16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NOT FOR SALE I am heartbroken for Sylvia Jones and her family (“Friends of a Seaside woman protest her conservatorship and her home going up for sale,” Nov. 13-19). I am angry at the process that could yank someone from their home and force the sale of their home. I recognize we may not have the whole story, but why is this being rushed? So many questions. Forcing the sale of her home so quickly appears unjust on so many levels. Sharon Houy | Pacific Grove What is happening to Mrs. Sylvia Jones should alarm every resident of Seaside. An 88-year-old woman’s home boarded up, padlocked, and pushed into a rushed sale without real family input or community transparency, is not just unfortunate. It is a systems failure that hits our seniors, our Black families and our generational wealth the hardest. The community comments say what many already feel: Our systems are not communicating clearly, intervening early, or prioritizing dignity. People like Lisa Lewis, and the community and neighbors who protested outside the home are responding not to a single event, but to a pattern that is all too common in Seaside. This is bigger than one house. This is about how easily families lose property they spent decades building, often with no meaningful chance to understand, participate, or push back before the damage is done. Karla Lobo | Seaside This happens far too often. Be sure the person you choose to assist you in senior years is trustworthy. I hope she gets to keep her family home. Patty Cramer | via web WATER LEVEL Someone in the county approved plans to build in the flood zone. Now it floods. Residents now have a right to protect their property (“Where Santa Rita Creek crosses from county to city jurisdiction, stream management changes—and residents are tired of repeat flooding,” Nov. 20-26). Edward Nowak | via web Annual, predictable flooding, damaging property and causing costs. All because of a salamander? Another example of why Democrats are disliked and California easily caricatured. Common sense, the ability to prioritize and solve problems are nonexistent in this story, where we’re treated to a well-paid county supervisor lamenting, “You just can’t go and send out our crew to go clean this, because there’s state and there’s federal regulations, environmental regulations, that are extremely strict.” How absurd. Clean out the creek, maintain it annually before the rains. Even if it means a few dead salamanders. Peter Szalai | Salinas SAFETY FIRST Sad. Why does the state and county not do more to advertise situational awareness of these inescapable pockets that are death traps on our coastline? (“Search efforts continue for 35-year-old man swept into ocean at Soberanes Point,” posted Nov. 24.) Like a map marked in red zones that are higher risk—green, yellow, orange and red? Does that exist and where can it be found online on several state and county wide websites, tourist sites, state park sites…basically anywhere it will be seen by potential visitors as they plan their visits and research. Donna Ferguson | Seaside LOST AND FOUND Juan Heredia has strong talent, and a wonderful desire to help others (“The diver who found a 7-year-old lost at sea describes his process,” Nov. 20-26). Recovering the body, as sad as the death is, must certainly bring a sense of closure for the family. Diving in the cold ocean waters off of Big Sur is dangerous, and in high surf even more so. This and his other recovery efforts are very worthy events. Walter Wagner | Salinas He is amazing! Debbie Myers Bryant | via social media He’s definitely a hero! Erika Spencer Carpenter | via social media You can make light of what happened by re-directing attention to the skills of the diver, but the real crime is the negligence of park rangers who can’t be bothered to go out and monitor their beaches on big wave days. Three poor souls were swept to sea last Dec. 23. All could have been saved if they would be grown-ups and monitor their beaches when they know big waves are coming in. Jane Benight | via social media TALK ABOUT IT Loved your article on The Village Project (“How to reach young people with a message about mental health? Ask young people,” posted Nov. 12). I have two daughters, 19 and 28. While the oldest did not grow up in a social media world, the 19-year-old is. Her generation is going to need the most help from a mental health standpoint. She is a freshman at Monterey Peninsula College. I am always reminding her that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. I have been in therapy myself and both my girls are aware of this fact. It is nothing to be ashamed of. I have a few adults in my life who would benefit from some good therapy. Thank you for reporting on this very important topic. Darcy Sweet | Marina I want to know this good man (“Ayo Banjo believes everyone deserves to thrive, and visibility into the darkest corners helps us get there,” Nov. 20-26). Patricia Qualls | via social media GIVE AWAY Loved the article about the Glickmans. What a refreshing attitude! (“How a couple decided to donate 15 percent of everything they owned, and what it taught them,” Nov. 13-19.) What wonderful, caring people. Jean Duff | Seaside SEE THE SEA It’s so bay-utiful (“A new ‘night gallery’ on Cannery Row offers a deep dive into underwater photography,” Nov. 20-26). Patrick Webster | via web LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
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