From the Monterey County Herald
Serving Monterey County and the Salinas Valley

Oct 29 , 2005

L E T T E R S

Editor:

To destroy an iconic symbol of California's wild coast like the Monterey pine forest to build yet another golf course is a sad example of a total lack of common sense. When the plan to cut down 17,000 Monterey pines, a threatened species, comes from the state Parks and Recreation Commission vice chairman, Clint Eastwood, it is beyond comment. But still I would like to make one.

Generations of Californians will remember Kirk Douglas' family name with respect because he used his influence and money to ensure that a beautiful Santa Barbara coastal bluff remains intact by creating the Douglas Preserve.

If Mr. Eastwood persists in cutting down this unique forest, he will harm not only a large and vital area of California's coastal wilderness but also he will damage his own name. I can't help to ponder if Mr. Eastwood would reconsider and decide that after all it would be nice to be remembered as the one who created the Clint Eastwood Monterey Pine Forest Preserve instead of being remembered as the one who destroyed this beautiful forest.

Beatriz Cabezon
Davis