VIDEO VOYEURS… These days, secret sex tapes seem to be de rigueur conversation around Salinas, from whispers around the County Administration Building to astounded kids chattering in line at Maya Cinema’s midnight showing of Hunger Games. As the charges keep mounting against former Salinas High School drug and alcohol counselor Gilbert Olivares, accused of secretly recording students having sex in his office, some parents are stepping forward and saying, “Enough.”


Enough of the media, that is. Squid’s colleague was buying a pack of gum and the cashier asked, “Isn’t there anything that can be done about the television news showing random kids on campus?” Since news of Olivares’ arrest broke, local stations have been reporting from the public sidewalks outside Salinas High. A school source says stations have been asked not to film the kids’ faces, but not everyone has complied. One that has agreed: CNN. It appears the network’s silver-haired fox, Anderson Cooper, may come a-callin’ for a segment on the Olivares debacle. The District Attorney confirms Coop’s producers asked for a copy of the complaint. Squid admits to having a crushy-wushy on Anderson, but the idea he might soon be near Squid’s lair is exciting beyond measure. Where did Squid leave that video camera anyway?


THERE WILL BE BLOOD… Marina Coast Water District board member Jan Shriner is no stranger to a good fight. She’s been in one since she became the lone voice of reason on the board’s salty sea of insanity. Now, as the district prepares to sue Cal Am and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency for dumping it like a bad habit in the desal plant debacle, Shriner is fighting a battle of her own. 


Two weeks ago, Marina Gazette publisher Gary Wilmot accidentally copied Mayor Bruce Delgado on an email urging mayoral candidate Steve Emerson to “start taking out” Delgado’s minions, including Shriner. Last week, Shriner’s street had to be shut down while cops investigated blood splashed outside her home. No word on the source. Marina Police Chief Eddie Rodriguez is recommending the water district revisit its policies on violence in the workplace, and Shriner asked General Manager Jim Heitzman – the same guy who accused her of workplace harassment – to place it on the next agenda. Heitzman’s emailed response: What does anything happening at your house have to do with the district? And by the way, quit CCing district attorneys on your emails because it costs money. 


Given the district just cut a check for $25,000 to Heitzman’s attorney in the desal conflict-of-interest case, what’s a few dollars more?