Morro Bay’s Measure A-24: One reader’s argument for voting yes | Opinion

Yes on Morro Bay’s A-24

“Would Measure A-24 block Morro Bay battery plant project? New law could leave loophole” (sanluisobispo.com, July 8, 2024)

I urge a yes Vote on Measure A-24 on the ballot this November in Morro Bay to ensure that the land use designation for particular areas of our city will not change without the Bay residents’ consent. Under the Morro Bay General Plan adopted by the City Council and approved by the California Coastal Commission, the particular areas at issue include a portion of the harbor area just east of Morro Rock as well as 63 acres of the former power plant property. No other properties in Morro Bay are involved in this measure.

The current designation for areas as specified in Morro Bay’s General Plan adopted in 2021 is limited to Commercial/Recreational fishing for the harbor area and Visitor-Serving Commercial for the former power plant area.

Opinion

The current power plant property owner is in the process of seeking a land use change to “industrial“ in order for its proposed battery energy storage system project to move forward. Initiative A-24 would require that any such change in land use approved by merely three out of the five City Council members would also require a subsequent vote and approval by a majority of Morro Bay voters. I believe these particular areas of land are so important to the future of Morro Bay that its citizens should have input and a final say.

To protect the natural beauty of Morro Bay’s waterfront as well as the safety of its natural habitat, residents and tourists, I again urge you to vote YES on A-24. Think of this as an insurance policy .

Norm Williams

Morro Bay

It’s not dumb to donate

“Thrifty Beaches about to open giant new SLO shop — and owner is ‘banking everything’ on it,” (sanluisobispo.com, Sept. 10, 2024)

One of the things that keeps our business community vibrant is entrepreneurs like Adam Kemp. I applaud him for taking a leap of faith and filling one of the large empty storefronts in San Luis Obispo’s great downtown. His comments concerning giving away clothing without compensation, however, are inflammatory and insulting. In the article, Mr. Kemp states, “They don’t have to give their stuff away for free to Goodwill. I think that giving something away for free that you paid $80, $40, $60 for it — we have to stop doing that thing.”

Our downtown business core is fortunate to have many thrift stores that benefit the entire community. The Assistance League Thrift Store funds Operation School Bell. The Wilshire Hospice Hope Chest funds end-of-life care for individuals who cannot afford it. The Achievement House Thrift Store funds vocational training for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. The list goes on.

All of these examples are achieved due to the generosity of community members who selflessly upcycle clothing and other items, expecting nothing more in return than a charitable donation slip. My wish for Mr. Kemp is that he is wildly successful and adds to the vibrancy of downtown businesses. But I’m also left to ask him, as a responsible downtown business owner, what are your plans to be a good corporate citizen and uplift our community to have an impact greater than reaping profits and paying sales tax?

Ron Yukelson

San Luis Obispo

Civility 101

The local, state and national climate of engaging in public discourse begs for lessons on how to constructively and effectively communicate ideas and be heard at public meetings. How can one get their message across without resorting to disruptive, rude or provocative behavior in this current climate? Feeling passionate about a topic or issue is good. And there are techniques to deliver a passionate message and be heard, and elicit a meaningful response.

The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County has re-established a Civil Discourse Committee that is offering techniques on how to do just this: ways to constructively and effectively convey ideas and be heard at public meetings. A forum on this topic will be held at the San Luis Obispo Public Library Community Room on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public and you can preregister at the League’s website lwvslo.org. Future Forums on this topic are planned for Morro Bay/Central Coast and in the Atascadero/Paso Robles area.

Jean Burns Slater

San Luis Obispo

Too many people

It seems like most of the media and politicians avoid discussing the primary source of our climate problems: human population explosion. The population has grown exponentially in spite of the effects on the planet, other species and each other. There are not enough resources to go around and people tend to be ruder, more selfish and violent when they are crowded. Why not focus on reducing population growth, especially for unplanned and unwanted children (which is apparently 50%) and letting older people (like myself) choose when to exit this earth? Not everyone wants to live when they are mentally and/or physically disabled.

No one is even bringing this up, not even this publication. It would be helpful to have some facts and possible solutions offered to the public to address our population woes.

Elaine McElmury

Paso Robles