Cambrian letters to the editor, Feb. 18, 2016

Proposition 218 protest backing appreciated

Cambrians for Fiscal Responsibility would like to say “thank you,” to the volunteers who helped in various ways in launching a Proposition 218 protest against the CCSD’s proposed water and sewer rate increases. Your efforts were much appreciated by many members of the community, who gave thanks over and over again for having taken on such a task.

While we were not successful, the reported number of 1,219 protests received by CCSD was significant.

I would hope the CCSD might be mindful that a good number of Cambrians did not agree with the rate increases, and that in the future, they might be more considerate of those who virtually pay the bills.

We, the people, should have a voice in how our rate monies are to be spent. Standing committees might be a great start, where members of the community could be a part of the process.

Connection thanks CCC board for its ongoing support

The Cambria Connection Board of Directors wishes to express its deep gratitude and thanks to the Cambria Community Council for its ongoing support of our organization located at 870 Main St.

Since 2002, the Cambria Community Council in partnership with other groups including the Salvation Army and Central Coast Classic, provided more than $465,000 in grants to local organizations. Their support is invaluable to everyone in our community — charities, schools, youth-based organizations and many other community groups. We are grateful to the council and its supporters for helping us all continue our missions and improve quality of life for all Cambrians.

The Cambria Connection is a nonprofit community resource center. We serve families and individuals seeking solutions to the challenges of aging, economic misfortune, parenting, illness, grief, alcoholism and addiction. The Connection partners with other nonprofit groups throughout San Luis Obispo County and local community organizations to offer an array of community services not otherwise available on the North Coast.

March to fight polio continues at Rotary

In 1955, there was a joyous sense of accomplishment when Jonas Salk’s miraculous polio vaccine was administered to baby boomers. The March of Dimes changed its mission to focus on prenatal care and birth defects. But the “march” against polio was not, and is still, not over.

Recognizing this, Rotary began its PolioPlus program in 1985, to end polio throughout the world via mass vaccinations of children.

Rotary’s donations of funds and volunteers provided immunizations for more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

PolioPlus leader, Canadian Dr. Bob Scott visited Cambria Rotary last week and cited 370 polio cases worldwide in 2014, compared to the 1000 cases per day in the 1980’s when he first began.

Polio has been 99 percent eradicated. Rotary’s “End Polio Now Campaign,” with its slogan “We Are This Close,” urges donors to achieve 100 percent eradication of polio. Go to rotary.org for information.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 10:59 AM with the headline "Cambrian letters to the editor, Feb. 18, 2016."