What torture?
Listening to Bono? Forced to watch “Loose Change”? C’mon hippies, we need details while speeding along at 35 MPH.
Stop Torture!
Flustered P.G. City Arborist Quits
Ronald Blecha, who had been on the job less than two months, abruptly resigned last week citing a lack of funds to do the job properly and “the abundance of experts” on trees in the city, according to an e-mail sent to the City Council from City Manager Jim Colangelo.
Colangelo said the resignation was unexpected and that there were no signs Blecha was unhappy during a follow-up meeting with the Public Works Department on Thursday.
Who’s an expert?
City Council candidate David Dilworth said he was concerned about the cutting of trees.
“What was essentially presented to you was a forest-cutting plan, not a forest sustainability plan,” Dilworth said. “We are standing on the threshold of losing the forest.”
Ah – that expert.
Tastes Just Like Chicken
32 Cars Broken Into, Some Set On Fire
A rash of thefts and vehicle fires have been reported in the Washington Park area of Pacific Grove during a two-day period this week.
The suspects set fire to the interior of four vehicles and attempted to set fire to two others, said Chief of Police.
Many cars were unlocked. Don’t be a victim, lock your doors.
Business Slow? Blame The Streetlights
Two damaged Victorian-era streetlights in Pacific Grove have residents and business owners worried about safety and possible loss of business.
Former Mayor Jeanne Byrne said some on the City Council ran for office on the issue of fixing city facilities, including streetlights.
“We are losing businesses downtown, and having things like this doesn’t encourage new businesses to invest,” said Byrne, chairwoman of the downtown business improvement district.
The light in front of the gas station-turned produce stand is not of Victorian heritage, it’s a 1995 version that replaced the nice tall 60s streetlights (that REALLY lit the street). One point is the driver that broke it is liable. Other point is that the property where it’s in front of really does not need 4 wide driveways – it’s not a gas station anymore. PG can eliminate 3 of them. (that would give Victorian Corner and Favaloros owners/employees more all day parking spaces!!)
At least shorten the driveway and get the post away from traffic
Or move it up to the corner with the bench, bus shelter, trash can & sickly tree.
P.G. Man Arrested For Drug Shipment
After federal investigators intercepted a package containing a supposed “date-rape” drug, Pacific Grove police said they arrested a man who accepted the illegal shipment Thursday.
Officers arrested Michael McClure Veitengruber, 25, of Pacific Grove, on charges of receiving the drug Ketamine by mail. Police said Ketamine is a prescription tranquilizer most commonly used on animals.
The agency reported that in high doses, Ketamine produces an effect known as a “K-Hole,” “out of body,” or “near-death” experience. “Due to its dissociative effect,” the DEA reported, “it is reportedly used as a date-rape drug.”
The case began on Aug. 28, when investigators at the Los Angeles International Airport mail facility randomly checked a parcel shipped from the United Kingdom and addressed to M. Veitengruber in Pacific Grove.
On Aug. 31, officers arranged a “controlled delivery” of the package containing Ketamine. Police said Veitengruber accepted the parcel and was arrested.
A Google search for Michael Veitengruber finds a web page for car enthusiasts. Appears that Mike Veitengruber likes to rice German Cars.
I see those two cars every day on the road behind PG High School, in front of the Forest Grove condos.
ATM Machine Stolen At Aquarium
On September 13, 2006 at 12:22 A.M., Monterey Police officers were dispatched to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in reference to the theft of an automatic teller machine.
The suspects, described as two white males 20 to 30 years of age, wearing dark clothing pulled up in front of the Aquarium in a black sport utility vehicle similar to a Dodge Durango. They entered the building via an unlocked gate and removed a free standing ATM from the food court area. They loaded it into the back of their vehicle and fled.
Also reported in the Hear-Old
Baggy Pants Not So Cool When Running From Police
Johnny Camel
While running from California Highway Patrol officers after a traffic stop, Salinas resident Johnny Camel’s baggy jeans – about four sizes too big – fell to his ankles, revealing that he was not wearing underwear and causing him to trip and fall, the CHP said.
The incident was pretty comical for officers.
“They know they are dealing with someone trying to escape, but were amused afterward,” he said.
Drunk Driver Plows Into Mother & Child In Pebble Beach
A baby boy is recovering in a hospital today after an allegedly drunken driver ran into his stroller and knocked down his mother as they were walking in Pebble Beach on Thursday, the California Highway Patrol reported today.
Michael Angel Sanchez Gutierrez, 22, of Seaside, was arrested after the 3:10 p.m. collision on suspicion of felony drunken driving, driving without a license and having no proof of insurance, CHP said.
Witnesses told investigators Gutierrez was traveling between 40 and 55 mph just before the collision. The speed limit at that stretch of the roadway is 25 mph, Starkey said.
Gutierrez was booked into Monterey County jail. The Ford is registered to Jose Lopez of Seaside and the CHP is currently investigating whether Lopez illegally allowed an unlicensed driver to operate his truck.
DUI Laws as they should be:
First offense – Drivers’ license suspended for life. Vehicle impounded. Can never own a car or get insurance for life. Fine equal to 2 years wages.
Second offense – enabler that gave drunk a car loses the car. Another fine – same rate PLUS add the same fine to the enabler.
Third offense – 10 years in jail.
Campaign Finance Reform Comes To P.G.
Ron Schenk and Susan Goldbeck were against it.
The ordinance will limit contributions by individuals to $500. It will also prohibit candidates from accepting contributions from “non-individuals,” such as businesses and organizations, and require elected members of the council to recuse themselves from decisions that would provide “material financial effect” to campaign contributors who have given $250 or more.
The council adopted the ordinance on a 5-2 vote, with council members Ron Schenk and Susan Goldbeck opposing it. The two have voiced opposition to the ordinance since it was first introduced this summer.