Letters to the editor: Rodeos are inhumane. Get rid of them | Opinion
End Cal Poly Rodeo
It is with a great deal sadness and anger that I learned of the during the Cal Poly Open House Rodeo. For many years animal rights groups have tried to get these barbaric events shut down. I simply do not understand why Cal Poly sanctioned and allowed this horrible animal abuse event to occur and sincerely hope none are planned or held ever again.
Mary Stallard, Morro Bay
Needless suffering
I was deeply upset to read about the death of a horse at last weekend’s rodeo (“Horse euthanized after suffering injury at Cal Poly Rodeo,” April 17).
Although, as your article points out, rodeos must abide by certain rules and regulations in California, such requirements could never prevent tragedies like this one, as injury and death go hand-in-hand with rodeos.
Indeed, rodeos continue a long tradition of regarding animals as little more than objects, and horses are subjected to intense pain. Electric prods, metal spurs and bucking straps are among the cruel implements used to make these animals perform. Moreover, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association allows animals used in its rodeos to be without being watered or fed.
Such mistreatment is as unnecessary as it is inhumane. Fortunately, we live in a beautiful region with plenty of entertainment options that do not require animal abuse.
Mark Hawthorne, San Luis Obispo
Five Cities merger?
When the concept of annexation or a “merger” of Oceano and Grover Beach was presented as a solution for the impending fire services challenge facing Oceano, we favored the idea. After speaking with community members and gaining more understanding, it is now difficult to imagine how such an action would solve the fire services problem.
Oceano also would risk losing or — at a minimum — diluting its representation, given its relatively small population. It is even more difficult to understand how it would be fair or feasible for Grover, which would ostensibly be responsible for public safety and would also take on the curbs, gutters and sidewalks effort underway in Oceano.
However, if such a study is undertaken, as advanced by Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, it would be negligent and an affront to the precepts of regionalism to not include the cities of Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach.
Oceano is a resilient town which, along with Grover Beach, is a proud home to much of the workforce that powers the economic engine of the Five Cities.
We don’t believe annexation is the right prescription. But if it is to be considered, then logic demands that such a study consider the community as a whole: Oceano, Pismo/Shell Beach, Arroyo and Grover.
Isolating Oceano and Grover Beach in contemplation of a merger would ignore the interdependence among our adjoining communities, and would oversimplify the dynamics of the Five Cities.
Adam Verdin, Oceano business owner
Bruce Van Vort, Oceano homeowner and business owner
Tell NRC to close Diablo
For 39 years, our idyllic community has endured a nuclear power plant built at the nexus of at least four active earthquake faults. PG&E had legally agreed to shut Diablo Canyon in 2025, but somehow, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the pro-nuclear lobby strong-armed our state Legislature to keep the old, embrittled plant going for an additional five years.
Now, PG&E is applying for a 20-year license renewal with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission — without a completed safety review! All of this in the face of the California Earthquake Authority’s prediction of a 75% chance of a 7.0 quake on our coastline within the next 20 years. (Russian Roulette has only a 17% chance, but not many people are willing to play.)
The thought of 70 million pounds of nuclear waste piling up on the humid, earthquake-riddled coastline in half-inch-thick stainless-steel canisters for another 20 years is intolerable. We can do so much better. Sun, wind, hydro, battery storage: They make sense. Nuclear power is more than twice as expensive as renewable energy. On May 3 at 6 p.m. at the SLO County Government Center, tell the NRC why you don’t want another 20 years of radioactive waste in your backyard.
Linda Seeley, Los Osos
What The Trib left out
We see its “Reform CEQA!” season again (“Newsom wants to take on key environmental law. How would it change housing in SLO County?”)
Here’s what your reporter left out:
CEQA protects public health by requiring that major land use projects take all feasible steps to keep our air and water clean and our environment safe by mitigating any air and water pollution the project will generate.
CEQA gives all Californians a chance to weigh in on major land use decisions affecting our communities and our environment, and to hold industry accountable when public agencies fail to conduct a thorough environmental review. That’s not an abuse of the law; it’s using the law as intended.
CEQA is the public’s last defense to ensure that proponents of large construction projects reduce a project’s negative impacts.
CEQA litigation constitutes 0.02% of the 1.1 million civil cases filed annually in California, affecting less than 1% of the projects subject to CEQA.
CEQA has allowed California’s tremendous growth to take place while protecting the things we all value most: clean air, clean water, and beautiful natural areas.
Andrew Christie, Director
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
Praise for Angela Hollander
Although it is deeply discouraging that a man whose values are so at odds with my own won his bid for a seat on the Paso Robles School Board, I would like to publicly acknowledge the courage and tenacity that Angela Hollander demonstrated in her campaign for that position.
As evidenced by the many, many signs of support in my neighborhood and throughout the city, Ms. Hollander’s views were appreciated and understood. She represents the best in community involvement, and those of us who supported her will continue to pay attention and work toward providing an inclusive and caring environment for all of our students. Thank you, Angela, for your hard-fought campaign and for the work you continue to do to make our city a better place.
Chris Parker-Kennedy. Paso Robles
‘Bizarro’ changes on comics page
OK, although disappointed, I could sort of put up with your dropping Tundra (usually funny) and adding Pooch Cafe (really not funny) but you’ve gone too far in dropping Bizarro! And what gives with Word Scrimmage? With the previous word puzzle, one at least had a fighting chance to find solutions. With this disaster, one needs a magnifying glass to read the “point spread” and a stiff drink to decipher the words.
Richard Mortensen, San Luis Obispo
Local mom asks for your vote
America’s top-selling weekly women’s magazine, “Woman’s World”, is hosting a national Super Mom competition, and a local mom (me!) is in the running!
How cool would it be for a born-and-raised San Luis Obispo local to win? The winner will be awarded $20,000, a two-page feature in “Woman’s World” magazine, and a weekend getaway in Palm Springs. It’s free to vote, but you can also purchase votes and the funds go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
I noticed some of the other competitors have had articles posted in their local papers, and I thought, hey, why not me?
I would be so honored if my community could support me in this and help me win by voting by the April 27 deadline. My link for votes is thesupermom.org/2023/lacye-winkelpleck
Lacye Winkelpleck, Los Osos
