Crosby memories

I think it was 1985 when I met Kathryn Crosby on the tee of the 16th hole at Cypress Point for an article for the Herald. It was cold, a wind was blowing and I had trouble concentrating on the interview because I was afraid the diminutive widow of Bing Crosby could be swept off the tee by a sudden heavy gust. We talked anyway and I heard her memories and the Crosby Pro-Am continuing under the AT&T name. She seemed melancholy and sad, but resolute.

I became more impressed over the years when, without the support of national television or the professional golf tour, she established a tournament in North Carolina, again under the Crosby name that, as the local Crosby had and the AT&T does, raised money for charities. The new tournament lasted for a decade and a half. She was a strong person.

— Steve Hauk, Pacific Grove

MPC projects

In response to the Letter to the Editor published on Sept. 24 titled “MPC Projects,” the Associated Students of Monterey Peninsula College (ASMPC) would like to state that the views and opinions expressed by its author, Yoshimi Ishii, are solely their own and do not represent the official views of the ASMPC.

— Melissa Hernandez, President, Associated Students of Monterey Peninsula College

Water costs

Cal Am ratepayers can influence the upcoming California Public Utilities Commission decision on the cost of our water. The CPUC will vote shortly on Cal Am’s General Rate Case which sets our water rates for the next three-year period.

In this rate case, Cal Am asks to continue using WRSP (WRAM) and ACAM surcharges that allow Cal Am to bill us for water not sold due to conservation.

These surcharges allow Cal Am to forecast the amount of water they “expect” will be needed. Then if actual use is less, they collect unearned revenue on the estimated use rather than water actually used.

Cal Am’s Monterey Peninsula ratepayers have already paid $70 million plus in WRAM surcharges and continue to pay the WRAM/MCBA surcharge on our bills.

In 2020 the CPUC ruled that WRAM surcharges must be discontinued. The investor-owned water companies went to the state legislature to overrule the CPUC. The law now states the CPUC must consider them.

Recently, in a brave move CPUC Administrative Law Judge Rambo issued his proposed decision to eliminate these surcharges. But his proposed decision in the case must be adopted by a vote of the CPUC commissioners.

Cal Am is lobbying the CPUC commissioners to change the judge’s decision in their favor. The public can protest and counter Cal Am’s lobbying by commenting on the CPUC website in support of Judge Rambo’s decision.

Please urge the Commissioners to stand by their 2020 ruling and deny Cal Am’s conservation surcharges for water we don’t use. Ask them to support the proposed decision in A.22-07-001 without changes.

Post your comment here: https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:56:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2207001

— Melodie Chrislock, Monterey

Monterey City Council

District 3 in Monterey must choose between two candidates for City Council. Candidate One has demonstrated her skills, wisdom and leadership for many years of service to District 3. Examples are NCIP representative, neighborhood association president, public forum organizer, and underground committee chair. Candidate Two who has no track record of District 3 volunteerism.

Candidate Two was recently a Monterey city staff employee. Will he now redirect his priorities to District 3? Candidate Two is also part of a “campaign slate” running alongside candidates for mayor and District 4 representative. Isn’t this counter to the city’s decision to create four independent districts to better represent their respective citizens?

Candidate One, Jean Rasch, has a proven record of effectively serving District 3. Candidate Two, Eric Palmer, has no record of service or accomplishments for District 3.

Jean Rasch is my choice to represent my District 3 and my City.

— Bruce Zanetta, Monterey