Letters to the Editor

Cuts are reasonable

I have been reading editorials lately in the newspapers condemning Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his latest budget proposal, which has cuts across the board to try and reign in costs and allow for a balanced budget. As is human nature, nobody wants their favorite pastime or project cut or to lose their job, but the fact is we have been spending money we haven’t earned for far too long, and something has to be done now!

I am not a strong Arnold Schwarzenegger supporter, but he was elected to bring this state back to fiscal responsibility, which he tried to do. He proposed several initiatives to the people of California, trying to control the costs unions have caused the state taxpayers for our education, prisons and other public sector bureaucracies, and he was met with defeat by the voters. We only have ourselves to blame.

Currently, the economy is very bad. Private business is losing money and laying people off. It is not unrealistic to ask our government and the public sector to share the burden. A 10 percent cut is not too much to ask.

Allen Litten

Atascadero

Beyond smoking

Our city has been a national leader at the intersection of quality of life, the environment and the economy. For example, San Luis Obispo was one of the first cities in the nation to ban smoking in bars. It is time to provide such leadership again.

California mandated the dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As any third-grader can tell you, the easiest way to reduce emissions is to reduce waste, in particular the wasteful practice of heating or cooling the entire world through the front doors of local businesses.

As easily as the City Council crafted the smoking ordinance, they could prohibit the continuous operation of heating and air conditioning systems where the doors and windows are casually left open.

I know there will be those who insist that it will hurt business. That notion can be put to rest merely by looking to see if businesses that do keep their doors closed have gone belly up (the answer would be no).

John Handy

San Luis Obispo

More of the McSame

So, Sen. John McCain gave us a look at his economic policies that included cutting corporate taxes. Cutting corporate taxes presents a problem. According to the Government Accountability Office, from 1996 to 2000, 61 percent of corporations didn’t pay any taxes at all. There is nothing to cut! Corporations accomplish this by moving their offices to foreign countries the way Dick Cheney’s corporation, Halliburton, moved to Dubai. Corporations used to pay 50 percent of the nation’s taxes. Last year, they paid 14 percent.

McCain also plans to make permanent Bush’s tax cuts for the rich. Meanwhile, the tax burden shifts to those of us who can’t afford the runaway food and gas prices, let alone more taxes.

If you think these policies are good for America, vote for McCain. John Mc- Cain, more of the same.

Norm Jackson

Atascadero

Morro endorsements

There are many candidates running in the Morro Bay election but few who have consistently worked hard for all of us, without ulterior motives, and with no potential for financial gain for themselves or their associates.

In the council race, Roger Ewing stands out. In addition to serving on the Public Works Advisory Board, he works tirelessly to understand and take action on the issues that impact the citizens of Morro Bay. He appears at countless public meetings to defend the rights of the ordinary people against destructive actions by special interest groups.

Melody DeMeritt is my favorite mayoral candidate. She has consistently stood up against developers and other special interests to defend the people of Morro Bay and our quality of life. Melody calls herself the “citizens’ candidate” and truly is. She looks out for the average citizen and has sound ideas to solve our financial problems without destroying our small town atmosphere.

Both Melody and Roger are people with unimpeachable integrity, sound experience and the kind of unselfish motives that I believe are notably absent in most of the candidates. I urge everyone to vote for these two outstanding advocates for our town and its citizens.

Linda Stedjee

Morro Bay

Stop the fireworks

F or those who live or work in Pismo Beach, please help put an end to destructive fireworks in our community. Not only are fireworks damaging and threatening to residents, pets and to the environment, but they are also a danger to threatened wildlife and habitat and are in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

For example, did you know that sea otters, steelhead trout, northern fur seals, American peregrine falcons, golden eagles, great blue herons and California brown pelicans are a few animals protected under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act? Did you know that 200 species of birds reside within the coastal community and among the dunes where fireworks are a common occurrence? Nesting birds may flee during fireworks displays due to the noise and smoke pollution for days at a time, leaving fledglings to starve.

The city of Pismo Beach doesn’t enforce laws regarding the use of legal or illegal fireworks because of its focus on tourism and the increased revenue that the 4th of July brings in. Go to www.pismobeach.org or call Kevin Rice at 773-7007 to register your complaint and hold the city accountable. Alison Watt Jackson

Shell Beach

Shock of cancer

Thank you for your excellent series on the effects of cancer on our lives. Your coverage was thorough, gutsy and helpful.

It is quite shocking to have a doctor look you in the eye and tell you that you have cancer. I know. My life was changed by cancer in 2003, and my success in beating it was made easier by the support of the local Prostate Cancer Support Group. I feel that I owe my life — literally—to the men and women in that group. It was through their counsel, combined with excellent medical treatment, that I count myself among the county’s many cancer survivors.

There are numerous local support groups to assist those who have received this dreaded diagnosis, and each does its best to give support to those who have been afflicted by cancer, to educate the public about cancer and to help the families of those who have been affected. For those who want to know more, contact Bettina Peterson at the American Cancer Society in San Luis Obispo at 543-1481. It could save your life.

Brian P. Lawler

San Luis Obispo

Don’t forget garden

T hree city advisory bodies voted 20-1 to not amend the Mitchell Park master plan to add a parking lot.

That the City Council is now advised by the city administrative officer to ignore recommendations of three council-appointed bodies, chosen to serve based on experience, training and skills, and who advise, provide recommendations and leadership for the council, is a travesty of the advisory body system.

There are about 300 members of the Mitchell Senior Center. There are thousands of seniors in this town, and more every day. Invest in creating a center that will serve all seniors.

And do not dismiss the importance of a community garden over a parking lot! Community gardens improve lives by stimulating all-ages interaction, providing opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy and education. They beautify neighborhoods and preserve greenspace. There is currently a waitlist of 60 for a garden plot, possibly a larger number than the core group of seniors using Mitchell Center.

Ursula Bishop

San Luis Obispo