P.G. Gets a Head… On Sept. 2, more than a year after former city manager Jim Colangelo announced his plan to step down, P.G. City Council named a new boss: Thomas Frutchey. Frutchey was city manager of Oxnard from 1993-1997, but left over friction with the City Council. He has also worked as a consultant to the public sector and executive of several private entities. Frutchey will start work Oct. 5 on a salary of $175,000 per year. The P.G. council is expected to name one of its members as mayor, and discuss what to do with former mayor Dan Cort’s vacant seat, at its Sept. 16 meeting. [KA]

STEINBECK CENTER CEO RESIGNS… Steve Hoffman, the National Steinbeck Center’s CEO for the past two years, resigned last week, saying he is leaving the center “to pursue other opportunities.” Hoffman’s resignation comes amid financial stress for the Steinbeck Center. Museum visits are down more than 20 percent compared to this time last year. Donations and grants have dipped, and at the center’s request, the city of Salinas is now covering the nonprofit’s rent. The center plans to find an interim director. [ZS]

Chamber Danger… After requesting $15,000 from the city to stay afloat, the Marina Chamber of Commerce walked away Sept. 1 without a cent. The City Council rejected bailing out the Chamber with a one-time grant to cover its operating expenses for the rest of the year. Mayor Bruce Delgado made two motions: one to give the chamber a $6,000 loan and another for $3,000. But both motions died 2-2. The chamber, which was hit by members not paying dues, will now have to pass the hat. [ZS]

Rancho Can’t-yada?… Members of Citizens for Carmel Valley protested the proposed Rancho Cañada housing subdivision Sept. 8, drawing a connection between the development and Measure G, the November ballot measure to incorporate as the Town of Carmel Valley. The protest happened outside the Rancho Cañada Golf Club, where Measure G opponents were meeting. Protesters say the measure’s passage will give local officials, rather than the County Supervisors, control of development decisions. The proposed subdivision would place 281 units on 81 acres east of Highway 1 off Carmel Valley Road. In spring 2008, developer Alan Williams rejected the project’s first draft environmental impact report after residents criticized the impacts on the elderly, children and the neighboring Hilton Bialek Habitat. [KA]