Into the Breach


Many thanks to Kera Abraham for her excellent article on the continuing efforts to restore and preserve the Carmel Lagoon State Park (“Vinyl barrier brokers truce between enviros, homeowners on the Carmel Lagoon,” Aug. 25-31). The problem of flooding, flood protection and damage to the estuary is decades long. This is critical habitat to at least three endangered species and home to a very diverse mix of wildlife along with an entire food web of macro-invertebrates that make up a rich food supply for all these creatures. When the county is forced to use bulldozers to open the lagoon to prevent flooding, the entire ecosystem is flushed into the sea.


I would like make a correction to the article which leads the reader to believe I state that flooding would happen even after the vinyl barrier was built. Actually, I tried to stress that the homes near the lagoon would continue to be flooded even with continued bulldozer breaching by the county if the barrier is not built. Due to storm surge and large swells it is at times impossible for Monterey County to “drain” the lagoon with bulldozers simply due to tide levels and waves so high the water backs up into the homes anyway. It has nothing to do with river flows or levels, but the ocean height. It was this condition that caused the worst floods in recent history in 2008. The only thing that will be able to protect the homeowners will be the vinyl barrier or similar levee system. | Frank Emerson | Monterey 


Drug Drops


Several pharmacies take back medicines (“Sustainability Academy’s cash flow problem complicates drug drop box program,” Sept. 15-21.) For a listing in Monterey County go to the MRWPCA’s website at: http://bit.ly/p4Ya2i. | bayottergirl | via Web


Burning Budget


Several articles and letters (in other publications) applaud the merger of the Carmel fire department with that of Monterey. They cite that Tom Frutchey, the current city manager for Pacific Grove, testified that Pacific Grove citizens were OK with the merger.


Mr. Frutchey was not here prior to the merger, so he has no idea what fire service was like previously. It was fine. The cost for fire service through Monterey is significantly more than the city’s’ stand-alone system – about $500,000 dollars per year more. The others argue the system is vastly superior.


The Monterey City Council just allocated a 3 percent raise to the fire department which was then allocated for a CalPERS rate increase. Pacific Grove didn’t get a vote. We never do. Pacific Grove is broke because of safety pension costs. We have no money for raises. In my view, so is Monterey, but they are in denial. In a couple of years, Pacific Grove will be forced to withdraw from the Monterey contract and form a department composed of a few full-time, some part-time and some volunteer firefighters. The balance sheet leaves no alternatives. As far as Carmel is concerned, the merger is their business, but it should look at Monterey’s balance sheet. Big cuts in safety costs are coming for Monterey. | John Moore | Pacific Grove | (Note: Mr. Moore is president of the Pacific Grove Taxpayers Association.)


Beef Mafia


Glad to see Americans finally taking a stand for an important cause (“Marina In-N-Out flash mob set for Sept. 24,” Sept. 8-14.) | Ronnell Mello | via Facebook


Zippity Doo-Dah


Yay! And Point Lobos too! (“County Parks Department is quietly considering a zipline at Jacks Peak: Yay or Nay?” Sept. 15-21.) | Brian Flores | via Facebook


Yay. | Susie Saunders Brusa | via Facebook


Absolutely NOT! | Heidi Linkenbach Short | via Facebook


If you truly love nature you should be against ziplines. If you want to scream, try an amusement park. Definite NAY. | Angelica Garcia | via Facebook


Jacks Peak is for quiet hiking and bird watching, but (not) amusement rides. Totally nay… good for Joyce Stevens for fighting this crazy idea. | Celia Bosworth | via Facebook