TELL THE TRUTH… There isn’t a cynical bone in Squid’s body (although there is cynical cartilage). Squid likes to take people—even politicians—at their word. But last week, Supervisor Jerry Smith strained Squid’s credulity when he made a motion to adopt the General Plan rewrite proposed by the pro-go-go-growth Refinement Group.

Before he was convinced by cooler heads to withdraw the motion, Smith claimed he did it because the County has already spent too much time and money on the topic.

Let’s leave aside the fact that Smith sprung the off-agenda item, as though it were a minor afterthought, when the Supervisors’ chambers were empty (except for a dozen or so well-paid representatives of the Refinement Group). Let’s chalk that up to a rookie error.

Here’s what’s got Squid’s rubbery head spinning: Can Mr. Smith honestly believe that the way to simply settle the matter—the quick-and-cheap strategy—is to blow off the recommendations of the County’s planning staff, ignore hundreds of hours of citizen testimony, and throw open the doors of the henhouse to the well-paid foxes of the Refinement Group? Honestly? It challenges even a Pollyanna-worshipper like Squid to believe that.

DINA, DINA, DINA… Squid loves Dina Ruiz Eastwood as much as the next Monterey County mollusk. She’s smart. She’s pretty. She’s gracious. She does a lot of local charity work. She gives money to Democratic causes and candidates. And it’s about time another Eastwood got some recognition.

So Squid was happy to see Dina honored among the 120 California Women of the Year. The women were selected by state legislators; state Sen. Abel Maldonado picked Dina. Of course…because he’s a…Republican…from Santa Maria. Right. Maybe he’s counting on a future campaign fundraiser at Tehama? Oh bad Squid, bad Squid, implying that the Monterey Peninsula’s senator would be so calculating, choosing to honor a rich Dem for personal and political gain. But what’s the Herald’s excuse?

Last week, the daily rag featured a story-and-photo with the headline “Dina Ruiz Eastwood honored.” But she wasn’t the only local woman named woman of the year, and so, the following day, (an afterthought, perhaps?) the Herald ran a short blurb in its “Your Town” column, announcing: “Immigrant named Woman of the Year.”

The story reported that Democratic Assemblyman John Laird named Seaside resident Juana Enriquez as Woman of the Year for the 27th Assembly District. Enriquez, who is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, emigrated to the US 14 years ago. A year later, she began working as a housekeeper at the Monterey Bay Travelodge, on North Fremont in Monterey.

Enriquez has also been a leader in an ongoing struggle on behalf of her union, UNITE HERE Local 483.

“Juana Enriquez is an inspiring leader in the ongoing struggle with the Monterey Bay Travelodge for fair health-care coverage,” Laird said. “Juana brings to the fight a unique combination of grit, solidarity and humanity.”

But, apparently, not unique enough to warrant a story and photo in the Herald.