DOG DAYS

A football issue for the Weekly? Great timing! The Ron Rivera story (“Man in Motion,” Sept. 10-16) gave great insight on a solid man, on the field and off.

Best of all was “Ready to Play,” that’s quite a starting lineup with all the different animals… very touching and hilarious. If only one animal is adopted it’s worth it.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading the Weekly online every week. --Mark Aguirre | San Diego

RENT RIP-OFF

Marina’s seniors and low-income residents are ripe for the taking.

Marina’s mobile home parkowners show their true intent and lack of good faith at Task Force meetings by proposing more excessive rent increases in a 14-page, 10-year lease. Why would anyone sign a lease that raises their rent? We’ve been coming to the city since 2000 asking for relief from excessive space rents and we get a lease that raises them even more?

After agreeing to come back to the Task Force on Sept. 23 for further negotiations, one park owner informed homeowners 12 hours later that their rents were being increased and, as “enticement” to sign his new lease, threatens to sell off one lot so they would “never be protected by any rent control ordinance.” How can this not be viewed as fear-mongering against these seniors?

Homeowners are inviting State Senator Abel Maldonado to meet and ask for protection against this very type of threat by voting yes on AB566.

Park owners demand rent increases beyond what they identified as market value in order to create a new “market rate.” Monterey County landlords lower rents to retain their tenants; park owners refuse. They have a captive audience who can’t just move when the rents get unaffordable.

When homeowners ask for profit and loss statements from park owners to show their “need” for exorbitant rents, park owners refuse. Other cities require this from owners wanting rent increases. Park owners and their representatives continue to bully the city by threatening them with lawsuits if they pass any form of rent stabilization. --Cindy Virtue, Marina Mobile Home Coalition | Marina

Clarification: “Take-Out Message,” (Sept. 10-16) said the plastic bag industry has sued several cities that have attempted plastic bag bans. The American Chemistry Council was not party to the lawsuits, which were filed or threatened by other groups representing the plastic bag industry, including Save the Plastic Bag Coalition and Coalition to Support Plastic Bag Recycling.