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
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