Monterey, CA Monterey Downs Horse Track Backers Getting Pushy With Petitions, What About The Veterans Cemetery?

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California I wrote yesterday on my blog about the great debate over whether to turn 540 acres of land on the old Fort Ord military base into a Veterans cemetery or a horse racing track.  I was disturbed to go to the Monterey post office and find (presumably paid) representatives from the non-profit Secure The Promise, backed by those promoting building the Monterey Downs race-track, gathering signatures for their petition under what I believe was a false premise.  Their petition said "sign here to save 50,000 oak trees."  Nothing about a horse track and nothing about the alternative of a veterans cemetery, which is being promoted by the Fort Ord Access Alliance as well as local veterans.  I mentioned yesterday that both sides have hired paid staff to get signatures for their ballot to have it voted on so that we can have a special election which will cost voters about $1 million.  Please read any petition carefully before you sign it.  To get more information from the source, the Web sites of the two groups are

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.