FRIGID HEARTS 


It’s that time of year. The papers and television news are full of stories about the freezing nighttime temperatures on the Monterey Peninsula and people are scurrying about buying and covering their roses and other plants to protect them from the freeze. This morning there was frost on the rooftops. People are protecting their plants, but in some instances, these same people and many more are failing to protect their animals from the cold. Here is Seaside, it’s rampant. Animal Control is off for the holiday week (though they normally are very responsive) so there is no recourse or protection for these animals at this moment of need. 


Down the road from us, there is an elder, skinny German shepherd, left outside alone, all day, every day, all year, with no attention, no dog bed, no doghouse, nothing. Although we wrote a note to the owners that freezing temps were expected last night, they did nothing. They simply do not care about this animal and see him only as a tool to “protect” their house. 


He is just one example. Sadly there are many more. At another house and many others, tropical birds are huddled in dirty cages, sometimes in front yards, with no protection from the hail, cold and rain.


The owners have no compassion. Therefore, without an incentive, they will not change. Please allow your dogs and other animals into your garage or home in this freezing weather. Please buy an electric fence to protect your home. An animal is not a tool: They feel pain, sadness, depression, loneliness and yes, they feel the freeze. - Rhonda Somerton | Seaside


CHECKS AND BALANCES


Squid’s mention of the county ERP system (“Pennies from heaven,” Nov. 24-Dec.1) gave me a flashback: in the late 1970s I wrote a computerized payroll system to replace a system my employer outgrew. During development, I discovered the old system improperly always rounded down, which meant on average every other paycheck left a penny in the company’s accounts instead of paying it to employees. 


That entire company windfall totaled to about only $20 per year (equivalent to about $65 now), but was still unfair.


Income tax calculations are complicated, so paycheck errors are not uncommon. I recommend that everyone carefully and independently confirm their paychecks are exactly what they should be. - Joe Snyder | Monterey


ART OF THE BASKET


I just wanted you to know that I so enjoyed the article on Linda Yamane (“Seaside artist resurrects a long-lost native craft,” Nov. 24-Dec. 1) in last week’s Weekly. 


It was so inspiring and uplifting and I’m so amazed at Linda’s perseverance, patience and focus. It is a tribute to ancestors, art, nature and so much more. 


I’m sending this article to several friends and relatives. To me, stories like this are so important and are what I really celebrate. Thank you for putting this out to a wider audience. - Kay Cline | Monterey