14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FLYING HIGH This has been long overdue (“Monterey Regional Airport’s ‘metamorphosis’ project is underway,” March 5-11). Chris Sierra | Monterey UNDER FIRE Kudos also to Monterey-Salinas Transit, whose kneeling ramp buses, drivers and supervisors were on scene to transport the residents to safe shelter (“Fire at Casanova Avenue apartment in Monterey sends multiple residents to hospital, cause unknown,” posted March 9). They are going to need a lot of support in the coming days, so please donate to All In Monterey County! Kate Spencer | Pacific Grove SCHOOL BELL Established in 1951, Notre Dame High School has long been a vital part of our community, forming young women in faith, leadership and service. The decision to close the school—announced abruptly and without meaningful consultation with the community—has left many families shocked, distressed and searching for answers (“Notre Dame High School to close at the end of the school year,” posted Feb. 27). Guided under Canon 50, a decision of this magnitude should involve transparency, collaboration and a genuine effort to explore every possible path forward before concluding that closure is the only option. Parents were invited to a Feb. 26 meeting under the impression that it would be a meet-and-greet with the Bishop. Many of us attended with optimism, believing it would be an opportunity to share ideas and discuss ways to strengthen the future of Notre Dame High School. Instead, the meeting began with the immediate announcement that the school would close. Notre Dame High School was recently named Top Catholic High School of 2026 by Education Insider Magazine. When families chose to enroll their daughters at Notre Dame, we did so based on assurances that the Diocese supported a three-year enrollment growth plan. I respectfully call on the Diocese to pause this decision, engage in open dialogue and allow time to explore alternative solutions that could preserve the school and its mission. Our daughters deserve that effort. Linda Castillo | Salinas Note: Castillo is a parent of a freshman at Notre Dame. SMOKE OUT But their reaction times would be greatly compromised (“Monterey County planning commissioners discuss next steps to allow on-site cannabis consumption,” March 5-11). That = DUI. This lounge will kill innocent people, just like a bar serving too much alcohol. Peter Sariego | Monterey This assumes that everyone will be driving. I hate to break it to you, Peter Sariego, but Amsterdam has had places like this for decades, and DUIs are not a thing there. Aaron Dye | Salinas PAYMENT PLANS I enjoy your journalism skills, Pam Marino. Straight information, with insights from both sides (“A proposal to create a housing fund by taxing the sale of luxury homes heads to county supes,” March 5-11). Nancy Anderson | Vista, California Perhaps Mr. Pinterits [representing the Monterey County Association of Realtors] should distinguish between taxes on commercial properties vs. residential mansions when citing studies. His employer is anti all taxes even if the funds would go directly towards funding much-needed affordable housing we have few resources to build. Greed in the real estate industry and the obscene amount of dollars it pours into campaigns and lobbying efforts is partially to blame, as evidenced in the 2024 Salinas City Council elections. We may not be able to tax our way out of the housing crisis but we can prioritize prevention of more homelessness in our county, as others have, by at least requiring those that can afford to own $10-million-plus homes to contribute to the basic need of housing for those less fortunate. Esther Malkin | Monterey Note: Malkin is vice chair for the California Democratic Renters Council’s Central Coast region and a founder of Monterey County Renters United. CHILDREN FIRST Only the worst of the worst humans would abuse anyone, let alone someone disabled (“Seaside High School special education aide arrested for reportedly physically abusing student,” posted March 5). I hope the punishment is swift and harsh. Denise Kay | Seaside LIFE SAVERS Dr. Reb Close, you are such a blessing in so many people’s lives (“Local doctors are helping patients get off fentanyl with a pioneering treatment,” Feb. 26-March 4). Ashley Callaú Navarro | Pacific Grove HAPPY DANCE The location has historical significance (“Happy Girl surpasses fundraising goal. Owners now under contract to purchase the building,” posted March 3). The Granary was a natural foods store that opened in that space in the 1970s. It was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1997 (pre-Amazon). Not only did the Granary pre-date Whole Foods itself, it was older than any of its other acquisitions. Andrew Terry | Seaside CHOO CHOO Historic train museums are cool (“Salinas inches toward heritage designation of its transit center, hoping to increase tourism,” March 5-11). A hand cart tour along the historic coastal tracks would be neat too. Mike Moeller | Marina ON PITCH [Midfielder Adrian Rebollar is] one of the kindest individuals that has made a major impact for this club. He’s local and leaves it all on the table every time he’s on the pitch (“Monterey Bay FC hopes a new plan on and off the pitch pay off as the 2026 season gets underway,” March 5-11). Let’s go Union! Jeremy VanderKraats | Prunedale 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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