12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 1-7, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com BUILD UP After years of waiting, watching the Hebbron Family Center near completion feels deeply personal for many of us who showed up to community meetings and shared what this space needed to become. Those conversations mattered, and the project reflects them (“The new Hebbron Family Center in Salinas is nearing completion,” Dec. 18-24). What stands out is how intentionally the new center was designed. It includes spaces that invite learning, gathering and connection. I’m genuinely grateful to City Council for sticking with this project through tough votes and budget decisions, and to Library and Community Services Director Kristan Lundquist and her team for the steady, behind-the-scenes work that turns community input into a real, welcoming place. The Hebbron Center has always been an anchor for Alisal, and soon it will be again. Victor Tafoya | Salinas CHART A PATH If the respective districts had been doing a good job of serving the students, there wouldn’t be a demand for charter schools (“County Office of Education to decide on a countywide charter school proposal,” Dec. 25-31). Too many of our schools have become self-serving instead of student-serving. Unfortunately the teachers unions are largely responsible for the degradation of our educational system, which is indicated by the poor achievement results in many, but not all, schools. I’m certainly glad we don’t have school-age children today. Robert McGregor | Salinas DOWN SHIFT Bummer, I like that shop (“Work Horse Bicycles’ owner is set to retire and close the shop Dec. 31,” posted Dec. 22). Scott Cunningham | Arroyo Grande Thank you, Frank, for years of business in Monterey. The biking industry hasn’t been good for a while. AJ Young | via social media Such a huge loss for the community. Dave Koesel | San Juan Bautista PATIENTS’ PATIENCE It sounds like Anthem Blue Cross is deliberately seeking to exclude this market, likely because it is not cost-effective for them (“Thousands of Anthem Blue Cross customers could lose in-network access to CHOMP by Feb. 1,” posted Dec. 22). Perhaps Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley Health should form their own insurance company for the non-medicare market, like they did with Aspire for the Medicare market. Walter Wagner | Salinas CLASS TIME Disappointing he’s returned. This is the standard we’re holding? (“A CSUMB professor who spent over two years on paid leave for problematic behavior returns,” Dec. 18-24.) Samantha Cairncross | Monterey I feel like some higher-ups there need to be more on top of it. Adam G. Lester | Monterey I liked his class. He’s a good person. People just don’t like hard work. Gina Grajewski | Santa Cruz VACANT SEAT It sounds like a sad loss to Sand City (“Sand City City Councilmember Libby Sofer resigns, citing high housing costs,” Dec. 11-17). Chris Swainson | Marina GIFT EXCHANGE Thank you for the mention of the Monterey Jazz Festival (“Squid Fry: Merry Squidmas,” Dec. 25-31). We are busy preparing to celebrate our 69th year on Sept. 25-27. We remain proud to be the longest‑running jazz festival in the world. Like many arts organizations, MJF faced challenges during the Covid era. In recent years, we also experienced leadership transitions. Yet, as jazz itself evolves through time, resilient, adaptive and endlessly creative so does the Monterey Jazz Festival. The organization is thriving, and fine tuning an exciting lineup for 2026. We invite your readers and jazz lovers everywhere to purchase tickets and be part of this next chapter in our storied history. Larry Williams | via email Note: Williams is Monterey Jazz board president-elect. INTO THE SEA Thank you for your thoughtful and comforting article addressing the tragedy at Lovers Point (“Today’s big local news story has been about a shark attack, but it’s really about loss,” posted Dec. 22). I swim daily at dawn at Lovers. I haven’t missed a day in over two years (unless out of town). Your words gave me the faith to get back in. Nan Johnston | Pacific Grove As a former open water swimmer, I don’t think you could have written a more beautiful and apt tribute to Erica and the creatures with whom you all share the sea. Daniel Slosberg | Los Angeles WHO’S TALKING Thank you Monterey County Weekly for sharing this information. It is very helpful (“A wine and restaurant influencer promises to help local restaurants, but then they say he turns on them,” Dec. 11-17). Christy Grothe | Spreckels Perhaps it’s time to retire the word “influencer” as we already have an appropriate word: Shill. Mari Adams | via social media “Influencers” should always identify themselves at dining and drinking establishments…so they can be charged double. Gary Bolen | via social media ON A ROLL Great place to eat! The food and service are awesome! (“A veteran sushi chef with a non-traditional spirit has revived Castroville’s Japanese restaurant,” Dec. 18-24.) Jody Beltran | via social media CORRECTION A story incorrectly reported the number of meals currently produced (“Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula secures a Seaside building to expand,” Dec. 25-31). The existing kitchen was designed to produce 300500 meals a day, as reported, but currently produces 3,000-5,000. 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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