Dear Readers,

City administrator Doug Schmitz abruptly resigned last Saturday, citing personal and health reasons, and even before the ink was dry on his departure letter, he was drawing praise for stepping in last fall when the city needed him most, and for his service since then. Meanwhile, police chief Mike Calhoun was named his temporary replacement. Mary Schley reports.

The city council voted Tuesday to ban all fires on Carmel Beach, and even went a step further, declaring such fires a "public nuisance." Will the coastal commission fight the move? Mary Schley has that one, too.

An adorable, innocent puppy is dead after eating poison mushrooms in his own yard in Carmel Woods, and his family is sounding the alarm. Kelly Nix has the sad details.

The governor declared a state-wide emergency to help prevent wildfires next summer, but what will his action mean in Monterey County, where trees are protected? Chris Counts has that one.

The future of the Carmel Sands Lodge is in doubt, after the council deadlocked this week on whether to renew its permit. The California Supreme Court is deliberating the future of a "user fee" the water district says is essential to its operations. One of our decorated WWII veterans was honored recently in Washington D.C., thanks to a special fundraising effort. A unique artifact from the days of Junipero Serra -- and even Sebastian Vizcaino -- is on display at a local museum. And my editorial decries the lack of support at the city council for the redevelopment of Carmel Sands Lodge, and points out the many flaws in the thinking of two council members.

As always, I am available to respond to questions, comments or concerns, and to offer advice about how best to read our newspaper on your computer, smartphone or iPad.

Paul Miller, Publisher
paul@carmelpinecone.com

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