In 2024, let’s treat everyone — including SLO’s unhoused community — with kindness | Opinion
Defending Varni
“Oceano CSD elects new president, interim general manager,” (sanluisonispo.com, Dec. 18)
I am responding to the insistence that Charles Varni, the newly elected Oceano Community Services District Board president for 2024, is a negative force in local politics. While working with others, his record of accomplishments includes millions of dollars in grants to Oceano, promoting safe school routes and obtaining Coast Commission recognition that Oceano is a victim of environmental injustice.
He stood up against the mismanagement, blatant conflict of interest and criminal activity in OCSD. The first known theft of public money was in 1983. The Water Department was run through a private plumbing firm for decades. There were a series of missing monies and embezzlements. Thefts were easy due to poor accounting practices for decades. For decades, the board was duplicitous in supporting the conflict of interest of the group overseeing the South County Water Treatment facility.
Despite this record, a small group of complainers misrepresent these facts and slander Varni with untruths.
Karl Kempton
Oceano
Worthwhile volunteering
“SLO County CA man tells journey out of homelessness,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 24)
Have you ever tried to solve a problem without speaking to the people affected by it first? While not impossible, it’s really inefficient and can lead to assumptions due to outdated data and theories. It also denies people the opportunity to tell their stories and meaningfully contribute to their community. In essence, it erases the very voices that should be elevated.
For people experiencing homelessness, assumptions are being made about them all the time. What’s often lacking is context, including what barriers they must overcome to access resources and services. That is why I am volunteering with the county’s Point-in-Time Count on January 23, 2024 — and I hope you can, too. This one-day action is a comprehensive census of people experiencing homelessness in SLO County and requires as many volunteers as possible.
I can’t solve homelessness, but I can treat others with dignity. I can seek to understand the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community. Join me as I collect new data and hear directly from those experiencing homelessness in SLO County. Let’s help elevate the voices that matter most.
Register by January 12 to volunteer and attend the online training at slocounty.ca.gov/PIT-Count.
Piper Fedrow
Morro Bay
Opinion
Positive note
“SLO County charities need donations this holiday season. Here’s how to help,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 26)
This year’s SLO Community Holiday Feast for the unhoused was the perfect way to end 2023 on a positive note! Our guests were served a decadent feast in a beautifully decorated hall with live musical entertainment. Once they relaxed and could eat no more, they received winter clothing care packages containing new sleeping bags, backpacks, sweatshirts, rain ponchos, socks, gloves, beanies, scarves, hand warmers, grocery gift cards and toiletries.
This was not the work of a few but the generosity of a remarkable community including local synagogues, organizations, schools, businesses and individuals. We are thankful for these and the many unnamed individuals who selflessly made this event happen and made life a little easier for those who are struggling.
With tremendous gratitude and respect, I wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful year ahead!
Sheri Eibschutz
San Luis Obispo
Wise up, America
“SLO County drug deaths spike due to fentanyl, opioids,” (sanluisobispo.com, March 23)
Although I appreciate the move to stop the influx of dangerous drugs, particularly fentanyl, I think we need a different target. Want to put drug traffickers and cartels out of business? First, we need to address the reason that Americans, especially young people, are so unhappy that they have to get high and take a chance on dying.
What is going on in America that a large part of the population would risk death by taking pills potentially laced with fentanyl? I was prescribed fentanyl once. I read the information enclosed and gave it back to my doctor, telling him that the drug was too dangerous — even if taken as directed.
Other countries want to kill us. They don’t have to worry. We are killing ourselves. Wise up, America.
Rick Tibben
Nipomo
What could go wrong?
“Outrage over CPUC’s decision to extend Diablo Canyon license,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 24)
Lets see: Place two machines on known earthquake faults, each machine containing 27 tonnes of radioactive material and each built with materials and technology that is 38 years old. Then, extend the operation of these machines way past their planned closure date. What could possibly go wrong?
Jeff Rininger
Cayucos
Repent and return
“CA winter weather, temps are warming, climate report says,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 6)
Rejoice! Out of dark comes light. Out of cold comes warmth. Out of death comes life.
At the Winter Solstice, the sun begins its resurrection from the longest night, bringing hope to humans for rebirth of the world and themselves. It’s been a time of ritual, ceremony and celebration around the world for millennia. In humility and joy, we recognize that we’re born and die in a cycle of degeneration and rejuvenation — participants in the cosmic wheel encompassing all life forms.
In the darkness, we create light. In the cold, we huddle together. In the midst of deprivation, we share gifts. This tradition of solidarity and cohesion predates recorded history and is deeply embedded in our psyches.
For 99% of our existence as a gathering and hunting species living in small bands, we practiced this as a survival strategy. Later, it was transformed into religious traditions recognizing the intimate altruistic impulses and egalitarian social norms necessary to persevere through adversity and thrive.
Today, we seem to have forsaken the deep roots of our need to reconnect, worship and adapt in submission to the rhythms of the Earth.
May we repent and return to the garden.
David Broadwater
Atascadero
