Letters to the Editor 12/9

Corporations lie

The Nov. 6 Tribune carried this story: “On environmental regulation, companies give mixed messages.” Interpretation: Corporations lie to suit their purpose. Corporations — and their repugnant lackeys in Congress — bemoan environmental regulation as job killers and growth inhibitors. Those same corporate flip-floppers tell the Securities and Exchange Commission, “… the impact of environmental proposals is unknown or would not cause serious financial harm to a firm’s finances.”

An article on the Think Progress website, “Contrary To GOP Claims, Research Shows Environmental Regulation Actually Spurs Economic Growth,” states that an Economic Policy Institute report “… concludes that far from deterring economic progress, ‘the dollar value of the benefits of the major rules finalized or proposed by the EPA … exceeds the rules’ costs by an exceptionally wide margin.’ ” Additionally, they “… found that the EPA’s proposed ‘air toxics rule’ would actually lead to modest job creation.

“A new report by Public Citizen documents … the introduction of government regulations led to breakthrough innovations. For example, increased energy efficiency for refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and other appliances will save consumers more than $13 billion a year through 2030.” That $13 billion would allow consumers to actually buy those energy-saving appliances — but that would run afoul of the Koch brothers, who are heavily vested in energy production and major supporters of the Tea Party and Grover Norquist’s anti-tax gang.

Ron Harben

Arroyo Grande

Tip of the iceberg

Los Osos homeowners: Your first installment of the $745 yearly property tax assessment to repay a 40-year USDA loan for the county’s unaffordable sewer project is due Monday. This amount will continue for three years prior to your receiving any sewer services. Beginning 2015, when the county plans to begin operating their too-expensive wastewater treatment system, you will be paying a minimum of $3,000 each year, or $250 per month, for the next 30 to 40 years.

The additional expense includes a 30-year repayment of the state Revolving Fund loan on your tax bill, a 10-year loan repayment for a loan that you must individually arrange for to pay your lateral connection (the piping from your home to the sewer line in the street), and an ongoing monthly rates-and-charges fee based on your family’s water use. This $3,000 lowball estimate assumes no catastrophic events such as earthquake damage and faith in the county engineer’s construction estimates (construction bids on a prior sewer effort ran 40 percent over).

If you’re as afraid of being economically cleansed from your home as I am, please let your supervisor know. Also, there is more excellent information at www.csclososos.com  .

Bo Cooper

Los Osos

Over at last

I have a dream that someday I can read The Tribune without seeing an update on the Los Osos sewer problem. I have a dream that The Tribune will figure out how to save 41 tons of newsprint per year. I have a dream that some day the majority of the people of SLO County, who don’t give a spit, can raise their hands and heads to heaven and say, “Over at last, thank God almighty, over at last” (Sorry, Martin.) It’s been over 30 years; enough already.

John Satterfield

Paso Robles

Just showing up

Rush Limbaugh — and I hate him — said something recently that resonated. He said that in the United States there are Little League teams that do not keep score and that, at the end of the season, give anyone who was on a team a trophy. A trophy? Just for showing up.

He said that these kids grow up thinking that just “showing up” is enough. That trying hard is not necessary to win, that one deserves an honor for just “being there.”

And what happens when they grow up? They think they deserve the same treatment as those who knocked themselves out “trying to do their best?” And then what do they do? They join an Occupy Wall Street demonstration.

Enough said.

Patti Launders

Nipomo

Well-done parade

If you weren’t in Morro Bay on Saturday night, you really missed it! The boat parade was bright and on time and well organized. The music on the T-pier by the San Luis Obispo County Band was excellent. The weather was perfect. Experiencing it by stealth dory may have enriched the experience. There were 22 entries this year, and I vow to enter my dory next year!

I heard that the Atascadero caroling by the lake was also wonderful. Guess we can’t be in two places at once!

Timothy Daniels

Morro Bay

Prop. 13 advantage

Before 1978 when Prop. 13 was voted in, there were many people who were virtually taxed out of their homes.

A good example would be my uncle and aunt, who unfortunately had to sell their little home in Orange County. That was just prior to the Prop. 13 vote.

Thousands more suffered the same demise. The property taxes were unaffordable even though my uncle had a goodpaying job, and their house was paid for.

Most people who have Prop. 13 benefits are now seniors. When their houses are sold, the new owners will be required to pay the current prevailing assessed evaluation.

Why eliminate Prop. 13? Do those who oppose feel their taxes might be lowered? I don’t think so!

Those who enjoyed the Prop. 13 advantage, and chose to move, have the opportunity to move to a reciprocal county. But if those persons moved to a nonreciprocal county, their benefits would have been rescinded.

Regarding corporations, several have left California looking for lower taxes in other states, or worse yet, in other countries. We need to keep corporations and all other businesses here with an attractive tax base; this will help keep jobs here.

Pat Schiller

Arroyo Grande

Favorite trees

I recently hosted a tour for my car club through that beautiful grove of trees in Montaña de Oro. Two of the club members were from out of the area, one from Ojai and one from Buena Park.

It was a chilly, foggy day, with wisps blowing across the road through the trees. They absolutely fell in love with those trees. In spite of the chill, they kept their windows open to drink in the scent.

Those trees are my favorite part of the park. No matter the weather, it is always a peaceful and calming experience when I drive through. Depressing? Far from it!

Sadly, I will soon be moving away from this area and will miss so many things about our beautiful county. I hope that whenever I come back to visit, those trees will always be there.

Carolyn Delorey

San Luis Obispo