Opinion


Yes, we are criminalizing homelessness

OPINION by TIM WAAG Where can the homeless go without getting ticketed? Cities are judged by how they treat the less fortunate. On that basis, the “happiest place on earth” is doing poorly. SLO County has about 150 shelter beds... (Continue reading)

Common sense?

OPINION by RICK LONDON For many of us these days, making sense of certain human behaviors seems to defy common sense. In fact common sense doesn’t seem very common anymore. But was common sense ever very common? Before slavery was... (Continue reading)

Protect the United States, deny un-vetted refugees

OPINION by MATT KOKKONEN As a legal immigrant from Finland and being from a family whose members have been refugees, I have a personal perspective on the refugee issue during the war between Finland and Russia. First of all, you... (Continue reading)

Immigrants strengthen and enrich our culture

OPINION by PETE EVANS There is much talk about immigration these days, especially concerning the plight of the multitudes of Syrians fleeing their country due to war and terror. I believe we have in place a method of investigation and... (Continue reading)

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)