Chain Mail


Another nail in the coffin of downtown Monterey (“Alvarado Street coffee shop moving out, making way for national chains,” May 26-June 1). Do we really need another Starbucks in the area, or a second frozen yogurt shop on Alvarado? At least Cafe 316 has some personality (not to mention some of the friendliest managers/employees around). - JRothal | via Web


Animal Planet


I recall that the last time the Monterey County Animal Shelter had cuts of 40 percent and no other department in the county took such huge cuts. Why are they picking on the animal shelter again? This is reminiscent of the “bully in the school yard” picking on the littlest kid. 


I have a solution. Why don’t the supervisors cut the huge salaries of the top managers in the entire Monterey County, including themselves, just five percent or 10 percent, which in some cases, one manager’s cut would equal about half of an animal shelter workers annual salary? Or how about a flat 5 percent cut across the entire Monterey County payroll where everyone shares the pain? Isn’t it time others start taking the hit for balancing the budget? Monterey County is one of the biggest counties in California and they want to reduce the Animal Control officers by another 40 percent! This is beginning to look like Wisconsin, where they’re picking on the real workers who do all the work! - Michael Houda | Prunedale 


Corps Values


In today’s society, many of our priorities are simply misplaced. (“Peace Corps veterans look back on the compulsion to serve,” The Best of Monterey Bay Senior Guide 2011-2012). 


We bemoan the state of our educational system, but are often unwilling to commit more resources to that same system. The U.S. Peace Corps budget in 2010 was only $400 million, which as a percentage of the military budget is so small it can barely even be measured. This, for an organization that collectively speaks hundreds of languages and serves 77 countries around the globe, creating friendships and often creating the first image that people who encounter Peace Corps Volunteers have ever had with a person from the U.S. This is a sad commentary.


On Saturday, May 21, the National Director of the U.S. Peace Corps, Aaron Williams, came to town. He and Rep. Sam Farr discussed the Peace Corps and took questions and ideas from a group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers at the Peace Resource Center in Seaside, and later at an event at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. I suggested to Director Williams that he talk to military personnel who have been good at getting lots of money year after year – because the Peace Corps needs and deserves better funding than it is getting. - Colin Gallagher | Marina


(Note: Mr. Gallagher served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador from 1998 to 2000.)


Come to Carmel!


This week, the 2011 “Films in the Forest” series kicks off at Carmel’s outdoor Forest Theater, located on the corner of Mountain View and Santa Rita in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 


Hit movies, from Michael Jackson’s This Is It to Julia Roberts’ Eat Pray Love, will run from May 31 through July 28 on the Forest Theater Guild’s big outdoor screen each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening beginning at dusk (approximately 8:15pm). Thanks to the generosity of community volunteers and sponsors, movie tickets will cost only $6 this year and can be purchased at the Forest Theater one hour prior to show. So hop in the car, take a drive out to the village and enjoy this family friendly outdoor film series under the stars… but don’t forget a blanket to stay warm! - Adam Moniz | Carmel-by-the-Sea


Correction


An article in last week’s paper on the status of women in Monterey County incorrectly referenced the Community Foundation; the proper name is The Community Foundation for Monterey County (“New report shows women’s wages still lag behind those of men,” May 26-June 1). In addition, Julie Drezner, vice president of community engagement, works directly for The Community Foundation for Monterey County, and not the Women’s Fund.