14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 19-25, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FARM WORK Sorry, but it’s not just farmworkers and their families. It’s the majority of us (“New report examines farmworker vulnerability in Monterey County amid climate, immigration and tech changes,” posted March 12). Aaron McDougal | via social media While the UCSC study on farmworker livelihoods in Monterey County includes some recommendations which ag has already been advancing, it relies on self-reported surveys and anecdotal interviews which makes the report prone to bias. For example, it suggests wages can fall below California’s $16.90/hour minimum wage, which would be illegal and is contradicted by broader, national surveys. USDA statistics show California field workers average $18.58 to $18.70 per hour. In the Salinas Valley, workers can earn over $30/ hour during peak harvest seasons. The study ignores California’s stringent farm labor protections, which have become a national model, and that farming costs have risen 44 to 64 percent in recent years due to increasing regulatory compliance costs. As price-takers in a competitive global market, farmers cannot pass these increasing costs on. Farmers prioritize a safe and equitable work environment for their employees. They value their workers and often exceed compliance standards to protect them. Housing costs, interest rates, inflation, tax levels, energy and gasoline costs affect all employees in our region, not just agricultural workers. The report calls for practical, equity-based solutions and longterm regional prosperity. We agree. However, we need accurate analysis and collaborative efforts on shared issues—not industry scapegoating. Chris Valadez | Salinas Note: Valadez is president of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. IN PARK They could probably charge more (“Carmel considers how to corral the Car Week chaos with a paid parking plan,” March 12-18). I like being able to go places without having to be stuck in traffic for two hours. Pedro Valencia-Gallardo | San Jose This is ridiculous. Was an RFP put out for this project?  CJ Howard | via social media What about people who have to work there and park downtown? Kelly Lynn Clark | via social media It’s always so difficult working in Carmel during this time. I hope this doesn’t make it worse to find parking. Catherine Ogas | via social media Wow. I never go there any other time of the year. I’m not made of money. This would 100-percent stop me from going downtown and ever visiting any stores. I like walking around looking at cars and shops and eating. You charge us to park, you can forget us supporting businesses. Isack Mickens | Sacramento OFF THE DOCK I love Moss Landing (“Freediving group finds a home in Moss Landing, where shipbuilders and conservationists work together,” March 12-18). However, any mention of this unique town needs to say, again and again: The lithium-ion battery facility no one knew was there and its explosion and fire last year left a 50-mile radius of heavy metals—nickel, cobalt and more. Reports by the EPA initially said contamination wasn’t bad but they only tested the surface soil, a totally inadequate method (“Moss Landing researchers release findings on heavy metals from battery fire,” Dec. 4-10). In spite of this, I will always support the town and any business here. To me it is what Monterey was 40 years ago—buying fish right off the boat, etc. Denise Kay | Seaside CAMP GROUNDED Profit above all else (“LUAC backs reconfiguration of two Big Sur campgrounds,” March 12-18). Cheryl “Rebelle” Robinson | Prunedale So much for “Keep Big Sur Wild.” Jen Randall | via social media LIVING HISTORY This was a great historical story about this region. Thanks to Pam Marino for writing it! (“Juan Bautista de Anza’s expedition 250 years ago was historic. Commemorating it today is complicated,” March 12-18.) Rosalind Burgundy | Monterey Great article. James Ryan | Monterey TRAVEL PLANS Off Path Enterprises, the company that owns Travel Off Path, also owns sites called Cancun Sun, Cabo Sun and Bali Sun. They have news on resorts in Baja and, of course Bali, Indonesia (“Squid Fry: Travel Ban,” March 5-11). In selecting sites to focus whole websites on, “They prioritize areas where they can build and sustain supporting online social communities to maintain reader interaction.” Interesting to speculate why they wouldn’t want to build us a social community, but from what Squid reports, if they’ve ever been here they didn’t stick around long enough to get acquainted. Arnold Seibel | Pacific Grove BREATHE DEEP Congratulations Del Rey Oaks and Pacific Grove on their A report card from the American Lung Association (“Two local cities, DRO and P.G., get an A grade for tobacco control,” posted March 17). If these two cities can do this, why can’t your city also do this? Send your elected officials a picture of your city’s report card. Ask them to improve your city’s grade. We all have a right to breathe clean air. Also, maybe someday soon we will ban the sale of cigarette filters to help protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Dale Hillard | Salinas Note: Hillard is a past chair of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Monterey County. YOUNG LEADER Cindy is the best! (“For Cindy AguilarCastañeda, community involvement started early and now she supports a younger generation,” March 12-18.) Paul Richmond | 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.
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