OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT ART FOR THE DEAD 8 | DESAL’S BIG PRICE TAG 15 | MAGNETIC PERSONALITY 40 | DRINKS WITH AN EDGE 43 Local leaders are looking for urgent solutions. p. 20 By Katie Rodriguez Big Sur: At a Breaking Point?
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com H YES ON MEASURE LOWER RENT MORE HOUSING STRONGER SALINAS THE WEEKLY RECOMMENDS YES ON H SALINAS POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION SALINAS VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTEREY COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS “Salinas needs more housing.” — MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY EDITORIAL BOARD REPEALS THE REGISTRY “A yes vote repeals four ordinances: a rental registry, enacted in 2022...” We completely agree. STATE RENTER PROTECTIONS STAY “A yes vote would send Salinas renters back under state law: Assembly Bill 1482’s 5-percent-plus-CPI cap...” ✔ Real support for affordable housing. New workforce and affordable housing in Salinas, starting now. ✔ Emergency rent funds. So a bad month doesn't become an eviction. ✔ End the rental registry. No government database of renters' personal information. ✔ Cash deposit assistance. Help with the biggest barrier to getting into a home. ✔ Strong protections, kept in place. Every renter keeps AB 1482’s statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction protections. Ad paid for by Protect Salinas Residents 2026 – Yes on Measure H Ad Committee’s Top Funders UDR, Inc. California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC THESE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT YES ON MEASURE H THE RENTERS’ DATABASE: The city’s on line registry holds personal information on every renter household in Salinas. No one asked renters, and there is no way to opt out. See the proof at ProtectSalinasResidents.com. Yes on H ends it for good. WHAT YES ON H DELIVERS VOTE YES ON H NOVEMBER 3 Protect SaIinas Residents.com PROUDLY ENDORSED BY MONTEREY COUNTY ENDORSED BY
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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 • ISSUE #1996 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Li Liu (Nikon Z9, 840mm/f5.6, 1/25s, iso 640, two photos focus stacking) The moon sets behind the silhouette of pelicans early in the morning at Bird Rock in Pebble Peach. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Big Sur draws visitors for its sweeping natural views, but overtourism poses challenges to those very same views. Decision-makers are trying to help solve the problem. Cover art: 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. 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 WRITER Chrissa Olson (California Local News Fellow) chrissa@montereycountynow.com (x130) 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 OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Championed historic City reserves totaling $42.8 million, balanced the FY 2026–27 budget through $4.6 million in spending reductions, and launched the Roadmap to Resilience, a community-driven effort to bring residents into the conversation about Monterey's budget and financial future. OPENING THE DOORS TO CITY HALL Established City Council term limits and campaign contribution limits, and welcomed a record of new and diverse voices to City boards, creating more opportunities for residents to help shape Monterey's future. Launched HaveYourSayMonterey.org and the My Monterey Gov app to make it easier for residents to participate in local decisions and access City services. tyllerformonterey.org Serving Monterey With Gratitude and Pride Paid for by Tyller Williamson for Monterey Mayor 2026, FPPC #1487101 What we’ve accomplished together: INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY Increased the Police Department budget by 44% since FY 2021–22, invested millions in emergency response vehicles and forest fuel reduction to protect our forested neighborhoods, and we brought together hundreds of residents and wildfire safety experts to strengthen community preparedness. BUILDING A BETTER MONTEREY More than 80 miles of Monterey roadways improved through voter-approved Measures P and S! Let's keep it up! As Chair of Monterey One Water, helped lead the expansion of Pure Water Monterey to secure our region's water future, and adopted the Housing Element, a comprehensive plan to create more housing opportunities for residents of all income levels.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Three news organizations—CNN, MS NOW and Politico—have taken the Trump administration to court over the president’s decision to bar reporters from the White House. Now, a new group has entered the fight: the general public. On Oct. 26, six citizens filed a lawsuit against Trump over the ban, saying the ban violates the public’s right to independent reporting about the government. The Knight First Amendment Institute filed the lawsuit on behalf of the citizens, along with the Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School. “The First Amendment protects the public’s right to know what its government is doing,” Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, told the Associated Press. “The White House cannot decide what information Americans receive by punishing critical reporting.” The suit calls for an injunction that protects news outlets against retaliation from the White House. A statement from the White House contended that the media “are completely capable of reporting their manufactured stories from directly outside.” Good: South County residents now have closer access to legal services, thanks to the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office opening a satellite location in Greenfield on Oct. 27. The office, located within Greenfield’s Civic Center, assists clients with cases, conducts interviews/ investigations and connects them to other services, including expunging records or immigration guidance. The public defender’s office chose Greenfield for several reasons: It’s relatively central among South County communities, experiences high crime rates and has a large immigrant population. “South County residents have faced a lot of transportation and access barriers when trying to reach our Salinas office,” Chief Public Defender Raymond Buenaventura says. The new location, he says, “ensures that people can receive timely legal assistance, along with the support that promotes stability in their lives.” GREAT: The Soledad Unified School District reached a milestone on Oct. 27 when it celebrated the opening of its first workforce housing. The 20-unit staff housing development is located in Soledad’s downtown area and within walking distance of some schools. It also has several amenities, including a residents’ lounge, a library room and private on-site parking. “This is in the perfect location to get you to anywhere you want to go in town,” SUSD Superintendent Deborah Gorgulho says. The district’s housing was funded by Measure N, a $13.75 million bond voters approved in November 2020. The units will be available for district employees and will be rented out below market rate. The district received more than 50 applications. New teachers and coworkers rooming together were placed higher on the priority list to get a home. The new tenants will move in to their new digs in November. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much the arts and culture sector in Monterey County is estimated to contribute in economic activity, supporting 8,000 full-time jobs. Nationwide, the arts are a $1 trillion industry. Source: Arts Council for Monterey County $1.6 billion QUOTE OF THE WEEK “President Donald Trump has actually done worse things and he isn’t punished.” -Elizabeth Reyes of Salinas, speaking on an effort to rename City of Salinas facilities named after the embattled Cesar Chavez (see story, salinasvalleynow.com). WHAT IS A TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX? Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a local tax levied on travelers who stay in temporary lodgings like hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. This tax is paid by visitors and supports vital community services. 5 Key Community Benefits • Supports Roads, Bridges, and Waterways Upkeep • Funds Local Emergency Services • Helps Create a Strong Economic Climate • Encourages Investment & Local Job Growth • 100% of these Funds Stay Local The Transient Occupancy Tax ensures our county thrives, funded almost entirely by the people who come to visit. Learn more at CountyofMonterey.Gov Scan QR Code to learn more about the Transient Occupancy Tax Dawn Addis, California State Assembly Senator Bill Monning (Ret.) California State Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Chris Lopez, Supervisor District 3 Wendy Root Askew, Supervisor District 4 Kate Daniels, Supervisor District 5 David Pacheco, Seaside, Mayor Pro-Tem Alexis Garcia Arrazola, Seaside, City Council Rita Burks, Seaside, City Council Mary Ann Carbone, Mayor, Sand City Scott Donaldson, Mayor, Del Rey Oaks Anna Velazquez, Mayor, Soledad Tyller Williamson, Mayor, Monterey Tina Nieto, Monterey County Sheriff Mary Ann Leffel, Monterey Peninsula Airport District Mary Claypool, Monterey County Board of Education, Trustee Area Six Rosalyn Green, MPC Trustee, Area 1 Jeff Uchida, MPUSD Trustee, Area 1 Dr. Bettye Lusk, MPUSD Trustee, Area 3 Dr. PK Diffenbaugh, MPUSD, Superintendent Alvin Edwards, MPWMD Trustee, Div. 1 Susan Schiavone, MPWMD Trustee, Div. 1 (Elect) George T. Riley, MPWMD Trustee, Div. 2 Darryl Choates, Fmr. Seaside Council member Bennie Copper, Fmr. Seaside Police Chief Ruthie Watts Joy Anderson Marieta Aranda Samantha Chioino Silia Foliaki Linda Gardner Ron & Maria Guth, (Ret.SPD) Judy Huynh Henry Junsay Michelle Rubio Moore Miriam “Cissie” Mull Brian Pratt Experienced Leadership VOTE OGLESBY FOR MAYOR Paid for by Oglesby for Mayor 2026 #1471515 United for Seaside: Trusted Leaders, Neighbors and Organizations endorse Mayor Oglesby
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 ENDORSED BY THE ENDORSEMENTS John Laird, California State Senator, District 17 Betty Yee, Former California State Controller Mark Stone, Former California State Assemblymember Kate Daniels, Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, Monterey County Supervisor Tyller Williamson, Monterey Mayor Gino Garcia, Monterey City Councilmember Dr. Kim Barber, Monterey City Councilmember Libby Downey, Former Monterey Councilmember Jane Parker, Former Monterey County Supervisor Progress Monterey County Monterey County Renters United ManasforMonterey.org @Manas4Monterey Paid for by Manas for Monterey City Council 2026 • FPPC # 1467510 “There is a clear front-runner here in Alec Manas, who in his day job works as a project manager for housing developer CHISPA and has experience working on constituent issues in the office of former Assemblymember Mark Stone.” Monterey County Weekly 2026
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 An offering can hold many things at once: a memory, a goodbye or a reminder of where humans come from. At Carmel Modern, a community ofrenda is the anchor of an exhibit bringing together 14 Salinas artists from nonprofit Hijos Del Sol, introducing their work to a new audience. “La ofrenda is a portal between human earthlings and the world beyond us. When we pass, we don’t know exactly where we go, but we tie it with the cosmos,” says Jose Ortiz, founding director of Hijos del Sol. “I think we’re all specks of light, specks of the sun. That’s what Hijos del Sol means.” The artists, whose creative paths all began at Hijos del Sol’s experimental arts studio, are showing their work through a collaboration with Carmel Modern for Día de los Muertos. Some started making art as elementary school students. Now, as young adults, they are bringing paintings and other work to a gallery in Carmel. “The artist can see where their magic can go and how it can bring people emotions,” Ortiz says. Juan Carlos Padilla’s journey as an artist began in 2006, when his sixthgrade English teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in Salinas brought in Ortiz to teach art. Padilla had never painted before, but the lesson sparked a sense of expression. He immediately joined Hijos del Sol, where he found a welcoming place to create. At 12, after learning to work with oil paints, he showed his first piece. “Within seven months I was able to exhibit some artwork,” he recalls. Now 32, Padilla continues to exhibit his art and is showing two colorful acrylic-on-canvas works in the Carmel Modern exhibit. “Cactus del Nopal” draws on his childhood in Mexico, exploring identity, roots and resilience. He describes its central image as “a cactus that just keeps on flourishing within harsh environments.” His second work, “Strawberry,” explores interconnectivity through minerals and reflects the Salinas Valley strawberry fields. For Padilla, Día de los Muertos has long meant art, as well as remembrance of ancestors and loved ones. The exhibit’s theme is not death as a final, separate event, but as part of life’s natural cycle. “Life comes with death, and death comes with life,” Ortiz adds. The altar is intended as a point of connection between the living and dead. The surrounding art and light projections will reflect the ways people remain connected to the Earth, to one another and to changing forms of remembrance, Ortiz says. “The land does not belong to us. We belong to the land,” he says. The exhibit asks people to consider that connection—and the idea that, like plants and flowers, human life is temporary. The ofrenda will include a remembrance of Brayan Perez Lustre, a 33-year-old muralist who recently died. Lustre had been involved with Hijos del Sol since he was a teenager and created public art in Salinas, Monterey and Watsonville. His story gives the exhibit’s themes a personal dimension: Art can remain as a testament to someone’s life, even after that life has ended. The collaboration also places Salinas artists in a Carmel gallery where Hijos del Sol has not exhibited before. Ortiz is curious about how visitors respond, and sees the exhibit as an opportunity to share traditions while making room for contemporary interpretations. East Salinas resident Rosie Ramirez visited the exhibit on Saturday, Oct. 24, during a free family art workshop. She’s known Ortiz since the late ’80s. “I feel so honored to be here and to know that [Ortiz] has touched thousands of lives over the years,” Ramirez says. “Día de los Muertos is very important because it gives us a time during the year to reflect on all the family members that have passed. It’s a time to also reflect on where we’re at, what we’ve given to our community and what we want to leave behind.” For the artists, the exhibit is more than a presentation of work. It is also a chance to share the places, people and ideas that shaped them—and to invite a Carmel audience into a conversation about memory, belonging and the brief, interconnected nature of life. Día de los Muertos Celebration takes place 4-7:30pm Saturday, Oct. 31. Carmel Modern, 384 6th Ave., Carmel. Free. (831) 250-7540, hijosdelsol.org. Artistic Memory From Salinas to Carmel, art connects Día de los Muertos to the cycles of life. By Royvi Hernandez “We’re all specks of light, specks of the sun.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS A celebration on Oct. 31 includes the ofrenda (shown above), a procession around the block, danza Azteca performances and live digital illustration by the artists whose work is displayed. Costumes are encouraged. 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!
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10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS About 50 people, including legal observers, immigration lawyers, protesters and politicians gathered outside of the Monterey County Jail’s sallyport gate on Tuesday, Oct. 27 where unmarked vehicles were parked, lining a gravel area. Some federal officers’ uniforms had “ICE” lettering, for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “ICE is not wanted here. ICE is here to intimidate,” says Chris Barrera, president of LULAC Council #2055. The encounter grew heated toward the end as about 30 protesters drew closer to the federal officers’ vehicles, with some grabbing rocks and throwing them at the vehicles as they drove away toward Constitution Boulevard. The protest featured honking horns and chants of “Fuck ICE.” According to Solidarity Network Monterey County Rapid Response, one person was detained by ICE while leaving a health clinic on the adjacent County of Monterey campus at about 4:30pm on Oct. 27. Last month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy prohibiting County property from being used for civil immigration enforcement activity. At 5:40pm on Oct. 27, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced the jail was on lockdown, meaning no inmates would be released. “The Monterey County Jail is not accepting any new bookings, all inmate releases have been temporarily suspended, and the facility is closed to all public visitation, with the exception of attorneys visiting their clients,” the Sheriff’s Office said. Eventually, facing the pressure of the protesters on scene and the jail lockdown, ICE agents left the area at about 6:30pm on Tuesday night. Ice Cold Monterey County Jail goes into lockdown as protesters challenge ICE officers outside. By Celia Jiménez Fans whirred inside the Seaside social services building to block out the heat as Monterey County residents continued to drop in for the last few days of its services until its closure. County officials decided to shutter the building due to a $3.9 million price tag to fix the building’s noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was reported in a June 2025 audit. While plans have been in the works for years to improve or replace the building, the closure of the current one means that it will move out of its central hub in Seaside and to a satellite office in Marina. The last day for the Seaside office is Friday, Oct. 30, and operations will start in Marina (at 2620 1st Ave.) on Nov. 2. “This location is such a staple in the community,” says Rose DeFranco, deputy director of the community benefits branch. “There’s a connection factor where people do come in because they know our staff well.” Jose Canales, a five-year Monterey resident waiting outside the building, says he’s been here about 15 times before, and is here on a recent day to maintain Medi-Cal for his mother-in-law. They also visited to bring paperwork to maintain benefits for his wife. His family got used to coming to the Seaside location, and the closure will extend their travel time. Interacting face-to-face with an actual human being is what Seaside resident Albert Palmero prefers—it’s why he is also at the social services building. He estimates he has come to the office 20 times in the last 15 years. County guidance has encouraged people to apply for and upkeep their benefits online. However, Canales and Palmero both note they don’t have much access to the internet. People often come to the building to apply for CalWorks, CalFresh, and sometimes they come in with questions about their paperwork or drop off documents, according to DeFranco. Social Services staff see on average 120-150 clients per day, primarily residents of the Monterey Peninsula, DeFranco says. (She emphasizes that Monterey County residents can visit any social services location.) County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says maintaining a center in Seaside is a county priority. The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in January to rebuild the building. Officials are still looking for a temporary location in Seaside and concurrently are pursuing plans for revamping the existing site with a building that may also include the Seaside library. Root Askew recalls being a customer herself years ago to file paperwork when she had informal custody of her cousin. It was cramped, crowded and the bathrooms were dilapidated, she recalls. “It wasn’t a dignified place,” she says. “It didn’t feel good to sit in that office.” Despite the dilapidation of the building, it still became a hub for people, whether they needed to check in on their benefits, or for homeless residents to charge their phone. “The feeling that it’s a known place where you can go and see some people that are going to be friendly, there are parts we can’t duplicate because we’ve been part of this community for so long,” DeFranco says. The 11,000-square-foot County Social Services building on Broadway in Seaside will close after business hours on Friday, Oct. 30. On the Move Residents are feeling the impending loss of Monterey County’s social services building in Seaside. By Chrissa Olson Lupe Carreon of Salinas (left) confronts an ICE officer outside the Monterey County Jail on Tuesday, Oct. 27. ICE officers left after several hours around 6:30pm following protest activity. “This location is such a staple in the community.” DANIEL DREIFUSS NIC COURY
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 PAID POLITICAL AD | AUTHORIZED BY JIMMY PANETTA FOR CONGRESS | P.O. BOX 103, CARMEL VALLEY, CA 93924. FEC# C00592154 JIMMYPANETTA.COM Fighting for our values in the 19th Congressional District ON NOVEMBER 3RD OR VOTE BY MAIL VICKI NOHRDEN MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY PUBLIC SAFETY • ECONOMIC VITALITY LOCAL SUPPORT • LOCAL EXPERIENCE • MONTEREY FIRST ENDORSED BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW MONTEREY Local leaders, public-safety professionals, business advocates and neighbors Clyde Roberson — Former Monterey Mayor Ed Smith — 12-year Monterey City Council, District 2 Michael Kanalakis — Former Monterey County Sheriff Rick Heuer — Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Carl Miller — Monterey Airport Board Mike & Laurel Marotta — Neighbors Lou Panetta — Past President, Civil Grand Jurors’ Association Gary Cursio — Government Affairs Director, MCHA Rick Aldinger — Former Chair, MCHA Mike & Carole Dawson — Neighbors Tom Rowley — NCIP Representative Carole Charbajian— Measure S Oversight Joe Storeli Richard Storeli Moniquie Kaldy Cheryl Kent — Retired LAPD Stephen Meyer Dominic Mercurio Dr. Michael Hogan Gary & Kim Parker Dr. Joe Fogel Robert Nelson LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH LISTENING Scan to learn more and see endorsements VOTE VICKI NOHRDEN DISTRICT 2 • NOVEMBER 3, 2026 vicki4monterey.org Paid for by the Committee to Elect Vicki Nohrden • FPPC #1492098 VICKI NOHRDEN MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY PUBLIC SAFETY • ECONOMIC VITALITY ENDORSED BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW MONTEREY Local leaders, public-safety professionals, business advocates and neighbors Clyde Roberson — Former Monterey Mayor Ed Smith — 12-year Monterey City Council, District 2 Michael Kanalakis — Former Monterey County Sheriff Rick Heuer — Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Carl Miller — Monterey Airport Board Mike & Laurel Marotta — Neighbors Lou Panetta — Past President, Civil Grand Jurors’ Association Gary Cursio — Government Affairs Director, MCHA Rick Aldinger — Former Chair, MCHA Mike & Carole Dawson — Neighbors Tom Rowley — NCIP Representative Carole Charbajian— Measure S Oversight Joe Storeli Richard Storeli Moniquie Kaldy Cheryl Kent — Retired LAPD Stephen Meyer Dominic Mercurio Dr. Michael Hogan Gary & Kim Parker Dr. Joe Fogel Robert Nelson LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH LISTENING Scan to learn more and see endorsements VOTE VICKI NOHRDEN DISTRICT 2 • NOVEMBER 3, 2026 vicki4monterey.org Paid for by the Committee to Elect Vicki Nohrden • FPPC #1492098 VICKI NOHRDEN MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY PUBLIC SAFETY • ECONOMIC VITALITY LOCAL SUPPORT • LOCAL EXPERIENCE • MONTEREY FIRST ENDORSED BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW MONTEREY Local leaders, public-safety professionals, business advocates and neighbors Clyde Roberson — Former Monterey Mayor Ed Smith — 12-year Monterey City Council, District 2 Michael Kanalakis — Former Monterey County Sheriff Rick Heuer — Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Carl Miller — Monterey Airport Board Mike & Laurel Marotta — Neighbors Lou Panetta — Past President, Civil Grand Jurors’ Association Gary Cursio — Government Affairs Director, MCHA Rick Aldinger — Former Chair, MCHA Mike & Carole Dawson — Neighbors Tom Rowley — NCIP Representative Carole Charbajian— Measure S Oversight Joe Storeli Richard Storeli Moniquie Kaldy Cheryl Kent — Retired LAPD Stephen Meyer Dominic Mercurio Dr. Michael Hogan Gary & Kim Parker Dr. Joe Fogel Robert Nelson LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH LISTENING Scan to learn more and see endorsements VOTE VICKI NOHRDEN DISTRICT 2 • NOVEMBER 3, 2026 vicki4monterey.org Paid for by the Committee to Elect Vicki Nohrden • FPPC #1492098 VOTE VICKI NOV. 3 Clyde Roberson — Former Monterey Mayor Ed Smith — 12-year Monterey City Council, District 2 Michael Kanalakis — Former Monterey County Sheriff Rick Heuer — Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Carl Miller — Monterey Airport Board Alex Miller — Seaside Council Member Mike & Laurel Marotta — Neighbors Lou Panetta — Past President, Civil Grand Jurors’ Association Gary Cursio — Government Affairs Director, MCHA Rick Aldinger — Former Chair, MCHA Mike & Carole Dawson — Neighborhood President Tom Rowley — Neighborhood President Carol Chorbajian — Measure S Oversight Joe and Richard Storeli Moniquie Kaldy Cheryl Kent — Retired LAPD Stephen Meyer Dominic Mercurio Dr. Michael Hogan Gary & Kim Parker Dr. Joe Fogel — Neighborhood President Robert Nelson Jim Culcasi Marta Kraftzeck Lee Whitney — NCIP, Neighborhood President Rep Gary and Jane Gasperson Marietta Bain Victor & Kelly Davi Dr. David Flemming Gary & Kim Parker Sal & Rena Tringali Gordon and Susi Felhman Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tom Griffin — Dir. Veteran’s Transition Center Carina Powers Sam and Angeli Mercurio Susi Allen VICKI NOHRDEN MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY PUBLIC SAFETY • ECONOMIC VITALITY LOCAL SUPPORT • LOCAL EXPERIENCE • MONTEREY FIRST ENDORSED BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW MONTEREY Local leaders, public-safety professionals, business advocates and neighbors Clyde Roberson — Former Monterey Mayor Ed Smith — 12-year Monterey City Council, District 2 Michael Kanalakis — Former Monterey County Sheriff Rick Heuer — Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Carl Miller — Monterey Airport Board Mike & Laurel Marotta — Neighbors Lou Panetta — Past President, Civil Grand Jurors’ Association Gary Cursio — Government Affairs Director, MCHA Rick Aldinger — Former Chair, MCHA Mike & Carole Dawson — Neighbors Tom Rowley — NCIP Representative Carole Charbajian— Measure S Oversight Joe Storeli Richard Storeli Moniquie Kaldy Cheryl Kent — Retired LAPD Stephen Meyer Dominic Mercurio Dr. Michael Hogan Gary & Kim Parker Dr. Joe Fogel Robert Nelson LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH LISTENING Scan to learn more and see endorsements VOTE VICKI NOHRDEN DISTRICT 2 • NOVEMBER 3, 2026 vicki4monterey.org Paid for by the Committee to Elect Vicki Nohrden • FPPC #1492098 “I endorse Vicki Nohrden for the City Council. She thinks and acts for the community and for all neighborhoods. Monterey needs Vicki’s wisdom, experience, and leadership. Join me in supporting Vicki for Monterey - District 2 City Council!” - Ed Smith, Monterey City Council Endorsed by Local Leaders, Local Neighbors and Local Supporters “I’m honored to have the support of our local city leaders and residents.” FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY • PUBLIC SAFETY • ECONOMIC VITALITY ENDORSES Incumbent Kim Barber is our choice for Monterey City Council District 1. She demonstrates a commitment to the plight of renters, and doing the people’s business in the open. Her advocacy for the rental assistance program and affordable housing developments have produced tangible results and we think she deserves another term to continue this work. electkimbarber.com SUPPORTING RENTERS ADVANCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRANSPARENT COMMUNITY-FOCUSED LEADERSHIP Paid for by Team Barber 2026 for Monterey City Council - FPPC#1486618 Vote For PACIFIC GROVE MAYOR COLETTI Luke Susan Kevin PACIFIC GROVE COUNCIL GOLDBECK HANLEY PAID FOR BY Annette Corcoran & Lee Willoughby PG Tide Pool Coalition.
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The existential threats to medical care of House Resolution 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” combined with cuts to Medi-Cal in last year’s California budget negotiations, are now real. A small wave of changes over the past year have taken a toll but on Jan. 1, a large wave is expected to come crashing down as 35,000 Monterey County Medi-Cal recipients considered to have “unsatisfactory immigration status” are shifted off of Medi-Cal to a less expensive state program. That program, fee-for-service, reimburses providers, clinics and hospitals substantially less than Medi-Cal does, saving the state money but creating a financial burden for health providers. “This will have an impact on local safety net providers in Monterey County and it will have an impact on access for these individuals [with UIS status],” Michael Schrader, CEO of the Central California Alliance for Health, told the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20. The Alliance serves as the Medi-Cal insurance program in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Merced and Mariposa counties. Nearly 178,000 people in Monterey County are on Medi-Cal, about 41 percent of the population. The Alliance will see 19 percent of its membership vanish, triggering a layoff of 25 percent of its 700-member workforce in early 2027, Schrader said. County clinics will see the shift of individuals with UIS to fee-for-service begin on July 1, with losses estimated at $12.7 million the first year and $13.4 million the year after, Health Department Director Elsa Jimenez said. The total of state and federal cuts could mean 44,000 Alliance members losing Medi-Cal and becoming uninsured by Dec. 31, 2028, a 23-percent decline, Schrader said. Nearly 11,000 Monterey County residents have lost Medi-Cal coverage since the end of 2024, a 6-percent decline, less than what was originally projected, which he called a “positive trend.” Under H.R. 1, hospitals and federally qualified health centers—the County operates 12 such centers—will see significant payment reductions beginning in 2027, with hospitals taking the biggest hit. The County’s hospital, Natividad Medical Center, expects to lose $12.7 million annually for six to seven years starting in 2028, totaling $76.3 million, according to Natividad Interim CEO Nancy Buscher. Just this month, all hospital reimbursements for emergency room care for childless adults with UIS were reduced from 90 percent to 50 percent, which could cost Natividad $3.5 million annually. In total, the fee-for-service shift and the reduction in Medi-Cal members could cost the County $28.5 million over two years. County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew acknowledged the “severity and the seriousness” of the conversation, calling the cuts “truly a disaster that this county—all counties, California— has to respond to.” A hospital serving North Monterey County residents, Watsonville Community Hospital in Santa Cruz County, was already sitting on the precipice of closure before H.R. 1 cuts further threatened hospitals, after once seeming as if it might be successful. In 2022, the hospital was saved from closure through the work of state and local leaders and for the first two years after, the hospital had momentum swinging in its favor. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District brought it under local ownership, leading to equipment upgrades and improvements in independent safety ratings. Measure N, a $116 million bond measure, was approved by voters in 2024, allowing the district to purchase the hospital and the grounds. But in the last two years, “we ran into a really big rut,” according to Tony Nuñez, chair of the PVHCD board of directors. In late 2024, the hospital was the victim of a cyberattack, possibly compromising patient data. Then H.R. 1 was approved in 2025, along with state budget cuts, resulting in diminished patient reimbursement costs that are expected to worsen next year. As a result, Watsonville Community Hospital lost $23 million in 2025, and is currently losing $86,000 a day, leading to a possible closure in the next six to 12 months unless “something changes drastically,” according to Nuñez. “I don’t say this lightly,” he told a crowd of about 100 people at a Watsonville meeting on Oct. 22. “I would not try to have this conversation in public just for shock value or to be an alarmist. The community, as owners of this hospital, deserve to know this.” The closure of the Watsonville hospital would have ripple effects in Monterey County. It is the closest hospital for roughly 6,500 North County residents, about 15 or so minutes closer to the next facilities in Salinas. Watsonville Community Hospital Interim CEO Tim Moran said the hospital has about six days of cash on hand, and is about $13 million “in the hole” with vendors, making it difficult to buy equipment because vendors are requesting cash up front. Hospital officials are contemplating closing the labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care units, which lose about $10 million annually. It’s a move Director Joe Gallagher called an “unacceptable risk” and echoed by many in attendance at the meeting. The board planned on applying for a state distressed hospital grant on Oct. 28, after the Weekly went to print. The board was also scheduled to vote on beginning the process of closing the NICU and labor departments. Time Bomb Funding cuts to medical care signal a tenuous future for local patients and hospitals. By Pam Marino and Erik Chalhoub NEWS VOTE NOW Monterey County Elections hosts a “Books & Ballots” event to offer a pop-up voting spot. 2-3:30pm Friday, Oct. 30. Pajaro Park, 24 San Juan Road, Pajaro. Free. (831) 796-1499, countyofmonterey.gov/ elections. CRACK THE CODE The Salinas Library and Community Services Department hosts a meeting on code enforcement. Learn about common code violations and the enforcement process. 6-7pm Friday, Oct. 30. Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, tinyurl.com/ salinascode. HOUSING MATTERS Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets to consider updating its housing element for submission to the state for approval. Public comment is accepted. 10:30am Tuesday, Nov. 3. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., first floor, Salinas. Free. (831) 7555025, countyofmonterey.gov. GET OUT AND VOTE Election Day approaches. Drop off your ballot at the various drop boxes throughout Monterey County, or visit an in-person voting center. Polls close at 8pm Tuesday, Nov. 3. (831) 796-1499, montereycountyelections.us. JOB HUNT Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers in various industries with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Nov. 4. King City Branch Library, 402 Broadway St., King City. Free. (831) 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. WATER WATCH Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency released a draft of its Multibenefit Land Repurposing Plan, which outlines projects that reduce groundwater demand. Public comment is accepted. Public comment period runs through Nov. 6. Free. pvwater.org/pajaro-valley-mlrp. BUDGET BLUES The City of Monterey faces a $10 million deficit. Share your feedback on the City’s budget through a survey. Survey ongoing at surveymonkey. com/r/BudgetResilience. CITY COMMITMENT The City of Pacific Grove has vacancies on a number of boards and commissions. Get involved in local government by volunteering for one of the open seats. Applications ongoing at cityofpacificgrove.org. Free. (831) 648-3181. Hospitals in the region face challenges due to H.R. 1 and state budget cuts. Watsonville Community Hospital (pictured) is in danger of closing. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “I would not have this conversation just for shock value.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 RENEW MEASURE S Not a New Tax! FIX MONTEREY STREETS YES ON MEASURE S APPROVED BY OVER 82% OF VOTERS Paid for by the Committee for Yes on Measure S FPPC# 1495795 PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY OVER 82% OF VOTERS TAXPAYER PROTECTIONS • Residential Sidewalks will now be included • Over 62% of all sales taxes are paid by other than Monterey residents, (visitors or tourist) • Sunsets after 8-years in 2035 • 12 million dollars (per year) towards a designated specific Measure S fund for Streets, Sidewalks, (residential & commercial), Storm Drains and Accessibility-ADA • Measure S is Fair and Reasonable for continuing to Fix Monterey’s Streets • Previous Measure S in 2019 approved by over 82% of Monterey Voters • Citizen’s oversight Committee and Audits available to the public ENDORSED BY: All current City Councilmembers and the Mayor Former Mayors Clyde Roberson and Chuck Della Salla Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Monterey County Hospitality Association Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association Monterey Firefighters Local #3707 Paid for by the Committee for Yes on Measure S FPPC# 1495795 Endorsed by Monterey County Weekly Council Meetings Pushed for fewer meetings Fought for a schedule that complies with the City Charter Council Pay Led the effort to increase Council pay Authored a referendum that gave voters the final say on the pay raise Election Costs Supported a costly special election for the pay increase Fought for a regularly scheduled November vote with negligible cost Council Benefits Supported taxpayer-funded medical benefits for elected officials Authored a City Charter amendment requiring voter approval for City Council pay raises and new benefits A working-class Mayor who understands Marina Our Community. Our Voice. Our Future. “Join me in Building a stronger Marina where diverse voices are heard, respected, and valued” —Mike Moeller MikeforMarina.com 831-769-6383 PAID FOR BY MOELLER FOR MAYOR 2026 • FPPC #1491273
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The Sand City mayor’s husband and a city council incumbent are both technically running for city council—but voters won’t see them on the ballot. As write-in candidates, they have a slim chance at election. Instead, Sand City voters will see two names to vote for on their ballot for city council: Justin Rumps, a federal employee and Marine Corps veteran, and Luke Kilpatrick, a local businessman. They’ll also see just one for mayor—incumbent Mary Ann Carbone. Salvatore Carbone, the former owner of the now-shuttered Sal’s Alley Side Café and Carbone’s Bar in Monterey and the mayor’s husband, filed as a write-in candidate and qualified on Sept. 18. “Do you know any husband and wife that agree on everything?” Carbone replies when asked how he would address any potential conflict of interest with his wife. Kim Scudder, a current city councilmember who was appointed in February to fill a vacancy, qualified on Sept. 15. Rumps, Kilpatrick and Scudder have all faced each other before: in the February meeting where Scudder was appointed by the city council and mayor, her two challengers for the position were Rumps and Kilpatrick. Due to injuries, Scudder says she was unable to know whether she’d be able to commit to the role before the Aug. 7 filing deadline to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Describing her platform, Scudder says she recruited volunteers to participate in the Community Emergency Response Team in Monterey. She notes she voted in favor of the local trails, park restoration and an affordable housing project and serves on the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. “I think it put me at a disadvantage to get injured before it was time to run for office, but it also gave me an opportunity to go door to door and teach everyone about what being a write-in candidate is,” Scudder says. Carbone says his qualifications are that he was a business owner, and is a family man and community oriented. He also pointed to his Monterey County Civil Grand Jury service. His own daily task is driving through the city to assure there is no graffiti or garbage, he says. He has also been the local Santa Claus for the past couple years. In 2018, the Monterey County District Attorney charged him with a misdemeanor of insurance fraud for lying about how many employees he had at his bar from 2014-2015. He pleaded no contest, which is not a formal admission of guilt. Carbone said what actually happened was he paid cash to the doorman and bands at the bar instead of including them on the payroll. “Will I walk in there and be the best city councilmember ever?” Carbone says. “Absolutely not. I have to learn. I have the benefit of living with a politician of 40 years…but does that make me the best? Only the citizens can tell you that.” Write Time Sand City incumbent, and the mayor’s husband, make a last-ditch effort to get elected to city council. By Chrissa Olson Incumbent Kim Scudder, left, and Salvatore Carbone are the only write-in candidates approved for Monterey County ballots. Both are running for Sand City City Council. NEWS “I have the benefit of living with a politician of 40 years.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Scientists have discovered the key to STOPPING TRUMP. SCAN HERE TO TRACK YOUR BALLOT DA26_MCNowAd_4.66x5.57_r2.indd 1 10/1/26 3:15 PM VOTE BY MAIL OR IN PERSON ON NOVEMBER 3 Paid for by Robert Rivas for Assembly 2026 | Paid political ad FPPC ID # 1476818 | PO Box 2385, Salinas, CA 93902 RIVASCA.COM
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 It’s been roughly eight years since California-American Water provided an estimate of how much it would cost to build a desalination project it argues would address the long-term water supply constraints plaguing the Monterey Peninsula. In 2018, that estimate was $239 million, a figure that has continued to be quoted in project plans as inflation, labor and material costs have been on the rise. In an application filed with the California Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 23, Cal Am has updated its estimate to $825 million, roughly 3.5 times more than the amount the CPUC approved in 2018. In its CPUC filing, the company says the desal project’s current estimate covers only Phase 1, which would produce 4.8 million gallons per day (mgd), 25-percent less than the 6.4mgd project proposed in 2018. The project is intended to be sized for future expansion to 6.4mgd, but the cost associated with that expansion hasn’t yet been estimated, and would hinge on whether there is additional future demand for water. “California American Water remains committed to ensuring the Monterey Peninsula has a reliable water supply into the future,” the company says in a written statement. “We are taking steps to pursue alternative sources of financing to minimize rate impacts and protect affordability for our customers.” To lessen the sticker shock, Cal Am is pursuing grants from the Department of Water Resources and up to $50 million in state revolving-fund loans. The company estimates that these financing measures, among others, can reduce costs by around $588 million over the 40-year life of the project. The filing comes at a time when Cal Am faces a legal battle with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District over whether the district has “latent powers,” or the authority to provide retail water service. The trial could pave the way for eminent domain proceedings, in which the district seeks to take over Cal Am’s water system, following voter approval of Measure J in 2018. The revised desalination project estimate could also affect the cost of acquiring Cal Am’s system, depending on how the desalination project factors into the valuation. Impacts to the potential buyout remain unclear. Cal Am is also asking the CPUC to update the ratemaking framework, which governs what is recovered from customers. A bill impact summary provided by the company shows rates roughly doubling on average among single family, multifamily and nonresidential units. A public review process will provide opportunities for other parties to weigh in and discuss how costs will affect different ratepayers, all of which will likely take more than a year, according to Dave Stoldt, MPWMD’s general manager. “You get three-quarters of the plant at three-and-a-half times the cost, not a great look,” Stoldt says. “There’s a lot of discussion that has to be had, so it’s likely to drag out for at least that long.” DesalFlation In the midst of a legal battle, Cal Am seeks to raise desalination project cost cap by 3.5. By Katie Rodriguez The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District is pursuing a public takeover of Cal Am’s local water system, which includes various properties around the Monterey Peninsula. NEWS Cal Am updated its estimate to $825 million. DANIEL DREIFUSS You replaced that old toilet, fixed your leaks, and changed the way you water your yard. Those everyday choices are part of something bigger. Alongside your conservation efforts, MPWMD works to restore river habitat, protect threatened steelhead, and store winter rainfall for use during drier months. Together, we’re shaping the Peninsula’s water future for our growing community. Conserve & Sustain When you turn your clocks back this year, dial your watering back as well. Turn your irrigation off when rainfall meets your landscape’s needs. LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE MPWMD.NET
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com LINES DRAWN Daniel Muñoz shouldn’t have called the Weekly “fake news” (“It’s a nasty political season in Salinas with insults and media boycotts,” Oct. 22-28). That label is lazy and it’s been abused nationally. But this column misses the bigger point. Distrust of a local paper isn’t just a Trump-era reflex trickling down from D.C. It also comes from how the paper uses its influence close to home. When the editorial board endorses Yes on H and the incumbent that champions it, many working families in Salinas see the Weekly taking a side against them on an issue that hits their wallets, neighborhoods and ability to remain housed. The column treats Peter Szalai the same way. He raised a real question: Why was the camera turned to hide speakers’ faces and campaign shirts, and was the city enforcing a political-clothing rule on the public? Opening the control room door wasn’t the right move, but the column makes that moment the story. The possible censorship at a public meeting gets buried. Trust isn’t owed to a newspaper. It’s earned by showing readers that the newsroom and the editorial board are separate, that every side gets the same scrutiny, and that criticism from the community is heard, not mocked. Colleen Ingram | Pacific Grove Is candidate Muñoz wealthy like Musk, Bezos, Ellison to purchase his own newspaper, radio station, television channel, Twitter or Facebook to have dialog “on his terms” with the public? This combative attitude towards the media has no place in civil society. Peter Stanger | Watsonville Regarding the piece’s emotional response to being called fake news, let’s consider a few things. Fake news itself is ill-defined, unfortunately leaving it open for interpretation. One interpretation might be reporting favoring financial supporters. Yes on H had a full-page paid ad in this edition, not to mention the online banners they purchased. No on H has purchased nothing from the Weekly. Could this be why citizens/ readers think the editorial board leaned their thumb on the scale too heavily? Bias for any reason can be perceived as fake. What are we left with? We can’t boycott a free paper. John Silva | Salinas When did journalists become such snowflakes? Yes, in a perfect world, people would be civil and act with decorum, but when you take sides, especially unpopular ones that affect the lives of others, you should expect pushback. For example, Salinas has the highest number of unhoused students in Monterey County, yet you are supporting increasing rents on the same families that are struggling. I think there should be pushback. I don’t agree with the behavior of Mr. Muñoz or Mr. Malfitano, but geez. Christiane Amanpour is dodging bullets in the middle of war zones. You should be able to ignore mean words from two angry old men. Gaye Freedman | Salinas It’s neither nasty nor immature to challenge power. The question which completely bypassed the Weekly in its article on the Salinas mayor’s race is whether a governing body can censor campaign political messaging attire or signs by shutting off a camera—especially when that camera is never shut off and has broadcast many, many other political messaging conveyed via attire and signs in the past. And, shh! Don’t tell anyone! But Mayor Dennis Donohue is the issue and his handling of free expression. Peter Szalai | Salinas Note: Szalai is a candidate for mayor of Salinas. CARMEL CHARACTER Thank you for your thoughtful and kind article about Richard Kreitman (“Longtime Carmel gallery owner and community activist Richard Kreitman dies at 77,” posted Oct. 15). I worked with Richard on the Scout House, a project that remained his enduring passion. I had assembled a development team and personally committed significant funding. Despite that support, we could not get past the City’s liability requirements. I shared my research and plans with Richard and helped him work with the Boy Scouts, but those efforts encountered further roadblocks. Richard also spent time with me discussing another subject of his passion projects: paid parking. He was a true Carmel character who devoted considerable time and energy to the village. A couple of months ago, Richard spoke about the Scout House and his hope that someone would finally get forward momentum. I regret not having another chance to tell him personally that I shared his hopes. Dale Byrne | Carmel SIGN OF THE TIMES This whole situation reeks of petty politics (“Campaign sign violations by Seaside mayoral candidate not enforced following legal concerns,” posted Oct. 19). The city initially hit Alex Miller with $7,000 in fines over campaign signs posted just hours before the arbitrary 60-day window opened, only to back down after legitimate constitutional concerns were raised. Even the city attorney acknowledges those concerns. Rather than addressing an ordinance that may violate First Amendment protections, the city apparently thought issuing thousands of dollars in fines was a better use of taxpayer resources. Seaside has far bigger problems than campaign signs going up a few hours early. Our streets need attention, our downtown needs revitalization, and residents deserve leadership focused on meaningful improvements rather than petty enforcement battles. If anything, this episode demonstrates exactly why City Hall needs someone willing to challenge the status quo. Miller didn’t just roll over when faced with a questionable ordinance and thousands of dollars in fines. He stood his ground, challenged City Hall, and forced officials to reconsider their actions. That’s the kind of backbone, accountability and willingness to question the establishment that Seaside needs in its next mayor. Marty Harrison | Seaside 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. LETTERS continues on pg. 18
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