Campus shootings: ‘No school is safe enough when all it takes is one complacent person’ | Opinion

Safety lapses at local schools

The recent shooting at a Georgia high school gives me pause. There will be the rightful blame in all directions, but it draws me to one conclusion: There is no school that is safe enough when all it takes is one complacent person.

I cannot tell you how many times over a 17-year employment with San Luis Coastal Unified School District that I saw keys handed out like candy to teachers, that I reported doors and gates left unlocked. I was shrugged off, ignored, and when I reported up the chain, I was lambasted for doing what was part of my job description: security.

We will soon be redoing many elementary schools, putting in gates, spending a lot of money. All it will take is one person with an extra key, one person who is ignored about that gate left open. One person who ignores the warning signs that can lead to so many tragedies.

William Johnston

San Luis Obispo

Gordon Mullin got it wrong

“Bad planning sunk the Bob Jones Trail extension” (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 28)

In Gordon Mullin’s commentary on the Bob Jones Trail extension, he clearly does not understand the project development process. He naively contends a government agency can negotiate price and terms of land acquisition before several years of consensus building, feasibility studies, environmental planning, compliance with the California Environmental Quality and National Environmental Policy acts, appraisals and 65% design drawings are all completed.

In this case, a viable pathway to an agreement was assumed because Ray Bunnell insisted on an underpass at Clover Ridge Lane, a “no climb” fence and other amenities — nearly all of which were included in the proposal. Mullin’s potshots ignore the fact that government agencies are trying to implement what thousands of county residents who avoid traveling by bike or foot on South Higuera and Ontario Road due to safety concerns strongly support.

This project is key to increasing bicycle commuting along this corridor. Mullin may consider narrow shoulders, no pedestrian facilities, a substandard bridge, intersections with collision histories and freeway on-and-off ramps acceptable, but the vast majority of bicyclists and pedestrians, including children, avoid this route because they don’t feel safe. In contrast, the monthly average of bicycle/pedestrian trips on the existing Bob Jones Trail is 32,281.

Lea Brooks

San Luis Obispo

Editor’s note: The writer serves on the board of Friends of the Bob Jones Trail.

Infrastructure list needs an addition

“SLO County congressman celebrates $1 billion invested in Central Coast infrastructure” (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 8)

I’m reminded that Rep. Salud Carbajal got $1 billion for infrastructure improvements in SLO and SB counties.

Is it too late to get another project on that list? Namely, to replace the bridge at South Bay Boulevard and State Park Road that runs between Morro Bay and Los Osos.

Every winter, this relatively “new” bridge is completely flooded out for days, cutting off our community’s access to Route 1 and LOVR. Residents must drive to Foot Hill, easily a 10-mile detour, for days until storm waters recede.

Can the “powers that be” utilize an official channel to request Rep. Carbajal to apply a portion of the $1 dillion Infrastructure Law to re-build that bridge? South Bay and State Park Road are both state roads, after all, and SLO residents need them!

Unfortunately, I am not sure we can trust our county governance bodies, e.g. the Board of Supervisors, to help out any unincorporated part of SLO County like Los Osos. But perhaps the board would support such a project for the rest of the county? This improvement would benefit tens of thousands of county and state taxpayers.

While I’m at it, what about a genuine bike lane on South Bay, and zebra crossings and Pedx/Bike signs at both ends of Turri Road?

Alex Fairfield

Los Osos

Let’s fly the flag, people!

It seems to me that our love of country and support for one nation, with liberty and justice for all would motivate us to come together and honor our core values by flying the flag every day of this campaign season, including the day AFTER the November election.

So, if you believe in the Pledge, fly the flag! if you’re a MAGA supporter, fly the flag! If you’re a Bernie voter for Jill Stein, fly the flag! If you like Kamala and the Coach, fly the flag! If you are a libertarian Muslim from Syria and got your citizenship this year, fly the flag! If your grandparents waded the river, crossed the ocean, touched down at LaGuardia Airport, helped to build our railroads, were “code-talkers” in the South Pacific, landed at Normandy, or set up shop at Jamestown, if you’re a Reagan Republican in San Francisco or a Pelosi Democrat in Provo, fly the flag!

R. F. Zeuschner

San Luis Obispo

Thanks, Rodney

Taking my dog Tux for his daily walk at Strother Park in Arroyo Grande is a daily ritual. I always marvel at the condition of this lovely oasis. The grass is cut and trimmed not only along the sidewalks, but also around the basketball court and picnic area. The fallen leaves have disappeared. An ongoing war with the gopher army is evident as several traps mark the battle fields. The parking area is leaf- and trash-free.

And just who is responsible for all this wonder? Rodney.

He does it all alone. His mower is a gray, multi-bladed machine that he propels with the skill of a Grand Prix driver .He directs leaves with a gas blower in the parking area, commanding them to behave themselves and become mulch.

We who frequent Strother Park are very fortunate to have such a dedicated man as Rodney keeping our park in tiptop shape!

David Williams

Arroyo Grande

A ‘no’ vote for Gaea Powell

“Chaos erupts at SLO County city council meeting” (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 29)

Embarrassing, disgusting and ignorant barely describe the behavior of one citizen, Gaea Powell, at the Aug. 27 Arroyo Grande City Council meeting. After the City Council guidelines for public comment on items not on the agenda were clearly stated, Gaea Powell refused repeatedly to follow those guidelines. The result of this community member’s disruptions forced the City Council to take two unscheduled breaks from attempting to accomplish the business of the City Council.

Gaea Powell, a mayoral hopeful, demonstrated her ignorance of City Council governance, insisting the council hear her complaints against the high school and clearly defining herself as being against inclusiveness within the community of Arroyo Grande. Showing no respect for others, she infringed on the rights of all the other citizens who were waiting to discuss items within the purview of the City Council.

Is this the kind of leader you want for the community of Arroyo Grande? No for me!

Shirley Horacek

Arroyo Grande

‘Appalling’ behavior in A.G.

“Chaos erupts at SLO County city council meeting” (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 29)

As a long-time resident of Arroyo Grande, I was appalled to read your story about a small group of anti-LGBTQ extremists acting out and disrupting the Arroyo Grande City Council meeting. I stand in full support of our dedicated council members and in solidarity with our hardworking city staff and fellow residents who were all forced to sit through the vile, divisive screeds of a hateful few. I love my town, want it to be welcoming for all, and categorically reject their hateful rhetoric. I urge all AG residents to join me in standing up for civility and inclusivity.

Virginia Roof

Arroyo Grande

This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 8:08 AM.