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.
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