Monthly Archives: September 2016

Cops Want Higher Salaries AND Health Care

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Can’t they remember that they chose $$ rather than health insurance originally?

PG Hpol Police

“They’ve been operating under our old contract that’s now expired,” said Kampe, noting that the decision to cut medical benefits goes back to 2006 when during labor negotiations with the department, employees were given the choice whether to give up health care benefits in exchange for a higher salary. They opted for the higher salary.

“Part of the reasoning was because many on the force had spouses who were providing health care coverage,” explained Kampe. “For most of the police force, it was better deal to get a higher salary.”

But Kampe also noted the move has been controversial.

“Now, they’ve been provided with higher salaries but some are saying they really need health care,” said Kampe, who noted that city administrators are now working to make some accommodations for health care coverage at slightly lower than market cost.

Cops Want Higher Salaries AND Health Care

Seaside’s Wastewater Is Going To Cost You

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Why the water companies are so happy with the project. It used Other People’s Money so it’s no risk to them.

Customers are going to see a change on their bills as a result of the project. In an interview earlier this month, Stedman said to expect a 15-percent increase this year to pay for the pipeline construction and water purchase.

Seaside’s Wastewater Is Going To Cost You

Protest March Over Wharf Leases

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The real soul of Monterey history. Don’t lose it.

wharf night

The protest and review of policies comes on the heels of the eviction of longtime business Balesteri’s Wharf Front gift shop earlier this month. That was after the store, the Paluca Trattoria Italian restaurant and The Coffee House, all located on the wharf and part of property leased by Sam Balesteri, were sent lease termination letters notifying them that their current leases were up at the end of August. Despite that, both the gift shop and coffee shop have remained open pending a lawsuit between Balesteri and the city. Balesteri wants compensation for the many improvements he has made to his building.

In June, Chris Shake, owner of Old Fisherman’s Grotto restaurant, complained about the negotiation process with the city, which led him to request a demolition permit to tear down his building when its lease expires in summer 2021.

Both Shake and Sam Balesteri’s son, Ben, said that they plan to join the march on Tuesday. In fact, Shake is closing his restaurant from 3 to 6 p.m. that day.

“My employees and families — they want to support it and be a part of it,” said Shake, who applauded Barrett for, as he put it, “having the common sense to bring this back for consideration.”

Protest March Over Wharf Leases

Purse Snatch In New Monterey

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Violent sort of robbery.

800 block Grace

Google Maps

A female was a victim of a strong-arm robbery Monday in the 800 block of Grace Street, according to Monterey Police.
Officers said the victim was hit in the back of the head around 7:12 p.m. and knocked to the ground. The suspect stole the victim’s purse and got away before police arrived.

Officers said the victim had minor injuries. Police are looking for the suspect, described as a white man, 25 to 35 years old, about 5 foot 10, thin build and a white or gray goatee. He was reportedly wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with gray markings on the sleeves, a red ski mask, light colored blue jeans and black gloves.

Purse Snatch In New Monterey

Politics And Pigs Par For P.G.

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Pet owners looking for pro pig politician.

The Pacific Grove candidates forum provided a mix of pigs and politics Thursday night at the recreation center when Bruiser the pet pig showed up with his family, the Hanes.
The Hanes family handed out Hershey Kisses and Hugs from Bruiser to forum goers and had a bright pink poster reading #SaveBruiser on display.

“We have a lot of confidence that hopefully we are going to win this appeal, we’ve been pleading with the city again, and again, to say please change this, let us keep him,” Lisa Hanes said.

Politics And Pigs Par For P.G.

Bruiser The Pig Sent Home From The Farm

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Homeless Pig

Bruiser was originally supposed to acclimate to his temporary new surroundings, which includes horses, a baby pony and the other pet pig on Thursday, but the transfer was delayed a day because his new caretaker had to contend with some of those animals being colicky.

“I felt bad — she already had her hands full with another brood of animals,” said Hanes, “so we kept him another night.” The delay, however, cost the Haneses $500.

That’s because the daily fee the Haneses had been ordered to pay since Aug. 22 when they were ruled against in a third-party hearing before the city rose this week from $50 to $500 a day.

Bruiser The Pig Sent Home From The Farm

Library. Or Is It Another Art Gallery?

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Renovations for non-book things.

Liberry

While current patrons still use some of the same tables and chairs that were there since 1908, somewhere along the way the original Douglas fir floor was covered with carpet while the building’s interior stained wood and arches were covered with paint. The original chandeliers somehow disappeared.

Now, as part of the renovation, Steele and her bevy of volunteers are also overseeing the creation of three replica chandeliers that are modeled after the originals that once hung. That’s while they prepare for an upcoming art exhibition and juried art show that will take place in the library’s gallery in early October.

Library. Or Is It Another Art Gallery?

Monterey’s Lighthouse Specific Plan

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Outzenville buildings, open space and “art”. No, work on the traffic.

Lighthouse Ave Traffic

“Besides the traffic and parking, the biggest talking point was to look at building heights in that area,” said McCarthy, noting that in the future, three-story buildings would only be allowed under special conditions, could be no higher than 35 feet and would be required to be set back 12 feet from the second story to provide a two-story appearance. The project must also include public open space and pre-approved public art elements.

Monterey’s Lighthouse Specific Plan

Pork Payments Piling Up

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Ray Magsalay cites odor but I think it’s just intolerance.

Bruiser, the pot-bellied pig that was booted out of his Pacific Grove home, has yet to actually leave. That’s despite his owners Lisa and Mark Hanes being ordered to relinquish their beloved pet.

Instead, the Hanes continue to hope things change as fees to keep Bruiser while they wait for an appeal continue to escalate. Since August 22, the Hanes have had to pay a fine of $50 a day. On Tuesday that fee escalates to $500 a day.

Pork Payments Piling Up

Want More Butterflies? PLANT TREES

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Don’t chop them down.

More Butterfly Trees

It’s the past management mishaps combined with a declining monarch population that has city officials more cognizant about how the sanctuary is currently managed. In 2009, some overly-trimmed trees were thought to cause the demise of some of the monarchs. That sparked debate and instigated a re-do of the monarch sanctuary management plan that was developed in the 1990s. Weiss was later instrumental in the process of planting a second row of eucalyptus trees along the sanctuary’s southern boundary with the theory that redundancy creates a safeguard.

Overall, he said the city is taking a conservative approach when it comes to the sanctuary’s maintenance this year, which will only include the removal of a couple of dead trees, which will be replaced with pine and cypress.

Want More Butterflies? PLANT TREES