In letters: The real reason SLO County had to move the Bob Jones Trail | Opinion

Why the holdup?

Your article about the Board of Supervisors’ approval of an alternate route for the states that completion of the trail has been held up for years by five property owners on whose land the trail would pass.

That’s not the whole story and it deflects blame from Supervisor Debbie Arnold. The real reason the trail has not been completed is Supervisor Arnold’s adamant refusal to provide a needed fourth vote to allow the county to invoke eminent domain to purchase the property. Her radical right-wing philosophy has subverted the county’s ability to use legal means to purchase the property for the public good. Her term can’t end too soon; the county will be better off when she is no longer on the board.

Rick Derevan

Atascadero

Scariest day of all

This was the least scary Halloween season ever. Much scarier is … no, not Nov. 5.

It was Nov. 2. As of that day, Diablo Canyon’s Unit 1 began operating on a license that has been extended without a complete review. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is supposed to be the regulatory agency, has shown its true colors as a promoter of all things nuclear.

I can only pray that we do not become the Land of the Living Dead.

Carol Hisasue

Los Osos

Thanks, Trib!

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your news team’s comprehensive and insightful coverage of our local elections. Your dedication to informing voters about the candidates, key issues and potential policy implications is commendable. By providing this essential information, you not only educate our community but empower us to make informed decisions that strengthen our local democracy.

Thank you for the countless hours your staff has invested in researching, writing and disseminating this crucial information. Your commitment to keeping our community well-informed on the issues that directly affect our lives underscores the importance of supporting local journalism. I am glad to be a subscriber.

Becky Mosgofian

Arroyo Grande

Kudos, Trib!

Kudos to Stephanie Finucane for her opinion piece taking Donald Trump to task for his lies and threats against wind energy in particular and climate change in general.

Toward the end she mentions the issues that are taking precedence this election cycle over the climate crisis: immigration, foreign relations and the economy. What underlying issue threatens all of these and more? Climate change.

Worldwide, increasingly frequent and intense heat waves and floods kill more people, animals and crops, increase famine and drought, which in turn increases migration, heightens border tensions, and increases commodity prices. The U.S. military has termed climate change a threat multiplier.

We cannot afford to go back to Donald Trump’s denial of the climate crisis. We must move forward to a future powered by clean energy, including wind.

Judith Trumbo

Thousand Oaks

We’re doomed

As residents of the state of Washington, close to Idaho and Montana, we’re quite familiar with the gyrations of the wealthy and vehicle licensing.

While Steve Gregory hasn’t broken any laws, he should have thought twice about a dodge like this (fooled you once) and, more importantly, how can his constituency trust him? (Fooled you twice). Really!?

Good luck. California is doomed, get out while you can!

Doric Creager

Spokane, Washington

Gregory is a model Roblan

A city councilman’s commitment to Paso Robles can be shown by his actions, though most go without public knowledge.

For example, a few years ago, the city’s budget could not cover the annual 4th of July picnic and fireworks show. Steve Gregory personally contacted business owners to collect donations to cover the costs. He made calls, organized, picked up and made that day happen at no cost to the city, and continued to organize theevent until the city could afford to take over.

Post-recession survival caused the closure of Centennial Pool. Five years later, the city was short approximately $100,000 for deferred maintenance and state-mandated ADA upgrades. Steve went to work to coordinate a one-day fundraiser dinner with an auction and activities. The one-day event generated over $75,000.

When Denise Kudla, 59-year-old Roblan, was killed by a drunken driver, leaving behind a grief-stricken, severely injured husband and their children, Steve rallied to assist the grieving family. He gathered donations for their medical expenses and the memorial services, including food and beverages for over 1,600 attendees.

While there are no easy solutions for the much-needed road repairs or for creating workforce housing opportunities, we believe Steve’s construction and development experience, combined with his education and knowledge of city operations, makes him the most qualified candidate to solve these problems. I encourage everyone in Paso Robles District 3 to vote Steve Gregory for council!

Tom and Gwen Erskine

Paso Robles

Peterson for Grover mayor

We moved to Grover Beach in 2005 and fell in love with this friendly beach community! I had the honor of serving on the Parks and Recreation Committee,working with Debbie Peterson as mayor. I admired Debbie’s ethics and values. She is the most honest and incorruptible politician I have ever known.

We did not like the direction our City Council was going, joining Central Coast Blue (CCB), which would have required digging up our newly repaired streets to push the Pismo wastewater to a to-be-constructed reservoir, increasing our water rates. So, I joined the Grover H20 group, which who was pushing back on the city’s decision to join CCB and supporting Debbie Peterson for mayor.

Grover H20 says yes on G-24, which overturns the resolution that supported the CCB project.

Vote yes on G-24 and vote Debbie Peterson for mayor.

Heidi Boatman

Grover Beach

Lichtig is right choice for Port San Luis

The District 2 candidates for the Port San Luis Harbor District Commission shared their platforms and views at the recent League of Women Voters candidates night.

The candidates, Richard Scangarello and Katie Lichtig, laid out their visions for the harbor district. One candidate had a myopic plan, and the other candidate viewed the big picture of this government agency.

Mr. Scangarello is another commercial fisherman and, if elected, there would be three special interest (fishermen) commissioners on the board. He has a narrow focus on how the harbor should operate and on the “public trust” doctrine that mandates the port to serve all the public, not just one special interest group (commercial fishermen).

A balanced and diverse harbor commission would ensure a successful future. Ms. Lichtig, with her related education and extensive local governmental work experience, is the more qualified candidate.

Regardless of whom you support, it is imperative that you go to the polls and vote.J

Jay Elder

Portland, Oregon

Editor’s note: The writer is a former manager of the Port San Luis Harbor District.

Yes on E-24

Arroyo Grande’s public infrastructure needs a lot of maintenance to keep the standards established over time, just like a household.

Proposition E-24 on the November ballot is a major chance to help fund many items by raising the sales tax rate by only 1%. That’s just a penny more on the dollar, but the total benefit expected is $6 million per year. (Also, the new rate would be equal to what most neighboring cities already have.)

Generating funds with a sales tax measure is a great way to share the burden of municipal funding needs. We have many visitors each year and it’s estimated they contribute a significant amount of our sales tax collected. We should offer them this chance to make a difference in AG and share the costs of the facilities they enjoy.

Vote yes on Proposition E-24 and share the benefits!

Tina Storton

Arroyo Grande

This story was originally published November 3, 2024 at 5:00 AM.