March 2 - 8, 2012
Dear Readers, The Pine Cone was "occupied" this week by protesters who objected to our Feb. 17 editorial questioning the assumption that a large number of immigrant farmworkers in Monterey County are starving. Kelly Nix has the story, in which I am a protagonist. The first candidates' forum in advance of Carmel's April 10 election drew an overflow crowd to Sunset Center Wednesday night. Did they get their money's worth? Mary Schley was there and has a detailed report. Monterey Peninsula cities are facing huge bills to comply with a state order that no storm water be allowed to flow to the ocean. Is such a thing even possible? Kelly also reports that story. The salaries and benefits of Carmel's employees were released this week. Be prepared to be surprised, if not shocked. Another local city has been reaping surprising benefits after deciding two years ago to allow short-term rentals. A plan to tack a water district fee onto Monterey Peninsula property tax bills is advancing, despite some formidable opposition. My editorial explains why, ipso facto, the move is an acknowledgement by the water board that the public doesn't support the fee. And if you want to know what's gone seriously wrong with one of America's most popular non-fiction writers, be sure to visit my hot Internet links. To get this week's complete Pine Cone, please click here. If you have an informed opinion about one of our stories and would like to submit a letter to the editor, please click here. To comment on our Facebook page, click here. And, as always, you should not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, comments or concerns. Paul Miller, Publisher |