Letters to the Editor: May 5, 2024

Marathon weekend

A tip of the ole fedora to the organizers of the Big Sur International Marathon from an 81-year-old guy who ran the 5K. Even with all the problems along some of the routes the starting gun fired right on time for all events.

The Rocky Creek slip-out was a hazard for runners and the course had to be adjusted. It meant some categories had to make a U-turn and run back the way they came.

There could have been chaos, but the interweaving was perfect. The result was a perfectly beautiful fun day. Kudos to the BSIM team.

— Dan Presser, Carmel 

Water

As reported in the Monterey Herald, Marina Coast Water District needs to raise rates to repair, replace and improve its water distribution infrastructure. These same factors are part of the reason we pay so much for water on the Peninsula. People in Monterey are reported to be paying the highest water rates in the country and Public Water Now says that is because Cal Am is privately owned. The district is paying lower cost to pump water from ground sources. On the Peninsula we have more expensive water because of limits on pumping from ground water and we must resort to more expensive options to meet our demand. I have been tracking the use of water for our two-person household for years.  We live in Del Rey Oaks and our monthly water bill has averaged $132 for the past 12 months.  Thirty-three percent is for taxes and fees other than water. According to the State Controller, the MPWMD spent $26.68M in 2022. How much of that could have been saved if we didn’t have the District? What is the value added of having the District? Do we need it and Pure Water Monterey? Could they be merged and save us money?

— Dennis Allion, Del Rey Oaks

Open space

I would like to shout out a big “thank you” to the Big Sur Land Trust for the work it is doing to preserve open space. The recent addition of 84 acres of oak woodland, grassland and wetlands habitat will be of great benefit to the community.  Thank you to the owners of the Hiss Parcel for selling it to the trust. The more protected open space the better for people and animals alike.

— Nancy Ponedel Parsons, Pacific Grove

Immigration

I wish to express my appreciation for your courage in printing Steven Camarota’s column on the necessity to enforce reasonable immigration limits. Despite the disastrous effects  massive immigration has on the natural environment, wage equality and the shortage of housing, criticism of the current actual federal policy has become the third rail of American public discourse. I would hope that the popular journalism will follow the lead of the Herald and restore even-handed coverage to a very big critical issue.

— Tom McCray, Moss Landing

Smart spending

In response to the Friday’s commentary by Dan Walters entitled “Lagging revenue drives budget deficit,” excuse me but overspending drives budget deficit or living outside your means drives budget deficit.

To say “lagging revenue drives”  the deficit would be like a family paying a $3,500 a month mortgage, going out and purchasing a new jacuzzi, new $125,000 truck and their child decides to go to an Ivy League school, eating out at Paris Bakery regularly, all while on a family income of $125,000 a year.

Its not the lagging revenue driving the deficit – it’s spending more than you make.

— Jim Clark, Del Rey Oaks

Commentaries

Tuesday’s Commentaries invite comment. After reciting numerous ways and reasons California government is secretive, Dan Walters announced that Truth in Accounting ranked California third from the bottom (48th) on transparency. Secretive governmental behavior is a result of super-majority leadership which leads to sub par bureaucratic appointments and function.

Lisa Truong fears that the budget shortfall may eliminate funding for the diaper bank. The headline of the article “Who will bail out the babies?” is easy to answer. Our generous society has many private charities that help moms when need exists. Families and friends help moms when need exists. Government intervention weakens and isolates.

Ruth Marcus’ Washington Post article alerts us to the documentary “Screams Before Silence” about sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorist. If one believes a view is shared by many, it is easy to be critical without analysis. Will “Screams Before Silence,” if carefully considered, change ones “framework?” Would knowing that Israel’s population is Palestinian (about 21%, 1.9 million), Arab (mostly Sunni Muslim; about 16%), Christian and Druse as well as Jewish and that all usually have representation in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) make a difference?

Thanks to the Herald for these well selected Commentaries.

— George Brehmer, Carmel