Mr. Reese, in his Public Forum article (Aug. 27), made reference to the fact of the absence of Op/Ed articles and letters to the editor by the date of his writing. He has considerable insight in all aspects he addressed.

Of course, I want Christina safe, alive and well, and restored to her family. God bless those who have so very diligently placed her poster everywhere. But other families do not have such resources. Many are aware of each family's torment and grief, but do nothing. Many families may have had the same experiences I have had in asking for help from friends and family members, organizations, etc., which is really sad.

I have been seeking my daughter and grandson since 1985. I have left no stone unturned. My grandson will be 15 this year and has grown up not knowing he has a family that loves, cares and worries every waxing moment of every day. This is true for many children. My heart is with every family that suffers such tribulation. Christina's poster is a reminder to everyone that it is our responsibility to help find a lost, missing child. Praying is not enough. It takes people to act and respond with love. No one is too busy to help find a lost child.

YVONNE J. COATS

PRUNEDALE

Happy 10th

As a former Coast Weekly employee, it was great fun to read the 10th anniversary issue. Thanks for jogging fond memories of the ol' place, the folks I worked with there and that wigged-out, but lovable hound who dragged his LL Bean bed around the building. Of the myriad of jobs I had while living on the Peninsula, writing and copy editing for Coast Weekly was the best. Your voice continues to spark discussion about important issues facing the Peninsula while also offering terrific information about all the mainstream and alternative happenings the Peninsula has to offer. Keep up the great work and wonderful wit.

NANCY FOSTER

AURORA, CO

Misplaced Outrage

"Stop the Squandering" by Bobbie Harms (Aug. 27, Letters).

There are many, many reasons for outrage when it comes to government spending, but defense isn't one of them.

Defense spending is down approximately 40 percent from the highest levels of the Cold War, and we have slashed our forces, trying to size for the future threats. If you try and find other government spending that has been cut 40 percent over the same period, you'll come up with nothing. Measuring the amount you spend on national defense is rather like determining how much health insurance to buy--you don't look at how much the next person is spending, but rather the value of what it is you are trying to protect. So put a price on your freedom and the freedom around the world that we try to promote, then decide how much you would pay to protect it.

(By the way, you will pay almost exactly the same amount of your tax dollars servicing the debt--paying interest--as you will for defense next year, and that buys you nothing at all.)

BRAD R. NAEGLE

SALINAS

View from the Valley

Just after development of homes and a golf course at Ca¤ada Woods North is the current application for development of September Ranch, a 900-acre horse and cattle ranch proposed for some 100 luxury home lots and an additional 17 inclusionary, low-to-moderate income housing units. Richard Pitnick (CW, Sept. 3) does an excellent job of covering the water-related issues surrounding this development but may not adequately capture how local Valley residents feel. Do we need yet another development? Can Carmel Valley Road withstand the additional traffic? Will the Carmel River withstand yet more water withdrawal? The Carmel Valley Property Owners Association (CVPOA) has taken a position against this development.

We have commented on both draft and final EIRs for September Ranch development and have also testified before Monterey County's Subdivision Committee and Planning Commission, recommending denial of the application for development. Our concerns are largely based upon inadequate water supply, traffic problems, and potential environmental damage.

Our concerns about their water use go back to 1994, when CVPOA protested the annexation of September Ranch property to the Cal-Am water district, citing water shortages for existing consumers. Despite worsening water deficits, developers are attempting to justify using other sources of water to supply 61 acre-feet per year. The claims of historical water use are questionable. They also propose to transfer water rights from a parcel two miles away, historically used for agricultural purposes; we have filed a protest with the State Water Resources Control Board on this application. Transferring water rights among parcels has negative impacts on agriculture, and our county supervisors are set to vote on an amendment to the subdivision ordinance to allow this in North County.

The EIR for September Ranch admits that the cumulative effect of this project and others already in progress will exceed traffic thresholds on CV Road. The design of the project will require two separate roads servicing the development. There is no question that traffic congestion will worsen. Even Caltrans recommends denial of this project, at least until completion of the Hatton Canyon Freeway. CVPOA has written the county planning department asking for clarification on traffic issues but has received no response.

CVPOA's position is that subdivision-based developments in Carmel Valley have gone too far. Current residents endure unreasonable and worsening traffic. Lacking an up-to-date master plan and adequate infrastructure, it is time to cease approval of these subdivisions in Carmel Valley.

ROBERT GREENWOOD

GEORGE BOEHLERT

DIRECTORS, CVPOA

Wizard Was Great!

Over the last 20 years, I've lost count of the number of times my wife and I have visited the Monterey Peninsula for a weekend, and each time, we've tried to go to at least one live local theater production. The production of The Wizard Of Oz at Carmel's Outdoor Forest Theater that we saw over Labor Day is, I think, the best live production we've ever seen in the area. My wife (when not laughing or applauding) just kept saying "This is amazing!" All involved deserve a standing ovation. It wasn't just "over the top;" It was "over the rainbow." Frank L. Baum would have been delighted.

FRANK HOPKINS

FRANK.HOPKINS@SEN.CA.GOV

Amazed

I am moving to Monterey from San Antonio, Texas next month and I have been worried about finding a place to live, what the cost of living is, and what the area is like. When I found your newspaper publication I was amazed. It is by far the most personalized newspaper I have ever seen. It has given me avenues to find a house, and to get to know the area and atmosphere long before I arrive. I just wanted to say thank you for having such a great publication, and next month you will be adding to your list of devoted readers.

CHAYAH SKYE

CHAYAH.SKYE@LACKLAND.AF.MIL

Reduce Nukes Now

Surely none of us is complacent any more about nuclear dangers, especially since the explosions by India and Pakistan.

But in terms of weapons, Russia and the U.S. are the major threat to our world. That's why President Clinton's visit to Russia is very good news.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, an accidental launch from one Russian submarine reaching even eight American cities would result in an estimated six million deaths outright and a comparable number from fallout and after effects.

An accidental launch would be more likely now than during the Cold War because Russia's command and control system has deteriorated.

The two presidents should include reducing nuclear arsenals to 1,000 or less for each, and removing the remaining hair trigger alert warheads. Let us urge them to take this action.

MARY C. ROSS

PEBBLE BEACH

Omission

I read Scott MacClelland's "Musical Milestones" article in the Sept. 3 issue with interest. It was a good article; however, he failed to mention an important group that has been providing music here in Monterey county for years.

Hartnell College's Community Orchestra, consisting of amateur and professional musicians, is lead by Dr. Carl Christensen. Every Thursday night, the musicians come from all over the county to play together at the college. Free concerts are offered to the community throughout the year. The next concert will be on Dec. 10.

MARTIN BRICKNER

CARMEL

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