In letters: Proposed Los Osos garbage rate increase too big a burden | Opinion

This rate increase is garbage

A proposed 13% increase for mandatory trash pickup in Los Osos is a hardship for people already suffering from the 97% increase in 2023.

The Los Osos community’s vulnerable population includes 26.6% senior citizens, 5% of whom live below the poverty level total.

Of the 9.4% of residents living in poverty, 9% are children.

Los Osos ranks among the highest cost of living in the United States, 20% higher than the national average. Median home price is 220.3% higher than the national average and rents are 68.2% higher. Utility costs are higher than the national average..

Seniors’ annual raise is not 13%. Working folks don’t give themselves a raise to cover rate hikes for mandatory utility costs. Impoverished folks don’t control their benefit payments.

You and I sometimes “rob Peter to pay Paul,” delay payments or make payment arrangements. Why should the trash company not be required to manage?

In addition to proposed 13% increase, fees will increase again in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 without an opportunity to oppose increases, discuss proposals or voice protests. The Los Osos Community Services District and the trash company think property owners, taxpayers and residents have deep pockets, unlimited income and are unopposed to having our pockets picked to fund the ineptitude of the trash company.

Donna Moreno

Los Osos

3 strikes and you’re out?

Upon reading, “Did the 2024 election disenfranchise voters in SLO County?” my first thought was to wish life were more like baseball — three strikes and you leave the field. It’s clear that Ms. Stebbens does not trust our county elections staff. But as the article clearly shows, her distrust is misplaced and counter productive.

Maybe if she spent less time demanding they explain themselves they would have to spend less time responding to unfounded complaints and be able to go about their work of serving all of us. Thank you for your coverage of local issues.

Marjorie Engel

Templeton

We’ve waited long enough

This December 10 marks 101 years since the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced in Congress by Alice Paul, promising women equal rights under the law. A revised version was introduced in Congress in 1972 and was passed by both Houses of Congress. In January, 2020, Virginia became the 38th and final state necessary to ratify the ERA. The ERA has thus met all the legal qualifications for putting it into the U.S. Constitution. At this point, all that remains is the procedural step of publication by the archivist of the United States.

President Biden can instruct the archivist to publish the ERA and in doing so would be fulfilling the will of Congress, the people and the 38 states that have ratified it over decades of struggle. Publishing the ERA would provide a robust legal foundation to protect against gender discrimination, including equal pay and protection from gender-based violence, and would anchor equality in the Constitution. It would give judges a Constitutional basis to strike down discriminatory laws. It would be a lasting contribution to American democracy and civil rights, impacting generations to come.

Let’s do this President Biden! Women have waited long enough for equality.

Edie Lycke

San Luis Obispo

Gift of life

As many gather for holiday celebrations with family and friends, I am urging you to give thanks by giving blood.

The need for blood is constant, and the holidays are no exception. A patient in the U.S. depends on lifesaving blood donations every two seconds. Unfortunately, blood donations tend to decline during the holidays by more than 20%. Busy schedules, travel, and seasonal illnesses can make it harder for eligible donors to give.

Every year, thousands of people along the Central Coast receive lifesaving blood transfusions. About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital needs blood, and each patient is somebody’s loved one, meaning your donation impacts countless lives.

Despite the expertise of doctors and groundbreaking medical advancements, oftentimes, it’s a blood transfusion that is the only treatment that can save a patient’s life. A blood transfusion made possible by anonymous donors whole rolled up their sleeves to give.

Vitalant supports over 25 hospitals along the Central Coast and the patients they serve. Over 300 donations are needed every day to help meet the needs of these patients. You can give at the San Luis Obispo donation center located at 4119 Broad Street or visit vitalant.org to find a community blood drive near you. Here are a few:

• Sunday, Dec. 15, Arroyo Grande, Calvary Chapel, 9:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 17, Grover Beach Public Health Department, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 18, Morro Bay Community Center, 2:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 19, 900 Park St., Paso Robles, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 21, Atascadero Home Depot, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 22, San Luis Obispo, Negranti Creamery, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 26, Pismo Beach, California Fresh Market, 2:30 p.m. to – 6 p.m.

Kevin Adler

Communications Manager, Vitalant