Monterey election

The two words you don’t hear much these days are moxie and gumption, but I would use them both to describe Monterey District 3 City Council candidate, Jean Rasch. She has demonstrated the gumption (initiative, courage and resourcefulness) and moxie (determination and perseverance) over many years working for the residents through the Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Community Improvement Program and other important city committees. Jean professionally had a career as an attorney and registered nurse and certified nurse midwife.

I have worked with Jean over the past six years and have witnessed how she is able to use all her skills to solve many difficult local neighborhood issues. She has the unique ability to listen to both perspectives of an issue, and then independently research the facts to ultimately weigh the evidence and determine what is the best course of action.

Jean has persisted for over six years with Monterey Undergrounding (volunteer local committee) in their research of burying our dangerous, unreliable and ugly overhead utility lines. Jean’s moxie and gumption will be what it takes to get things done — her objectivity and an independent vote will ensure what is best for all Monterey residents.

— Ray Meyers, Monterey

Seaside ballot

The proposal to expand the power of the present Seaside City Council by asking voters to double the mayor’s term to four years is an inside job of the present council members, not a proposal of the electorate. The official County Voter Guide lays this out clearly. There is zero community support for this power grab. Our present council placed this measure on the ballot without a single good reason for this drastic change.

The argument against the unsupported and clandestine measure by former Mayor Felix Bachhofner, demonstrates the shield the council is placing between the council actions and voter reaction to council management of the public trust. At present, the mayor and two of four council members must stand for election every two years. The entire council body is five members; the mayor and four council members. Three of the five seats must appear before the voters every two years. At present we can change the course of our city every two years. If this underhanded measure passes, a majority of three of five seats will not appear before us again until 2028 and only once every four years thereafter. No way, that’s not us.

— Michael Pekin, Seaside

MPUSD bonds

We are being asked by MPUSD to support Measure A. If it passes a billion dollars will have been sucked out of our pockets by the time we finish paying the $640 million in bonds plus 30 years of interest. It is continual requests like this that make it ever more expensive to live in this area.

MPUSD wants us to pay for building teacher housing, yet a couple of years ago a developer offered to do exactly this and it would be paid for by them instead of taxpayers. The difference, MPUSD wants the rental income stream. Never mind, that a survey of teachers showed they preferred increased salaries rather than be beholden to the District for their housing.

Tell them to finish using the bonds they already have and to stay out of the real estate development business and vote NO on Measure A.

— Rick Heuer, president, Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association

Salinas mayor

Chris Barrera is running for Salinas mayor. Chris is a lifelong resident of Salinas and has a long list of accomplishments, both in Salinas and in the Salinas area. He is currently chair of the Measure G Oversight Committee and on many other committees. He coordinated the first relief effort when Pajaro flooded and much more.

When I purchased my current home, he was my realtor, and he did an excellent job. Attention to detail as Chris has will be a benefit as mayor. I’ve been in meetings Chris has chaired and he has that part of the job dialed also.

His opponent is a former mayor who was responsible for the dysfunctional Green Vehicles fiasco, the Renaissance Partners debacle, the Measure K sales tax failure, and more.

Chris has the talents and the ability to be mayor of Salinas and make Salinas a better place for all.

— Eric Petersen, Salinas