Thank you, California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild and Attorney General Rob Bonta, for announcing the stateās intent to sue over the Trump administrationās offshore wind lease buybacks. Itās no secret that California needs more electricity. Diablo Canyon will not operate forever. We have a great opportunity to tap a new renewable and clean energy […]
Letters To The Editor
New federal mail rules will prevent voters from exercising their rights
Earlier this month, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a proposed rule that would erect barriers to mail voting. The proposed amendments create unnecessary barriers to voting that could prevent eligible voters from receiving and returning their mail-in and absentee ballots and could disenfranchise eligible voters who are unable to vote in person. Under […]
Hikers and bikers need separate trails
With only a fast-approaching rattling noise from behind to warn me, I leapt off the trail to my right to avoid being struck by the mountain biker sailing by me. He was first in a group of what would be eight young adult riders who would go by in quick succession, none with warning bells. […]
Oceano Airport deserves facts, not guesswork
The recent letter from the Oceano Beach Community Association calling for Oceano Airport to be converted into a vertiport is putting the cart before the horse (āThe Oceano Airport needs to evolve,ā June 4). Before Oceano abandons another public asset, we should examine the facts. The authors, who have no aviation experience, argue that the […]
Why donāt the people vote?
No interest in a primary election? Not enough Vote for Me flyers from candidates? Does it take massive advertisements from and about candidates to alert the voters to vote? Are voters unaware unless there is a contest generating ads on radio, TV, or in our mailboxes that there is an election and they should care […]
Noise is pollution, too
The recent weeks of quiet, with no roar from dune buggies, brought forth a realization. Living 2 miles from the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, parts of Oceano and the Nipomo Mesa bear an undiscussed, invisible physical toll. When coastal wind carries engine roars into our yards and homes, it does more than disturb […]
USS Arizona holds part of Arroyo Grande history
There was something terribly morbid and terribly wrong about the report of FBI Director Kash Patelās VIP snorkeling dive on USS Arizona. Itās yet one more example of this administrationās casual indecency. I take it personally, and this is why. Two sailors who died on the Arizona were from my hometown, Arroyo Grande, population 1,090 […]
Thereās more to the seabirds story
Mr. George Hansen makes the stretch that birds died because we use gasoline in our cars (āDead seabirds are the harbinger of a preventable future,ā May 28). A few other things to consider: 1) He may want to discard his wetsuit, flip-flops, and sunglasses, which may also contain petroleum. 2) Elevated seawater temperatures may be […]
The Oceano airport needs to evolve
Oceano is a community dividedāliterallyāby a land-heavy, low-utility, extremely costly fixed-wing airport: Oceano Airport L52. So, is closure the best option? We think not. We propose modernization over maintenance. Itās an option that will take us past the same tired story of Oceano being abused by wealthier interests with a blind eye to the environment […]
Jimmy Paulding is a real leader
As a senior registered as No Party Preference, I study the issues and listen carefully to debates and radio interviews. I vote for the candidate, not the political party. Mr. Paulding is the clear winner. He was enthusiastic and well prepared at the League of Women Voters debate forum. Mr. Verdin was bored and only […]
Dead seabirds are the harbingers of apreventable future
Iāve been seeing a lot of dead seabirds on Pismo Beach lately. Most of them were common murresāthose handsome black birds with white throats and stout, black beaks. There were also some dead cormorants, and even a whimbrel, with its long downcurved bill. As I walked up the beach carrying my surfboard, I counted seven […]
Vote for Supervisor Paulding
Iām a 13-year resident of Nipomo, which has no city government. The SLO County Board of Supervisors is very important, as this is our only political representation. Jimmy Paulding continues to be my choice as our South County supervisor. He is honest, hardworking, well informed by involvement with citizens to work on county problems. He […]

