Letters to the Editor, Jan. 13
The irony of Pajaro evacuations
On Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a press conference about the evacuation of people near the Pajaro River in the community of Pajaro. I was struck by the irony of the situation.
In December the Monterey County Board of...
A new perspective on National Night Out
I was invited to sit in on a ride-along with Watsonville Police Capt. Michael McKinley and City Councilwoman Trina Coffman-Gomez as they visited a number of National Night Out celebrations throughout the city Tuesday.
Emilio Martinez | Self-serving politicians detrimental to community
Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo’s op-ed “KSBW editorial resorts to false attacks” (Register-Pajaronian, Jan. 25-31) is typical Luis Alejo pulling the race card.
Giving thanks
There is a unique term in Japanese that is used by Buddhists as they sit down to partake of a meal. The term in itadakimasu 頂きます. Before someone begins to eat they place their palms together and say the words itadakimasu. In a simple...
An open letter to City Manager Matt Huffaker, Watsonville staff
In 2015, developer Kamalesh Patel proposed to replace the National 9 motel across from St. Patrick’s church with a four-story La Quinta. The proposed hotel did not comply with Watsonville ordinances intended to control development of downtown properties. In a 2016 public meeting, the...
Memo from Rev. Shinseki: Drop it!
One day as the Buddha was resting between his visits and talks, a young man came to him with a bouquet of flowers. The young man admired the Buddha and wanted to present him with the flowers in thanks for his teachings. Filled with...
Guest View: Save it or pave it
As a member of the Committee for Planned Growth and Farmland Protection that is putting Measure Q on the ballot, I want to address some of the claims that have been made against us by certain Watsonville City Council members and others. We have...
On My Mind: In the line of fire
Last week my wife Sarah and I took our first short vacation since the pandemic and lockdown took over. We drove north to Lassen National Volcanic Park and stayed in an old logger’s cabin at the Mill Creek Resort. The night before we left...
An American mythology
Is there anything more American than the cowboy in the Wild West, relying only on his wits, his horse, and of course his trusty revolver? As a child, I loved the Lone Ranger—self-sufficient, powerful, and ready to stand as the last line of defense...
Luis Alejo | KSBW editorial resorts to false attacks
There’s an old attorney’s adage that states: “If you have the law on your side, argue the law; if you have the facts, argue the facts; if you have neither, pound the table.” The highly misleading TV editorial by KSBW’s conservative station manager JW Heston, that aired during MLK weekend, is his pounding on the table, but with words I never said.
Photo story: Proposition 50 on ballot, polls open for election day
A group of abut a dozen people wave their signs advocating for YES of Proposition 50 Monday on the Rio Del Mar over-crossing to...


















