Five of six candidates for Pacific Grove City Council debated the town’s most pressing topics Sept. 17 at Monarch Pines Resort. Those speaking included Luke Coletti, Paul Walkingstick, Tina Rau, Carmelita Garcia and Chaps Poduri. The only candidate absent was Chilla Kartalov. An incumbent member of the city council, Coletti told the audience he is running for reelection because “I want to continue to preserve the residential character of our community and the quality of life we share. “
How about a California person who has been on the streets and targets criminals and would shrug off political fuss? Also be golf cart certified.
city manager Matt Mogensen told The Pine Cone Monday that the city intends to gather feed-back from citizens about the person who will replace Madalone, whose last day is Oct. 12. “We are looking at putting out a survey to residents and stakeholders for input on what they value in the next police chief,”
Local police chiefs and other law enforcement experts will be interviewed to “best gauge” if a candidate “is well suited to meet the needs, culture and character of the community,” he said.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office and Pacific Grove Police say Todd Daniel Fields, 37, went onto school grounds on Sept. 23 without permission. When P.G. High math teacher Joseph D’Amico confronted Fields, the Lancaster man said he would shoot him. He was arrested less than 10 minutes later. Fields “did willfully and unlawfully threaten to commit a crime which would result in the death and great bodily injury to Joseph D’Amico,”
Less than one year ago, Riley Elvin, 29, walked onto the P.G. High campus and, when confronted by the former vice principal, threatened to kill him
Drugs. Always drugs.
On Sept. 20, a P.G. resident reported the theft of items from their unlocked vehicle, including a credit card, totaling $750. The next day, the resident reported unauthorized credit card charges. Pacific Grove Police officers launched an investigation which resulted in the arrest of Pacific Grove resident Laura Amy Gates, 45.
Gates was booked into Monterey County Jail on the charges as well as warrants for other crimes, which includes felony possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, giving officers a false name, unlawful possession/use of tear gas, burglary tools, felony possession of ammunition, petty theft, receiving stolen property and credit card theft.
“Funston Avenue is where the original report of stolen items was made,” Anderson said. “The arrest was made on Sunset Drive.”
Dear Editor,
As a former Pacific Grove police officer, I cannot stay silent on the damage caused by Police Chief Cathy Madalone during her time in office. Chief Madalone created a clear political divide within the community and police department, using her position to push a political agenda that was inappropriate and divisive. Rather than focusing on the needs of the community, she repeatedly allowed personal politics to seep into her leadership role, alienating a significant portion of the town. Her lack of transparency regarding her on-duty injury further deepened the community’s distrust. At a time when the people of Pacific Grove needed leadership, Chief Madalone hid behind a wall of silence instead of offering clarity and openness. Yet she openly and repeatedly spoke about me and my investigation This is not the level of accountability we deserve from someone in her position. Worse still, under her command, the department became a toxic place to work.
After I was unjustly fired, officers who supported me found themselves bullied and retaliated against. Chief Madalone created a culture of fear and division, driving away several good, dedicated officers who refused to tolerate her poor leadership and blatant political agenda. Pacific Grove deserves a police department that prioritizes the safety and unity of its community, not one driven by personal politics and retribution. Chief Madalone’s departure should have come sooner, but the damage she has caused to both the department and the community will take a prayer to repair.
Michael Gonzalez,
former Pacific Grove police officer
Candidates this year are:
As mayor, Smith contends his highest priority “will always be public safety.” “I’ve worked well with others to reach equitable solutions, sometimes requiring a lot of compromise. ”
Miller said he’s running because “this community is near and dear to me.” In his
campaign statement, he said the experience and knowledge he has gained from attending nearly 1,000 town meetings.Ybarra said she wants to be ‘ ‘a voice for our diverse community” and “I want to plan for a future that’s sustainable
Joe Amelio and Chaps Poduri voted against removing the donkey corrals,
A plan to get rid of three parklets to make way for a new outdoor dining configuration and a wider sidewalk in downtown Pacific Grove is another step closer to happening after the city council last week selected a contractor to do the work.
The P.G. City Council on Sept. 18 voted 6-0 to hire Marina-based Silicon Constructors Inc. to do the Lighthouse Avenue Widening Project for $242,360 plus a 25 percent contingency. The plan includes getting rid of the wooden dining parklets in front of Victorian Corner, Rudolfo’s Café and Wild Fish restaurants in favor of open-air seating areas separated by fencing.
But does not tell why, not the transparency we should have.
Cathy Madalone, 55, told The Pine Cone last October that she was injured on the job, though she did not elaborate, and that the city had given her a special accommodation to work at home “temporarily. ” That was the arrangement until May, when city manager Matt Mogensen announced she was on leave until at least June 7. Three days later, though, Madalone extended her leave to Oct. 1 “We expect to have the next update on her status on or before Oct. 1,” Mogensen told The Pine Cone this week. Members of the P.G. City Council have been tightlipped on the chief’s arrangement because they’re barred from publicly talking about personnel matters.
Timed it right. Diminished capacity until eligible for full retirement. Next time put DEI at the bottom of the list.
Pacific Grove Police Chief Cathy Madalone — who has been on paid leave for months following a mysterious injury — announced today that she’s retiring on Oct. 12, after only five years in the role.
Madalone has faced criticism from residents for failing to disclose how she was injured, the nature of her injuries and why she was apparently able to work from home and not in the police department on Pine Street. She did not address her injury in today’s retirement message, either.
While several sources told The Pine Cone that Madalone was hurt in a golf cart mishap during an August 2023 car event in P.G., she never confirmed or denied it.
As I was standing on the sidewalk with my children to see the Holiday Parade Of Lights, Shenk stepped into the street in front of us and totally blocked our view.
Former Pacific Grove City Councilmember Ron Schenk, a longtime resident and community volunteer, died Sept. 5 after a yearlong illness. He was 87. Schenk, who passed away at his home served on the city council from 2002 to 2006 and was the city’s board representative for the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board and Monterey-Salinas Transit.
“With his signature cap and shorts, which he wore year-round, he was recognized around town for his large physique, matched only by his even larger heart,” his obituary said.