Opinion


Arroyo Grande faces a water crisis, Paulding faces a conflict

OPINION by CISSIE PACE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding says he opposes the lawsuits. So why has he said so little about them publicly? South County faces two major legal threats that could reshape its future. One targets... (Continue reading)

Are SLO County Democratic leaders skewing the numbers?

Open letter from Stew Jenkins to members of the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party Central Committee The statewide poll your emails keep referring to repeat an inaccurate picture. In a number of more reliable polls, Tom Steyer is well... (Continue reading)

Uncovering San Luis Obispo County’s campaign finance coverups

San Luis Obispo County Colab Greg Haskin

OPINION by GREG HASKIN Campaign season is shifting into high gear. With less than a month to go, and mail-in ballots already out, the pressure is on. One tool that has become quite prevalent late in political campaigns is the... (Continue reading)

It’s time Congressman Salud Carbajal stopped blaming others

OPINION by JOHN SUMMER An open letter to Congressman Saul Carbajal: I received your latest email and commentary on April 15, tax day. First, I honor your military service to our country as a U.S. Marine Corps reservist. Most of... (Continue reading)

Show up, pay attention, run for office

OPINION by DORIAN BAKER Healthy communities depend on citizens who are willing to show up, pay attention, and take responsibility for local leadership. Right now, we are facing a shortage of willing candidates for school board and city council positions... (Continue reading)

Affordable housing: What works and what doesn’t

OPINION by RON CUFF I’ve spent my career in residential real estate, affordable housing, and private construction lending. I’ve personally housed hundreds of families below market rate without a single taxpayer dollar. That experience has convinced me that most government... (Continue reading)

The answer is not blowing in the wind

OPINION by SARO RIZZO California is gripped by an electricity crisis. A “perfect storm” of structural and policy failures has saddled citizens with the highest residential rates in the contiguous United States—reaching up to 36 cents per kWh as of... (Continue reading)

Is coalition concealing dark money in effort to buy SLO County election?

Statement from the Adam Verdin campaign for San Luis Obispo County District 4 supervisor Today, the Adam Verdin for Supervisor campaign issued a demand for transparency from the newly formed “South County Coalition,” calling on Treasurer Dorothy Hines to immediately... (Continue reading)

Support fire protection in Los Osos, not the purchase of a dilapidated school

OPINION by JULIE TACKER “Los Osos CSD unanimously approves continued Cal Fire Services” — an April 9 New Times article —speaks only to the action the board took at their monthly board meeting the week before. The reality is the... (Continue reading)

Time to amend California’s elderly parole program

Statement from the California District Attorneys Association The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) is committed to protecting public safety and is proud to support AB 2727, as amended on April 7, as an important step in protecting Californians by limiting... (Continue reading)