OH, YOU MEAN THESE E-MAILS… A couple weeks back, Squid’s colleague submitted a public record request to the city of Salinas, hunting for proof that Green Vehicles’ landlord, STG Group, had let the city know its intent to evict the electric car company from the Firestone Business Park for not paying rent since the start of 2011. The city turned over the first round of documents…with no eviction communique included. “We know nothing!” exclaimed Salinas officials—who threw some $700,000 at the startup to entice it to come to Salinas in the first place. “I fundamentally view the rent discussion as an internal matter between them and their landlord,” scolded Mayor Dennis Donohue.

And then, late last week, the rest of the public records turned up. “Green Vehicles has not paid rent in over 3 months,” reads an e-mail from STG’s John Ziegler to Donohue and Economic Development Director Jeff Weir. Another e-mail sent to Green Vehicles CEO Mike Ryan from Weir details a conference call he, Donohue and other city officials had with Ziegler about the missing $21,000 in rent: “In a nutshell: Some form of written agreement/proposal from GV…needs to be finalized before 5pm Monday, March 21 or an eviction process will be started.”

So it wasn’t such an internal matter after all. Salinas city officials were involved every step of the way.

But Squid’s favorite document is a reply from Ryan. “As far as STG goes,” he writes, “I believe this is about seeing the forest through the trees. Although I understand they want to be paid…I don’t think taking a hard line is going to be good for anyone including them over the long term.”

Squid’s gonna have to use that line with Squid’s landlord about May’s rent.

SMELLS LIKE VICTORY… Squid plans on oozing over to Marina’s Locke-Paddon Park April 16 to celebrate Earth Day, along with Squid’s pals at Citizens for Sustainable Marina. Squid’s plan: Grab a shovel (or eight), plant a tree or two, and stay out of the gun sights of City Manager Tony Altfeld, who has the modest municipality’s eco-friendly residents jumping through a surprising number of hoops.

A tipster reports the city has kept the citizens’ group hustling with tedious requirements for the event, including inspections for health and safety, lengthy assembly and parade permits, and even music (?!) details. The city is also warning about drop-in inspections and instant shut down if anyone steps out of line.

Squid’s favorite part? Marina’s Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a drive-through auto inspection for residents in the parking lot of the hotel next to the park—during the Earth Day celebration. Fumes for everyone!