St. Fratty’s concert: ‘Surely civics education classes would be more long-lasting’ | Opinion
Who is St. Fratty, anyway?
The city of SLO encouraged the massive St. Fratty’s Day party “hosted” by Cal Poly — which “at least” 11,000 people attended — by closing off streets, bike lanes, bus routes and eliminating parking on multiple streets around the Poly campus. Why? The reason given was so that partygoers would possibly be prevented from turning neighborhood streets into an alcohol-fueled, crowded street party.
While the goal of temporarily maintaining civil neighborhoods is worthy, surely civics education classes would be more long-lasting? City resources, which include financial and human (additional law enforcement), need to be spent more wisely.
As a comparison: an individual applying for a temporary street closure for a couple of hours on one day so a construction crew can access a property requires permits, high fees and completing much paperwork with the city. Closing off whole neighborhoods must have taken hours of limited city resources. By the way, who is St. Fratty? Did you mean St. Patrick? And ..er ..who was he?
Patricia Kohlen
San Luis Obispo
There goes the neighborhood
The students have ruined our neighborhood and town. They throw trash over the fence onto our property daily. They steal our trash cans. Park in front of our driveways. When we confront them they tell us to f--- off. This was a great neighborhood.
Barry Camp
San Luis Obispo
League forums
The League of Women Voters urges SLO County voters to get ready to vote in the upcoming primary election on June 2 by learning about the candidates for county supervisor and their positions on issues important to our community. The League is partnering with area Rotary Clubs to moderate two forums for candidates for supervisor. A forum for District 2 candidates will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Morro Bay Vets Hall, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay. A forum for District 4 candidates will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the South County Regional Center, 800 W Branch St. in Arroyo Grande. Candidate forums are free and open to the public. They provide an opportunity to learn about the candidates, find out their views on the issues, and ask them questions. To make sure your voter registration is up-to-date, to change your registration information, or if you are new to San Luis Obispo County, to register to vote go to registertovote.ca.gov As with every election, your vote is your voice and your power. Make your voice heard. Use your power. Register to vote and cast your ballot. Janice Langley Joanne Schultz Wendy Brown Jacquie Canfield League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
Vote Paulding
While critics focus on tearing down Jimmy Paulding, he has been quietly delivering measurable results for District 4. On air quality: Jimmy has championed dust control at the Oceano Dunes since 2017. After seven years on the SLO County Air Pollution Control District — including as board president in 2024 — PM-10 particulate matter on high-wind days has dropped nearly 40%, from 73 µg/m³ to around 45 µg/m³. That’s cleaner lungs for our neighbors. On homelessness: Unsheltered homelessness in SLO County is down 42% since Jimmy took office — the result of targeted investments in housing, outreach, and mental health services — real systems, not Band-Aids. On behavioral health: Jimmy made it a county priority for the first time, securing $22 million for a new psychiatric health facility serving both youth and adults. Add to that: balanced budgets every year, new advocacy for fair redistricting and campaign finance reform, new funding for sheriff’s substations, fire stations, sidewalks and parks and a real economic development strategy for South County. The record speaks for itself. Vote June 2, 2026 — Jimmy Paulding for Supervisor District 4 — because results matter. Terry Parry Arroyo Grande