Pebble Beach 1919 PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM 2016 A SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE TODAY’S CARMELAT PINE CONE& — TheT pros and celebrities, schedules, ticket info, how to get there & more… VolumeThe 102 No. 7 Carmel On the Internet: www.carmelpinecone.com Pine Cone February 12-18, 2016 TRUSTED BY LOCALS AND LOVED BY VISITORS SINCE 1915 Brilliant blue skies greet Pro-Am Coastal commission chief fired after marathon meeting By KELLY NIX DESPITE AN outpouring of support for California Coastal Commission executive director Charles Lester, commissioners voted 7-5 Wednesday to fire him following an impassioned meeting that crept well into the night. Pleas from droves of Lester’s supporters — including Leon Panetta, the CEO of the Pebble Beach Company and numerous public officials — were not enough to stop the commission from terminating Lester’s employment after less than five years on the job. At the coastal commission meeting in Morro Bay, Lester issued a brief statement following the announcement of the closed session vote, saying he had “worked hard” and “accom- plished a lot,” and that it had been a privilege to serve the agency. He also credited all of those who supported him. PHOTOS/KERRY BELSER “So if there is any silver lining, I am so energized for all the people that came together for this,” Lester said after 9 p.m. just Sure, it rains some years, but the truth is that the AT&T before the meeting wrapped up. “This was a spontaneous Pebble Beach Pro-Am usually has good weather, and this expression of commitment to the coast of California, and we year was no exception for the preliminary events and even the first round of competition. During the 3M Celebrity should all be proud of that.” Shoot-out Wednesday, Clint Eastwood signed autographs But with all that public support, a looming question remains: (top left) and Bill Murray discussed strategy with Huey Why was Lester fired? In advance of the vote, the state’s biggest Lewis (left). On Thursday, Jake Owen and Jordan Spieth (above) played Spyglass. See our special section inside See LESTER page 15A for complete coverage of the Pro-Am and everything around it. Plans to use event center Panetta, Lucius trade views on Israel, ISIS as gourmet store, restaurant get favorable, By CHRIS COUNTS Aside from a few partisan jabs, there were only subtle differences between the views of Jimmy Panetta, a SPEAKING BEFORE about 150 people Feb. 8 at Democrat, and Casey Lucius, a Republican. if tentative, response Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel Valley, two candidates The candidates forum was organized by Todd Hornik, a vying for retiring Congressman Sam Farr’s seat tackled member of the congregation and, like Panetta, a deputy dis- By MARY SCHLEY some of the most challenging foreign policy issues the trict attorney for Monterey County. Hornik started by ask- United States is facing today in the Middle East. ing the candidates to describe the current state of U.S.- A FLEDGLING proposal to turn the building at Seventh Israeli relations, and explain how each would strengthen and Dolores into a gourmet food shop and restaurant when it’s that bond. not being used for events received a guarded, but positive, Beach fires set for Lucius cited President Barack Obama’s infamous failure response from the planning commission Wednesday night. to back up his “red line” threat against Syrian President The plans — which call for high-end purveyors to offer Bashar al-Assad, and his subsequent nuclear weapons deal gourmet products and prepared items to eat on the premises or March council meeting with Iran as examples of how the country’s relationship take home — would require n with Israel “has been damaged over the past seven years.” amendments to the city’s zoning Law on wood-burning She said Americans need to “work with Israel” to stop the code before they could be fireplaces also in the works flow of weapons to terrorists and support defense systems allowed. like Israel’s Iron Dome that have saved thousands of lives. Planning Operating under the name By MARY SCHLEY commissioner: CPines7 LLC, the group that ‘Our strongest ally’ owns the former bank building THE MUCH debated issue of fires on Carmel Beach “Israel is one of our most important security relation- The city ‘has a at Dolores and Seventh — and — whether they are a deadly pollutant or just a fun pastime, ships,” explained Lucius, a Pacific Grove City tradition of obtained permits three years ago how many should be allowed, if people should be permitted Councilwoman who served in the United States Navy and to operate it as an event venue to use real wood or be limited to propane, where they taught at the Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War being creative’ — submitted a proposal to use should be built and how they should be controlled — is set College. “Unfortunately, Israel is surrounded by threats.” the larger of the two buildings to return to the city council for discussion at its March 1 The son of Leon Panetta — whom Farr replaced in the on the property for a food mar- meeting, Mayor Jason Burnett said this week. House of Representatives — Panetta described the U.S.- ket and eatery that would offer At the Feb. 2 council meeting, resident Jeanne Israeli relationship as “tense” and “not the best, but not the gourmet products, prepared foods and sandwiches, baked McCulloch presented a petition with nearly 300 signatures worst.” He also described Israel as more than just an ally. goods, confections, coffee, drinks, wine and other merchandise, asking the city to continue allowing some wood-burning “They’re family,” said Panetta, a Carmel Valley resident all supplied by local merchants. fires on the beach, rather than banning them altogether, as who served in the Navy reserve and earned a Bronze Star Prepared foods and drinks would be sold in disposable con- a narrow majority of the council wants. during a tour in Afghanistan. “The United States must tainers for consumption on or off-site, and tables and chairs A handful of other members of the public also stood to always be committed to protecting Israel, which is our would be available inside — including on a new mezzanine con- defend the tradition, including those who reminisced about strongest ally and the only democracy in Middle East.” structed along the north side of the building — as well as out- See FIRES page 12A See CONGRESS page 17A See GOURMET page 19A Have the complete Carmel Pine Cone delivered every Thursday evening to your iPad, laptop, PC or phone. Free subscriptions available at www.carmelpinecone.com 2A The Carmel Pine Cone February 12, 2016 Sandy Claws By Lisa Crawford Watson Piper loves people, particularly kids. When she hears Gorgeous great Dane the voices of children, her head swivels, looking for them. And, despite her size, she’s incredibly gentle with children. PIPER IS a harlequin great Dane, who spent her “Having a great Dane, because they’re so big, is like first year with her breeder’s family, which included five having another person, someone very quiet in the children, four other great Danes, and one small dog — house,” her person says. “Piper is super loving and a hyperactive lifestyle that made her flexible, funny, sweet and gentle.” and fast. Piper lives with her family in the Carmel Highlands, When her family came to collect her, they watched where she takes long walks within the woodlands. But a child make himself a peanut butter-and-jelly sand- she loves to play in the surf at Carmel Beach. wich, and then walk away from it. The sandwich was “The first time I took Piper to the beach,” says her gone in a swipe. person, “she didn’t have a clue what to do. She didn’t “Having Piper around the house was like flying a understand the waves. She went out kind of far and kite,” says her person. “She was a free spirit who hadn’t got tumbled. But she popped up like, ‘Wow what just been trained.” happened?’ and went right back out. That’s Piper.” But after months spent working with a trainer in Hollister, she reformed her ways, and is now an official service dog. “She’s almost 4 years old, and she’s still really play- Senior transportation ful, but she definitely becomes dignified when she gets her vest on,” her person says. “She knows she’s work- group seeks donations ing.” THE HARDEN Foundation has offered to match up to $10,000 in donations to the Independent Transportation Network Monterey County, which provides rides for seniors and visually impaired adults. Established in 2012, ITN Monterey County provides 24/7 transportation services to newnew help seniors and people with vision problems remain as inde- pendent and active as possible. Volunteers drive the group’s 320 members in insured and inspected vehicles, providing SPRINGspring “arm-through-arm, door-through-door service with afford- PRESIDENT’S DAY able fares.” Community members interested in helping ITN arrivals get its matching grant by donating can do so at itnmonterey- ARRIVALS AUCTION county.org or mail a check to ITN Monterey County, 5 Harris shirts Court, Bldg. A, Monterey, CA 93940. sweaters jackets sport coats INVESTORS and more ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A BETTER RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENTS? 12% RETURN - 60% LTV Isidro Ancheta, Oil on Canvas CALL JIM! 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