The Californian from Salinas, California • 2

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 rnimrn EDITORIAL BOARD: Terry Feinberg, general manager 754-4100 Mike Nemeth, managing editor 754-4280 Roberto M. Robledo, community conversation editor 754-4269 Katharine Ball, features editor, 754-4282 PHONE: 831-754-4269 FAX: 831-754-4293 E-MAIL: newsroomthecalifornian.com www.thccaDfbrniaii.cain OUR VIEW Smiles Scowls SHARE YOUR VIEW We welcome your comments on editorials, columns and other topics in The Salinas Californian or any subjects that are important to you. Guidelines include: Mail your view to The Salinas Californian, 123 W. Alisal Salinas, CA 93901. Fax to: 754-4293.

E-mail to nemroomthe californian.com. Letters to the editor may be limited to 200 or fewer words. Soapbox commentaries may be limited to 500 or fewer words and require prior approval from the Opinion Page editor. Only opinions that include name, address and phone numbers and are verified by The Salinas Californian can be considered for publication and posting online. NO-FLY 2- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Smiles to the storms that ushered in springtime with a bang, filling regional waterways and padding the Sierra snowpack.

Parts of the Salinas area even got some rare hail over the weekend. Luckily, storm damage and power failures have been kept to a minimum. And with more rain on the way, there is no sight of the drought conditions that have plagued the Golden State over the past three years. Scowls to the rain-activated mudslide that tore off a 40-foot section on Highway 1 in Big Sur. No one was injured by the natural disaster but estimates are it will require a $2.5 million repair job, and the damage is enough to shift the popular Big Sur International Marathon into a backup mode with a rerouting of the 26.2-mile run that attracts thousands of participants each year.

Smiles to the students at Toro Park Elementary School who last week celebrated a milestone in physical education: Running 1 million miles. The campaign began in 2005 as a Just Run! exercise project of the Big Sur International Marathon. Talk about keeping kids on track. Smiles to the outpouring and care that continues in support of the earthquake victims in Japan. Salinas has a special connection to the Japanese with its sizable Japanese American community and sister city ties with Kushikino, Japan, situated near the southwestern coast of the nation.

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and InterAction are still accepting donations. Check their websites for details. Smiles to the many other Japan relief efforts doing their share to send comfort and support to the earthquake and tsunami victims. Stores such as Nob Hill Foods and civic organizations such as the Rotary Club of Salinas have undertaken relief efforts of their own. Smiles to animal care.

Annie's Blankets, the nonprofit organization that collects blankets and towels for use by animal shelters, has topped 60,000 donations through its outreach program, The Cozy Critter Express. The donations were given to about 80 shelters, clinics and rescue groups on the Central Coast and in the Bay Area. Online: Visit www.anniesblankets.org. Smiles to good neighbors. Bill and Betty Turner of Salirias are the inspiration for the upcoming "Salinas for health and safety on April 2.

The couple has been walking around their east Salinas digs for more than 20 years, establishing friendships and getting to know their neighbors, because as Bill says, "neighbors take care of each other." Information: Call Bill Turner at 831-424-2295, the Rev. Frank Gomez at 831-905-9871 or City Councilman Steve McShane at 831-970-4141. Smiles to helping homeless military veterans. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 589 of Salinas collected donations of food, blankets and pillows to assist down-and-out veterans who are trying to rise out of their predicaments. To donate, contact the Veteran Transition Center at 831-883-8387 or drop off goods at the American Legion Hall, on West Market Street in Salinas.

Mixed feelings on new majority The main headline in today's paper, "County is majority Hispanic," has been obvious for many years. I was born and raised in Salinas. The culture has changed drastically. This change brings mixed feelings. It has been blighted by the crime it is now known by shootings, killings, drugs, litter, graffiti, etc.

It has spread to other towns in Monterey County. Friends and relatives who have moved from this area to other parts of our country speak of it. If one looks up Salinas on the Internet regarding moving one's family here, the advice is don't. MOLLY BOND Salinas Salinas dad leads by example Almost every afternoon I take my dog to Hartnell Park to play. For the past year and a half I have noticed there is a man (whose name I promised not to say) who coaches a girls soccer team called the Tornadoes.

With so much bad always being talked about in this city, here is a man who not only teaches these girls to play a sport, but is teaching them to be strong, competitive, healthy young women. I am sure there are days he would rather be home relaxing after work, but he is there faithfully every day. He teaches with humor, disipline, encouragement and he can be a little tough when he has to. I know a bunch of young ladies who will not be joining any gangs or wandering the mall because this dad cares and puts it all out there for these girls. There may be a lesson there for all us parents.

Be involved in your kids' lives; and, to my unnamed friend, thank you. MELINDA MESSNER-RIOS Salinas Joblessness tears up families Are you, your family or friends jobless? Have you been looking around and submitting applications wherever possible? This may be because of the recent cuts in employment in the United States. Families are struggling in California because the state was not wise in handling its budget. As for our country, it was a downhill spiral when Bush was president. When watching Obama's state of the union address, I remember him saying employment rates are to go up again and he will try his best to prevent it.

I will believe it when I see it. Many of my friends and family members are struggling to find a simple job, whether it is at a fast-food restaurant or liquor store. If friends my age in their late teens can't find a job, I can only imagine how much adults are struggling. Nothing is free in this world; we all have bills to pay. Without a job, we cannot make this happen.

Families are being thrown into the streets because they cannot pay their bills. What kind of country are we turning into? Isn't the main reason why immigrants come to the United States to find jobs and turn their lives around? Positive progress and change await us. MIGUEL VIDAURI Gonzales Higher ed costs can spoil future Why is it so expensive to go to school after high school? Many students are asking this question every day. School costs have gone up drastically in the past few years. Schools want to charge students for every little thing.

Students want to go to school because they want better job opportunities. Why are schools raising tuition? Students returning to school don't really have money to pay for the classes, books and all the other expenses. There is financial aid but it doesn't always cover everything. Many people want to continue going to school to get a better education but they just do not have the money for it. Schools should cut costs on tuition, books and all the other expenses because times are rough right now.

People want a better education because the higher the education level the more you will get paid, and that's why everyone wants to continue going to school to do better for themselves in the future. MICHELLE MUNOZ Gonzales Save redevelopment agencies I have worked for the San Benito County and city of Hollister planning departments since 1989, and the Hollister Redevelopment Agency since January. Elimination of redevelopment in Hollister will have a chilling economic ripple effect. Programs to assist facade improvements, business startups, fulfill a general plan vision for in-fill development and address foreclosures will be aborted. Main Street, economic development and affordable housing program assistance will be stopped midstream.

We are prepared to end our program in 2023, not 201 Hollister, like many communities that ring job-rich areas such as the Silicon Valley, is a bedroom community that leaks sales taxes. We have conflicting state mandates to house outlying job centers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without financial resources for municipal and social services. Redevelopment brings hope to bridge gaps, build partnerships and leverage limited funds to upgrade infrastructure, clear abandoned and blighted uses and adapt to economic challenges. Say goodbye to redevelopment and hello to another shelved general plan and economic stagnation. The premature termination of redevelopment will stunt recovery.

Let us help ourselves. MARY PAXTON Hollister SOAPBOX Peace Corps celebrates 50 years of service BY SAM FARR, TOM PETRI, JOHN GARAMENDI AND MIKE HONDA Fifty years ago, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace through "a peace corps of talented men and OTHER VIEWS Clarify allies' objectives in Libya The United States and its allies were right to intervene in the Libyan crisis given the risk that Moammar Gadhafi would continue to massacre civilians in the rebel city of Benghazi. The Obama administration was careful to become involved only after receiving considerable support from allies such as Britain and France, as well as from the United Nations and the Arab League although the league has fecklessly backed away from its earlier stance. Given the history of the last few years and Arab sensitivities in the region, the United States could not be perceived as once again being eager to intervene there without allowing other powers to take the lead in building diplomatic support.

While that gives the endeavor solid international legitimacy, the cost was lost time. A week or so ago, with some of Gadhafi's military units and diplomats defecting to the rebel side, imposition of a no-fly zone might well have turned the tide against Gadhafi. Now the prospect of a stalemate exists and the operation's goals remain murky. President Barack Obama has said leave." Yet top military officials say allied forces aren't specifically targeting the dictator, nor does the U.N.( resolution authorize his removal. The allied effort has succeeded in preventing a Gadhafi-ordered massacre and stopping his advance.

The next challenge is preventing a stalemate that could bog down U.S. forces in yet another Mideast conflict. The hope is Gadhafi's contemptible regime falls quickly before a great deal more blood is shed. Meanwhile, Obama must clarify the objectives of Operation Odyssey Dawn and make sure other nations quickly assume the military leadership responsibilities. Kansas City Star TOI VlEttV do no! aJwaw reiki ihe opinio of Ah Nit arc pnwilcd sUmulalt' public debate on issues.

Sam Farr and development. In an increasingly globalized world, Peace Corps volunteers embody the best of what America has to offer and demonstrates the depth of our nation's commitment to peace. As we write this, more than 8,600 volunteers are working in 77 developing countries on critical health, education and infrastructure projects. Now more than ever, as the international community is fractured by transnational conflict and escalating nuclear threats, the Peace Corps stands alone as an unparalleled beacon of peace and optimism. And the Peace Corps is able to do all this at a fraction of the cost the U.S.

government pays to send other Americans overseas. For the price of deploying one soldier to Afghanistan, the Peace Corps could send 13 volunteers to serve their country in developing nations all over the world. In fact, the Peace Corps' total budget amounts to .01 percent of our total federal budget. Dollar for dollar, Peace Corps volunteers are one of the federal government's most effective agents of both diplomacy and development and yield an incredible return on investment. More than 20 countries want volunteers and still other countries have requested an increase in the number of volunteers.

After President Kennedy's call to action in 1961 and under the skillful direction of Sargent Shriver the Peace Corps had more than 15,000 volunteers working in 44 developing countries within five years of its inception. This project of goodwill demonstrated to the international community the American values of peace and prosperity that had been overshadowed by the Cold War. Today, the Peace Corps stands as one of the most enduring expressions of international goodwill and cooperation. In just 50 years, the Peace Corps has enabled more than 200,000 individuals to serve in 139 developing countries around the world. Volunteers work shoulder to shoulder with millions of individuals in impoverished areas on essential health, education, agricultural and technology projects designed to lift up local capacity and facilitate community ownership.

Peace Corps volunteers are helping countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children and their communities. Volunteers are working with communities in Samoa to improve literacy, helping to build a community library and computer lab in Ghana, and increasing access to water for indigenous villages in Panama. With little resources, volunteers are serving with the incredible, relentless spirit of public service that makes America an enduring beacon of hope and prosperity. Taken together, the Peace Corps has contributed more than 400,000 years of service to the world in the spirit of peace, prosperity and development. And while the Peace Corps has established itself as a world-renowned institution, it continues to innovate and evolve to best meet the development needs of a rapidly changing world.

Peace Corps volunteers represent the values of hope, prosperity and opportunity that make America great. We mark the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps by honoring its incredible service and ushering in the next generation of volunteers to serve our great nation in the name of peace. Twenty-five Peace Corps volunteers from the Central Coast are now serving in developing countries. The Monterey Institute of International Studies is home to the only Peace Corps graduate program in the country. U.S.

Reps. Sam Farr, D-CA, served in Colombia from 1964-66; John Garamendi, D-CA, served in Ethiopia from 1966-68; Tbm Petri, R-Wisc, served in Somalia from 1966-67 and Mike Honda, D-CA, served in El Salvador from 1965-67. Tom Petri women. A Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, we have seen firsthand what the power of goodwill can have on changing lives and communities in neglected corners of the globe, and in shaping our country's image around the world. For 50 years, through war and conflict, Peace Corps volunteers have delivered to the world an inspiring, uplifting side of humanity that reflects John Garamendi fyr 1 Mike Honda FIRST AMENDMENT "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Bill of Rights, the U.S.

Constitution our better nature service to others in the great common cause of global peace 4.