Jessica Lyons is Awesome

Congratulations to Jessica Lyons for her outstanding investigative reporting piece, “Outlaw County,” [July 29-Aug 4]. What a well-researched, well-documented, factual, courageous effort in print, demonstrating county “pattern and practice” that other local news media seem glad to overlook. Is it any wonder that the County of Monterey is involved in at least eight lawsuits at the present time? Rumors tell me there are more on the way.

Kudos to Supervisor Dave Potter for voting with his constituency in mind. How admirable to watch an elected representative of the people consistently vote for the common good. Those electeds who are repeatedly mindful only of their campaign supporters without regard for the obligations they have to the general public will ultimately pay the price at the ballot box. Supervisors who trash taxpayers’ dollars on a whim, disregard repetetive concerns of water overdraft and traffic gridlock, and place the health and welfare of the public at risk through imprudent budget decisions resulting in layoffs, should be ashamed.

That’s the way of politics, I’m told. However, this behavior breeds apathy among citizens, which defeats the whole purpose of our democracy. Without the people, there would be no need for government, or elected officials.

We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people…not simply for a select few.

One doesn’t argue with facts and documented records, and Jessica’s article speaks volumes.  

One thing is certain, a savvy politician can fool some of the people some of the time, but a good reporter is foolproof! Thank you, Jessica. I hope you will continue to report the facts with periodic updates.

Jan Mitchell | Prunedale

MCW’s Editor and Publisher Are Awesome, Too

“Outlaw County” indeed. Congratulations to Jessica Lyons for her superb investigative reporting. I also appreciate the support she must have from the editor and publisher of the Weekly.

The documentation and detailed information cited in this article is a wonderful example of responsible journalism. This is a wake-up call to all citizens of Monterey County. It is our responsibility to hold each of the Supervisors accountable for their decisions or lack thereof. Each one affects the whole county and should be acting for the common good. This article shows that four of the five Supervisors have not been acting in our interest.

We need to “clean house” and can start by electing Jane Parker Supervisor in District 4.

Sondra Rees | Carmel

Enough About Clothes and Trees: And Get Out of My Sight!

Your July 30 article “Outlaw County” proves what we know already: Your weekly is out of step with this county. If your reporters were truly more concerned with quality of life issues of our local residents, your numerous General Plan Update pieces would focus on the daily living issues surrounding residents fighting to live and work here. Instead, we read about the hair and clothing styles of participants in the process, and the dozens of oak trees being destroyed in this county of 2,127,359 acres (yes, 2,127,359 acres!).

Are you seriously opposed to D’Arrigo building a state-of-the-art and job-producing plant on their own property near Spreckels? That makes you and about 12 other people. Santa Cruz is about 30 miles north—don’t look back.

Chris Steinbruner | Salinas