Airport district

Our Monterey Airport District Board is overdue for a refreshing change!

I am deeply concerned about the Monterey Peninsula Airport Board’s lack of transparency, which undermines trust and community engagement. The 2023/2024 Monterey civil grand jury found that noise and lack of airport‘s response led to numerous complaints. They recommended proactive outreach and establishing a Citizen Committee to provide collaborative solutions for operational safety, noise mitigation, and transparency. Our airport’s neighboring cities have requested the same.

Despite the economic benefits that our airport brings, our Airport District Board has IGNORED these recommendations and failed to consider residents’ input. For example, flight schools operate without time restrictions over our densely populated Peninsula. Has the Board explored relocating flights to less populated areas or collaborating with other airports for private jet facilities?

In this November’s election, we have the chance to elect new Airport Board members who prioritize community-driven ideas, transparency, and inclusiveness. Our residents deserve better representation than what we currently have.

Vote for change and a more responsive Board that values the interests of all community members. Vote for Uwe Grobecker and Jonathan Ahmadi.

— Joyce Haferman, Monterey

Carmel school board

Jake Odello has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our community through his extensive volunteer work in our local schools, at the Cachagua Summer Camp, and throughout our community.

Jake’s dedication to education is evident in his active participation in school events and programs.

He has invested countless hours in supporting teachers and students, ensuring that they have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive.

Moreover, Jake is a familiar face in our community, always ready to lend a helping hand or support a local initiative. With his experience and heart for service, Jake is well-equipped to make informed decisions that will benefit our students and families.

Please support Jake Odello for the Carmel School Board. His commitment and vision for our schools will undoubtedly lead to a brighter future for our children and community.

— Sherie Dodsworth, Carmel Valley

MPC trustees

As a former president of the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation and managing shareholder of Walker and Reed, PC, I strongly endorse Libby Downey for MPC Trustee Area 3. My family and I have known Libby personally and professionally for many years and there is no person working harder for the people of the Monterey Peninsula.

Libby cares greatly about our community and its institutions. As a city of Monterey councilmember and MPC Trustee, she works tirelessly and effectively for the good of the community. Libby has the energy and tenacity to get the job done.

Libby has the endorsement of three current mayors and one past mayor of the Monterey Peninsula: Tyler Williamson, Monterey; Ian Oglesby, Seaside; Bruce Delgado, Marina and Ken White, the former mayor of Carmel.

Many of my direct family members attended MPC (parents Donald and Helen Reed, both deceased, brother Nathan Reed, wife Amy Reed, and daughter Emily Reed) and we all have a desire to see MPC thrive and provide an affordable education to the people of the Monterey Peninsula.

MPC faculty, staff and student are better off because of Libby’s involvement. I encourage all the residents of Area 3 to vote for Libby on or before Nov. 4.

— Hansen P. Reed, former president, MPC Foundation

Here’s why I’m voting for Chelsea Lenowska for MPC Trustee Area 3. I met Chelsea when she actually came to my part of the world and sat through a whole CSD Advisory Board meeting to meet members of my community and ask what we thought — about MPC and life in general. She’s well-spoken and energetic. She has that good combination of having worked in and around college governance but having fresh eyes.

The world is changing at an ever-accelerating pace. The pandemic stalled the engines of education, then changed how education looks, inside the classroom and online. It also changed the students we hope to serve in ways that will affect their learning for years to come. Chelsea has youth, energy and a good view of the road ahead. It’s time to give the youngsters among us the keys to the car and see where their imaginations and hard work will take us.

— Helen Shamble, East Garrison

Libby Downey has been actively involved on the Monterey Peninsula for over 50 years. She knows our community and she understands and has a passion for Monterey Peninsula College.

Libby has been associated with MPC in many ways over the years, including when she was the director of the Lyceum of Monterey County, as a past board member of the MPC Foundation, as a student taking a wide variety of courses, and the last four years as a member of the MPC Board, currently serving as chair.

Libby has been a dedicated and active volunteer over all her time in Monterey. She has served on the Monterey County civic grand jury and has been on the Monterey City Council (2004-2016), and is currently on the Natividad Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. And she has served on boards and committees of many other community organizations. Libby’s unique knowledge of and investments in MPC over the years, and particularly now, make her ideally qualified for re-election to the MPC Governing Board of Trustees.

— Jim and Sue Jenifer, Monterey

I would like to express my support for Libby Downey for Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees in Area 3. Libby has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to improving education and ensuring that our local community college remains a valuable resource for all students.

Libby was a vocal advocate and worked to help pass Measure V which provided $230 million of funding for much-needed facility improvements to all three MPC campuses. She has a proven track record of advocating for accessible, high-quality education for all students.

There has been a lot of focus on age in this election cycle. And while I agree that new voices and fresh perspectives can make boards stronger, experience matters. Libby has dedicated many years of service to this community and brings deeply rooted knowledge which will provide great benefit as MPC moves forward with implementing Measure V and expanding campuses in Marina and Seaside.

— Amy Stocker

Pacific Grove ballot

As “Butterly Town, U.S.A.,” Pacific Grove’s mascot is an immigrant: thousands of them every year, in fact. As “America’s Last Hometown,” we’re supposed to represent a community that welcomes young families and provides sustainable opportunities for those who grow here, generation after generation.

Unfortunately, a vocal cohort of candidates for PG’s mayor, city council and school board are struggling to dismantle our welcome mats and safety nets.

Don’t turn our town over to those who seek to deny equality for our residents, remove mental health services for our children and resurrect shamefully racist rituals. Don’t place your faith in candidates who divide our neighborhoods instead of bringing them together. PG’s roots are in the past, but our hope is in the future. Please vote accordingly.

— Kent Leatham, Pacific Grove

Measure A

Measure A is the third time in 14 years that MPUSD has asked for millions of dollars, each time promising that the most urgent needs of local schools would be met. This time MPUSD wants taxpayers to come up with another $340 million. However, when Superintendent Diffenbaugh was quoted in the Herald Oct. 11, his first thoughts on “the hopeful passing of Measure A” were not on urgent needs but “a snack bar, squash ball court and sand volleyball pit.” MPUSD needs to prioritize education first. Vote No on Measure A.

— Marta Kraftzeck, Monterey

Carmel ballot

With three candidates vying for the office of mayor in Carmel, the Carmel Residents Association Candidate’s Forum made the importance of the upcoming Carmel mayoral race very clear. For me, there is no question Dave Potter has the full grasp of what the office requires and what our community continues to want.

Dale Byrne would have better served Carmel had he chosen to run for one of the two open city councilmember seats so he could have become familiar with how a general law city is run. For a newcomer to elected office in Carmel, the mayor’s seat is not the time to learn.

With Carmel City Councilmember Jeff Baron, we must remember that he still has two more years left on the term of office we have already elected him to. He will remain on the Carmel City Council for the next two years regardless of the outcome of this election.

I appreciate the fact that Mayor Potter is complying with the city’s ordinances by not having campaign signs on city property. The other two candidates apparently don’t seem to feel they need to follow the city’s ordinances on campaign signs. I wonder why?

— Mike Brown, Carmel

Monterey ballot

I urge all Monterey residents to vote and bring balance to our Monterey City Council. The current 4-1 majority, led by our impractical mayor, shows no consideration for protecting the character of Monterey. This mayor and his followers want to take away our right to elect who we want and for how long. The majority, in their blind race to change Monterey, want to erect huge buildings and make us look like San Jose, all in the name of progress.

Since our founding in 1850, Monterey City Councils have worked to preserve the local character of Monterey. The Window-On-The-Bay project, that preserves our waterfront along Del Monte Avenue, is a stellar example of preserving our shoreline character. Our public-private partnership with the Aquarium, where private enterprise built a beautiful structure following the area architecture and Monterey built an aesthetic parking garage, are perfect examples of promoting the character of Monterey. This project revitalized a once dilapidated Cannery Row.

We need to bring balance and a sense of practicality to the Monterey Council by electing Brian Perez and Jean Rasch to the council and Monique Kaldy as mayor. Don’t let the current mayor and his followers turn Monterey into a hi-rise jungle.

— Demetrius Kastros, Monterey

Locally, signs and ads for City Council District 3 candidate, Jean Rasch, reflect that she is supported by people and organizations with diverse perspectives, i.e., liberal, mainstream, and conservative. These varied supporters reflect the fact that city council member is a non-partisan position. Those varied supporters also recognize that Jean is independent, open-minded, and has the experience and knowledge needed to meet our District 3 and city challenges.

Jean is an accomplished individual with years of experience advocating and working for the Monterey Vista neighborhood. District 3 should be represented by a city council member who is not beholden to a particular party or bound by an agenda or a slate. I urge the voters of District 3 to take advantage of this golden opportunity and elect Jean Rasch to be their District 3 city council member. She will be working for all the residents of District 3.

— Pat Venza

Props 4 & 5

LandWatch recently announced its endorsement of Proposition 4 and Proposition 5, which tackle the interrelated issues of housing policy and climate policy. Prop 4 offers significant investment in climate adaptation solutions, including wildfire prevention, provision of clean water, and protection of California’s forests, rivers, and coast.

Prop 5 promotes affordable housing development by allowing for approval of related bonds with 55% of the vote instead of a 2/3 majority.

These initiatives represent a crucial step in addressing housing and climate challenges, and LandWatch is proud to join other organizations throughout California in supporting them.

— Michael D. DeLapa, executive director LandWatch