Opinion


Despicable display of local journalism

OPINION by SAVANNAH PETERSON When tragedy strikes a small town, it’s ripple effect inherently attracts media coverage. The community’s curiosity is piqued, for better and for worse. Media often acts as the facilitator of information, a megaphone for a community... (Continue reading)

Homeless suffer during cold spells

OPINION by BECKY JORGESON It’s 5 a.m. in the morning and it’s 26 degrees out. I wonder how many more homeless people will die this winter on the Central Coast from hypothermia. We have so many volunteers signed up, excited... (Continue reading)

Release the sanitation district audit without interference

OPINION by DEBBIE PETERSON When, as the mayor of Grover Beach in 2012, I joined the board of the South San Luis Obispo Sanitation District, I followed up on claims of malfeasance of several ratepayers by reviewing and analyzing district... (Continue reading)

The power of music and art, SLO style

OPINION by COLIN JONES Human beings certainly have the power to change and transform themselves but most of us don’t, even as another new year nears. Like a certain sailor once said, “I am what I am.” But getting older,... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande battle over interchange gets ugly

OPINION by JULIE TACKER Even though former Arroyo Grande mayor Tony Ferrara and former city manager Steve Adams have been forced out of leadership positions in Arroyo Grande, the new city manager appears to be taking direction from an employee... (Continue reading)

The threat to national security is real

OPINION by OTIS PAGE Given the controversy introduced by Donald Trump on the Muslim question, what should be done? The threat to our national security is real. First, in the interest of national security, any Muslim immigrant should swear absolute... (Continue reading)

A SLO City Council Merry Christmas to downtown shoppers

OPINION by RICHARD SCHMIDT Monday, downtown shoppers hoping to park in the 60-plus public parking spaces in the San Luis Obispo City lot off Broad and Marsh streets, were greeted with signs telling them the lot is closed permanently, and... (Continue reading)

Oceano can’t afford Mary Lucey any longer

OPINION by JULIE TACKER At the upcoming Oceano Community Services District Dec. 9 board meeting,  the directors will choose a new president to serve the district for 2016. The current board president is Mary Lucey. Lucey will not be in... (Continue reading)

Should Arroyo Grande judge on appearances?

OPINION by BEATRICE SPENCER, LEANN AKINS and OTIS PAGE Following is an open letter to the Arroyo Grande City Council: Appearances: The way somebody or something looks or seems to other people. What is the city’s policy on judging appearances... (Continue reading)

To reduce violence, solve issues with people not guns

OPINION by OTIS PAGE While President Barack Obama cites Climate Change as our nation’s greatest threat, he rationalizes the San Bernardino massacre as a gun issue initially discounting the terrorist implications. His insistent conclusion that the guns are the problem... (Continue reading)