MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT FIGHTING FIRE LIKE A GIRL 8 | WHERE WATER GOES 14 | HOT DOGS AND STAND-UP 28 | FIDDLE STICKS 35 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • WHILE YOU STILL CAN. Our endorsements for local, state and national primary elections. 20 VOTE
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Sponsored by Party at the Plaza | June 5 La Dolce Vita | June 9 Soirée by the Sea | June 10 Boho Bites & Beats | June 11 experience the art of the plate in storybook carmel Immerse yourself in an unforgettable food and wine celebration at the 6th Annual Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week with four village-wide signature events and ongoing chef-curated menus, culinary experiences and exclusive offers at more than 30 restaurants. Join us for all the action in our storybook village and stay steps away at Carmel-by-the-Sea hotels and inns. get tickets at carmelculinaryweek.com sold out Soirée by the Sea at La Playa Hotel Carmel_Culinary_Week_Weekly_5.7.26_FullPg_9.5x11.32_Final.indd 1 5/4/26 3:02 PM
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 We are rooted here. We just branched out. montagehealth.org 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 much more than a hospital. And as we’ve grown, we’ve remained true to our deep roots — nonprofit, independent, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 • ISSUE #1971 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Ellen Jahn (Olympus E-M10 Mark IV) Happy spring from this woodland skipper butterfly, coming in for a landing on a thistle blossom at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: In the last midterm primary election, in June 2022, voter turnout in Monterey County was just 31 percent. Voting in California can be done in a variety of ways, with options to return ballots by mail (no postage required) or in-person at early voting stations at multiple locations. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss etc. Copyright © 2026 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) SENIOR STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da aga@montereycountynow.com (x138) STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER Aric Sleeper aric@montereycountynow.com (x127) 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, Jesse Herwitz, Luz Rimban, 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. NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe READ MORE NOW ONLINE NEWSLETTER Go to montereycountynow.com LOCAL NEWS EVERYDAY AT MONTEREY COUNTY NOW
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Salinas is the most populous city between San Jose and Fresno with 160,000 residents, 80 percent of whom identify as Latino or Hispanic, according to the 2020 Census. It’s our county seat and is the center of a $11.7 billion agriculture industry. Yet, its once-daily newspaper, the Salinas Californian, has been decimated to a shell of its former self under corporate ownership, while in 2025, KION’s Salinas newsroom was dissolved, leaving many stories in the city and the Salinas Valley going untold. Salinas Valley Now plans to help fill that void. The bilingual, five-day-a-week newsletter and companion website, a new project of Monterey County Now, will provide a local source of information for the city and surrounding communities that desperately deserve it. Two new editorial staff members and a half-time digital producer have been hired to take the lead on the project. Beginning Monday, May 11, sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox or via WhatsApp at salinasvalleynow.com. As always, reach out to us with news tips and feedback. QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The image that popped into my mind was a bridge. It’s still standing, but not for long, if we don’t act.” -Monterey City Manager Dante Hall, describing the city’s structural deficit (see story, montereycountynow. com/news). Good: It’s a good week for increasing the region’s nursing supply, with the announcement on Wednesday, May 6— National Nurses Day—that Salinas Valley Health is granting $1.5 million over three years to Hartnell College to increase the college’s nursing student capacity from 50 to 75 students. The grant follows a previous gift of $3 million from SVH to expand Hartnell’s nursing program. The new grant was announced at a press conference at Hartnell’s Nursing and Health Sciences building. It was hailed as a solution to meeting regional nursing shortages and expanding access to health care services for the community, as well as supporting economic mobility for students. The relationship between Hartnell and SVH goes back 23 years, with the creation of the annual Summer Health Institute, a program designed to expose high school students to health care careers. GREAT: It’s no secret Alisal Unified School District is home to creative students who perform in various groups, including drumline, folklorico, mariachi, cheer and Aztec dancing. They will soon have a permanent spot to showcase their talents to the broader community. On Wednesday, May 6, the district broke ground on its new Performing Arts Center at Monte Bella Elementary School, an 8,100-square-foot building with a performance stage with room for 200 seats, a media center, lobby, dressing rooms, storage and more. “There are very few elementary schools that have a dedicated performance space,” Associate Superintendent of Business Services Rais Abbasi said. “We live in an area where there are few cultural venues, and the community will draw enormous benefits from it.” The $8 million project is funded through the district’s general fund and grants. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many arrests Salinas Police Department made in 2025, an increase of 620 compared to 2024. The department received 133,086 calls for service in 2025, a 939-call increase over the prior year. Source: Salinas Police Department annual report 2,735 The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2 nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2nd The only CPA in this race! nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PA in this race! r before June 2 nd MOUSA, CPA ntegrity. Transparency. FOR CONTROLLER REY COUNTY LECT OR.COM rauditor.com 8606 ENDORSED BY gement Association (CEMA) Controller (Former) r-Tax Collector (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) ea (Former) tendent of Schools ember ember ember ing list of endorsements visit: usaforauditor.com eadership for Monterey County nce in governmental accounting, auditing, to ensure transparency and accountability n Qualifications (CPA) County of Monterey er, County of Monterey PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (former) To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2 nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) FOR Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2nd The only CPA in this race! nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PA in this race! r before June 2 nd MOUSA, CPA ntegrity. Transparency. FOR CONTROLLER REY COUNTY LECT OR.COM rauditor.com 8606 ENDORSED BY gement Association (CEMA) Controller (Former) r-Tax Collector (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) ea (Former) tendent of Schools ember ember ember ing list of endorsements visit: usaforauditor.com eadership for Monterey County nce in governmental accounting, auditing, to ensure transparency and accountability n Qualifications (CPA) County of Monterey er, County of Monterey in Government & Nonprofits) PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Dave Potter Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (former) To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2 nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2nd The only CPA in this race! nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PA in this race! r before June 2 nd MOUSA, CPA ntegrity. Transparency. FOR CONTROLLER REY COUNTY LECT OR.COM rauditor.com 8606 ENDORSED BY gement Association (CEMA) Controller (Former) r-Tax Collector (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) ea (Former) tendent of Schools ember ember ember ing list of endorsements visit: PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (former) To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2 nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2nd The only CPA in this race! nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PA in this race! r before June 2 nd MOUSA, CPA ntegrity. Transparency. FOR CONTROLLER REY COUNTY LECT OR.COM rauditor.com 8606 ENDORSED BY gement Association (CEMA) Controller (Former) r-Tax Collector (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) ea (Former) tendent of Schools ember ember ember ing list of endorsements visit: usaforauditor.com eadership for Monterey County nce in governmental accounting, auditing, to ensure transparency and accountability n Qualifications (CPA) County of Monterey er, County of Monterey in Government & Nonprofits) ssional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, erey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (former) To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536)
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 05/01/2026. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for the 6-month certificate is $500. The 6-month new money certificate can only be opened in-branch or by phone and funded 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. 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-GOLDEN 1 (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. 0526-MTW 4.00% APY1 for 6 months Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited-time offer Earn more with a Term Savings Certificate
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Lying on the ground is a 165pound dummy, made of bolted-together fire hose line, nicknamed George. Donning a firefighter’s coat, pants and helmet, 17-year-old Courtney Bajari steps behind George in a squat position to attempt to lift him up and drag him a few feet. As she positions herself, others garbed in bunker gear surround her and yell out words of encouragement. After a few strains and some corrections in her form from Cal Fire firefighter Maryann Holliday, Bajari is able to lift George up and pull him to “safety.” Bajari is one of 41 who were selected to participate in the fourth annual girls firefighting camp that took place on Saturday, April 25 at the Presidio of Monterey’s fire training facility in Seaside. Aside from lifting George, young women ages 14 to 23 participate in firefighter training evolutions, including forcing their way into a smoke-filled building for search and rescue, chainsaw training, rappelling out of a four-story tower, climbing a 100-foot ladder truck, donning firefighter gear and operating a fire hose line to extinguish a car fire. The camp was founded by Marina firefighter Athena Suich and Cal Fire engineer Meglan Enz, who are the heads of the California Fire Women organization, as a springboard for girls who are interested in a career in the fire service. “This is showcasing what the fire service is, what they can do and what it takes to be a firefighter so they can build that confidence to see that they can do it,” Enz says. “Think of it as a women’s empowerment camp,” Suich adds. Current Monterey Peninsula College Fire Academy cadets are also present to help with the camp. Their Fire Academy is a physically grueling 17-week course that trains students to earn a certificate and become eligible for an entry-level job at a fire department. The camp is free to attend, but recruits must apply. This year, 135 girls applied, meaning a little less than onethird of applicants got to participate. Those who did say it is both empowering and supportive for them, even if their end-goal isn’t to enter the fire service. In one drill, teammates work together to force entry through a metal door using a halyard and axe to rescue a dummy inside a dark, smoke-filled building. To begin, one trainee positions the halyard—a metal device with a wedge and spike—into the door jamb and yells, “strike!” to the other to hit it with the back of her axe. Daly City Fire Engineer Ashley St. Cin coaches them to be aggressive and firm with their commands. St. Cin is one of several out-of-area firefighters, from more than a dozen departments, who join to help run the oneday camp. “Strike!” she repeats louder, each time her teammate hitting the tool harder until the door gives way. Both enter the building as breathable vapor smoke pours out to conduct a search. After about three or four minutes, the trainees emerge with not just one but two dummies to the delight of the watching MPC fire academy cadets. “Everyone here started out timid,” St. Cin says. “I love seeing the confidence build in one session.” At the end of the day, families of the girls are invited to watch what their daughters, nieces and granddaughters learned since dropping them off at 7am. A fire truck rushes onto the scene while parents watch, blaring lights and sirens toward a burning mock-up car—the flames are real and controlled by propane. “We got to see her do everything,” says Veronica Gonzalez, whose 18-year-old daughter is training to be a volunteer firefighter with South Monterey County Fire Protection District. With the help of a professional firefighter, three girls take a hose line and blast the car with water to extinguish the fire. The final task is the ladder climb, where five girls ascend 100 feet in the air together on their own fully extended ladder truck. When they all reach the top of their respective ladders, a group on the ground calls out, “Big dogs, big dogs! Woof-woof-woof!” as everyone cheers what they’ve accomplished. “By the end of the day, you’ve got some fire cadets,” Suich says. Female Flames A fourth annual camp is held for young women to experience what it takes to become firefighters. By Sloan Campi “I love seeing the confidence build in one session.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE ROBERT DANIELS JR. Participants in the day-long girls firefighter camp on April 25 extinguished a burning vehicle, among other hands-on exercises. TO SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES Monterey County Weekly in partnership with the Monterey County Area Agency on Aging will publish a directory of local professionals who provide services to seniors, people with disabilities and family caregivers. Living Well: Aging and Disability Resource Guide highlights agencies and companies in many fields including healthcare, housing, financial services and education. REACH OUT AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com Living Well BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® Living Well 2025-2026 BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® BILINGUAL GUIDE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE GUIDE GUÍA DE RECURSOS SOBRE ENVEJECIMIENTO Y DISCAPACIDAD Published by AREA AGENCY ON AGING FREE | GRATIS cover_LW25.indd 2 5/15/25 12:58 PM BILINGUAL GUIDE AD DEADLINE May 8
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS The Watsonville Law Center has provided free legal services for over 25 years on issues including immigration, labor and housing, serving low-income families in the tri-county area of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. “Watsonville, in our name, does not mean that that’s the only service area,” Executive Director Adriana Melgoza says. Nearly 50 percent of clients come from Monterey County, leading the nonprofit to consider opening a satellite office for a couple of years. Now, the organization is actively searching for an office in Salinas to get closer to its clients and provide them with a space where they feel comfortable to ask questions and discuss their cases. Leaders also plan to hire up to five employees including two attorneys and a community engagement coordinator. The new office could be open as early as July. Currently, staff regularly hold clinics in Monterey County but say those are not enough to keep up with the demand. The nonprofit offers walk-in appointments twice a week in its Watsonville office, and up to 150 people show up for those weekly. Demand for services spiked since President Donald Trump was re-elected, Melgoza says. To keep up with the demand, they hired more employees, going from 10 to 16 staffers. “We’re non-federally funded, so we’re able to serve our community regardless of immigration status,” Melgoza adds. The Watsonville Law Center is open to partnering with other organizations and potentially sharing a space. “We know that doing a holistic approach to care for a community member is the best way to make sure the services are maximized,” Melgoza adds. At Your Service Watsonville Law Center plans to expand its physical footprint into Salinas. By Celia Jiménez Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula received its second C grade in a row from independent nonprofit The Leapfrog Group on Wednesday, May 6, despite promises from officials at CHOMP’s parent company, Montage Health, that last fall’s C was due to documentation failures and would rise with the spring report. Although CHOMP’s numbers— taken from data spanning from mid2022 through 2025—did improve in some areas in the spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, including effective leadership, hand hygiene and catheter-related urinary tract infections, they fell in others. “Communication about Medicines” did slightly worse and the number of incidences of infections rose in at least three areas: surgical site infections from colon surgeries; MRSA, caused by a type of staph bacteria; and C.diff bacterium. “Patient safety is our highest responsibility. When our performance does not fully meet the expectations we set for ourselves, we believe it is essential to acknowledge it, learn from it and take meaningful action,” according to a statement from a Montage spokesperson. “While our underlying safety performance score has improved since the previous reporting period, we still have more work to do and we take that responsibility very seriously.” Some actions taken include restructuring CHOMP’s Quality Management Department, investing in infection prevention staffing, bringing in subject-matter experts to its Quality Committee and expanding participation in the Patient & Family Advisory Council. “The work is ongoing and we will continue to measure, monitor and report our progress,” the spokesperson said. The Leapfrog report also listed data in areas not used to calculate the grade, reported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The data showed slight increases in the number of bed sores and collapsed lungs, as well as in several areas of post-operative complications, including an increase of sepsis. CHOMP, identified by the California Office of Health Care Affordability as one of the highest-priced hospitals in the state, received As in earlier years, then Bs from spring 2023 to spring 2025, before falling to a C last fall. The county’s other large hospitals, Natividad and Salinas Valley Health, have each received two As in a row, with Natividad receiving As since fall 2024. CHOMP has achieved high marks from Healthgrades, a health care comparison database, which evaluates data from Medicare and other sources, focusing on outcomes. (Leapfrog includes in its analysis preventable errors, injuries and safety protocols.) It was recently named by Healthgrades among “America’s 250 Best Hospitals.” Meanwhile, Montage continues to expand its real estate portfolio. Montage Health Properties purchased Carmel Rancho Shopping Center at 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd. for $37.5 million, with plans to build a medical campus in the future. “Purchasing this property allows us to bring services together in a more efficient, lower‑cost setting outside the hospital, which directly supports better access and more affordable care for patients,” says Daniel Chibaya, a Montage vice president and chief operating officer. Montage Health Properties recently purchased the Carmel Rancho Shopping Center, home to a MoGo Urgent Care, for a future medical campus in Carmel. Report Card CHOMP gets a second C grade over patient safety issues as its parent Montage continues to grow. By Pam Marino Adriana Melgoza is executive director of the Watsonville Law Center, which has seen a spike in demand for free legal services. Melgoza has also been a vocal leader for immigrants’ rights. “We still have more work to do.” PAM MARINO DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 The Marina Station Real Estate Team, in partnership with Monterey Coast Realty Copyright © 2025 Marina Station. All rights reserved. Homes and community information are subject to change without notice. Photos are for representational purposes only. CA DRE license #01871677. Equal Housing Opportunity. Realize Your Dream Home on the Monterey Peninsula EXPLORE THE BRAND-NEW COMMUNITY AND VIEW INTERACTIVE FLOOR PLANS AT LIVEMARINASTATION.COM
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com As President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda continues, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revived a proposal that could impact mixed-status immigrant families. “The proposed rule seems intended to send the message that immigrants, regardless of status, are not welcome,” a group of attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation wrote in a letter to HUD. In February, HUD proposed to request proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status for all family members who are receiving federal housing assistance, including Section 8, to close “loopholes.” The change would require proof of citizenship (which is currently self-attested under penalty of perjury). Landlords and public housing authorities would verify it using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement, or SAVE, where applicants would submit proof of eligibility. Housing advocates say it would make it more difficult to apply, mostly impacting minorities, children, the elderly, domestic violence survivors and people with disabilities. According to HUD, the changes would impact 55,100 eligible individuals from mixed-status households, in which not everyone has legal status. The California Association of Housing Authorities opposes the change and notes that 36 percent of the impacted families, or 7,190, are in California. The Housing Authority of the County of Monterey estimates that 99 people in 81 families could be affected by the policy change, about 2 percent of local families receiving assistance. HACM Executive Director Zulieka Boykin says affected families would have a difficult decision to make: either split their family if not all members of the household have legal status, or leave the program, which could result in homelessness. “If the child is the only one that is a citizen, that whole family will have to come off the program. With the price of rent—especially here in Monterey County—that would really hurt that particular family,” Boykin says. Current policy allows mixed-household individuals to apply for benefits and receive a prorated amount for those who qualify (similar to other federal programs such as CalFresh and MediCal). A public comment period closed on April 21. A similar proposal failed in 2019 after the majority of 30,000-plus comments, 95 percent, were against the measure. Monterey County recipients of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in California as CalFresh, are getting a reprieve from a work requirement in order to receive food benefits until Oct. 31, thanks to a federal waiver granted to seven counties based on economic reasons. The rest of the state must follow the requirement beginning June 1. The waiver was granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to those counties that could show certain criteria. In Monterey County’s case, officials proved the county experienced an average unemployment rate of over 10 percent for a three-month period from January to March 2025. The county’s rate for that period was 10.2 percent. Only “able-bodied adults without dependents”— known as ABAWDs—are directly impacted by the work requirements. Of the more than 55,000 CalFresh recipients in the county—over half are children—about 8,700 will be subject to the requirements, said Department of Social Services (DSS) Director Roderick Franks, during a press briefing on Tuesday, May 5. Starting Oct. 31, those considered ABAWD will have to prove they are either working every month for at least 80 hours, be engaged in volunteer work or be enrolled in school or a training program. Those with ABAWD status who do not meet the work requirement will be limited to three months of assistance. DSS is already preparing recipients who are seeking renewals, or people applying for new benefits, when they are interviewed. A formal notice will be sent 30 days before the requirements officially begin. “It’s not going to be abrupt—one day you wake up and it’s cut off,” said Aaron Callihan, a DSS eligibility supervisor. In addition, DSS is ramping up its collaboration with the state CalWorks program, which helps recipients gain training, assists with job searches and even provides paid work experience, among other services. Out House A proposed change to housing assistance would split mixed-status families. By Celia Jiménez NEWS RUNNING THE RIVER Landowners and growers along the Salinas River are invited to a workshop about local river management. Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback on future plans. 9-11am Thursday, May 7 at Braga Fresh Training Room, 32898 San Vicente Road, Soledad. 9-11am Friday, May 8 at Agricultural Center conference room, 1432 Abbott St., Salinas. Free. bit.ly/SalinasRiverWorkshops. FACE OFF District 2 Supervisor candidates Glenn Church and Ramon Gomez take part in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Monterey County. 7:30-8:45pm Friday, May 8. Japanese School House, 11199 Geil St., Castroville. Free. lwvmryco.org. ON TRACK Share feedback on the future of the Salinas Train Station. The City of Salinas hosts a workshop to share current planning efforts. 5:30-6:30pm Monday, May 11. City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov. FOREIGN POLICY The Leon Panetta Lecture Series returns for its third session of the season. Speaking at the forum will be former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. 7pm Monday, May 11. Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. $100. (831) 582-4200, panettainstitute.org. IN THE PUBLIC Salinas City Council meets to discuss city business and accepts public comment. 4pm Tuesday, May 12. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org. DRUG-FREE Local students, community leaders and public health experts convene to highlight efforts to prevent substance use among youth. The symposium is presented by Montage Health’s Ohana program, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Drug-Free Communities. 5-7pm Tuesday, May 12. Ohana, 6 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Monterey; also streamed online. Free; RSVP by May 11. bit.ly/OhanaSymposiumMay12. TALKING P.G. Pacific Grove Mayor Nick Smith presents the State of the City address. 6pm Wednesday, May 13. Council Chambers, 300 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Also via Zoom at cityofpacificgrove.org/Zoom_CC. Free. (831) 6483100, cityofpacificgrove.org. Temporary Reprieve Monterey County CalFresh recipients get a waiver on a federal work requirement until fall. By Pam Marino Portola Vista, a senior housing complex in Monterey, is owned by HACM. Its tenants would be subject to the proposed immigration status check if the policy is approved. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “That would really hurt that particular family.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MAY 7-13, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Clear, effective human interactions build trust. Nurbli’s person-to-person translating is performed by trained, vetted translators from your community who understand local nuances and dialects. No more prompting AI bots, or choosing a language from a dropdown menu. On-demand, onsite translation at the most critical moments: • In Person • By Phone Nurbli supports Greenfield Union School District with more than 1,800 interpretations, 200 audio flyer translations, and a 200% increase in workshop participation district-wide.* From the classroom to the emergency room, build trust through clarity: *During the 2025-2026 school year © Nurbli • On Video • Documents translated to audio for oral languages NURBLI’S TRANSLATION PLATFORM IS HUMAN POWERED BECAUSE AI BOTS DON’T EXACTLY RADIATE TRUST. Contact Benito Sanchez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, to discuss your needs. HUMAN-POWERED TRANSLATION ON DEMAND • ONSITE nurbli.com benito@nurbli.com School Districts Healthcare Providers Law Enforcement Social Services / Nonprofits City / County Government Legal compliance, IEP accuracy, budget justification, avoiding liability from failed interpretation Patient communication, consent forms, diagnosis accuracy, regulatory requirements De-escalation, court appearance accuracy, community trust, liability protection Family engagement, service delivery, grant compliance, community impact Public meetings, resident services, equity and inclusion mandates SEASIDE’S FINEST THIN CRUST PIZZA SOURDOUGH PIZZA SALADS &CALZONES • • DRAFT BEER • • DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE news talk insight a community service of CSU Monterey Bay
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 7-13, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com After decades of water scarcity in parts of unincorporated Monterey County, new water supply from Pure Water Monterey is poised to open the tap. The question is how that water will be tracked and allocated to new projects. On April 19, County Planning Commissioners discussed a draft water allocation policy that outlines a framework for delivering water to California American Water service areas in unincorporated areas within the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. These areas include parts of Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, the Highway 68 corridor, Jacks Peak and more. The draft policy, set to return to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 13 before heading to the Board of Supervisors for possible adoption in June, seeks to shift water allocations away from a historically first-come, first-served basis to a more structured process. The goal: to fairly distribute the new water supply while also supporting the County’s housing and economic development goals. “We’re dealing with the fact that there’s possibly a limited amount of water to do something, and we don’t know what,” Planning Commissioner Martha Diehl says. “It hasn’t worked like that. It’s a change of state.” For decades, an over-reliance on the Carmel River resulted in a cease-anddesist order against Cal Am, effectively halting new water connections and stalling development since 2009. However, water from Pure Water Monterey’s expanded advanced recycling project, completed in 2025, has reduced reliance on the Carmel River. The tension, evident at the Planning Commission meeting as developers and land-use attorneys spoke at length, centers on how restrictive the County should be in allocating this supply, particularly for individual homeowners looking to build or add smaller features like a bathroom. “The mistake people make is assuming this is the only allocation we’re going to have,” says Dave Stoldt, MPWMD general manager. “The idea was to give every jurisdiction enough water to get started, and then see which jurisdictions are actually committed to growth and housing and so forth.” As proposed, the draft policy allocates 80 percent of the water to projects that include affordable housing, 15 percent to first-come, first-served projects, and 5 percent reserved for “special decisions” by the Board of Supervisors. Within the housing allocation, smaller units like ADUs as well as those that meet density and affordability criteria would be prioritized. MPWMD officials along with developers argue that the proposed water limits don’t reflect real-world needs. “I think they’re overly restrictive with their draft policy,” Stoldt says. Some land-use attorneys pushed for a more streamlined process so that developers can determine how much water would be available earlier in the permitting phase to protect investments. “What’s at stake really, is the ability of people to use their property and use water like you would everywhere else,” attorney Tony Lombardo says, “and whether there will be an artificial limitation on the use.” On Tap A draft allocation policy aims to structure where new water supply should go in parts of unincorporated Monterey County. By Katie Rodriguez Attorney Tony Lombardo says projects such as this 29-unit residential development in Laguna Seca Office Park should not have to restart the application process under the new water policy. NEWS “I think they’re overly restrictive.” DANIEL DREIFUSS www.porrasforstudents.com Ralph4MontereyCOE@gmail.com Paid for by Porras for School Superintendent 2026; FPPC #1483847 A POSITIVE VISION FOR EVERY STUDENT Dr. Ralph Porras is committed to preparing our students for a technology-driven world through innovation and creativity. By bringing community voices together, he will build the support systems students need to thrive in a diverse and changing world. SERVICE AND EXPERIENCE • Current Deputy Superintendent, Monterey County Office of Education. • 16-Year District Superintendent, Pacific Grove Unified. • Doctorate in Collaborative Leadership (UC Santa Cruz). • Former Classroom Teacher and Administrator K - 12 • First 5 Monterey County Commissioner COMMITMENT TO ACTION: • Student Safety & Well-being: Expanding robust mental health programs and strengthening the Safe and Healthy Schools Coalition. • Empowered Voices: Creating a countywide Student Voices forum to elevate student leadership and perspectives. • Career Readiness: Expanding technical education pathways and career exploration tools for all students. • Staff Excellence: Designing initiatives to recruit and retain the best teachers while focusing on early literacy and math. • Robust Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration with state and local agencies to broaden support systems. The Experience We Need For The Future We Want! For Monterey County Superintendent of Schools 36 Years of Dedicated Service to Students Every Student, Every School, Every Day! SUNDAY, MAY 10 | 3:00 PM SUNSET CENTER, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave. Carmel-By-The Sea For Tickets Go to: www.youthmusicmonterey.org Works by Strauss II, Vivaldi, Haydn, Beethoven, Bizet, Dvorak, and Gershwin
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==