Almost comedy

Let me see if I have this right.

Paso Robles’ ex-police chief is accused of groping a subordinate officer during a city-sponsored/financed hot tub party at the Carmel Valley Lodge.

Before the smoke from that accusation dispersed, the chief rode out of town into the sunset with $250,000 in her saddle bags and, apparently, no smudges in her personnel file as Paso police chief.

Next, Mr. “I’m-so-harassed” subordinate, after a reasonable amount of time, sues Paso Robles and everyone within a hundred miles, except for the ex-chief, for all his harassment and humiliation. Huh?

Meanwhile, Paso Robles city streets are riddled with potholes large enough to stash, say, bundles of $250,000 dollars in small bills. You can’t make this stuff up. This is “Saturday Night Live” fodder.

Unlike Vegas, what happens in Paso is about to go viral. Any YouTube followers out there want to help me with this? I’m thinking something along the lines of, “My kind of town, Paso Robles is ...”

Ray Davis
Paso Robles

Function of justice

The District Attorney’s Office agrees with the grand jury’s recommendation in its recent report regarding the need for a countywide protocol for the retention and disposal of physical evidence by law enforcement agencies in the county. Indeed, in conjunction with the sheriff and our office, and with the support of the other county law enforcement chiefs, the development of such a countywide protocol was begun earlier this year.

As the grand jury also noted, this particular protocol development followed on the heels of the establishment of a formal medical marijuana destruction/retention policy between our office and the sheriff’s and San Luis Obispo Police Departments, a policy which was put in place this past February. Requests for retention/destruction of seized marijuana are currently being processed, with no existing backlog.

The District Attorney’s Office shares the grand jury’s belief that retention and destruction of evidence is a vital function of the criminal justice system, and appreciates the practical recommendation by the grand jury to that end.

Jerret C. Gran
Chief deputy district attorney, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office

Redistricting

“Redistricting of supervisory districts added more conservative voters, for example. According to the final registration numbers reported by the California Secretary of State, there were 3,200 more Republicans than Democrats registered in the district.” (Tribune, June 7)

Which raises the question: How is it that the alleged “progressive” majority on the Board of Supervisors drew District 5 lines in a manner that virtually assured Debbie Arnold’s election and her re-election for the next eight years?

I’m just askin’ ...

Pat Veesart
Santa Margarita

Why more tattoos?

Pismo Beach cannot support a grocery store, yet we are opening a third tattoo parlor, in less than two blocks! Is this the image we want to convey?

Susan Walmsley
Pismo Beach

Uplifting experience

Anyone who is associated with a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo knows what a tremendous program the Grizzly Academy is. There are many fundraisers that simply could not occur without the cadets of the Grizzly Academy.

My personal experience with them has been nothing but positive and uplifting. The cadets are hard working, polite and pleasant to work with. Thank you to the Grand Jury for shining a light on this great program.

Maryellen Russell Simkins
Former chairman, Central Coast Book and Author Festival

Memories of Zion

In 1968, my college roommate and I took a camping trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We camped for several nights at Zion National Park.

Zion is one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever been; the thunderstorm one night was spectacular!

I’ll bet the Paso Robles students on the backpacking trip will never forget their experiences nor the beauty and wonders of Zion. I never did.

Barbara Goldman
Morro Bay