FIELD HOCKEY… Back in the end of September, when Salinas Valley temps reached 100 degrees, California Rural Legal Assistance attorney Michael Marsh thought he could prevent heat strokes and even deaths (the last few years have seen a spate of them in California fields) by letting ag bosses know the law guaranteeing farmworkers drinking water and a shady spot to rest.

Conditions were OK at Red Blossom Farms, Marsh reports, but not at seven other ag operations along Old Stage Road, where water and shade were nearly as scarce as artichokes in fast-food joints. Still, Marsh says, all his conversations were cordial.

So he was shocked to learn Big Ag’s biggest dog, the Western Growers Association, accused him in its Spotlight newsletter of impersonating a CAL-OSHA inspector.

Marsh says the claim is bogus and is contemplating a defamation suit. Foolish move on Big Ag’s part – or brilliant diversion tactic? The charade could keep pesky Marsh in court and out of the sweltering fields.

POLL PUSHERS… Last month, folks at a Utah call center asked Marina voters during a phone survey if they would be more or less inclined to vote for Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado if they knew this not-so-neutrally-phrased “fact”: “Bruce has left the city of Marina in horrible shape, with a $4.1 million budget deficit.”

Squid, being all too familiar with the ways of anonymous slimy creatures, wasn’t too surprised that the anonymous slimy creature behind these push polls neglected to report the cost as part of the Marina mayoral race.

And while challenger Dave McCall stands to benefit, he swears he has nothing to do with the push polls. Instead, he says, the most plausible explanation is that the mayor himself sponsored the calls in some kind of elaborate political jujitsu. “It seems to us that he is doing it to create sympathy,” McCall says.

And Squid thought Squid’s logic was cynical and bizarre.

MEAN MUGGING… Speaking of Delgado, the Green Party mayor’s entrance to a Weekly endorsement meeting marked a highlight of election season.

He refused a fresh water glass, insisting on using the one left behind by incumbent Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio – to save the water and soap needed to clean it.

“Who gets cooties these days?” he asked.

Now, there’s the dirty campaigning Squid craves.