THE MONTEREY COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT NOW HAS UNTIL FEBRUARY 25TH , TO CHECK THE MORE THAN 16 THOUSAND SIGNATURES TURNED IN YESTERDAY BY THE RANCHO SAN JUAN OPPOSITION COALITION. JUST UNDER 9 THOUSAND OF THOSE MUST BE VALID TO FORCE A REFERENDUM ON THE SUPERVISORIAL DECISION THAT APPROVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT. ALTHOUGH COUNTY SUPERVISORS WERE UNDER THREAT OF A LAWSUIT IF THEY DID NOT ADOPT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE RANCHO SAN JUAN PLAN, PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE THE PROJECT SAY APPROPRIATE STEPS HAVEN?T BEEN TAKEN TO ADDRESS WATER AND TRAFFIC CONCERNS. IF SUFFICIENT SIGNATURES ARE VERIFIED, THE SUPERVISORS HAVE THE OPTION OF RESCINDING THEIR DECISION, OR SCHEDULING A REFERENDUM ELECTION.

THE CONTROVERSY OVER REAPPOINTING A SANTA CRUZ MAN TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN SETTLED. GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE MATTER. (QUOTE) "I AM DISAPPOINTED THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE CHOSE NOT TO CONFIRM REED HASTINGS FOR THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, REED HAS BEEN A CHAMPION FOR HIGHER STANDARDS AND AN ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF CALIFORNIA'S STUDENTS. HE HAS WORKED TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN LIFE. I THANK REED FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO CALIFORNIA'S SCHOOL CHILDREN." (END QUOTE). HASTINGS HELPED FOUND THE PACIFIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL IN SANTA CRUZ, AND IS KNOWN AS A SCHOOL REFORMER. EARLIER HE SAID IT WAS IRONIC THAT HIS OWN PARTY (WHICH IS DEMOCRATIC) WAS BLOCKING HIS CONFIRMATION.

CARMEL RESIDENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO GO TO THE POLLS IN APRIL TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RAISE THE CITY?S HOTEL ROOM TAX. IF APPROVED, THE TAX WOULD BE RAISED 2 PERCENT, INCREASING IT FROM 10 TO 12 PERCENT. THE TAX PETITION SPECIFIES HOW THE REVENUES WOULD BE SPENT. CARMEL'S INNKEEPERS AND BUSINESSES HAVE OPPOSED THE TAX, SAYING IT WOULD HURT THE CITY'S TOURIST ECONOMY. ON APRIL 5 THE POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 8 P.M.

GUBERNATORIAL PRESS SECRETARY MARGITA THOMPSON TODAY EXPRESSED HER DISSAPPOINTMENT FOLLOWING THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE DECISION NOT TO CONFIRM REED HASTINGS (FROM SANTA CRUZ) TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. (QUOTE) "IT IS ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE WHEN POLITICAL LITMUS TESTS ARE PUT BEFORE WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN. WHAT SIGNAL DO YOU SEND TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHEN A QUALIFIED AND WELL-RESPECTED COMMUNITY LEADER LIKE REED HASTINGS IS SACRIFICED TO ADVOCATES OF A NARROWLY FOCUSED AGENDA WHO WIELD POWER IN SACRAMENTO? ULTIMATELY IT IS THE CHILDREN WHO SUFFER WHEN SPECIAL INTEREST POLITICS SUPERCEDE GOOD PUBLIC POLICY." (END QUOTE)