Letters to the Editor 10/30

Remembering Chuck

Many will remember Chuck Meissner and how important he was to the Morro Bay community. Whether he agreed with you or not, he was always a gentleman. His letters to the editor and to city officials are legend.

Chuck was leader of the Morro Bay Beautiful Cleanup brigade; an artist; an active member of the Morro Bay Art Association, helping for years to maintain their building and set up Art in the Park. He secured free water from the power plant for the Garden Club planter on the boardwalk. Every Friday he and his wife Floretta delivered Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors.

He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the SLO Botanical Garden and longtime member of the Morro Bay Presbyterian Church. He ventured to Santa Barbara for hearings and often attended local hearings on the power plant.

His family and friends are planning a memorial bench on the Morro Bay Harbor Walk. We have secured a bench, facing the bay across from the power plant. Currently we are soliciting contributions to help pay for the bench. The cost, including the plaque, is $1,400.

For all who would like to contribute, please send a check in any amount made out to the City of Morro Bay or Nancy Johnson at 1165 Morro Avenue, Morro Bay, 93442.

Thank you.

Nancy Johnson

Morro Bay

Checking the facts

Regarding Gerry Johnson’s letter, “Waiting for an answer” (Oct. 17):

In the space of perhaps four minutes, I went to VoteSmart.org and saw that Rep. Lois Capps voted “yes” on the bill prohibiting Federal Funding for ACORN.

I encourage citizens to fact-find for themselves whenever possible. It’s relatively simple to be informed on the issues that most interest us by “letting your computer do the walking.” Computer use is available at your local library in the event you do not have one at home.

Anne S. Reeves

Morro Bay

Heartfelt thanks

Quota International of Morro Bay would like to thank everyone who helped with their recent luncheon and fashion show, “A Bouquet of Fashion, Friendship and Service.” In today’s economic times we are so grateful to receive the wonderful support of our community.

Special thanks for the very generous donations from Morro Bay Furniture, The Cotton Ball and Farmer’s Kites and Surreys. With your donations you made our gas tickets sale a big success.

Also, a very heartfelt thanks to businesses and friends that donated to our silent auction and raffles.

Thank you to the fashions and models provided by Poppy, Sole Mia and California Images, all of Morro Bay. Barbara Strassel was so professional as fashion show commentator. Phoenix Fine Catering served a delicious lunch and Sweet Adelines Chorus made for fun entertainment.

And finally, thank you to all who came to the luncheon and fashion show. With your support, proceeds will be used for local scholarships, hearing assistance for the deaf and hearing impaired, disadvantaged women and children, troop support and other local community projects.

Lauren Moore

Cayucos

Be realisitic

Plunking down an enormous power plant to bisect the heart of a migration corridor considered by state and federal agencies to be crucial to the recovery of the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox, a species in decline, hardly meets First Solar’s claim of siting their project “to minimize negative environmental impacts” (Viewpoint, Oct. 14). Too many other points to mention also miss the mark.

While hired-gun biologists may claim a solar farm will be a kit fox sanctuary, it is widely recognized in the environmental community that the project will create serious impacts to several listed and rare species supported on their agricultural site. Any potential vegetative improvements made to existing habitat will be offset by the impacts of structures and the presence of humans. Their supposed kit fox-friendly fencing will be an ambush hideout for coyotes as well as a major impasse to wildlife connectivity.

Ignoring requests for meaningful mitigation proposals, First Solar continues to insist six and a half square miles of power plant in an area with the state’s highest concentration of listed species doesn’t need real mitigation. It’s past time for First Solar to be realistic about their impacts.

Robin Bell

Carrisa Alliance for Responsible Energy