Why not turn Oceano Airport into senior housing, tourist parking and hiking trails? | Opinion

Turn Oceano airport into housing, hiking

“SLO County board won’t recognize Oceano Advisory Council,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 2022)

As a concerned,life-long resident of Oceano, I perceive a disparity in the treatment and resources allocated to our community compared to other oceanfront towns. The utilization of 60 acres of our precious coastal land for an airport is frivolous and unfair to our community. I believe that this property holds immense potential for the benefit of our community at large — not just the few, mostly non-resident, wealthy individuals who can afford to use the airport.

That land could be used for senior housing, designated tourist parking spaces to alleviate congestion at the beachfront and walking/biking trails for the enjoyment and health of our residents and visitors. Senior and low-income housing is a pressing need in our town. Repurposing some of the airport acreage for such use would address this demand and foster a stronger sense of community by catering to the needs of our elderly residents.

Placing tourist parking facilities would enhance pedestrian access to our beachfront and its businesses thus contributing to the economic growth of our town. Well-maintained walking/biking trails in those 60 acres would promote an active and healthy lifestyle among residents and showcase the natural beauty of our town to visitors, thereby boosting tourism. I believe that most of the airport property should be restored to its natural state.

Christina Casillas

Oceano

Footing the bill

“California’s home insurance crisis affecting SLO County,” (sanluisobispo.com, Sep. 12)

I agree with the argument for banning house development and building in fire-prone areas. I would go further and say we should ban such development and building in flood-prone areas and on cliffs and bluffs susceptible to erosion.

We all will be asked to bail out people who make these choices when fire and water destroy their homes, so we should allow insurance companies to ask for higher rates from those who make those choices.

We should not allow insurance companies to charge all of us more to make up for losses due to the bad choices of others.

Christine Mulholland

San Luis Obispo

Fight for democracy

“In a huff, Trump walks out on opponent’s closing at defamation trial but returns to hear his lawyer,” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 25)

Every presidential election year seems to bring with it the assertion that it will be the most important election ever. In 2024, that is not hyperbole. This decision is much more fundamental than usual. Normally, issues and personalities dominate the choice we make. This year, the choice is between strengthening democracy and subverting it.

Just listen to the rantings of the disgraced ex-president and check out the Heritage Foundation-backed Project 2025, a draconian manifesto that lays out — in excruciating detail — how democracy dies and authoritarianism, unencumbered by the pesky restraints of a democratic system, takes over. For example, the manifesto details plans to recruit replacements for existing federal civil service employees, up to cabinet level, who they want to reclassify as “at-will” employees so firing them would be easier should they fail to follow Trump’s demands.

Democracy is both a noun and a verb. We must not sit idly by and wave a fond farewell to the freedoms and opportunities our political system — though flawed — provides. We must defend, improve and vote for that which is precious and rare in human history: democracy.

Ken P. McDaniel

Arroyo Grande

Gathering data

“Evictions in SLO County: Fill out The Tribune’s survey,” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 19)

We all deserve safe, secure, affordable housing. That’s why I am happy to see The Tribune getting the story on evictions. They have been accelerating as faceless corporate landlords, greedy property management companies and other bad-faith actors abusing loopholes in current state law to perpetuate unsafe and unhealthy living conditions and to harass tenants, evict them without cause and intimidate or push out tenants who ask for repairs or improvements.

Scores of other communities across California (and the entire country) maintain inventories of rental properties in their jurisdictions, which allows them to understand their current housing conditions better and address unique housing challenges in their communities. Just recently, Monterey and Salinas established such databases. We need one in SLO, too, so the 60% of our households who are renters can build a brighter, more stable and secure future where everyone can thrive.

Barry A. Price

San Luis Obispo

Treatment, not incarceration

“Mistrial declared in SLO fentanyl murder case after jury deadlocks on verdict,” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 25)

Justice served. I’m glad to see that the Brandi Turner case ended with a mistrial. It’s unfortunate that the jurors couldn’t at least come to the agreement that she’s not guilty of murder in the first degree and deferred conviction to involuntary mistrial, but had she been found guilty. It seems crystal clear to me that this woman did not engage in premeditated murder.

We all need to try to have a better understanding of drug addiction and drug culture. The government has utilized harsh punishment for low-level dealers (and users) for decades, and that hasn’t changed anything — more drugs came into the country, and our own government allowed the opioid epidemic to reach its current state. Until the government recognizes this as a social health issue, we’re not going to see any meaningful results.

Dealers and users should be held accountable, but stiff prison terms will never be the solution. We need to see state and local governments allocate funds for meaningful treatment.

Brandon Brown

San Luis Obispo

Shameful parking costs

“SLO residents and businesses are irate about downtown parking. What can be done about it?” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 4)

My sister and I are visiting from Alaska and have embraced the beauty of your state. Upon visiting San Luis Obisbo, we wanted to take in the downtown and its shopping. What a shock to discover that parking was $4 an hour. If you are having lunch and taking in the city, two hours isn’t enough. How can your city justify this cost to locals and visitors?

This must be a slap in the face to downtown businesses that are trying to survive and continue the charm of the city. I noticed many shops have closed their doors. In a challenging economy, I would hope you consider this cost to the consumer and businesses. What a shame.

Debbie Jaso

Anchorage