There were many surprises at last week''s Board of Supervisors hearing, not the least of which was the board''s hasty approval of the September Ranch development. But Squid was particularly taken aback by Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Boardmember Ron Chesshire, who also serves as business agent for the Central California District Council of Carpenters Local 605. In a rambling speech that had something to do with Chesshire''s grandfather and the need to think about future generations'' housing needs, Chesshire asked supervisors to approve September Ranch. Squid would like to know whether Chesshire--having aired his support for September Ranch--will now recuse himself when the Ranch developer comes asking the water board for approval to set up a water distribution system. (And may Chesshire''s colleagues make a more thoughtful decision.)

Report? Oh That Report!

The day after CW came out with a story on Rancho San Juan, the county sent out a press release informing the public that a draft environmental impact report on the project was available for perusal. Thanks guys. That notice came after county planner Brian Foucht and Monterey County Planning Commissioner Larry Hawkins called wanting to know how CW reporter Laurel Chesky had gotten a copy of the draft EIR in the first place. Well sirs, that report was contained in the file on the project that''s been available to the public since February.

Pucker Up

Political gadfly John Lawson of Salinas is agitating for a copy of a lawsuit filed in Monterey County Superior Court last week by former Hartnell Marketing Director Kathryn Butler alleging sexual harassment by college president Ed Valeau. Among the more juicy allegations: that Valeau "restrained the plaintiff in order to kiss her" and told her it was her "job to have babies." So far, the trustees have rejected Butler''s claims against the college.

Let''s Split

Last, we come to Carmel Mayor Ken White''s proclamation at a meeting of mayors that the Peninsula should secede from the rest of the county, presumably to avoid over-development. White obviously didn''t take into account plans to add 40,000-50,000 residents at Fort Ord at full build-out, the fact that most of Seaside is now a redevelopment zone, or even that Marina hopes to add development that would triple the city''s size. Perhaps White would like to subdivide even further and create a tiny county made up of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Monterey and Carmel. Let''s call it Whiteville.

--Squid @coastweekly.com