Opinion


Twitter struggles to keep up with spammers

OPINION by PATRICK BLACKBURN It has been two years since the United States held a presidential election that was likely influenced by reams of misinformation that dominated the news feeds in every Americans’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. Since then, leaders... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo Mayor Harmon, please keep your promise

T. Keith Gurnee

OPINION by T. KEITH GURNEE Now that the dust has settled on our local elections (with the notable exception of the Los Osos Community Services District), It’s time to put those results in perspective. San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon... (Continue reading)

A failed try to kill CalCoastNews

OPINION by DANIEL BLACKBURN Six years ago today, an article was published on CalCoastNews that would forever reshape the lives of its authors and their families — and ultimately those of the article’s subjects. The article discussed questionable practices by... (Continue reading)

Let’s stop wasting our votes

OPINION by RICHARD SCHMIDT My votes for San Luis Obispo City Council just got wasted again. Just like in 2016. Just like before that. Election after election, my votes play no role in electing anyone to a council that then... (Continue reading)

Reflecting on the SLO mayor’s race

T. Keith Gurnee

OPINION by T. KEITH GURNEE When I announced my candidacy for mayor of San Luis Obispo on May 13, I thought I had a chance. As it works out, it looks like it wasn’t meant to be. The morning after... (Continue reading)

Who’s paying for all those Arroyo Grande mailers anyway?

Opinion by Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill By now we’re getting used to the false statements and spin from Arroyo Grande mayor candidate Caren Ray- like the one accusing me of “misconduct.” Let’s see- Ray’s confederate Patty Welch falsely accused... (Continue reading)

Harold J. Miossi trust gives children hope and promise

Opinion by Jenny Luciano, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County CEO As an agency built on the mission of mentoring, there is no better role model than the late Harold J. Miossi. Through the Harold J. Miossi... (Continue reading)

Candidate Caren Ray misrepresents the facts, again

OPINION by JULIE TACKER During a recent interview on the Dave Congalton Show, Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate Caren Ray misrepresented the facts in multiple instances. Several citizens have dispelled Ray’s assertions through their opinion pieces, here’s another: One of Ray’s... (Continue reading)

Caren Ray continues to muddy the race with false allegations

OPINION by MAYOR JIM HILL Caren Ray is again making false statements about me in her mayoral campaign. This time it’s about Brisco Road. In April of this year, immediately after the city attorney recommended I obtain an official advice... (Continue reading)

Are officials planning to export water from the Paso Robles basin?

OPINION by JIM OLESNANIK On Oct. 8, I attended a meeting at the Creston Elementary School. The meeting was billed as a “workshop” on “Sustainable Management Criteria” and presented by the Paso Basin Cooperative Committee. The workshop was presented by... (Continue reading)