Re: "Collision Course"

Enjoyed the June 11 article by Richard Pitnick. The June 24 meeting is scheduled to be held at the Hyatt Regency from 10am to 1pm. Please note that only one PUC commissioner will be in attendance so that the usual public hearing rules will not apply. Bagley-Keene regulations will not be enforced. In fact, the May 27 notice 'Re: Serving Pre-hearing Conference Statements' states that "Because of severe time constraints, we will not be able to allow much time at the PHC to individual speakers." The public is encouraged to make a statement by June 17, however, a copy of said statement must be sent to all persons on the attached service list. This list contains about 80 names so that the cost to guarantee a public comment is about $30. Public hearing with time for public comment? No, I don't think so.

I have spoken to Gary Shallcross in Assemblymember Keeley's office about this and hope that the PUC will make time for public comment at this prehearing conference.

JOHN W FISCHER

PACIFIC GROVE

The Battle, Not the War

First, I would like to thank all the volunteers, contributors, and supporters of my recent campaign for Supervisor of District 2. You all gave so selflessly. I am truly grateful to know you.

The combined results of the campaigns dramatically show the high level of dissatisfaction with the stewardship of the current majority of supervisors. Nearly 50 percent of the voters are dissatisfied with the way Monterey County resources are being managed! I hope this gives our government officials cause for thought. If they continue their disregard for adequate planning and the manipulation of the general plan, more than the grand jury will be moved to action!

As a supervisorial candidate in District 2 who did not win, I was naturally disappointed. However, I feel worse for the hard working people who weekly, and in some cases, daily, are working hard to ensure that Monterey County does NOT become another Silicon Valley, nor a bedroom community for it. Yes, I feel deeply for all those people who are looking for relief from the sell-outs, quick-buck, don't-give-a-damn opportunists who are causing such havoc in Monterey County.

Secondly, I would like to comment on the front page article in the June 6 Herald titled "County faces influx from Silicon Valley." Please note that self-proclaimed economic guru Steven Nukes predicted "more ballot initiatives, regulatory delays and lawsuits to oppose growth." Please also note that such "notables as Larry Foy, Burke Pease, Amanda Robinson and Jeff Davi apparently conclude that nothing can be done about it," regarding the expected torrent of development activity and tourists. According to Larry Foy (vice president of Cal-Am, a subsidiary of American Water Company from Vorhees, New Jersey), there is "plenty" of water supply, it's merely a storage (and/or distribution) problem. This is the same argument that is being touted in many areas of overdrafted Monterey County.

History is my interest. To paraphrase John Paul Jones and speaking for many of those who voted against rampant development, "We've only just begun to fight!" We may have lost a battle, we will not lose the war. So bring on the initiatives, "regulatory" delays and lawsuits (don't forget the referendums). It is the people's Constitutional right to fight back!

"Guru" Steven Nukes from San Luis Obispo is wrong. He has not considered the determination of Monterey County residents. Nor has he considered the residents' growing opposition to pay the additional taxes (subsidies) necessary to provide the "infrastructure" for the "Detroit of the Industrial Revolution".

Since Steven Nukes seems intent on drawing the "battle lines," I have the following suggestion. We threw the tea overboard in Boston Harbor. I suggest we throw Steven Nukes and his "vision" out of Monterey County. And hey, Steve, take Kaufman & Broad with you!

MIKE WEAVER

SALINAS

Re: June 4 Cover

Bill and Al's MoBay Adventure? Puleeze. Why does Coast Weekly have to make a joke out of the Clinton visit before it even happens? Why not just nuke it? Forget it. Don't make any effort at all. Who cares?

I care. I'm grateful that we have a president and a vice president who are paying attention to environmental problems. I'm old enough to remember when we didn't. I remember an administration interested primarily in making tapes and spying. I can recall several dysfunctional White House administrations. Those days were horrible, and, by comparison, "Bill and Al," as you so whimsically put it, are a godsend.

Also, I'd like to know why Mike Stiller's quote received so much attention. "I don't think anything is going to happen. It's more of a media event." Gee, Mike, could you be more negative? I'm sure you could if you tried. I eagerly await to hear your next enlightened opinion on human effort to address serious problems. SurelyCoast Weekly could have found a more encouraging quote to put in big black letters right in the middle of the article.

OK, so maybe the MoBay thing isn't perfect. But at least it happened. Give it a chance. You lose points, Coast Weekly. Don't think I'll be looking through your paper much anymore.

YANAAR LEE

BIG SUR

Zealot?

In Sam Farr's Public Forum (June 11), he stated that the National Ocean Conference "is an opportunity to show the nation and the world that there is a way to build consensus that benefits all users and protects the resources at the same time." He then continues in his quest to "build consensus" by calling the "GOP-ruled" Congress "anti-government." Name calling is an interesting start to consensus building. Especially since he hates to be called "pro-abortion," preferring "pro-choice," and would refuse to enter into a dialogue with someone who used the former term for him (as he has in the past.)

It is true that most members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are not the environmental zealots that Farr is, but I doubt if any one member is actually "anti-environment." Only the most cynical and naive person would actually believe that. However, I guess "anti-environment" is the name Farr gives anybody who does not agree with his agenda on the environment. Apparently he feels that the ad hominem attacks from the Republican leadership he complains about are best countered with ad hominid replies in kind by him. Mr. Farr, you're supposed to be above all that.

Consensus building? Mr. Farr, you wouldn't know consensus building from shinola.

JIM FINNEY

SALINAS

Squid Missed It

The health care issue within the county (Squid Fry, June 11) goes far beyond the attorneys and supervisors. There are 4,000 county employees, and you can double that for dependents. Under the current plan, only 1,000 people choose to use Natividad. The issue at hand regarding health care is that of choice--and choice being taken away. Under the new plan, someone such as myself--a Clerk Typist II--pays $400 less a year in deductibles and less for dependent coverage, so why don't I want the new plan?? Because I want to continue to use doctors on my current plan, because I believe Salinas Valley Memorial & CHOMP are far superior in care quality--and I want the choice, as I have now--to go where I want, when I want. So what if some of the county's employees will have to pay a little more for what was once free to them? The issue is far bigger than how your little eyes see it.

Come on, Squid. Even you can do better to see the bigger issue. Better yet, attend some of the meetings and see how county employees are not satisfied.

EVELYN COLLINS

CARMEL VALLEY

Re: Immigration

In view of current opinions about immigration, including by some within the Sierra Club, it may be instructive to revisit statements such as this one, part of an address to University of Washington alumni by Charles A. Processor, president of the Dunwoodie Institution of Minneapolis, April, 1921.

"We are told that there are 20 million people in Southern Europe who are trying to get means to come to this country.These people are the downtrodden, more or less incompetent, feeble-minded, degenerate of Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Italy.We must remember that what we are getting now is not the old group of hardy pioneers, but the refuse of Southern Europe.The allowing of this strain of undesirable blood to come across the seas is nothing short of national suicide."

RICHARD DESSAUER

MONTEREY

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