CLUBHOUSE CONUNDRUM


There’s a brouhaha brewing in “America’s Last Home Town,” Pacific Grove, where the powers that be want to convert the golf clubhouse into a concert hall (read that as a late evening cocktail bar) with no regard to the well-being of our citizens who live in its environs nor respect to those who rest eternally in the adjacent El Carmelo Cemetery.


Since the golf club parking lot is devoid of any lights, overhead lights will have to be installed and one can imagine what this will do to anyone wanting to get some sleep, to say nothing of the noise and revelry emanating from inside the proposed night club. 


One can foresee tipsy patrons trying to find their cars and then speeding off on to Asilomar Boulevard in both directions with the ensuing noise and the possibility of some nasty accidents. Naturally this would put a strain on our police department who no doubt will monitor the activities going on and act accordingly.


This is a no-brainer and needs to be deep-sixed. This area is open spaced and recreationally zoned and installing a cocktail bar will abrogate this principle and open the door to other commercial ventures which will turn our retirement community into a garish neon-lighted nightmare. - Andrew Wilson | Pacific Grove


SALINAS STORIES


Having lived here for 30 years, I know Salinas very well and have watched over the years places open and close in Oldtown. When the Maya Cinemas was built, it should have had a restaurant, nightclub and roller-skating rink to bring the citizens to a place where they can have some fun. Not just a cinema! In Europe this is the way they do things. I suggest your recent article on Gerry Kehoe (“Squid Fry,” Dec. 30-Jan. 5) is, I am afraid, too late, especially under the hard times we are living in. - D.B. Sinclair | Watsonville


SHORT STORY OF THANKS


I want to thank the Weekly for including my 101-word short story in the December 30 issue (“Tales of adventure, intrigue, romance? All of the 101-word variety,” Dec. 30-Jan. 5). Artist Matt Mignanelli is to be congratulated for capturing the story’s excitement in his great cover. I should know. The story is true. Thanks! - Naomi Kanakaris | Monterey


WATER WORRIES


As you know the state has modified its insistence that truckers change all their engines to a less polluting model regardless of the considerable cost. That deadline has been pushed back years because of the downturn in the economy. Why can’t the same state modify its insistence that we stop taking so much water out of the Carmel River basin? Why do we have to build a grossly over-priced desalination plant to make the most expensive water in the world while the Carmel River is running many acre feet of fresh water into the ocean. After all, the same economic downturn is impacting us, the local rate and taxpayers. I live in Carmel and I walk across the river several times each week, I don’t see many fish and I see all that lovely fresh water running into the ocean only to be scheduled to be desalinated later. Where is the wisdom and who are the profiteers? - Francis Duda | Carmel