In the ’Vill


Thanks for the wonderful article on Carmel Valley and its beautiful village (“Carmel Valley Rising,” Feb. 2-8). We’re still a secret to many but I think it’s just a matter of time before we’ll see more guests exploring our unique and abundant part of the world with all of its many offerings and talents. - Linda Jacobs | Carmel Valley


Support the Fort


It was great news to hear that Fort Ord’s Bureau of Land Management land may become a national monument (“Local activists head to D.C. to push for Fort Ord National Monument,” Jan. 26-Feb. 1). Hopefully, access to that beautiful land will not be blocked by a bus maintenance yard. The oak woodlands of Fort Ord should be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Fort Ord is a place of historical significance and should be recognized as such. - Batcave | via Web


Oaks Conundrum


About 18,000 voters of the Monterey Peninsula have overwhelmingly said they do not want the Monterey-Salinas Transit bus yard located at Whispering Oaks (coverage ongoing). Let’s hope our supervisors make a great decision and rescind their original decision. It’s time for ethics and rationality to prevail! - Diane Creasey | Marina 


Asphalt, Continued


Thank you for printing a correction this week to your story (“A Pain in the Asphalt,” Dec. 22-28). Reporter Sara Rubin mistakenly reported that the county was testing core samples from the area that was the focus of her story, when in fact, the county does not conduct core sample testing.


Unfortunately, the original story remains inaccurate on several other points. First, Ms. Rubin quotes me as saying there were test results from the area in question, which is incorrect as I cannot comment on nor have I ever commented on ongoing investigations. Secondly, the article says I launched an investigation after hearing from a confidential witness. I gave no such information to Ms. Rubin for the same reason as I could not discuss test results or another aspect on any ongoing investigation. If she obtained this information from another source, she should make that clear.


When Ms. Rubin interviewed me for her article I tried to be helpful but I also let her know I could only give her background information on overall environmental investigations and speak in generalities. Giving details about an ongoing investigation can hamper our ability to obtain critical information in identifying responsible parties and/or obtaining information that could potentially lead to legal action, our top priority. John Ramirez | County Environmental Health Director


(Editor’s note: With the exception of the core sample information, the Weekly stands by this story.)


Tower of Babel


“About 90 percent of Language Line’s roughly 4,000 employees, who translate about 170 languages for people with limited English proficiency, are paid employees,” suggesting that about 10 percent (or 400) interpreters are not employees (“Monterey-based telephone interpretation company sues competitor,” posted Feb. 1). Language Line Services does employ independent contractors for its telephonic interpreter services. Language Line Services is entitled to use contractors for telephonic interpretation, but not its competitor? - Interpreter | via Web


Field Games


Methyl iodide proponents and patent holders are finding ground giving way under their feet (“Jerry Brown appoints new pesticide boss,” posted Feb. 2). CREDO Mobile has another petition to push for a moratorium on this fumigant until it is proven safe in adequate studies for humans, crops, groundwater, domestic animals and wildlife. http://bit.ly/wMZflF


Gov. Jerry Brown has just appointed a well-established organic farmer, Brian Leahy, to the long-vacant post of head of the state’s Dept. of Pesticide Regulation. Since only four states have their own DPR it means Californians can challenge the EPA’s blanket approval for methyl iodide that is the default position for the other 46 states. 


The stakeholders meetings in Monterey County under the sponsorship of Supervisor Simon Salinas included mostly Big Ag affiliates, growers and shippers and their attorneys, not County Office of Education or Cal Rural Legal Assistance or organic farmers or toxicologists, County Health Department or LWV representatives. The numbers of resolutions (and some lawsuits) in support of a moratorium include these and other major stakeholders like EarthJustice. Monterey County has a lot to lose if methyl iodide is allowed in our fields, next to our field workers, schools, homes and roadways and in our drinking water near the fumigated fields. Is the governor displaying his support of the moratorium by his choice of head for the industry-influenced DPR? - Carole Erickson | Carmel


(Editor’s note: Ms. Erickson is a member of the Safe Strawberry-Monterey County Working Group.)


Ad-ditional Commentary


How convenient that The Cohen-Jones Family (“Letters,” Feb 2-8) left off the phrase “your tax dollars” when calling out an ad they took offense to. Leaving off half of the slogan to give your argument more merit is no better than the Weekly’s decision to print the offensive ad in the first place. While I do not shop at that establishment, I do still believe in freedom of speech. I do not believe the person writing that letter was prompted by her husband and teenagers to do so. The writer states that the values, sensibilities and politics of the Weekly are far from those of herself and her family and that she will no longer read the paper. I, too, am a mother of teenagers but my kids know better than to discredit an independent news source simply because an ad was overboard. My kids ignored the ad and went about their reading. - Sue Braum | Seaside


Speaking of Weird


We represent a group of concerned citizens who are pleading with the Weekly to stop the one-sided bashing of political candidates. We ask to stop the picking, bullying, negative portrayal of any political, racial or religious group. We hope the MCW will discontinue this practice. If our request is ignored, we are prepared to contact MCW sponsors and ask for their assistance in this effort. Also, we will launch a mailing program and a website to let citizens know which companies will be part of the movements Boycott (sic). We sincerely wish for MCW to practice ethical journalistic behavior. - Unsigned | via U.S. Mail


(Editor’s note: Really, where do we even start with this one? How about here – why did you capitalize boycott?)