SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT FLOCK FORMATION 6 | CAMPAIGN SIGN WARS 8 | ARTISTS EVERYWHERE 24 | EAT YOUR VEGETABLES 34 SALINAS VOTERS ARE ABOUT TO DECIDE WHETHER TO KEEP OR RESCIND IT WITH MEASURE H. P. 14 By Celia Jiménez and Pam Marino Q: Does rent control work?
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 • ISSUE #1990 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Mitchel Winick (iPhone 14) The Point Sur Lighthouse in Big Sur shrouded in fog on one of those magical foggy/sunny days. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Salinas voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to keep rent stabilization and other tenant protections in place or repeal it by voting on Measure H. A “yes” vote means repeal. A “no” vote means keep rent stabilization and its supporting ordinances. Cover photo: Karen Loutzenheiser 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. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. Milestone Communications, Inc. is a California corporation based in Seaside, CA. Shares of the corporation are wholly owned by Bradley Zeve, Founder & CEO, Carmel Valley, CA and Erik Cushman, Publisher, Pacific Grove, CA. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow.com. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jeanette Bent jeanette@montereycountynow.com (x132) 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 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) EDITOR/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Joseph Treviño joseph@salinasvalleynow.com STAFF WRITER/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Royvi Hernandez royvi@salinasvalleynow.com (x140) 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 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 SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 PACIFICLANDINGSEASIDE.COM KB BAKEWELL BEGINS MODEL HOME CONSTRUCTION ANOTHER QUALITY KB-BAKEWELL DEVELOPMENT 888-KB-HOMES SIGN UP FOR MORE INFORMATION TODAY
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH In July 2025, a farmworker died after falling from a greenhouse roof during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a cannabis farm in Camarillo. Jackie Botts, a freelance reporter who covered the raid for The Guardian, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with federal agencies, including ICE, earlier this year, asking for a range of records of the raid, such as warrants and body-camera footage. She was denied. On Sept. 3, Botts sued the government, demanding it release the records under the law. “Getting these records is crucial to understanding how these massive, militarized—and ultimately deadly—immigration raids unfolded and why so many details of the event remain shielded from public view,” Botts said. “The public—and the families ripped apart by the raids— deserve to know.” Attorneys with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press are representing Botts. “The public has a right to know how its government is carrying out an unprecedented immigration enforcement campaign,” Reporters Committee Staff Attorney Gunita Singh said. Good: Mark Thursday, Sept. 10 as a historic day for Carmel. That’s when street addresses officially went live for the first time in the city’s 110-year history. Residents resisted the change for many years in the name of protecting village character, but the march of time—and rise of tech, plus concerns over response times of first responders—led to greater public approval. The Carmel City Council finally voted 5-0 for the adoption of addresses in October 2025. A draft map was released in January—the final map was later approved by the U.S. Postal Service Address Management Service. On Sept. 10, Carmel City Hall went from “Monte Verde between Ocean and 7th” to 662 Monte Verde St. Postcards from the city to residents with their new addresses still need to be delivered. Property owners will have six months to display their new numbers in compliance with fire and building codes. GReat: Despite being approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors more than 20 years ago, the East Garrison district is still unfinished. On Saturday, Sept. 19, it will take a significant step toward completion. Monterey County Free Libraries will break ground on the East Garrison Library in a ceremony beginning at 10am. The 4,200-square-foot library, to be built on Sherman Boulevard across from Lincoln Park, will include a meeting room, outdoor space, EV charging stations and a sheriff’s field office. It is expected to open in 2028. “We are really excited to get this project started,” Library Director Hillary Theyer said. “We know this library will be a wonderful addition to the East Garrison community.” The new library will bring MCFL’s number of branches to 18 when it opens. The Pajaro branch is expected to reopen in 2027, while a new branch is slated to be built in Bradley. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The fine an unknown drone operator may face for operating an unauthorized aircraft in a temporary flight restriction zone in the vicinity of the Timber Fire in Big Sur. The violation may also include imprisonment for up to two years. Source: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office $20,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “[They] are more likely to make more catastrophic choices.” -Jacquelyn Schneider, director of the Hoover Wargaming and Crisis Simulation Initiative at Stanford, speaking about AI during a panel hosted by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (see montereycountynow.com/ newsletter).
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 The sound of birds chirping fills the air around the winding paths along wetlands with a view of the Natividad neighborhood that surrounds Ensen Community Park in Salinas. This new addition to the park is a 67-acre restoration area that opens to the public on Sept. 20, marking the second and most ambitious phase of an effort to transform the historic Carr Lake Basin into a public space serving both people and wildlife. The restoration project called for moving 180,000 cubic yards of soil and planting over 12,000 native plants and trees. The area adjoins the six-acre neighborhood park that opened in August 2025 to a crowd of more than 1,500 people. That first phase brought in a playground, basketball court, skate park, dog park, picnic areas, bathrooms and parking—all elements residents requested through a community engagement process led by the Big Sur Land Trust with the City of Salinas and local organizations. The new 67-acre section is built on the lower floodplain where much of the farming once took place. The restoration reimagines what used to be a network of straight agricultural ditches into a more natural system of meandering channels, seasonal ponds and native plant communities. “In a place where there’s a lack of open space and opportunities for families to be in nature together, this area is meant to be a refuge, for people and for wildlife,” Big Sur Land Trust Director of Conservation Rachel Saunders says. Over time, the 480-acre area known as Carr Lake was farmed by three Japanese American families: the Hibinos, Higashis and Ikedas, who became long-term stewards of the land. In the 2000s, the land trust began negotiating with property owners, eventually reaching a purchase agreement in 2016 with the Ikeda family, who owned 73 acres and were ready to move on. The land was acquired in 2017 by the trust, launching an eightyear journey of planning, design, environmental review and permitting. The project represents an investment of over $40 million. This funding comes from multiple sources, including nearly $8.5 million from the 2018 voter-approved Proposition 68 and additional public and private funding. Four state agencies backed the habitat area, including the Wildlife Conservation Board, California Coastal Conservancy, Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Program and California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program, together supporting an almost $18 million restoration effort. For educators, the site offers an outdoor classroom within city limits. According to Saunders, teachers have expressed interest in bringing students to the park to learn about watersheds, climate change, local wildlife and native plants. The site, with 19 bird boxes and nesting poles installed, is already attracting a diversity of bird species, including egrets, herons and avocets; 68 species have been counted. Interpretive signage will help tell these stories—not just ecological, but also human. Panels will highlight the Ohlone, Costanoan and Esselen peoples whose ancestral lands include this area, the Japanese American families who farmed Carr Lake and endured forced incarceration, beginning with a detention center across the street, Chinese laborers who dug the early ditches, and the farmworker communities who sustain the region. Some signs will incorporate Indigenous language and traditional plant uses, deepening the park’s role as a cultural and natural resource. Even after the grand opening, the work is far from over. The Big Sur Land Trust will transfer land ownership to the City of Salinas, but longterm habitat restoration responsibilities will stay with the nonprofit for roughly the next decade. Natividad hospital is located just across the street to the north. Hillary Fish, director of community relations for Natividad, says she already toured the area and is excited for the public to see the new additions and have a nearby place to walk. “It looks beautiful. Those who were involved worked hard on making [Ensen Community Park] a welcoming space for everybody,” Fish says. Restoration area grand opening 11am-3pm Sunday, Sept. 20. Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas. Free. (831) 625-5523, bigsurlandtrust.org. Land Locked Ensen Community Park in Salinas expands with a 67-acre restoration area. By Royvi Hernandez “This restoration area is meant to be a refuge.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE SARA RUBIN Big Sur Land Trust Director of Conservation Rachel Saunders walks on the 1.7 miles of trails in Ensen Community Park in Salinas. “This is really about bringing nature back to the middle of the city,” she says. There’s Value in Membership! Membership with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce means increased visibility, trusted credibility, and deeper community connections. Whether you're looking to expand, collaborate, or simply make a difference, the Chamber is here to help your business thrive. We invite you to be part of our award-winning business community. Join the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce today! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS It was an anonymous donor, a member of Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, who approached the Chancellor’s Office at CSU Long Beach about installing a vending machine that dispenses emergency contraception at CSU Monterey Bay. It came at a time when several CSU campuses were already installing “wellness vending machines” delivering everything from cold medicine and menstrual products to contraception. On Aug. 24, CSUMB’s first machine in a thirdfloor hallway of the Otter Student Union went live. The machine cost approximately $9,000. The CSUMB Health Promotion and Education office worked with the company Cadence to purchase its over-the-counter Morning After Pill at a reduced price. The university is selling them at cost ($10), which is about half the retail price. No identification is required. If money is an issue, students can ask for a code that gives them the pill for free. As of Sept. 14, 33 doses had been dispensed through the machine, according to Gary Rodriguez, assistant director of Health and Wellness Services. “Most of the sales the first week were people stocking up, which we encourage students to do,” Rodriguez says. The move to add wellness vending machines on CSU campuses began with Assembly Bill 2482, passed in 2022. It required five campuses to participate in a pilot program to dispense health and wellness-related products. By last year, eight campuses were using the machines, according to a CSU report. The first CSUMB vending machine is a test. If it’s received well, Rodriguez hopes to install another wellness machine with other products elsewhere on campus. Just in Case CSUMB officials install a machine dispensing discounted emergency contraception pills. By Pam Marino On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors was slated to consider signing a 10-year contract with the surveillance company Flock Safety, which had met pushback from community members across the county before and during the meeting. According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, the agency was prepared to move forward with the matter, “[but] we were presented with more than 30 questions regarding the proposed use of Flock Safety technology. Given the number and scope of those questions, additional time was necessary to thoroughly review the questions and provide thorough responses.” Those responses are expected on Sept. 22, when the supervisors are scheduled to revisit the contract. In 2025, after evidence showed that the Santa Cruz Police Department’s automatic license plate reader camera data was shared with out-of-state law enforcement agencies—a breach of state law—a grassroots community group formed, called Get the Flock Out, which helped to convince the Santa Cruz City Council to cancel its contract with the surveillance technology company and remove its cameras. Although the same state law, Senate Bill 34, was broken when the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office’s Flock data was shared with law enforcement agencies in numerous states in 2025, the use of the cameras continued. Now, with the Flock cameras posted all across Monterey County by various agencies, a Monterey County chapter of Get the Flock Out has formed to oppose the use of the cameras and specifically the decade-long Flock Safety contract proposed by Sheriff Tina Nieto. If approved, it would expand the network of the Sheriff’s Office’s surveillance cameras from 63 to 103 cameras in unincorporated Monterey County and cost roughly $2.8 million over the 10 years. “Many people think that these are just like the red light camera but they are so much more than that,” says Korina McKinley, a clinical social worker and founder of the group Roots of Resistance, which held a protest of the proposed contract on Tuesday, Sept. 15 in Salinas. The local Get the Flock Out chapter is the result of numerous organizations joining forces such as Roots of Resistance and PG Progressives. “Early on, when Get the Flock Out Santa Cruz was moving along, I was trying to gather that same kind of momentum here but it just didn’t work because we were so spread out,” says activist Colleen Ingram, who has long opposed local law enforcement’s use of the system. “People need a hub or an entity that they can go to that is dedicated to the cause and that’s why we wanted to make Get the Flock Out Monterey, to get people on board for this, because we have to continue this fight in every city.” In the Sheriff’s Office’s statement, Nieto encouraged community members to attend the Sept. 22 meeting, whatever their stance. “We have seen how this technology can assist law enforcement investigations in Monterey County, but we also understand that its use comes with questions and concerns,” Nieto said. “Those concerns deserve to be heard and addressed. Our responsibility is to provide accurate information, explain the safeguards that are in place and listen to the community we serve.” Co-founder of PG Progressives Colleen Ingram (above) and others have joined forces to launch a chapter of Get the Flock Out, hoping to get rid of Flock Safety cameras. Flock Off A community-led group forms to oppose law enforcement’s use of surveillance technology. By Aric Sleeper CSUMB’s first wellness vending machine, with the morning-after pill, is located in the Otter Student Union. Members of the public also have access to use the machine, located in a public building. “We have to continue this fight in every city.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 the right path to play. SEEMONTEREY.COM/RIGHTPATH Please be sure that whatever you pack in, you pack out. Protect the destination. Del Monte Grill & Cafe Travelodge at 2030 North Fremont September 29 at 5 to 6 p.m. Manasiri's Crepes & Sandwiches 321 Alvarado Street September 22 at 5 to 6 p.m. TALKS TYLLER with Have a question, idea or issue on your mind? Connect virtually or in person with Mayor Tyller Williamson. Monterey residents! Virtual Meet Up October 6 and 20 from 12-1 p.m. Learn more! Paid for by Tyller Williamson for Monterey Mayor 2026 FPPC #1487101
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com After posting campaign signs and a billboard a day before he was allowed to do so per local ordinance, Seaside mayoral candidate and current Councilmember Alex Miller was fined $7,000 by the City. “The City of Seaside’s responsibility is to administer and enforce its adopted municipal code consistently and without regard to the identity of the candidate involved,” City Manager Greg McDanel says. “The same political sign requirements were provided to all candidates, including the 60-day placement requirement. Code Enforcement issued administrative citations after violations of those requirements were observed.” Seaside prohibits displaying campaign signs prior to 60 days before an election, in this case, Friday, Sept. 4. After he was caught breaking the 60-day rule by posting 13 signs and a billboard 61 days before the Nov. 3 election, Miller has raised legal objections to the ordinance. He signed a statement on July 16 saying he understands and agrees that he is responsible for the placement of signs in keeping with city rules. Miller admits to signing the declaration but argues that the sign ordinance is unconstitutional and breaches the First Amendment. He says that he voiced opposition to the 60-day restriction to the city attorney “over a year ago.” Volunteers posted 13 signs on Sept. 3 so they would be up before Labor Day weekend. “My crew couldn’t do it on Friday morning, so from 8-11pm on Sept. 3, they put up the signs,” he says. “That means the signs were put up between one and four hours before it officially became Sept. 4.” According to a letter he penned to Seaside City Attorney Sheri Damon, Miller has filed a notice “regarding my intention to seek a temporary restraining order and other appropriate relief in federal court concerning the enforcement of the City’s sign regulations as applied to my political signs.” Miller points to past legal cases such as the City of Antioch v. Candidates’ Outdoor Graphic Service, which addressed Antioch’s similar 60-day political sign restriction, and other cases in which courts ruled the time limit unconstitutional. “If the Council imposes fines and doesn’t agree to examine the current regulations, then I will have no choice but to take this matter to federal court,” Miller says. “I hope the city will review the ordinance, address the constitutional concerns, and make sure the rules are clear and fair.” Rural residents in the Salinas Valley are eligible to receive free home water-efficiency assessments through the end of the year. The program builds on a similar initiative that has helped homeowners in North Monterey County. It provides personalized recommendations to help households save water, energy and money. Run by the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, it is part of broader efforts to support long-term groundwater supplies across the Valley. “The program supports all rural residential [in all six subbasins],” says Piret Harmon, general manager of SVBGSA. “It’s a subset of our groundwater users that are the most vulnerable because they have shallower wells, and if their wells go dry, we don’t have an easy way to help them.” Working with WaterWise Consulting, Inc. to conduct the assessments, the agency aims to build awareness of water-use efficiency among rural residential users, Harmon says. Unlike urban residents, who typically have public or private utility systems to support them, residents in rural areas are largely responsible for managing their own water use. Participants can have their faucets, toilets, showerheads and appliances checked for leaks and receive a review of their irrigation systems and pools for free. In many cases, water-saving devices can be purchased by SVBGSA and installed for free. One example of a simple water fix, according to Harmon, is the addition of an aerator to residential faucets. It’s a simple tool that helps save water by mixing air in the water stream without impacting the perceived pressure of the water. Assessments are offered 9am-4pm Monday-Friday and scheduled on a firstcome, first-served basis. Funding is limited—the agency has about $20,000 left—and applications will be accepted until capacity is reached. Rural residents can request an assessment by completing an application at svbgsa.org/demand-management/wepp. Bad Signs Seaside mayoral candidate Alex Miller is fined for posting political signs early. By Aric Sleeper NEWS BLOOD DRIVE Donate blood during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Then, take part in a walk to raise awareness for the ongoing need of blood donations. Blood drive: 9:30am-1:30pm Friday, Sept. 18 at CSUMB University Center, Building 29, 4314 6th Ave., Seaside. Register at redcrossblood.org and enter “HRCCSUMB.” Walk: 11am Saturday, Sept. 19. Begin at 1281 Broadway Ave., Seaside. Free. scaseaside.org. CLEANING CREW Join volunteers for the annual Coastal Cleanup Day. Save Our Shores organizes a number of cleanup events around the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Various times Saturday, Sept. 19. Locations across Monterey County. Free. Register at saveourshores.org/ coastal-cleanup. (831) 462-5660. FIX IT UP Repair Café Marina is a place to get broken or damaged household items fixed. Help reduce waste and practice sustainability. Handy volunteers are also needed. 11am-3pm Saturday, Sept. 19. Rocky Han Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. repaircafe.org/en/ cafe/marina-repair-cafe. VOTER ROLL Candidates for Monterey City Council and mayor share their views at a forum sponsored by Old Town, New Monterey and Monterey Vista neighborhood groups and moderated by the League of Women Voters. 7pm Monday, Sept. 21. Monterey High School, Room 20, 101 Hermann Drive, Monterey. Free. Send questions to mvneighborhood@gmail.com. BUDGET WITH A BREW City of Monterey officials host dropin sessions to share information about the budget. Voice your feedback directly to City leaders. 9-10:30am Tuesday, Sept. 22. Oystertown Espresso Bar, 281 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3940, monterey.gov/roadmap. TOWN GATHERING Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church hosts a town hall meeting for Pajaro and Las Lomas residents. Ask questions and express concerns about issues in the communities. 5:30-7pm Wednesday, Sept. 23. Sunridge Farms, 417 Salinas Road, Pajaro. Free. (831) 755-5022, glennchurch.com. CITY CHARACTER Share your thoughts on how to manage tourism in Carmel. The Carmel Residents Association, Visit Carmel and the Carmel Chamber of Commerce are gathering input through a survey. Survey ongoing unutl October at bit.ly/ CarmelTourism26. Water Savers New program offers free water assessments and fixes to rural Salinas Valley residents. By Katie Rodriguez Alex Miller was fined $500 each for 13 campaign signs and one billboard (above, on Fremont Boulevard) posted 61 days before Election Day. City code sets a 60-day limit. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “I will have no choice but to take this matter to federal court.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Men, whats your mask? The mask you wear to act out your life instead of living it. The mask you're ready to take off. For 39 years Breakthrough has offered tools that help men create lasting change and form true friendships. Workshop Enrollment is open now Fall workshops start October 2026 Monterey, CA in person & Online everywhere Financial aid available Free weekly Men's Wisdom Circle Wednesdays on-line. “Breakthrough has been the single best decision of my adult life.” – Program Graduate M.C. Sign up at: breakthroughformen.org Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 08/14/2026. 4.20% APY is for a 13-month term with a balance of $100,000 or more. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for the 13-month certificate is $100,000. 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. 081426-MTW Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Earn up to 4.20% Limited-time offer with a Term Savings Certificate APY1 H I L LT O P 871 JESSIE STREET 831-646-3975 EL ESTERO 777 PEARL STREET 831-646-3873 Pre-registration by appointment only. Please call the Preschool location of your choice for a registration appointment. Visit www.monterey.gov/rec for more info. learn - engage - play - socialize Tuesday – friday, 3 hours per day THE CITY OF MONTEREY must be “potty” trained years 3-5 for ages preschool p r o g r a m casaofmonterey.org I’m a Retired Probation O cer and a CASA Tony F. Monterey CASA volunteers are parents, professionals, students—people who once felt too busy. CASA becomes part of your life’s routine. You’re more ready than you think—become a CASA volunteer. Find out how you can impact the life of children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com After the Nov. 3 election, Salinas City Council may look very different, or it may be unchanged. Four incumbents are seeking reelection for mayor and council seats in Districts 2, 3 and 5. All face at least one challenger. In East Salinas’ District 2, long-time councilmember Tony Barrera faces Jose Guerra, a Monte Bella resident who regularly participates in local government and organizes monthly neighborhood meetings. He is not seeking endorsements in his campaign. “I am not really a politician, I am a problem solver,” he says. In South Salinas’ District 3, appointed incumbent Margaret D’Arrigo is facing Cary Swensen, a tutoring company owner and college instructor, and Brent Bagley, who says he wants to help move the city forward while preserving its historic charm. “I think Salinas is a town that is stuck a little in the past,” he says. In District 5 in North Salinas, Hartnell College trustee Irma Lopez is running against Councilmember Andrew Sandoval, a watchdog-turned-elected who has been the subject of recall threats and faced a censure from his colleagues partly for his regular use of social media to share information—and also to mock and question his opponents. Lopez did not respond to the Weekly. The city faces issues including high rents, overcrowding, homelessness and a backlog of infrastructure needs. Salinas, like many other cities, relies on voter-approved funding: Measure E, a half-cent sales tax was approved in perpetuity in 2012, and Measure G, a 1-cent sales tax Salinas voters passed in 2014. The latter, which generates some $34.5 million annually and funds 117 City staff positions, will also be on the Nov. 3 ballot for an extension before it sunsets in 2029. Residents have voiced frustration about how the city has managed Measure G funds since most of it isn’t used directly for street or sidewalk repairs. “We could be doing better to build confidence for residents,” Sandoval says. The three incumbents—D’Arrigo, Barrera and Sandoval—all voted to put Measure G on the ballot, and all support it. “We absolutely need that money for staffing, for infrastructure, for growth,” D’Arrigo says. Swensen and Guerra oppose Measure G because they feel the city isn’t using the funds for fixing roads. Bagley is skeptical of whether it will pass. “People get tired of paying again and again because they don’t see results,” he says. The council candidates are also divided on Measure H, in which voters will decide on Salinas’ rent stabilization and three other renter protection ordinances. (A yes vote repeals them, a no on H vote upholds them.) Sandoval, Barrera, Guerra, Swensen and Bagley all oppose Measure H and support rent stabilization. “Instead of my rent going up $200 a month last year, it went up $55, so that puts $1,700 in my pocket for me to spend locally,” Swensen says. Consistent with her voting record, D’Arrigo is a yes on H, in favor of the repeal. Run For It Seven candidates for three Salinas City Council seats disagree on a range of issues. By Celia Jiménez Cary Swensen is a third-time candidate for Salinas City Council District 3. She supports rent stabilization (a no on Measure H), arguing state protections for renters aren’t strong enough. NEWS “We could be doing better to build confidence for residents.” DANIEL DREIFUSS MyMCB Mobile Banking Made Simple. Secure. Wherever You Go. Download MyMCB Mobile Today! With MyMCB Mobile, you can: • Check balances and transactions. • Deposit checks with your phone. • Transfer funds quickly. • Pay bills on the go. • Set custom account alerts. • Use secure biometric login. Disclosure: MyMCB Mobile requires Online Banking enrollment and a compatible mobile device. Certain features such as Mobile Check Deposit may be subject to eligibility, daily limits, or processing times. Message and data rates may apply. Some account restrictions may apply. [MCB. 2026.0311 montereycountybank.com PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NEED OF COMMUNITY HOURS? JOIN THE STEPS PROGRAM THIS FALL AND RECEIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OR JOB OPPORTUNITIES. MEETINGS ARE TAKING PLACE IN SALINAS, SEASIDE, & SOUTH MONTEREY COUNTY. WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne bowed out of running for a second term back in April, and immediately Councilmember Hans Buder stepped in, announcing his intention to run, despite having two years left in his term. In June, his kickoff campaign party drew more than 200 supporters, including a number of influential city and regional leaders. With an impressive amount of support, it appeared Buder might run unopposed. As the August deadline to file candidacy paperwork approached, Byrne found a candidate to challenge Buder in David Boland, a banking executive. Boland says he never had any intention to run, but Byrne convinced him. “Dale made an impassioned plea for democracy,” Boland says. Historically, councils have appointed new members when there’s a vacancy rather than call for a special election, which could happen if Buder becomes mayor. “[Byrne] was basically saying, if we go down this path we will have a government by default as opposed to one that was democratically selected and that is what caused me to rise to this particular moment.” Buder and Boland are divided on a few issues, notably on Carmel’s housing element, which was recently amended by the Council after Buder worked with the citizen group Affordable Housing Alternatives. That group, concerned with the original plan that would put housing on cityowned parking lots, created ways to spread units throughout the city in an amendment passed by the Council in July on a 3-2 vote, with Byrne in opposition. Boland agrees with Byrne that the city should look to approve housing on the lots. Buder stands by the amendment. “I’m quite confident we’re going to produce real housing. I’m proud of the plan,” he says. In the council race, three candidates are running for two seats. Incumbent Alissandra Dramov is running for a second term, along with former councilmember Bobby Richards who served two terms from 2016 to 2024. Stefan Karapetkov, a member of the Carmel Planning Commission since 2023, is running for the first time. Karapetkov, an architect, says his time as a planning commissioner has helped him understand the issues. Like Buder, he wants to strengthen the city’s wildfire resilience. Karapetkov also wants to advance undergrounding utilities, as well as protect Carmel Beach from erosion and find solutions to the village’s parking challenges. Dramov says she wants to continue the progress made by the current council, including a deep dive into the city’s budget, which outlined $100 million in deferred maintenance, leading to a 10-year plan to resolve it. Voters will also decide on Measure M to raise the hotel tax and Measure N to raise sales tax. Dramov, Buder and Karapetkov support both. While Richards agrees fiscal responsibility is essential, wildfire safety keeps him up at night. He also wants to focus on infrastructure and preserving beach access. He supports Measure N and opposes Measure M. Pick Three In Carmel, two are vying for mayor and three council hopefuls are campaigning for two seats. By Pam Marino Councilmember Alissandra Dramov, the only woman currenty serving on the Carmel City Council, is running for a second term alongside candidates Bobby Richards and Stefan Karapetkov. NEWS “[The mayor] made an impassioned plea for democracy.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com DATA IS IN Shoutout to Royvi Hernandez for her captivating King City data-centerversus-pot-farms stories (“Council candidate sues King City over revoked cannabis permit—and pitches a data center,” Sept. 3-9). Data centers crowding out pot farms is like one set of smoke and mirrors replacing another. If we really have to choose between them, I know which side I’m on. And to those riding the data center bandwagon, I’d say: “Put that in your pipe, and smoke it!” Ben Slay | Marina We do not need data centers. I hope our community educates themselves on the negative impact data centers have on the environment. Numerous studies specify how the noise pollution is affecting not only the community around it but the ecosystem. We are in the heart of the ag community…can you imagine how much more water will be diverted to these centers?! Juby Sanchez | King City Cannabis is a good tax resource, but this guy didn’t get his way a couple years ago so now he wants to waste city money and sue them. He’s a lot of talk. Patrick Grindstaff | via social media We do not need a data center. Francine Fernandez | via social media MEASURE UP Marina’s voters are also being asked to approve a 7-percent utility user tax (UUT). Marina is one of the few cities that does not raise money from a UUT (“Three vie to fill the seat of Marina’s longtime mayor Bruce Delgado as he retires,” Sept. 3-9). What nearly all Marina voters agree on is the deplorable state of the city hall—rotting, mold-ridden trailers that were not even new 51 years ago. A new fire station is essential to provide safe coverage for the expanding city. The police station is woefully inadequate with rented parking space. These buildings are going to be replaced and that costs money. If Measure Q fails, then that money is going to come from somewhere else. Many promised projects will be under threat. Waiting longer to solve these problems will just mean they cost more later. Vote yes on Measure Q and ensure Marina has the public safety it deserves. Steve Lee | Marina For 50 years, Marina has deferred replacing aging public facilities. We cannot afford to keep waiting until a preventable tragedy forces us to act. Fire/police 911 response times now approach 10 minutes—twice the five-minute standard. Our City Hall staff work in 51-year-old temporary trailers plagued by leaks, deteriorating wiring, poor ventilation, mold and inadequate workspace. No Marina City Council in decades has addressed this growing problem. This is about taking responsibility for Marina’s future. Please vote yes on Measure Q. David Brown | Marina I shall unabashedly cast my ballot for Mike Moeller for Mayor, and for Athena Burciaga in District 4. Mr. Moeller, a handful of Marina citizens, and I have spent the better part of four years fighting and repeatedly contesting the questionable whims of our city council. Together, we have resisted the imperilment of Marina’s aquifers, compelled a chastened council to abandon its scheme for a second cardroom, tried to defend fragile habitats from the incursions of the SURF! busway, and challenged the fiscal appropriateness of the council’s audacious 900-percent pay raise. He is precisely the sort of fiercely engaged citizen Marina requires at the helm. Hand Ongchua | Marina Enjoy your retirement, Mayor Delgado. You’ve served your community, now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thank you for your service to our beautiful community. Robert Lopez Jr. | Marina ON THE TRAIL Sara Rubin’s informative article covering the Sand City pedestrian and bike path development presentation to TAMC is her second on this important project. This project merits our full support (“Sand City officials ask Transportation Agency to waive all charges for a pedestrian/bicycling path project on an old rail line,” Sept. 3-9). The present condition of the 100-foot-wide, mile-long, abandoned rail right of way from the Del Monte Boulevard/Canyon del Rey intersection to the SURF! terminal on Playa Avenue is unsafe and impassable. For Sand City to step up to the demands of planning the development through maintenance and policing this section of the recreation trail being created is sound stewardship of the property entrusted by the public. I hope the TAMC board quickly finds the path to yes to the lease requested by Sand City. Thanks to Monterey County Weekly for keeping us informed of this needed extension of our regional coastal trail. Mike Pekin | Seaside FEEL THE BLUES Awesome story! (“Playing and teaching for six decades, musician Stu Heydon has become an institution,” Sept. 3-9.) Ronni Alvarez | Monterey Much respect, Stu Heydon. Play on! Frank C. Eubanks III | Monterey LANDING PLAN As a boy, I thought Creekbridge in northeast Salinas looked as though it belonged somewhere else (“LandWatch’s leader of 10 years, Michael DeLapa, announces he’s ‘passing the baton,’” posted Sept. 8). Homes above shops, the ordinary business of living brought together. Why, I wondered, wasn’t more of our city like this? Many years later, I learned that LandWatch had championed that approach. My childhood puzzle became an appreciation for people who imagine what a neighborhood could be, then speak up for it. As Michael DeLapa closes 10 years leading LandWatch, I thank him for carrying that work forward. Michael, may your next chapter bring you joy. Victor Tafoya | Salinas RAISE A GLASS Their margaritas are amazing! (“Working with a beer and wine license, Carmel’s Hatch has a line of well-loved cocktails,” Sept. 3-9.) Astrid Jones | Marina 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.
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Last November, some 11.5 million California voters showed up to vote in a special election on redistricting. Prop. 50 was the Democratic State Legislature’s answer to a GOP-friendly redistricting process in Texas. In California, 64 percent of voters offered a resounding yes to a left-leaning gerrymandering equivalent. In Monterey County, 108,443 voters cast ballots in the special election, 69 percent of them voting yes. In much larger Riverside County, 56 percent of voters said yes to Prop. 50. Most of the 656,500-plus ballots cast there were seized in March by Sheriff Chad Bianco— also a gubernatorial candidate at the time—who claimed that election observers reported a discrepancy of more than 30,000 ballots. Four voters whose ballots were seized, and the California Attorney General, sued Bianco and Riverside County Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco. “The proceedings in this case raise critical issues regarding our democracy and election integrity,” according to the voters’ suit. “California law prescribes strict procedures as to who is permitted to handle ballots, the process for recounts and auditing of election results, the chain of custody of ballots, and who is legally authorized to count ballots.” The case went to the California Supreme Court on Aug. 24 for oral arguments. The case was accompanied by a friend-of-the-court brief filed by Monterey and Santa Clara counties, plus five county election officials elsewhere in California. They argued that allowing Bianco’s criminal intervention to stand would set a dangerous precedent for other counties. “Rather than bolster confidence in the results of the 2025 election, a recount conducted by untrained sheriff’s deputies could sow further distrust in the electoral process,” the brief states. “Conducting any sort of recount of ballots requires expertise in election administration. [Election officials] are approved, trained, and sworn for a reason: they have the sole responsibility of maintaining the ballot chain of custody.” I was curious about the chain of custody—not just because of this case, in which the County of Monterey is a participant, but because it’s part of a trend. The latest antics nationally involve new rules from the Trump administration to make the Postal Service’s role in moving ballots far more hands-on. (The Supreme Court struck down that plan in a Sept. 14 ruling.) Monterey County Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez prizes transparency, and agreed to show me around. A public observation area of glass panels (with mesh up top to allow sound through) invites anyone to watch any part of the process at the Salinas office of the County Elections Department. It’s transparent, but ballots are secret and the process is designed to manage both. “There are so many layers of security,” Martinez says. That starts with printed markings on envelopes that are unique to each voter. “If you call me and say, ‘I never got it,’ or ‘my dog ate it,’ I reissue you a ballot. It has your voter ID and an envelope ID that is different than the original.” The idea is to ensure just one ballot is counted for this dog-ate-my-ballot voter. The first step for accepting returned ballots is verifying signatures (this does not reveal the votes inside—and you can go hang out behind that glass partition to watch). Every signature is reviewed and validated by a human. If it doesn’t appear to match what’s on file, more humans look. If it’s still not matching, they call you. “A good security measure we have in place is we actually reach out to our voters and work with them,” Martinez says. By the time ballots are ready to be scanned, no names are attached. Tabulation can then begin after the polls close on Election Day. Any questions are reviewed by a team of two humans (also visible through glass) to interpret what a voter meant if, for instance, there’s a cross-out. Ballots from 219,000 registered voters move through this system, tracked and marked so election officials know which tabulator counted each one. “We have to keep it incredibly well organized,” Martinez says. This is the system Martinez and her team aim to show the public openly, so that voters believe their ballot has been counted—even in the face of various attempts to undermine that trust. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Campaign Season This election season, the voting process itself takes the spotlight. By Sara Rubin DOUBLE TAKE…Election season 2026 is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean it’s too soon to start gearing up for 2028. Squid came across a shiny new website for Bryan Hoskins, who has spent more than 25 years working in the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. (After an extensive career in investigations, he got fired in a bit of an overtime scandal, then sued the County of Monterey—and got his job back, offering some vindication—but he’s clearly not done waging battle with the powers that be, declaring his candidacy against his boss, Sheriff Tina Nieto, two years before her six-year term ends.) Squid is always ready to settle in to watch a long campaign, but as Squid started looking at bryanforsheriff2028.com, Squid thought something looked eerily familiar. Had Squid seen that photo somewhere before? A quick search took Squid back to a Monterey County Weekly story about Nieto with a photo that, to Squid’s eyes, appears almost identical—the lean on the desk, the hat and jacket hanging on the coat rack behind the left shoulder, the light shining through the blinds in the background. It is a remarkable likeness. One thing that’s a little bit different from the Nieto original is the gold stars on Hoskins’ collar appear slightly blurry. But still, Squid counted four—interesting, because the four-star insignia is for the sheriff only. Perhaps Hoskins wore Nieto’s uniform for a photo shoot in her office, but as they say in criminal investigations, the simplest answer is usually the best answer. In this case, Squid best guess is AI. SHALLOW DIVE…Squid would like to say that Squid remembers oozing around Lake El Estero in Monterey and enjoying the local flora and fauna and the sun shimmering off its surface, but it’s been a while since there was enough water for that. Weeds have been growing en masse. The last time Squid oozed by to go out for a paddleboat ride, not only was the lake an eyesore (and stinky), Squid saw that lakefront business El Estero Boating had temporarily shuttered due to the underwater overgrowth. A sign posted out front read, “It’s Monterey’s job to maintain Lake El Estero and it has not for two years…This forced our business to close, a loss of revenue for our business and also the City who we rent from.” It added that the business owners had to lay off their four employees. The sign noted they may possibly be able to reopen after winter rainfall. According to the sign, the City of Monterey is seeking permits to clear the weeds, but that could take awhile. In the meantime, Squid may just hop into what little water there is and put Squid’s tentacles to good use, but the waterfowl guano and smell may be just a bit too much even for Squid. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “We actually reach out to our voters and work with them.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Salinas is a city of renters; more than half, 52 percent, do not own their homes. And over the past five years, those renters have become an increasingly visible political constituency. Former councilmember Anthony Rocha, who represented District 6 from 2000-2024, spearheaded an effort to implement rent stabilization and tenant protections. The council approved a mandatory registry for rental units in 2022, then in 2024, followed with approvals for three more ordinances that impose stronger tenant protections from evictions and harassment by landlords than those provided by state law, and set a maximum 2.75-percent annual rent increase (or 75 percent of the consumer price index, whichever is lower), on qualifying units. It made Salinas the first city in Monterey County to implement rent stabilization, on buildings constructed pre-1995, citywide. And the policy discussion ignited a fierce political debate about housing with two defined factions crystallizing in defense of or opposition to the four ordinances. The policies became a defining issue in the 2024 election season, which saw a whole new council swept into power, with three incumbents unseated and replaced by members who opposed the rent stabilization ordinances. (They won alongside other candidates aligned on the issue. Those members are Mayor Dennis Donohue; Gloria De La Rosa, who ousted Orlando Osornio; José Luis Barajas; Margaret D’Arrigo, who unseated Jesus Valenzuela; and Aurelio Salazar Jr., who took Rocha’s seat. Only two councilmembers in support of rent stabilziation—Andrew Sandoval and Tony Barrera, both up for reelection this Nov. 3—remained.) The new council voted 5-2 to repeal those four ordinances, with Sandoval and Barrera casting the two dissenting votes. Two days later, Donohue convened a meeting in City Hall to announce an alternate plan to solve the city’s housing crisis. He appointed an ad hoc committee of himself, Barajas and De La Rosa to address the issue. Their task was to develop a $1 million-plus rental assistance program to help keep people housed; enhance tenant-mediation services; and expand outreach and education on tenant rights and resources. (Residents can apply for rental assistance via the Monterey County Office of Education or the nonprofit Echo Housing Program.) “The ordinances that were put in place, which were well intended, would have exacerbated the problem,” Donohue said in his remarks on Thursday, June 5, 2025. “The real solution is to build more housing…Salinas has a long history of coming together to directly address tough problems.” ••• Donohue’s announcement came just about 36 hours after the repeal, but another initiative was already underway. Even before the 5-2 vote to make it official, on April 22, 2025, council voted to proceed in the direction of a repeal. After the vote, supporters of the policies started booing and shouting “disgraceful!” and “shameful!” in the council chambers. Then they gathered outside and started talking about next steps. On June 3, after the official vote, the group Protect Salinas Renters began collecting petition signatures for a referendum. They gathered over 10,000, more than the 6,998 required, leaving council with options: rescind their repeal ordinance, or let voters decide. The council chose the latter, and voters will decide on Measure H this Nov. 3. (Pending the election outcome, the repeal was temporarily suspended, meaning the four original ordinances are currently in effect.) If Measure H succeeds, the council’s repeal will again take effect. If Measure H loses, the four renter-protection ordinances, including rent stabilization, will stay on the books. That would not, however, prevent a future council from amending those ordinances again. Rosa Gonzalez became a volunteer with Protect Salinas Renters in its early days, before ordinances were inked and approved. “I got involved because I could see working families gouged by high rents,” she says. “We know from talking to residents that negligent landlords are a problem, and people being afraid to ask for repairs because the rent will be increased—they are afraid to ask for anything from their landlords.” For that reason, advocates pushed The fate of rent stabilization in Salinas moved from town halls to city council and now to the ballot box. By Celia Jiménez HOME TEAM DANIEL DREIFUSS Gaye Freedman, 76, worries that she and her husband might be priced out of their Salinas apartment if rent stabilization and other housing-related ordinances are repealed at the polls.
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