Opinion


Did Russia hack the U.S. election?

By JAMES DUENOW Suppose the Russians stole the election for Trump. It would happen like this: They would bring in a group of their techie experts, perhaps a dozen or so. Having carefully studied the voting and election process, they... (Continue reading)

BOS needs outside investigation into jail death

By MICHAEL F. BROWN The policing and jail business is inherently hazardous. The opportunity for mistakes is ever present. Violent acts and their potential are a constant threat. From time to time split second decisions must be made, such as... (Continue reading)

B-17 will put affordable housing at risk

OPINION by HEIDI HARMON Please vote NO on this misleading ballot measure. It is unnecessary, ill advised, harmful to every affordable housing program in our city, and could trap the community in costly lawsuits. The first section of this ordinance... (Continue reading)

Unite for democracy, YES on Measure B-17

OPINION by STEW JENKINS On July 26, the New Times reported that the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney had determined that the City Council “unlawfully altered the initiative,” Measure B-17, in violation of Elections Code sections 9210 and 9214.... (Continue reading)

Good riddance Hubner

OPINION by JULIE TACKER The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District has finally parted ways with their new administrator. In just over a year Gerhardt Hubner has turned what was a district emerging from a heavy cloud of litigation... (Continue reading)

Vote for affordable housing, yes on B-17

“YES” on Measure B-17 = Repeal of the rental inspection ordinance. “YES” on Measure B-17 = More affordable housing. OPINION by STEW JENKINS This week, San Luis Obispo city residents are getting mail-in ballots. A “Yes” vote will permanently repeal... (Continue reading)

No new Civil War – the revolution already happened

OPINION by MIKE F. BROWN Recently there has been a growing epidemic of media handwringing about the divisiveness of American politics. Pundits on both the left and right worry that the country has never been as divided since the decade... (Continue reading)

Public defenders need support

OPINION by STEPHEN COOPER “In our adversary system of criminal justice, any person hauled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him,” Associate Justice Hugo Black... (Continue reading)

Los Osos fritters away pool fund

OPINION by JULIE TACKER In 1996, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, after an advisory vote from citizens of Los Osos, passed and collected a $40 assessment from each developed residential parcel intending to fund parks and recreation... (Continue reading)

Papp responds to History Center allegations

OPINION by JAMES PAPP It would be hard to imagine a greater concentration of false statements than in Kevin Rice’s recent opinion piece “History Center Allowing SLO County archives to rot.” First, Rice exaggerates the size of the History Center... (Continue reading)