Feast Of Lanterns 2010 DOA

Dixie Layne began gutting the Feast Of Lanterns of it’s camp charm in 2009, declaring it was some sort of “multicultural celebration” and now has pretty much canceled the event for 2010. No week long summer celebration, no fireworks, no fun.

Like any number of Pacific Grove’s beautiful landmarks, the Feast of Lanterns needs renovating from to time. Its foundation is strong, but this beautiful old lady needs a new dress and accessories to sing a new song on a new stage to perform in her most awe inspiring tradition.
— Dixie Layne

That sounds a lot like a P.G. Remodel, where a 100 year old comfortable, small house is 99% torn down and a replica mini mansion is built in it’s place. Attracts the wine & cheese crowds ok, but offers nothing to the locals.

Dixie Layne

To Dixie Layne, our Feast Of Lanterns is just another “gig”. Got any tar & feathers?

Feast Of Lanterns 2010 DOA

Read Someone Else’s Books, No New Taxes

Measure J was close, but not close enough.

With all the votes counted, including the late ones and the questionable and damaged ballots, Monterey county Elections reports that Measure J, which would have funded our library with a $96 parcel tax, missed passage by a very scant margin.

Hear-Old reports it at 3 votes. Well, here was 2 of them:

Vote 2009
Two No On J Votes

I cannot support this or any other begging from the city until they show that they can manage what they have already.

Need a start?
– End all city supported funding of the ineffective Chamber Of Commerce.
– Cut all ties with “ICLEI”, the Local Governments for Sustainability.

Read Someone Else’s Books, No New Taxes

Runner Up Ken Cuneo & Ex Member Robert Huitt Fill Seats

Cuneo Huit

Check that picture in Cedar Street Times – SOMEBODY please send these guys for some grooming.

It took three rounds of nominations and votes to appoint Cuneo, and when the council appeared (on the fourth vote) unable to garner the four votes necessary to fill the vacancy left, they swore Cuneo in and added his vote. He promptly nominated two additional candidates — Dan Miller and Richard Ahart, both of whom ran unsuccessfully in the November, 2008 election with Cuneo — but when it came down to the vote, Cuneo went for Robert Huitt

Runner Up Ken Cuneo & Ex Member Robert Huitt Fill Seats

96 Year Old Woman Beaten To Death In P.G.

Around eight last night, Pacific Grove Police responded to a medical emergency on the 2800 block of Forest Hill Boulevard. When Officers arrived, they found 96-year-old Charlotte Danvers lying on the floor, badly beaten. Police say she suffered traumatic injuries and died earlier this morning. Bill Speacht lives next door to the Danvers and he says this comes as a shock to the whole neighborhood.

“We did hear some screaming before and things like that, but I mean it wasn’t like a common occurrence, and that’s what I told police,” says Bill Speacht.

Police arrested Danvers’ daughter, 63-year-old Jean Danvers. Officers charged her with homicide and she was booked into the Monterey County Jail today. Neighbors say they didn’t know the family well.

 

Danvers

Jean Danvers

More reports:
Hear-old
Cedar Street Times

96 Year Old Woman Beaten To Death In P.G.

David Dilworth Also Wants Newly Elected Council To Quit

This is a press release from the self-styled “Committee to Save Pacific Grove” which states that they are not only trying to recall Dan Cort but have added Bill Kampe, Vicki Stilwell and Deborah Lindsay to the list.

Best thing the “Committee to Save Pacific Grove” can do is leave town. Think Peace Corps. Far far away.

David Dilworth Also Wants Newly Elected Council To Quit

Mayor Cort Quits When Faced With Recall

Must have called David Dilworth a moron in an email . . .

Dan Cort And David Dilworth

Not a very good Mayor in my opinion. Man has an agenda with all the U.N. Agenda 21 sustainable stuff. Wanted to close the streets to cars. Thought solar panel in foggy P.G. would benefit. Called citizens that voiced opinion ‘moron’. Failed to lead in the worst situations. Hope we can forget this man and return to common sense.

The best reporting so far is over at Cedar Street Times. Check it out.

“Today, I received an email from David Dilworth (attached) threatening me with a recall petition if I did not resign by 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. Mr. Dilworth stated that if I resigned “for family or other reason”, that the media and general public would never need to know of the recall effort. I believe this is an attempt to intimidate me into resigning before I am able to vote on the Police Officer Association contract that is on Wednesday’s Council Agenda

update – topic has been a media frenzy. Some links:

Mayor resigning after threat Good bunch of comments (Monterey Herald)

Cort said that Dilworth wrote in the e-mail that if Cort resigned “for family or other reasons,” that the media and general public wouldn’t need to know about the recall effort.

Mayor Resigning (KSBW)

In his resignation announcement, Cort said he wanted the residents of Pacific Grove to know of the recall effort and the “small band of citizens who are attempting to use bullying tactics and intimidation to get their way.”

Mayor Faces Recall or Resignation (KION)

Cort was re-elected as Mayor in November. According to a letter he wrote, he will resign effective August 31st. He calls the current situation a “negative environment” and the actions by his opponents “intimidating.”

The two man group speaking out in the recall campaign is activist David Dilworth and former councilmember Terrence Zito. Coincedentally, Dilworth also ran for a seat on the city council in November. He was not elected.

Zito? Famous for hugging parasite hosting critters..


Mayor Vows to Vote on Police Contract
Also the full letter from Dilworth(The Herald)

“Do not construe this as a negotiation,” Dilworth added, “nor is it up for discussion. I am authorized to let you know that if you publicly elect to resign ‘for family’ or any other reason before we begin gathering signatures … the people who have already signed have agreed that the media and the general public never need know about you facing a recall effort.”

Cort said it was ironic that a man who purports to crusade for open government would write such a letter, offering to keep the reasons for his resignation secret.

Hearold Editorial (The Herald)

Over the years, we have questioned many of Dilworth’s assertions, but have agreed with him on many positions. We have enjoyed his theatrical presentations to various boards and commissions. In this case, his tactics are no longer amusing or appropriate.

His note to Cort smacks of a ransom demand.

Does the ‘moran’ line work it’s way in? Small minded? (Coast Weakly)

While I am confident that the voters of Pacific Grove would see through the lies and deception of this small minded group, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the City, and its citizens, to spend the next six to twelve months distracted by a recall effort. The issues facing Pacific Grove, and cities throughout the State, are too important right now to be pushed aside for the personal vendetta of a few disgruntled complainers.

Dilworth’s email handle revealed – Along with unprofessional subject line:

From: David [mailto: fogtops@yahoo.com ]
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 5:53 PM
To: Dan@Cortco.com
Subject: Bad News: Resign or Recall

Dilworth plays the victim (The Herald)

Dilworth was outside City Hall before the meeting, where a table with recall petitions had been set up that drew three signatures by the time the council convened. He did not enter the council chambers.

Let’s see, 3 signatures. Dilworth, Zito and their pet raccoon.

Letters From The Editor (The Herald)

Why don’t you do some digging and find out more about Dilworth, whom you have elevated to a level of credibility he never deserve

Perhaps the only positive to arise from this ordeal is that Mr. Dilworth’s true colors have been exposed.

Mr. Dilworth lives from a trust fund with a job as “director” of his self-aggrandizing group, HOPE (Hating Other PEople?

Mayor Cort Quits When Faced With Recall

Pedestrian Safety Still A Concern

I have been known to stop and move those sidewalk graffiti signs OUT of the way when they are in the middle of the foot traffic path, such as the curb cuts for handicap access or this Keller Williams sign in the middle of the sidewalk.

Kelller Williams Sign In Way

Now if they can get those bistros that expand out onto the sidewalk to raise the umbrellas so I don’t have to duck. . .

In their efforts to make Pacific Grove a safer place to walk, five members of the Traffic Safety Commission formed a subcommittee to focus on the issue of pedestrian safety improvements. These include sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic signals.

Pedestrian Safety Still A Concern

How About No Parking For Kooky Dog Walkers?

Congress Ext

Citing costs, the need for zoning changes, and the availability of parking some hundred yards away on Forest Lodge Road, the Council went with the lower-cost – and potentially revenue-generating – option of installing more “no parking” signs and asking Pacific Grove Police to enforce the no parking zone.

This example of wasted efforts started back in January. While all attention was being placed on giving dog owners a place to DRIVE TO & PARK THEIR CARS AT so they can then take a walk, the rest of the city is crumbling.

Besides, if P.G. really wanted to use parking fines as a way to increase revenue, all they need to do is go to the 200 block of Fountain where restaurant workers/owners park their cars all day long..

Parking Victorian Corner Cars

How About No Parking For Kooky Dog Walkers?

Maybe The Flags Will Draw Shoppers

Soon, in addition to the flags, the public will notice an improvement in the planters on Lighthouse. Through a cooperative involving the BID, Pacific Grove Public Works, Jeanne Anton of the Beautification and Natural Resources Committee and volunteers

Planter in need of improvement:

A Bird In Every Pot

And the merchants themselves might need to look at their own way of doing business. “I heard it just last weekend from a regular out-of-town customer who had once considered opening a business here. She said, ‘You’d have to be filthy rich to open a business in Pacific Grove. They’re closed all day Sunday and they go home at 5:00 p.m., exactly when most working people can go shopping.’

So true of the downtown retail shops. Art galleries have even shorter hours.

Maybe The Flags Will Draw Shoppers