Shock – Then Awe – in P.G.

I was shocked when I first heard that the mayor was planning to permanently close off parts of downtown to traffic and make it a pedestrian-only area [“P.G. mayor envisions a ‘pedestrianized’ downtown,” April 10-16].

Then I thought more and spoke with my wife – what a brilliant idea! A pedestrian-only downtown would change the entire dynamic of the area. If there were no cars, I can definitely see us spending more time in the cafes and shops along Lighthouse.

My wife and I are young professionals and relatively new to the Peninsula. We fell in love with Pacific Grove and would like to make this lovely city our home. How can this town attract other young professional families to the region? Schools and a thriving downtown will keep P.G. alive and prevent the gentrification struggles of Carmel.

In addition to P.G.’s strong schools, I see the makings of a wonderful downtown that will provide the backbone for forward-thinking, innovative and family-oriented community. I love to play with my daughter at Caledonia Park while my wife shops on Lighthouse and, although we currently live in Monterey, we find ourselves drawn to P.G.

I applaud the city government for their vision and my family eagerly awaits the day when we can shop and play and eat...and just enjoy spending the afternoon in downtown P.G., our oasis.

Water-Logged by cal am

Residents of Oak Hills received notice that California-American Water Co. has filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission for a general rate increase for wastewater customers in its Monterey District.

I am opposed because the proposed rates for Oak Hills residents are scheduled to increase by more than 2.3 times in 2009 and by 2011 would be over 2.66 times their current rate.

The justification for the rate increase is too vague and inconsistent. The written notification states the increase reflects “increase plant investment and operation costs.” What does that specifically mean…what improvements are needed, where and how much will the cost be? Cal Am representatives are very difficult to contact.

A rate increase may be justified but Cal-Am needs to include the stakeholders in the affected areas into the discussion. I urge all residents affected by this rate increase to attend the public hearings planned by Cal Am and Public Utilities Commission. Write the Public Utilities Commissioners to voice your concern and opposition.

Democracy or Demagoguery?

Anyone who believes that democracy is dependent on a free exchange of ideas should be watching the current political campaigns with an increasing sense of alarm. It seems now that no candidate can state an honest opinion about anything without having the words taken out of context and twisted to inflame whatever audience a particular pundit is pandering to. Then, with a great sense of gravitas, the “objective” press reports on the meaning of these artificially contrived “gaffes’’ and “misstatements.”  Meanwhile the fundamental issues are almost totally ignored.

It seems as though this election will answer a critical question: Is there still a place for the civil exchange of ideas in our politics, or has the information revolution led us, ironically, to a new dark age when voices of reason can no longer be heard over the angry shouts of demagogues? If so, then get out the torches and the pitchforks, because democracy will have ended and mob rule will have begun.