Park It Here

Thanks for this thoughtful article, Weekly! (“Four state parks in Monterey County are set to close in July. You’ll probably be able to play there anyway,” March 1-7). In addition to all of the problems outdoor enthusiasts face with these park closures, it’s worth noting that the plants and wildlife may feel the hurt too. In particular, we’re worried about the sea otters that live in Moss Landing – those soon-to-be-closed parks provide protected habitat and visitor interpretation for these animals. Without the public education, advisories and enforcement that park officials can provide, visitors may be more likely to disturb otters and enter areas normally kept off-limits for their protection.


We’re trying to do something to help by funding a sign to help interpret the otters and advise visitors on how to behave (more info here: http://on.fb.me/yAQPay), but there is no substitute for a functional park system to protect these ecosystems. - Otter501Movie | via Web


“State Parks is best parks.” Arnold Schwarzenegger - Trey Kropp | via Facebook


I think the people will police themselves just fine, at least for Garrapata. Limekiln is a trickier one because there IS a gate and parking streetside/highwayside is a bit trickier. However, I really can’t see how they are going to keep people out unless they enforce these closures by giving out citations. And even then… - TGreyPhotography | via Facebook


Déjà vu All Over Again


Not being a resident of Seaside, it’s not really any of my business, but I must point out that the city of Seaside’s response of the loss of redevelopment funds is very similar to what happened after the passage of Proposition 13, namely, how can we most hurt those whom we are supposed to represent. (“Seaside considers tough cuts, including a potential closure of Pattullo Swim Center,” March 1-7). A few questions residents might consider asking of their city council: Why does the city need a deputy city manager; why are former members of the redevelopment agency still on the city payroll; and why are the proposed cuts only directed at public safety and recreation? Wouldn’t a significant cut in city overhead be a good place to start saving money? - Aalison | via Web


Excellent Question


The Weekly quotes Marina Coast Water District board member Howard Gustafson as saying that he doesn’t “consider the Coast Weekly the press.” (“Felony stupid,” March 1-7.) A few months ago, at a MCWD meeting, Mr. Gustafson stated, “I don’t read the Herald.”


Does Mr. Gustafson read anything at all? - Eric Petersen | via Web


Ran for His Life


So some ultra-distance runners do the Western States 100? (“Locals travel well beyond marathons in preparation for the Western States century race,” March 1-7). How cute!


I’m just an old-fart has-been fanatical runner who stopped running nine years ago after running for 35 years, but in my prime at age 27 in 1976 I ran the 65-mile grand loop in the middle of the Ventana Wilderness all by myself, solo sans aid stations, sans anyone even knowing I was doing it, and I cranked that incredibly rugged and grueling 65 miles in 14 hours. I carried only a Sierra cup for dipping into creeks and springs, a handful of granola bars, and wore only running shorts, a T-shirt, and running shoes. No survival gear should I have gotten injured and unable to get out of the wilderness.


When I hear people boast of doing the WS 100 that is well-monitored and supported by aid stations and medical personnel with friends and family cheering on the runners, I think that if they really want to show what they are made out of they’d go running in the wilderness alone for an entire day without telling anyone where they will be. That’s how you discover your true power, something very few people will ever know about themselves. - Jeffrey Van Middlebrook | via Web


Beware the Suits 


Congratulations on the Weekly’s reach into fascinating Greenfield community politics, about which I knew nothing (“Greenfield’s indigenous population builds political influence through community meetings,” March 1-7). The story packed a lot in; it seems to me that several of those suitcases could now be unpacked and the contents fully aired on their own clothesline.


I hope the Weekly will follow this story up. Who ever heard of a city suing 16 community organizations?


It’s like the giant Goliath suing the shepherd boy David for collecting signatures. 


And trying to stifle a referendum is just plain undemocratic! But if such a referendum were to be a vehicle for racism against Oaxacans or indeed all the undocumented, that’s different. The Weekly can do an important community service by smoking out what’s behind this! The issue of local government consolidation is an important and timely one in its own right, and any future article should connect what the Greenfield city council is trying to do with similar moves in Pacific Grove, Carmel and Seaside. - Linda Agerbak | Carmel Valley


Got Milk


Boobs are awesome (“Monterey County doesn’t impress with breastfeeding success,” posted March 1). What isn’t awesome is when a hefer (sic) purposly (sic) breastfeeds and looks around to see if anyone will discriminate against her. - Amanda Opdyke | via Facebook


Hefer? How dare someone (some hefer, of course) “purposly” breastfeed. It should happen by accident only. - Malinda DeRouen | via Facebook


I don’t see any attractive women ever, ever plop out a boob in public just to see what kind of reaction they will get. Trust me I see quite a few hefer mothers doing this. Sorry I do not have tons of time to use Wikipedia ( REALLY!!!) to quote crap. I am using my freedom of speech to make my own statement. Get a life. - Amanda Opdyke | via Facebook


(Editor’s note: It’s heifer. And purposely. Try dictionary.com.)


Corrections:


Due to an editing error, the Brown Berets was identified as a Watsonville-based Chicano nationalist group (“Greenfield’s indigenous population builds political influence through community meetings,” March 1-7). The Watsonville group is not affiliated with the national movement of the same name. 


A story on a proposed garbage gasification plant in Gonzales (“People Fight the Power,” March 1-7) incorrectly stated the plant would cost $7.5 million. The projected cost is actually $100-150 million.