Wrong Cup of Coffee

I would like to take issue with the language used while mentioning my shop, Acme Coffee [“Downtown Ghost Town,” Oct. 11-17].

“Irreverently”: deficient in veneration or respect, irreligious, impious, profane, disrespectful. Um… this is not how I bustle.

One paying attention in my shop (yes, “my shop” as I am not an employee as indicated in the article) might notice the conspicuously placed Catholic icons.

“Anarchist”: a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed. Um… while my politics do not fall within our two party system, I am certain the sailors, soldiers, police officers, firefighters and city government workers would tell you they don’t feel threatened by me when they are patrons of the shop.

Come on you guys. The Weekly can do much better than this. —Larry Thurman | Seaside

Wrong Downtown

Downtown Seaside is not a “ghost town.” For 20 years I have driven, at least weekly, to that very part of Seaside to eat at a few of the best restaurants in the entire area. The article’s pejorative summary of that stretch of Broadway did not even mention Ferdi’s, a long-time Seaside jewel and home to the best gumbo in the West. Those blocks host many good businesses that are owned and operated – not just “franchised” – by locals with an investment in the community. Another business ignored by the article is ArtMax, which supplies many of the area’s artists. I’m sure there is plenty the city can do to make the area more hospitable to pedestrians and bikes. But I sure hope the “redevelopment” does not trade the fruits of community for the spoils of a Transient Occupancy Tax.—Mike Thompson | Salinas

Wrong Spot

Building a hotel at the intersections of Del Monte Boulevard and Canyon Del Rey is a poor idea. There already are two hotels in that location with a new one to be constructed next to the Holiday Inn. How many hotels does Seaside need?

The intersection is one of the busiest and potentially one of the most dangerous in this area. Observe the traffic mess Starbucks creates at their location on the opposite corner from Reggie’s 20,000-square-foot property. The proposed hotel will create a traffic nightmare. Imagine the traffic tie-ups while this proposed hotel is being constructed. This won’t fly with the public. What about traffic ingress and egress from this hotel? More traffic lights? There are established businesses at that location: Skip’s Auto Parts, All Automotive Repair Facility, and others, plus a church and private dwellings. What do you do? Kick them all out to please one of Reggie’s fantasies? That is not the American way or is it? What about the people who work there? Will Seaside take care of them and pay for the loss of business? I, and many others, have patronized these establishments for many years.

Mayor Rubio speaks of Reggie Jackson’s “business acumen.” From Reggie’s past business ventures, his business acumen is far from stellar; i.e., the gym in Seaside and a restaurant in Monterey, both in the tank. Reggie does not live in Seaside and it makes one wonder where his interest lies. He is out to make a fast buck, face it. —Andrew Wilson | Pacific Grove

Wrong Guy for the Job

I would like to apologize to the residents of Pacific Grove for a vote when I served on the City Council.

When we were looking for a new city manager to replace the one that resigned, I voted to hire Mr. Jim Colangelo. In the interview I was impressed with his speaking ability and the fact the City did not have to pay a relocation expense as he already lived in Pacific Grove.

I knew at the time he had no city manager experience but I thought he could learn the ropes. I was wrong and I sincerely regret my vote.

In my opinion he has brought nothing but misery to America’s Last Home Town.

His effort to re-invent the government of Pacific Grove through reorganization, through layoffs of skilled and valuable people, is a nightmare. Harm is being done to our city that cannot be undone. The loss of institutional knowledge by senior management people as well as staff will be felt for years to come.

I feel a personal responsibility for this error in judgment and I am truly sorry for the discomfort and harm I have caused our wonderful town. —Ron Schenk | Pacific Grove