Morro Bay is currently creating a long-term waterfront plan that revolves around marketing needs for building Morro Bay and our surrounding communities’ tourist economy.
It appears that Morro Bay’s Council and City staff are missing the key element that currently and in the past has decreased tourism—the huge elephant on the waterfront—the monstrous, toxic, hazardous stacks and buildings that remind us of black smoke and acid rain spewing into our pristine air and floating down on us.
When asking visitors for their opinion of the PG&E stacks, the most common response is, “Why did your city allow that toxic industrial monstrosity to be built on this beautiful property next to an historic landmark? Well we know the residents didn’t want it but the County did. The passing of Measure A-24 revealed for certain that the majority of Morro Bay residents will never approve another toxic industry project again.
The reason we do not have upscale lodging is because of the colossal, ugly reminder of toxic industry — it interferes with the serene, natural beauty of our Rock, bay, sandspit, ocean and sunsets.
It is time that we recognize how detrimental this abandoned toxic mess is to our tourist economy. City staff are trying to build our tourist economy yet they refuse to address this. We are paying large sums to consultants, yet they refuse to address the gigantic, toxic, hazardous, eyesore on the waterfront they have been commissioned to enhance.
On Tuesday morning, January 6th after the rain, I was up in Cabrillo heights looking north to Morro Bay. The sky was filled with magical, cumulus clouds that cast shadows on the water, sandpit, Rock and City of Morro Bay. The sun shining through provided an illumination that made colors pop. The Rock, waves, water and both golf courses were vibrant. I could easily visualize the PG&E/Vistra toxic mess being gone and at that moment, even though I grew up with the Stacks, I knew I would not miss them—not even for one day—they do not belong here.
Judy Lynn Setting
Morro Bay
Carbajal — Tragedy in Minneapolis
This week, ICE shot and killed an American civilian in Minneapolis. This is horrifying and unacceptable. No family should ever have to fear that a federal law enforcement agency tasked with public safety could instead bring deadly violence into their community.
This tragedy is the direct result of the Trump administration’s brutal and reckless immigration policies, which have sown chaos and terror across the country. I am calling for a full, independent investigation to determine exactly what happened and to ensure that anyone responsible is held fully accountable.
Our communities deserve transparency, justice, and a federal government that protects lives — not endangers them.
Congressman Salud Carbajal
Headline and Lede are Misleading
I just read the article published today by the Estero Bay News and wanted to share my reaction. Namely, the headline “November Election Finally Certified” [Dec. 18 issue] – when the election was certified over a month ago – seems misleading to say the least. This is especially true when the lede also implies an unnecessary delay (“It took over a month even though there was only one thing on the ballot, but the County Elections Office has finally certified …”).
Yes, the article does eventually include some November dates and quotes provided by the SLO County Elections Office, but the tone is clear: The process takes too long for the news outlet/author. This is reinforced with the line “Cano hopes to avoid a repeat of this months-long count for the upcoming elections.”
That line, while making the point of view clear, is factually inaccurate. For one thing, the official canvass period dictated by elections code is not “months,” but rather 28 days. And it is not “hope” but a legal obligation to meet the 13-day mail ballot tabulation deadline that took effect January 1. Our press release pointed out why this will be more challenging in a general election, as well as what steps we’ll take to make it happen.
Again, it’s clear that the Estero Bay News finds fault with California elections law. That’s fine. But you are doing your readers a disservice – not to mention minimizing the work of a small team of very dedicated local elections employees – when you choose to frame a news article the way you did.
In truth, the SLO County Elections Office met every obligation diligently and in a timely manner. In fact, we were the 16th county (out of 58) to certify our Statewide Special Election results, and seven of the counties that certified before us had fewer than 10,000 voters participate. We had more than 121,000.
Erin Clausen
SLO County Public Information Specialist
Unnecessary Financial Burden for City and Fishermen’s Association
As a former 15-year commercial fisherperson, I know that fishermen and fishing rights have been used as bargaining chips by all levels of government, federal, state and local for non-fishing industry objectives such as coveted tariffs, military bases, etc. and locally by eliminating fish docks for higher tax paying entities like businesses serving tourism.
Currently the City proposes to ask the Fishermen’s Assn. to contribute to the $900,000 cost of armoring the south side of Morro Creek on the City’s power plant easement where it runs along the Fishermen’s Storage yard, an essential facility for the fishermen’s use in working their livelihoods.
Although the creek is not endangering access to the Storage yard, nor has it been for decades, armoring the south side with rocks and/or concrete to stop potential erosion that has been acknowledged to adversely affect the natural creek flow along the north side that will necessitate future maintenance.
It seems unfair to require the fishermen to help pay for stabilizing the south side of the creek where the City proposes to drill two wells that will hopefully reclaim treated sewer water. The City should find a more viable location that will not exploit the fishermen.
Nancy Bast
Morro Bay
