Letters to the Editor

Measure C is punishment

I t should be obvious to anyone who is fully awake that government always grows. The incentive is built in. Each department head pleads for more money and a higher salary based on the amount of money they spend and the number of employees in that department.

There is no watchdog. The city manager wants a larger bureaucracy to justify a pay increase. The City Council, county supervisors or such are too busy to sniff out waste and duplicate efforts.

Now the citizens of Pismo Beach are asked to approve an increase in the sales tax. The argument is that tourists will pay nearly all of the increase, and besides, most of the other municipalities are doing it. An increase in the percentage of sales tax is needed because ... ?

Parking meters? Sure. The city needs the money.

Please, somebody explain why we need a higher percentage of money passing through Pismo Beach. Tell me also how the citizens benefit from paying to park and being punished further with an increase in sales tax.

Don’t tell me that we need more money because somebody else will provide it. I would rather invite tourists than to punish them.

Lorenzo Lowe

Avila Beach

Others are already paying

I would like to urge Pismo Beach residents to vote “yes” on Measure C to increase the city sales tax from 7.25 percent to 7.75 percent.

The surrounding cities are already paying 7.75 percent. We have an opportunity in Pismo Beach to catch up with the surrounding areas to generate added income for our city. Fortunately, unlike the surrounding cities, tourists will be paying for most of the tax increase, not locals. Approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of Pismo Beach’s taxes are generated by tourism.

Because of the huge increases in gas prices, our local hotels may not be generating as much transit occupancy tax. Some might say that they don’t care about tourism, but they must understand that for Pismo Beach tourism is our lifeblood.

I do most of my shopping in other cities, therefore I’m already paying 7.75 percent. The tourists from the valley also are paying 7.75 percent in their home towns.

The city will be sending out notices twice a year to let the residents know how the money is being used. If we aren’t happy with the way the new tax money is being spent, then in six years we can simply vote it down.

Use good common sense, and vote “yes” on Measure C.

Susan Testa

Pismo Beach

Hill’s negativity offputting

Several months ago I attended a tea for Adam Hill to learn more about him and his vision for making our county a better place.

During the past few months, I have become appalled with Hill’s actions, which I believe speak louder than his words. Rather than explaining how he is going to improve our county, he has focused his energy on negativity toward Jerry Lenthall, which demonstrates his leadership style and true character.

I don’t always agree with Lenthall’s decisions, but I totally respect him, and I have never seen or heard Lenthall bad-mouthing those who don’t believe in his views. I am saddened that Adam Hill, who could have received my vote, now has lost it completely. I will not support anyone who puts down others (or opponents) to make himself look good.

I was interested in learning more about Adam Hill’s qualifications as a part-time English lecturer. Hill speaks of integrity on his Web site, but when I went to polyratings.com to learn more about his character, I was shocked by some of the comments former students had made. I hope fellow voters will do their homework before voting.

Morgan Edwards

San Luis Obispo

Give consumers control

Regarding “Health care horror stories happen plenty in America”( April 13):

Universal health care/ insurance already exist in America. Health care services and insurance are available to all. The fight for universal health care/insurance is for a government-run system so that costs will decrease and everyone will receive “the same” (fair) coverage.

In 2003, the government insured 26 percent of the population at a cost reaching 46 percent of total health care spending. With regard to nonpatient costs, private insurance spends $485 per patient compared to $1,989 spent by Medicare and Medicaid, demonstrating that government can’t do it cheaper. Government-run health care may give everyone access to the same treatment, but it wouldn’t be the first-rate treatment we experience now.

Contrary to the author’s statement, people in other “rich” countries with government-run care do suffer and die without treatment, often while on a waiting list. Even in countries with mandated insurance, not everyone receives regular care nor are all insured: e. g., 14 to 17 percent of Canadians have no primary care physician, relying on emergency room services for all care; and Canadian citizens not covered by the government health plan are required to pay before being treated.

After 40-plus years of government involvement, we’ve gradually moved away from health insurance to a prepaid medical plan. Insurance is for emergencies, but today it’s used to pay for most expenses and consumers expect it — but the system isn’t working. To maintain high quality health care at affordable costs the answer is not more government intervention, but to put control into the hands of the consumer.

Heather Moreno

Atascadero

Sharing the road is easy

As a recreational cyclist, I read with interest the letters that address safety issues involving automobiles and bicycles. Sometimes the polarizing positions taken by the letter writers make sharing the road more difficult than it really needs to be.

To illustrate, last Saturday a small group of cyclists rode along La Panza Road in rural San Luis Obispo County to enjoy the fading wildflowers. The road does not have a bike lane and has a narrow shoulder. Traffic was very light, and we rode side by side when no cars were in sight.

As cars approached, we moved into a single line as close to the right side of the road as practical. Despite our single-file formation, one driver, towing a utility trailer, could not safely pass because of approaching traffic. He slowed behind us, waited until the opposing cars passed, then moved left of center and passed us. I waved “thanks;” he waved “thanks,” and we all continued safely on our way.

Sharing the road is easy, but it does require paying attention to one’s surroundings, using common sense and most important, driving/cycling with courtesy.

David Abrecht

Los Osos

True earnings report

A few weeks ago, Parade magazine included a salary survey entitled, “What they earn.” The realistic title should have been, “What they make.” There are an awful lot of people out there who play the game, “Hide ’n’ seek for a grand a week.”

Terry Stenson

Nipomo