To Seaside Councilmember Helen Rucker who apparently waited to see which way the political winds would blow before announcing her retirement--a retirement that was grist for the rumor mill all through the elections. Sure, Rucker deserves a break from all her years of public service, but making that decision before the election would have allowed voters to choose her replacement. Now the council will have to decide on an appointment (third top vote-getter and former Mayor Lance McClair?)--or worse yet, hold an [expensive] special election, should they deadlock on an appointment. (You remember what happened in Marina. Last year, the council there deadlocked on the appointment of Ken Nishi, held a $15,000 special election, and ta-da, Nishi was elected.) By the way, newly elected Marina Mayor Jim Perrine could also have relinquished his council safe seat to run for mayor and given Marina constituents a chance to choose his replacement.

''Member Me?

Nevertheless, Marina should be commended for its attempt at political correctness by designating the newly elected Ila Mettee-McCutchon as a "Council Member" on the city council agenda. Curiously, the male persons are still referred to as councilmen. Is not a man a member?

Deja Vu

Wait a minute! Didn''t we already do this? On Nov. 17, the Sand City Council passed a resolution approving a coastal development permit for the 400-plus unit Monterey Bay Shores Resort. But, alas, that resolution will now have to be rescinded because of a boo-boo, in which California Administrative Code laws were inadvertently violated. Seems that Sand City staff forgot to mention that the decision could be appealed to the California Coastal Commission. (Coincidence??) So the council had to re-vote on the issue up again this week.

Seasons Greetings

Your holiday won''t be complete without this new version of an old holiday favorite, penned by the ever-clever commentators Stan Sinberg and Rita Abrams and heard by Squid on Bay Area station KFOG.

You better watch out/You better not cry/ You better not cheat/You better not lie/ Kenneth Starr is coming to town.

He''s making a list/Of every affair/Especially those/Involving big hair/ Kenneth Starr is coming to town.

He knows where you''ve been ''sleeping''/ And when your morals slip/He knows if you''ve been bad or good/With the help of Linda Tripp...

Deck

--Squid

Hook Squid: squid@coastweekly.com

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