Kids These Days

I just got done reading the "Fly-By Dating" article by Kate Folsom [April 24-30] and I can't believe her personal perception of the event. I spent my three minutes talking to her because I'm polite. I wished I could have spared others the pain of having to talk with her by pre-circling "no" on their cards.

We were told that there were going to be about 21 women and around 30 men in attendance. Besides the low turn-out and lack of organization, there wasn't really any problem, except for the Coast Weekly's inconsiderate wanna-be reporter asking uninventive, smart-ass questions.

Next time, please consider sending someone more mature to objectively report the news instead of trying to be the object of the news.

James Moberg | Seaside

I'm Outta Here

I'd like to applaud Susan Goldbeck's efforts to examine and analyze the employment records of Pacific Grove city employees. It is curious to me that other city council members would try and rock the boat, rather than jump on the band wagon with this effort. What she is trying to do seems completely logical and fair and the resistance seems like all the makings of a cover-up.

We live in one of the most expensive areas in the country, yet the city governments are too broke to fix the sewage problem and the schools are closing. It is ridiculous that people who are willing to pay $500K for a small house have to check the bacterial levels of the beach before their children stick their toes in or their children are sitting in an overcrowded classroom because the school districts can't afford to keep all of the schools open.

I hope someone on Monterey's council mimics her efforts. In the meantime, my family will be relocating this summer to an area that can keep it's schools open and it's homes affordable.

Tracee Matlock | Monterey

Rude Republican Riles Peaceniks

Thanks for the "Hawks vs. Doves" article [April 17-23] which so well illustrates not just the difference in politics and philosophy, but also behavior of the local anti-war and pro-war movements.

The Peace Coalition of Monterey County makes a large point of demonstrating for peace peacefully, avoiding confrontation and antagonism, no matter the nature of the verbal abuse directed at us, and always respecting the right of opposing views to express themselves.

The pro-war crowd obviously doesn't hold to that code of conduct, as demonstrated by several individuals during scheduled peace gatherings.

It is within their free speech rights to interrupt and infiltrate our public demonstrations, but it is also very rude.

Paul Bruno standing right in the middle of our demonstration (for which we have a permit) with a life-sized Bush cutout is at the very least tacky. Yelling at a quiet candlelight vigil is despicable.

The fact that Paul Bruno is vice-chairman of the Monterey County Republican Party makes his behavior even more outrageous. One would think that a person in that position would act with decorum and respect.

I advise local Republicans to rethink their local leadership. While they are at that, perhaps they should also rethink their national leadership.

Celia Bosworth | Pacific Grove