Motorhomies

I find it very difficult to trust or believe what we are being told by the city of Del Rey Oaks representatives (“Neighbor groups form to weigh in on future of Del Rey Oaks driving range,” posted Jan. 17). When this initially came to our attention via the City Council meeting minutes we were later told it was only a “rumor.” One of the members of our group received an angry phone call from a city employee due to our bringing around a petition. Now I read that the city again is stating they are surprised by our actions and that the RV park project has not even been proposed yet. Then why did one of the city’s police officers offer to show me the RV park plans he was carrying around with him in his patrol car? Seems as if the Del Rey Oaks Officials are much more aware of this project than they are letting on. I think there are more appropriate location for an RV park than in a neighborhood, perhaps some of the Fort Ord property where there are more recreational activities (hiking trails, bike trail and closer access to Laguna Seca and its activities). - Kpzolo | via Web

Has anyone quoted in this article actually traveled by RV? A nice park is not a crime magnet but a revenue generator for a region, just like a hotel. But $250 per night is unheard of. Even for “resort style” parks with lakes, golf course(s), restaurants, etc. Geesh – talk to actual RVers and do some market research! - Julie Cason | via Facebook

I live here in DRO and would love to see something residents could enjoy and be a part of. A community swimming pool, park, a center for events like they have in Carmel Valley. - Diane DeWeese | via Web

Triggering Change

First off, gun ownership is a constitutional right, driving is a privilege, so right off the bat conversing with you presents a problem, being that you have no clue on the difference, because you don’t believe in one of them (I’ll let you guess which one). (“Will Dianne Feinstein lead Congress through the door left open by the NRA’s disaster of a press conference?” Jan. 10-16.)

If you don’t like something in the Constitution, the founders put in place a mechanism for changing it, one specifically designed to be laborious to prevent temporary politicians, political hacks and self-important jack-wagons from creating “permanent” changes to serve their own selfish needs and desires.

You can mock people for their faith and dedication to the Constitution all you want, it doesn’t change the fact that you are simply too far down the rabbit-hole with your political B.S., I don’t care what party you belong to. - JakeDD | via Web

Those critics of Dianne Feinstein like Joshua Kelsey who brand her as being a hypocrite for championing gun control while having a concealed carry permit may not be aware that as the former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978, Feinstein was in San Francisco City Hall the day Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were gunned down by Supervisor Dan White.

As reported in author Randy Shilts’ The Mayor of Castro Street, after shooting Moscone and Milk, “White fled the scene as Feinstein entered the office where Milk lay dead. She grabbed his wrist for a pulse, her finger entering Milk’s bullet wound. Horrified, Feinstein was shaking so badly she required support from the police chief after identifying both bodies. Feinstein then tearfully announced the murders to a stunned public, stating: ‘As President of the Board of Supervisors, it’s my duty to make this announcement. Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed. The suspect is Supervisor Dan White.’”

It should come as no surprise that based on her first-hand experience, Feinstein would seek to carry a gun for protection, and it is to her credit that she successfully passed an assault weapons ban in 1994. Good luck to her in her latest effort to reinstitute the ban. - Richard Pitnick | Carmel Valley

Lease of Our Problems

Unfortunately Mr. McCrone overlooks the main reason the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club has historically been granted below-market rent (“Yacht Club, Sapporo tussle with Monterey over leases; planning commish cries foul,” Jan. 10-16). Monterey’s local coastal plan notes the continued existence of the Yacht Club should be encouraged by the city because it provides access to the coast and recreational boating and sailing activities on the Bay.

During planning for the local coastal plan, the waterfront was extensively studied with the goal to make the coast and Bay more accessible. The findings noted the Yacht Club and the Maritime Museum were the only two nonprofit organizations on the waterfront. The findings indicated the Yacht Club should be given preferential treatment and encouraged by the city so that it can continue to provide coastal access and the promotion of sailing and recreational use of the Bay.

It is no “sweetheart deal” that for years city policy has granted the club below market rent. It is not because “Those people think they’re entitled,” but rather it is by design; there are years of planning and research to support this policy. The city should follow precedent and grant the Yacht Club another favorable lease.

Commissioner McCrone should be aware of the history of the city’s Land Use Policies. Does he want the waterfront dominated with gift shops and restaurants with nothing but high-paying commercial tenants? Is that what Monterey’s waterfront is really all about? - James Winterbotham | Monterey

(Editor’s note: Mr. Winterbotham has been a Yacht Club member since 1985.)

Musical Opinions

So much attitude for so little talent (“May Black gives Oakland garage rockers Spider Heart an unforgettable edge,” Jan 10-16). Maybe the CD got a good review thanks to production, but she was pretty weak live. Tired clichés with the gun and the smoking. - Veronica S | via Web

Yes without Jon Anderson? Pass. (“From Jeff Bridges to Bat for Lashes: Tasty upcoming shows,” posted Jan. 15.) Dead Meadow will be great. Medeski Martin & Wood without having to go to Jazzfest? Awesome. By the way, the Kanye analogy is pathetic. - NeonFlashlight | via Web

CLARIFICATION: A letter from “Roycamp39” under the heading “Good Medicine” (Jan. 10-17) incorrectly described Natividad Medical Center as having the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the county. Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital has one as well.