations
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 For an example of the glass halffull, half-empty conundrum, one only needs to look at the experience of women in the world of racing. From the very beginning of the sport, women have competed with men as drivers. And throughout the decades, more and more have realized careers as strategists, mechanics and executives. Yet the opportunities have rarely been equal. As Cindy Sisson says of women in the sport, “There are a lot, but there is not a lot.” In 2022, Sisson helped launch Women in Motorsports North America, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and furthering opportunities for women, both in racing and the performance automotive industry. The response—sold-out summits, participation from names like Andretti and sponsors such as Mobil 1, six new chapters—indicates that many people share Sisson’s assessment. The Monterey chapter of WIMNA launched in October 2024 and held a ceremony during Car Week this year. “Change comes when trailblazers step forward—women who are willing to pave the way for others by breaking barriers and setting new standards,” says April Henderson, director of operations for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and president of the Monterey WIMNA chapter. “It requires a culture of support, where women lift one another up, advocate for each other, and create opportunities that may not have existed before.” Oddly enough, the national motorsports organization and its Monterey chapter began with a call to then Pebble Beach Company executive vice president Paul Spengler—about golf. At the time, Sisson was a marketing executive with the LPGA. She was interested in holding a summit on the role of women in the sport. “He believed in what I was doing,” she says of Spengler. “The goal was not to change the industry, but to teach the economic value of women in golf.” By 2021, Sisson was running her own marketing firm. Officials with the Music City Grand Prix—the IndyCar race in Nashville—contacted her for ideas. A summit on women in racing came to mind. “I thought, ‘I did this in the golf industry,’” she recalls. “I took my credit card and rented a honky tonk in Nashville and hoped that people would show up. It sold out.” In addition to continuing the annual summit, WIMNA now offers programs that help educate and mentor young women interested in the industry. They work with companies such as Bosch, which sponsors Electrify Your Career in Motorsports, introducing college students to race teams, companies and industry leaders. Each chapter has a goal of hosting events focused on networking, professional development and community engagement. Sisson says that chapters became necessary—and advantageous—because so many people reached out, wanting to become more involved. Henderson says the association with Laguna Seca is a natural fit, particularly in regards to community engagement. “We have many automotive ties in the community and events that take place throughout the year,” she explains. The track hosts bicycle rides, stargazing nights guided by astronomers and more. “We just met as a new team of the Monterey chapter, and many things will be in the works.” As with her golf summit venture, Sisson says the ultimate goal is for motorsports and the automotive industry to recognize the economic importance of being more inclusive. “If we get more women involved, manufacturers will do better, events will do better,” she says. Women have been a part of the sport from the beginning. For example, Sara Christian competed in the first NASCAR race in 1949. In 1988, WIMNA co-founder Lyn St. James set a closed-course speed record for women, topping 227 mph. This year, Laura Müller became Formula 1’s first full-time race engineer, directing Haas driver Esteban Ocon. But a caveat lingers. “What does success look like? We’re not saying it’s a man or a woman, but it’s the best person for the job,” Sisson says. “It’s not a woman driver, it’s a driver. It’s not a woman engineer, it’s an engineer. It’s not a woman tire changer, it’s a tire changer. That’s success to me.” Leaving the Pits A nonprofit with a new chapter in Monterey looks to advance the role of women in motorsports. By Dave Faries “It’s not a woman driver, it’s a driver.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE WIMNA-MONTEREY CHAPTER National Executive Director Cindy Sisson (second from left) visited the Monterey Chapter of Women in Motorsports North America at an August meeting, with the organization’s co-founder, Lyn St. James (second from right). Don’t miss this opportunity to stand out among the finest arts available in Monterey County and deliver your marketing message to the Weekly’s active and engaged audience. FALL INTO Be a part of Monterey County Weekly’s annual Fall Arts Preview issue FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE: September 22 PUBLICATION DATE: September 25 THE ARTS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM sortwithheart.org Put food scraps in your green cart Food is tradition. Family. Culture. Just like Grandma used to say— nothing goes to waste. Every peel, husk, and leftover has a purpose. When we throw food in the trash, we waste more than a meal, we lose the love and labor that went into it. But when we put food scraps in the green organics cart, we honor that labor of love while protecting our future. California’s SB 1383 law keeps food out of landfills, reducing pollution and turning scraps into compost that nourishes local farms and gardens.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS California fishermen waited for three years since 2022 for an opportunity to catch Chinook salmon, aka king salmon. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife cited the need to let the population rebound before opening the fishery in 2025 to a limited recreational fishing window in June. CDFW opened the recreational fishery again for up to 7,500 salmon for a four-day window, from Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 4-7, while keeping the commercial fishery closed. It’s too soon for CDFW officials to know how they did numbers-wise and whether they will reopen the fishery again for a short time later this year, with possible additional open dates of Sept. 29-30. But anecdotal data from local fishermen shows mixed results. Chris Arcoleo of Chris’ Fishing, a charter boat operator on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, describes the September opening with one word: “terrible.” Boats sell out quickly—“people want to go,” he says”—but day one yielded just one salmon per boat, two per boat on day two and then zero. It was better for Brad Rice, a winegrape grower who keeps a 37-foot sportscraft fishing boat at Monterey Harbor. He says it was easy hitting limits on the first two days, before a mechanical issue kept him off the water on Saturday. He was back on day four, when he says the fishing was OK—but he rates the overall experience high. “The weather was outstanding, Mother Nature was good to us,” he says, referring to low swell and light winds. “Being out on the water is a success,” Rice says. “Catching fish is a bonus.” This time around, the bonus means he’s already been able to feast on slowcooked salmon collars. Gone Fishing A second short recreational season for salmon fishing yields mixed results. By Sara Rubin As of press time, Highway 1 in Big Sur has been closed to through-traffic for 971 days—over two-and-a-half years—the longest in history. Its closure has squeezed businesses, physically split the Big Sur community, and left some residents confused and frustrated, in search of details about what’s been going on. “We know there are going to be problems on this road in the future, at all times,” said Planning Commission Chair Martha Diehl at a Big Sur Byways Organization meeting on June 18, where Caltrans gave a detailed presentation of what was happening at Regent’s Slide, dispelling some of the confusion. “Nobody’s trying to keep anything from anybody. We just don’t know.” Regent’s Slide has kept the highway closed roughly 5 miles south of the Esalen Institute since Feb. 9, 2024. The Regent’s Slide cleanup is estimated to cost approximately $81 million, $51 million over the current approved cost. The nagging question: Why is it taking so long to fix? “As we excavated what would happen was we would start pushing material over the side, it would start to drop, and it would start to accelerate. So we would stop,” Tim Campbell, deputy director of construction with Caltrans, said at the Byways Organization meeting. “We were in this on-off pattern. That’s when we decided to research the remote equipment.” After deploying remote-controlled equipment and identifying a strategy that was showing signs of progress, Caltrans announced plans for a tentative reopening timeline in mid-September. (That timeline remains to be announced.) The strategy, detailed on June 18, involves installing thousands of shear dowels—40 to 60-foot-long steel rods—drilled deep into the side of the cliff to keep the unstable material from sliding. Regent’s Slide is different from other slides, Caltrans personnel say. Campbell shared that he has been with Caltrans since the ’90s and worked on several slides, including at Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide. Regent’s Slide is taller, and the ground has continued to move in unexpected ways, pushing crews higher up the cliff to reach stable ground and keep workers safe. Caltrans likens the slide to a pile of apples at a grocery store: pulling out the bottom apples would cause the whole pile to crumble. A total of 3,500 dowels have been installed to stabilize the cliff, with more expected. By comparison, work at the Rocky Creek slipout used 40 dowels. The business impacts as a result of the closure have been significant, says John Handy, co-founder and owner of Treebones Resort, located south of the closure. He adds that business is down by 40 percent, and they’ve relied on disaster relief loans to stay afloat. South Coasters are requesting progress updates (with photos) every two weeks that are more detailed than the “Highlights” that Caltrans sends out weekly. “If you’re making decisions that affect somebody else, they’ll accept it, as long as they understand why, and as long as you tell them what you’re doing,” Handy says. “If you don’t [tell people what you’re doing] people get really upset. They get suspicious, they make up their own stories. And that’s what has happened with some of this.” Caltrans personnel at Regent’s Slide are seeing progress using 60-foot steel shear dowels to stabilize the cliffside, enabling crews to continue with excavation. Stable Ground The future remains uncertain as Caltrans nears a mid-September update on Regent’s Slide. By Katie Rodriguez Brad Rice on his boat, the Wicked Wanda, with a salmon he caught during the second recreational fishing window this year, Sept. 4-7. (He missed day three due to mechanical issues.) “There are going to be problems on this road in the future, at all times.” CALTRANS ALAN LARPTHAVEESARP
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 A CUT ABOVE THE REST IN CUSTOMER SERVICE Monterey County’s MERCEDES, BMW, AUDI, SPRINTER and MINI Specialist are ready for you! We’re fully staffed, accepting new clients, and proud to serve our community with: SKILLED TECHNICIANS HONEST REPAIRS FRIENDLY & FAMILY OWNED LOCAL SERVICE Call and we’ll answer, willing and ready to help. Monday – Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm 684 Ponderosa St, Seaside, CA 93955 www.MarlowMotorWerks.com (831) 394-6600 HEATABLE EATABLES! ELROY’S PRESENTS @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 BRINGING ON THE BAYOU! TICKET=$140 EACH (1 TICKET SERVES TWO PEOPLE) To place your order visit www.elroysfinefoods.com or scan this QR CODE! Quantities are limited, so order soon! From Elroy’s Fine Foods Executive Chef & Culinary Director David Hardie A pre-ordered, fully prepared meal to heat & eat at home. Offered on the last Thursday of every month. GLOBALLY INSPIRED & LOCALLY SOURCED All items will also be available à la carte for purchase at the Prepared Foods counter on Thursday, 9/25 until sold out! *ORDER BY: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH PICK UP: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH NEXT MONTH: TANTALIZING TRANSYLVANIA * MUFFALETTA layers of cured italian meats, cheese & olive salad sandwiched between crusty bread soaked in dressing (CONTAINS: GLUTEN, PORK, DAIRY, NITRATES) GUMBO chicken, sausage & shrimp stewed in a rich brown broth, served with rice & pickled okra (DF, CONTAINS: GLUTEN, SEAFOOD, PORK) BOUDIN BALLS pork sausage and rice balls fried until crispy, served with remoulade (CONTAINS: GLUTEN, DAIRY, EGGS, PORK) RED BEANS & RICE red beans stewed down with pickled pork, served over rice (GF, DF, CONTAINS: SOY, PORK) JAMBALAYA rice cooked with tomatoes & spices, andouille sausage, shrimp, and chicken (GF, DF, CONTAINS: SEAFOOD, PORK) SHRIMP ETOUFFEE shrimp smothered in gravy with tomatoes and the holy trinity, served over rice (CONTAINS: DAIRY, PORK, GLUTEN, SEAFOOD) BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING creamy bread pudding drenched in a rum caramel with bananas (CONTAINS: GLUTEN, DAIRY, EGGS) * GRAND OPENING Saturday, September 13, 2025 Step into a world of timeless style and tradition at Crown & Blade, Pacific Grove’s new luxury barbershop experience: • Classic Haircuts • Hot Towel Straight Razor Shaves • Beard Sculpting & Refinement • The Classic Italian Barbering Experience Created by barber Alfred Gonzalez, Crown & Blade is more than a barbershop–it’s where grooming becomes an art and every clients feels like royalty. Enter a drawing by booking an appointment on that day. Raffling: a straight razor shave, foil shaver and more. Come celebrate the grand opening and be among the first to experience Crown & Blade 831-235-5221 • Crown-blade.com 1102 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com The City of Monterey’s updated sidewalk vending ordinance went into effect on Thursday, Sept. 4, and so far, everything has been drama free. Possibly, it’s because the City hasn’t tried to enforce it yet. Monterey City Council approved the amended ordinance Aug. 5 after discussing the issue at length; it first approved an amended ordinance April 15, but after pushback from vendors, made slight adjustments. Among the changes now that the ordinance is in effect is that vendor spaces are limited to 8 feet by 4 feet— 320 square feet—and markings on the sidewalk roughly form rectangles for vendors to set up their wares. For husband-and-wife team Jim Burns and India Weeks, who sell tiedye T-shirts, that reduces their footprint by what he claims is a loss of 95 percent of their space. They haven’t yet complied with the amended ordinance, and don’t plan to. “We’ll just keep setting up,” Burns says. “They don’t have any way to enforce their ordinance.” Burns says he’s ready to sue if they do: “We have to show harm before we have legal standing, so we have to wait until they issue tickets.” One issue, he says, is the amendments were passed for the ostensible reason of health and safety, though also to preserve views of the waterfront. But Burns and other vendors think it’s all related to the business interests on Fisherman’s Wharf—they say there is no evidence of any safety incidents related to the vendors since they were allowed to start operating in 2019, in keeping with state law. Monterey planner Levi Hill, who worked on the amended ordinance, says the city’s code enforcement is typically complaint-driven, but that the City will be “somewhat proactive” with enforcing the new amendments. The City of Monterey has only a single code enforcement officer, Rory Lakind. When the Weekly dialed Lakind’s number on Sept. 4, his voicemail message said he would be out of the office until Sept. 15. On Monday, Sept. 8, just one vendor table is set up at the wharf—husbandand-wife team Shai and Mira Nissim, who sell jewelry, some of which they and their kids make themselves. They’re complying with the ordinance—or trying to, at least—and have lost at least half of their previous footprint. Mira says the new ordinance is a nightly topic of concern at their family dinner table in Carmel Valley, and they hope they can keep making ends meet. Stymied by the Byzantine nature of Carmel’s building rules and delay tactics by those who oppose change, Monaco developer Patrice Pastor faced yet another delay last month in his over six-year quest to build the 13,000-square-foot J.B. Pastor Project. On Aug. 4, a modified version of the Carmel City Council—two of the five members were recused—called for more changes to the project. After the further delay, Pastor threatened to leave “this strange community, if you can call it a community.” Residents disparaged one another, depending which side of the debate they were on. Pastor made a last-ditch effort through an attorney to pressure Carmel City Attorney Brian Pierik to reverse the recusals but failed, so on Monday, Sept. 8, Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder and Alissandra Dramov reconvened to revisit the project again. They voted 3-0 to send the project back to the Carmel Planning Commission. The commission is being tasked with ensuring that the project includes more onsite parking and landscaping. A large number of Carmelites rushed to the defense of Pastor at the meeting, some calling him a “gift” to the town for his investments—he’s purchased dozens of properties and invested money in improvements—and chiding the city for allegedly discriminating against him. Buder blamed Carmel’s outdated system of building ordinances and policies and called for a “top to bottom” overhaul, but said they had to make decisions based on current rules. He laid out the reasons why the project did not qualify for in-lieu parking and would have to create more parking through an underground garage. Dramov wanted another full review of the project’s impact on historical resources and disagreed the project was exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, based on the potential impact on historical resources. Baron and Buder said they would not override a council decision from 2023 based on a past historic impact report. Keep Shop Monterey’s amended sidewalk vending ordinance goes into effect—sort of. By David Schmalz NEWS TREE TALK The City of Monterey is updating its tree ordinance, which was established in 1991 to regulate trimming and removal of trees. Residents are encouraged to share feedback. Survey ends Monday, Sept. 15. bit.ly/ MontereyTreeSurvey. SAFE STREETS The City of Salinas hosts a meeting addressing prostitution and public safety in the area of Kern and East Market streets. 6:30-8pm Tuesday, Sept. 16. Sherwood Elementary School cafeteria, 110 S. Wood St., Salinas. Free. 758-7328, anaa@ci.salinas.ca.us. COMMUNITY ORIENTED The City of Monterey released a draft report outlining activities funded by the Community Development Block Grant from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, including efforts toward housing and economic development. The public is invited to review and comment. Public comment period ends Sept. 16. 646-3995, monterey.gov/housing. IN THE ZONE Pajaro Valley Health Care District is transitioning to a by-zone election system, and the public is invited to help create the new zones. A forum introduces the process and shares information on how to create maps. 5:30pm Wednesday, Sept. 17. Pajaro Valley Health Trust community room, 85 Nielson St., Watsonville. Free. 7244741, drawpajaro.org. BUSINESS SECURED The Central Coast Procurement Expo connects small businesses and entrepreneurs with contracting opportunities from public agencies and businesses. Learn how to compete for contracts in this event presented by the Central Coast Small Business Development Center and Monterey Bay APEX Accelerator. 9am-1pm Thursday, Sept. 18. One Main Street, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. 2163000, linktr.ee/CentralCoastSBDC. FUNDING BOOST The City of Seaside accepts applications for its Community Social Services Grant program. A total of $420,000 has been allocated for organizations that serve Seaside. Apply by 5pm Thursday, Sept. 18. Free to apply. 899-6700, ci.seaside.ca.us. JOIN THE CLASS MPUSD seeks to fill the vacant Area 6 seat on the board of education following the resignation of Amanda Whitmire, who moved. Area 6 includes parts of Monterey and communities south of Highway 68. Applications due 4:30pm Wednesday, Sept. 24. Free. 645-1204, mpusd.net. Building Plan A small version of Carmel City Council sends a Pastor project back to the Planning Commission. By Pam Marino Jim Burns with his tie-dye offerings at the base of Fisherman’s Wharf before the ordinance took effect on Sept. 4. He has not changed course since then. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “They don’t have any way to enforce their ordinance.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 08/01/2025. The dividend rate and APY may change at any time. 4.40% APY, 8-month Term Savings Certificate must be opened by phone or in-branch with new money. New money is defined as funds not on deposit at Golden 1 in the 30 days prior to the certificate account opening. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for this 8-month certificate is $500. The APY is based on an assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal or transfer reduces earnings and there may be penalties for early withdrawal. Call 1-877-465-3361 for current rates. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time. Rates and term are subject to change without notice. 0825-MTW 4.40% APY1 for 8 months Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited time offer Earn more with a Term Savings Certificate
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com When California voters passed Prop. 20 in 1972, establishing the California Coastal Commission, the message from voters was clear: Protect the environmental health of California’s coast, and preserve the public’s access to it. So from the outset, ensuring coastal access has been central to the agency’s mission, and nearly every project in the Coastal Zone—the area near the coast where the Coastal Commission has jurisdiction—must have a public access management plan, aka PAMP, that the agency must approve before construction is allowed to begin. When it comes to Monterey-Salinas Transit’s SURF! busway project, which will pave over the rail tracks from Marina to Sand City to put in an off-highway bus road, a crucial part of MST’s coastal access plan was a bike and pedestrian access path at the 5th Street tunnel under Highway 1 in Marina. The tunnel is where MST’s buses will pass through on their way to and from a new MST transit station under construction at 5th Street and 1st Avenue, just east of the highway. The plan was for that bike-and-pedestrian access point to connect to Beach Range Road in Fort Ord Dunes State Park, just west of the tracks. The problem is, when MST asked State Parks for permission to build the access point, State Parks—which is currently constructing a campground in the park—said no. John Hiles, who manages State Parks from Garrapata to Zmudowski State Beach, says the agency wanted to avoid a “redundant trail connection” into Beach Range Road when the campground opens up in a few years. State Parks’ plan is for the tunnel at Divarty Street to the south to be the park’s main entrance, which would serve both vehicles and pedestrians, as well as the 8th Street bridge to the north, which connects to Beach Range Road and the day-use Stillwell parking lot. Hiles says aside from a “redundant” trail connection, the 5th Street path would impact natural and cultural resources, so all in all, “it didn’t check those boxes.” That leaves MST in a tough position: Its approved project includes a requirement from one state agency for a path that another state agency won’t allow. In order for construction on SURF! to begin, MST’s plans have changed. Now, as an alternative, MST will be adding a series of improvements to the bridge at 8th Street, adding signage, sharrows and raising the railing heights along the sidewalks to bring them up to code, among other things. “A lot of this stuff is evolving,” MST General Manager Carl Sedoryk says. “The requests from [jurisdictions] throughout the process, they’re dynamic, they change over time…we are constantly making minor tweaks to the plan.” Despite the delays, Sedoryk says he’s confident SURF! will be operational by March 31, 2028, the federal deadline MST must meet. “It would have to be a major natural disaster for us not to meet that deadline,” he says. Tunnel Vision State Parks complicates plans for Monterey-Salinas Transit’s ever-evolving SURF! busway. By David Schmalz MST has updated its coastal access plan to include upgrades to a bridge over Highway 1 at 8th Street in Marina (shown above) after Plan A met resistance from State Parks officials. NEWS “We are constantly making minor tweaks to the plan.” DANIEL DREIFUSS 4 Beds, 3.5 Baths ■ 3,809 Sq. Ft. ■ 1.81 Acres ■ $1,750,000 ■ 27812CrownePointDrive.com Market Knowledge | Ethics & Integrity | Commitment to Community Geoff 831.297.3890 REALTOR® | DRE#02036451 Rebecca 831.241.2600 REALTOR® | DRE#01706104 Danielle Germain 303.502.6477 REALTOR® | Monterey Coast Realty DRE#02154598 Arnold-Team.com | Arnold-Team@CarmelRealtyCompany.com A Collaborative Approach to Real Estate The Arnold Team 27812 Crowne Point Drive, Salinas Sun-Soaked Elegance in Las Palmas II BOOK NOW! *Cannot combine. 10% off labor only. Must present coupon at check-in. Shop supplies and any additional parts extra. Limited time only. 831-230-0910 1730 The Mall | Seaside SullivansAutoService.com
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 To dig their way out of a $12 million deficit back in December, the board members of the Municipalities, Colleges Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG) voted to assess member school districts and cities a total of $6.7 million by Jan. 17. The plan worked—by the end of the fiscal year in June, the deficit was $4.5 million—but since the assessment, eight member agencies have filed requests to withdraw from the joint powers authority. The withdrawal requests and ongoing deficit were top of mind for board members on Aug. 28, when they were faced with the decision of how much to raise health insurance premium rates for 2026. (Member agencies must file two formal requests before they leave the JPA, per MCSIG bylaws. Some may still remain.) An executive board subcommittee gave three options, ranging from a 15-percent increase to 17.4 percent. Taking into account variables including possible savings from a new cancer care program, restrictions on GLP-1 weight loss drugs and other factors, the subcommittee aimed for a three-year deficit recovery plan. The percentages are for “preferred” member districts and municipalities, if 80 percent or more of their employees are enrolled in a healthcare platform with access to telehealth and other services by Sept. 15. For those with less than 80-percent participation, they are subject to “standard” rates, which are 5-percent more. As of Aug. 28, only eight of 29 member agencies were close to meeting the 80-percent threshold. The MCSIG executive committee recommended a 15-percent raise to the full board, but not without some debate. The difference between 15 percent and 17.4 percent would be about $2.5 million annually, according to MCSIG’s consultants, but Kati Bassler of Salinas Union High School District worried it would ultimately hurt the JPA. “The risk of having groups leave, reducing the number of members, only increases the risk on those that stay,” she said. Yvonne Perez, chief business official for the Carmel Unified School District, argued in favor of a 17.4-percent raise, saying MCSIG needed to eliminate the deficit and prevent another assessment similar to what happened in December. Her district was assessed over $563,000. “I realize we are trying to balance between higher rates this one time and people jumping ship because we raised the rates too much, but the 15 percent doesn’t take care of the deficit fast enough,” Perez said. MCSIG President Steve McDougall, a union leader with the California Federation of Teachers and Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers, took issue with that argument, blaming school district management for not doing their part to speak up about the cost of healthcare in Monterey County or educate employees about enrolling in MCSIG’s programs. “Just make the employees pay. Management can afford it,” McDougall said, characterizing Perez’s argument. The board passed the 15-percent increase, with Perez and a representative from the Monterey County of Office of Education voting no. Under Pressure The MCSIG board votes for a premium increase against a backdrop of withdrawing members. By Pam Marino The board of MCSIG, a joint powers authority that includes 29 public entity members—mostly school districts—that pool health insurance. Eight member agencies have filed requests to withdraw. NEWS “It doesn’t take care of the deficit fast enough.” DANIEL DREIFUSS ALL ABOUT YORK YOU’RE INVITED Ready to take the next step in your child’s education? Learn all about what makes York a great place for bright, kind, curious and driven students! Learn about our feature programs Live classroom demonstrations Get information on enrollment & financial aid Explore the beautiful York campus Sunday Sept. 21 Time 1:00 - 3:00 PM REGISTER NOW York.org/admission/admission-events ALL ABOUT YORK YOU’RE INVITED Ready to take the next step in your child’s education? Learn all about what makes York a great place for bright, kind, curious and driven students! Learn about our feature programs Live classroom demonstrations Get information on enrollment & financial aid Explore the beautiful York campus Sunday Sept. 21 Time 1:00 - 3:00 PM REGISTER NOW York.org/admission/admission-events ALL ABOUT YORK YOU’RE INVITED Ready to take the next step in your child’s education? Learn all about what makes York a great place for bright, kind, curious and driven students! Learn about our feature programs Live classroom demonstrations Get information on enrollment & financial aid Explore the beautiful York campus Sunday Sept. 21 Time 1:00 - 3:00 PM REGISTER NOW York.org/admission/admission-events ALL ABOUT YORK YOU’RE INVITED Ready to take the next step in your child’s education? Learn all about what makes York a great place for bright, kind, curious and driven students! Learn about our feature programs Live classroom demonstrations Get information on enrollment & financial aid Explore the beautiful York campus Sunday Sept. 21 Time 1:00 - 3:00 PM REGISTER NOW York.org/admission/admission-events ALL ABOUT YOU’RE INVITED Ready to take the next step in your child’s education? Learn all about what makes York a great place for bright, kind, curious and driven students! 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16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com HOPES AND PRAYERS If the writer would have taken two seconds to climb out of his anti-Catholic and anti-religious bias, he would have found that the Catholic bishops support very strict gun control laws (“The Diocese of Monterey finally weighs in on a school shooting—but why only now?” Sept. 4-10). To people who are religious, praying is the most important thing they can do. Christopher E. Panetta | Monterey To say “Prayer will not end the epidemic of gun violence” is to reveal a Newsom-like ignorance of what prayer truly means. Prayer is not a substitute for action; it is the spark that awakens action. As G.K. Chesterton wrote, “To each man one soul only is given; to each soul only is given a little power”— and prayer awakens that power to resist evil and choose good. Richard Esteban | Salinas Bradley Zeve, please address the real issues and not the superficial reason for these tragic shootings. The ageold statement that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” is still true. Address the real problem—the demise of the family and the failure of society to instill the values and morals in our young people that encourage a society of people that can get along. Do we any longer teach and encourage biblical values to young people except in our churches? The answer is no. Instead our public schools, and many private schools, are pushing transgender-affirming issues and attempting to keep parents in the dark. Our children don’t know what to think and are left with no moral compass. We are supposed to have tolerance for these issues while we try to bury Christian values as old-fashioned and irrelevant. Robert McGregor | Salinas FLY OVER Reminds me of people who relocated to rural Vermont and complained about the smell of manure in the summer when farmers fertilized their fields. Really? (“Seeking relief from constant plane traffic, a group of Monterey residents have lawyered up,” Aug. 28-Sept. 3.) Charlotte Palumbo | via social media They did indeed change the flight paths after these people bought their homes. That’s a fact. Stephen Moorer | Monterey I would love to see a resolution to this. Is there anything we (residents of New Monterey) can do to help? It’s been so much worse this year, unbearably loud every five to 10 minutes it seems! Emily Bruza | Monterey QUIETER FLIGHT This piece is quality business journalism. Congratulations to Erik Chalhoub and the editors involved (“Joby Aviation is getting close to turning its vision of air taxis into reality. But when will that future arrive, and who will benefit?” Sept. 4-10). George Lentz | Seaside NEAR MIIS It has become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain students due to the astronomical cost of housing. Students simply can’t afford to live here anymore (“Middlebury announces the end of MIIS, a devastating blow to Monterey,” Sept. 4-10). That is the sad reality—and it’s not just affecting MIIS, but also CSUMB, MPC and every other institution trying to serve our community. Monterey County is now one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country. Rents continue to soar, pricing out students, working families and essential workers. Meanwhile, we see homes sitting empty—owned by corporations or billionaires—adding nothing to the fabric of our community. How can we call ourselves a hub of education and innovation if students are shut out of their most basic need— housing? The students at MIIS contribute to the heart and soul of Monterey. Their absence is a loss for the city’s vibrancy, diversity and cultural richness. The ripple effects of this closure will also be felt globally impacting international development, policy, education and global security. Sasha Kingsley | via email Note: Kingsley is director of student life and engagement at MIIS. CENTER STAGE What a young woman to spotlight. Thank you! (“Hartnell College freshman Francesca Muñoz found her voice on stage,” Sept. 4-10). Kate Novoa | Big Sur This young lady has enormous potential! Keep following your heart and exploring your passion. Mary Johnson-Derr | via social media PAST, PRESENT Kudos on another cover story that helps our community understand our history (“Just as local Japanese American history is having a moment, its most important chapter comes into focus,” Aug. 21-27). Stories matter. It’s built into our humanity and draws others in. Journalism supports a well informed and healthier community. Brian Edwards | Pacific Grove BAKED FRESH I was really hoping he would find a great spot in Seaside (“Ad Astra owner Ron Mendoza shares how fine dining and skateboarding led him to craft baked goods,” Aug. 28-Sept. 3). Sad to lose such a gem. Maybe they will consider another location here one day. Alex Miller | Seaside Note: Miller is a member of Seaside City Council. BIG ON FLAVOR We have had several delightful meals at Congo Go! It’s very casual, but the food is superb (“Two sisters bring Cambodian cuisine to Seaside, hiding in a boba tea shop,” Sept. 4-10). Love the story behind these two young women and how they embody the American dream. Tom Hicks | Seaside COFFEE BUZZ Welcome back! I had a great cup of coffee and a pastry there this morning (“The Power Plant in Moss Landing reopens with a new look—and more to come,” posted Sept. 3). Mike Moeller | Marina The banana-date smoothie is the best. James Velarde | Monterey I’m cheering these guys on! Shawn Adams | Monterey 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 SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 For many of the 28 years Paula Pelot has lived in her two-bedroom apartment at Preston Park, a city-owned complex in Marina, she has been the public face of tenants. Preston Park and next-door Abrams Park comprise 548 housing units originally built by the U.S. Army during the Fort Ord era, and these complexes stand apart as a success story in base reuse—they are now city-owned residential units for civilians. These complexes also stand apart in Monterey County because they include rare rent-stabilized units. In 2010, Marina City Council adopted a 3-percent annual rent increase cap on units or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. (Some units in each complex are set aside under deed restrictions for low- or very-low-income tenants; some are rented to tenants with Section 8 vouchers. A separate federal formula is used to calculate rent on those units.) The result is that tenants like Pelot, who’s been around since the beginning of the civilian era starting in 1997, pay $1,503/ month in rent, plus utilities. (She keeps track of the numbers: “I have paid over $380,000 in rent since I have lived here,” she says.) Her rent is likely to increase at her 29-year mark in December. Under current policy, it can go up no more than 3 percent, or $45/month. But it’s possible that ordinance will no longer apply. For several years, City Council has been broaching the subject, raising questions about whether to amend its 2010 policy and instead default to the state’s maximum annual increase of 10 percent. After years of prodding at the question, council is set to confront it directly at a workshop on Sept. 30. Pelot will be there to advocate for keeping the 3-percent cap in place. “Rent stabilization helps to stabilize the community,” she says. “It keeps the community intact. That helps the community become more engaged in local government.” Rent stabilization even at its best is an imperfect solution to a complicated problem of exorbitant housing costs. One issue is the creation of a sort of a two-tiered system—long-term tenants enjoy lower rents, while newer tenants pay more. That’s because landlords can only reset the rent to market rate when there is a vacancy. Greystar Residential manages the properties. According to a 2023 report from the company to Marina City Council, for existing tenants, the average rent for a two-bedroom was $1,604/ month at Abrams and $1,716 at Preston Park. Average rent for four bedrooms in Abrams Park was $2,279; the average for three bedrooms at Preston Park was $2,242 at the time. Market rates at that time ranged from $2,350 for two-bedroom units per month up to $3,450 for four-bedroom units at the city-owned complexes. But the meaning of “market rate” has recently been questioned by the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ’s Antitrust Division announced in August that it had settled with Greystar, the country’s largest landlord. While the company admitted no wrongdoing, it agreed to stop using software to align its rental pricing with five other companies—which DOJ was investigating as anticompetitive. “Whether in a smoke-filled room or through an algorithm, competitors cannot share competitively sensitive information or align prices to the detriment of American consumers,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Abigail Slater said in a statement. It’s too soon to know if the agreement will make a noticeable difference for ever-rising market rent. But public sentiment in support of tenant protections—even imperfect ones—is strong. Salinas City Council voted on Sept. 9 (after the Weekly’s deadline) on how to proceed with a referendum, faced with more than the 6,998 signatures needed. Renters hope to repeal council’s vote to walk back four renter protection ordinances, including a 2.75-percent annual rent stabilization cap. Speaking of imperfect and incomplete: It applies only to multi-family units in older buildings, built before Feb. 1, 1995. It all points to tenants, increasingly frustrated and desperate, claiming their power. Pelot says that if Marina ends its 3-percent cap, she will pursue a citywide rent stabilization effort, not unlike Salinas’ policy. These policies may be imperfect, but they are something. And for desperate tenants, that is better than nothing. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Raising the Rent Cities of Marina and Salinas face moments of reckoning over rent control. By Sara Rubin MOTION SICKNESS…Sometimes, if Squid can’t sleep, Squid looks for something to watch. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Squid’s bedtime of 11pm, Squid curled up on the couch with a bowl of shrimp-flavored popcorn and found the Marina City Council meeting still going—no surprise, given that their meetings often stretch to near or past midnight. Normally, at least items listed for approval on the consent agenda go quickly and require no discussion. But around 11:20pm, Councilmember Liesbeth Visscher announced an item Councilmember Brian McCarthy had pulled from the consent agenda: approving the minutes of a July 1 council meeting. He didn’t feel the confusing, back-and-forth banter of a 23-minute-long, multi-part motion about Locke-Paddon Park was accurately reflected, and that the minutes stated things that weren’t actually said by councilmembers, even if that’s what they meant. McCarthy wanted the minutes to be verbatim, “So when the [Monterey Peninsula Regional] Park District sees what we talked about, they know what a shitshow we are, quite frankly,” he said. “It’s messy, but we don’t get to rewrite history.” Over his objections, council voted 3-2 to approve the minutes, shitshow not included. BOOM AND BUSTERS…Squid oozed over to Northridge Mall in Salinas over the weekend to hit the arcade and a few pins at Round1. As Squid tried to leave, Squid got the jalopy stuck in circles in the parking lot, a sea of pavement and faded lines. This is especially true at the southern end of the mall, where the massive former Sears building has been vacant for five years. But it is starting to show signs of life. Squid is excited to see all the new businesses coming. Who’s not excited? The Northridge Mall itself. Among the new businesses is Dave & Buster’s, a national arcade and sports bar chain. On July 15, the Salinas Planning Department approved an alcohol permit for the business, yet 10 days later, a law firm representing mall owner Steerpoint Capital appealed the decision. (Despite being connected physically to the mall, the Sears building is under different ownership, Ethan Conrad Properties.) At a Sept. 3 Salinas Planning Commission hearing, Jason Jaffe, representing the mall’s ownership, called Dave & Buster’s a “literal half-acre bar” that will bring trouble to an area that already has a higher crime average than other parts of the city. Stephen Jamieson, the attorney representing Dave & Buster’s, suggested the mall was acting in “bad faith,” using “fearmongering” tactics by cherry-picking headlines about other locations around the country. The commission sided with Dave & Buster’s and unanimously denied the appeal. That’s one win for the tenant—let the games begin. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. The meaning of “market rate” has been questioned. SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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