Slo Coast Journal

Democratic Central Committee Election

Few Democrats probably pay much attention to those running for seats on the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Central Committee at regular elections—like the primary coming up on June 8. But the arm of the state party here plays a big role in how effective the Democratic Party performs locally, and some think the Committee has gotten off track.

As evidence, two long-time incumbents on the Committee, who are also at the center of a legal controversy within the organization, have been passed over for reelection endorsement by local groups, which apparently is very rare. At the same time, new candidates critical of the Committee's record of late are running and could replace the incumbents in question. Read More

The Journal's
Morro Bay Candidate Endorsements

Morro Bay has two candidates in the June 8 primary that fit the bill: Betty Winholtz for Mayor and Jack Smith for City Council.

Both are crystal clear in their outlook about how to serve the community, not in just nebulous terms but in concrete "how to" ways. Both have clear and enterprising ideas on how to deal with the issues at hand, mainly the shortage of revenue to balance the city budget in this recession.

Winholtz has an abundance of experience in the complexities of making city government work effectively for residents and businesses. Smith is an experienced business owner and former chamber of commerce manager in another state, who knows how to fathom a budget.

Both are clear—explicit is more to the point—in expressing their views or answering questions. You can understand where they are going. Read More

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash

The Condition of Morro Bay Sewer Lines

The condition of Morro Bay's sewer lines has been a subject of concern and of debate for several years. Local activists have alleged that the situation is serious, and that sewage leaking from the lines is contaminating ground water, City wells, and the Bay. City staff members have denied these allegations, although recently some City officials have acknowledged that the aging system does need repair and rehabilitation. Read More

Information Access Denied or Just Impaired?

I am an advocate of fair, open, and honest government, researching issues of concern to the residents of Morro Bay. Of particular concern to me is the way our tax dollars are spent by City staff. I work directly with other researchers, including some who also write for the SLO Coast Journal. We identify and report to the public serious City government issues and problems that the average resident would otherwise not be aware of. In doing so, we hope to encourage improvements in City government that will benefit all of us. In order to accomplish our objectives, we need information on what really goes on behind the scenes, but getting information on the inner workings of the City of Morro Bay can sometimes be a real challenge. Read More

Good Show of Support for
"Save the Whales - Again"

The May 23rd "Save the Whales-Again" demonstration at Morro Rock was a great success and San Luis Obispo county did an exceptional job of speaking up in support of continued and expanded protections for whales. About 600 signatures were gathered county-wide on a Whale Petition that was sent to President Obama. Read More

Morro Bay / Cayucos Wastewater Treatment Plant Update

The jointly-owned Morro Bay and Cayucos wastewater treatment plant looked like it was headed for a disaster: a multi-million dollar upgrade that would fall short of being designed with the latest technology, which experts believe could cost sewer rate-payers a lot more than need be, fail to adequately protect residents from drifting smells, and miss the chance to save significant money by recycling wastewater for use in local landscape irrigation, supplying farmers with much-needed water and bolstering Morro Bay's valuable wells by replenishing their aquifers.

That dismal prospect grew out of a vote by the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) board on April 8 to refuse to listen to ideas for building an up-to-date new plant, an action that stunned those who have been following the controversy over the state-required plant upgrade for years.

But now there are signs that disaster may be avoided. Last week four members of the board, which consists of the Morro Bay City Council and the Cayucos Sanitary District board, met and did essentially what the board would not do: review the ideas that the PERC Water company has to offer in the way of a ultra-modern plant, which could be an estimated $8 million to $16 million cheaper than the projected $28 million project on the drawing boards now—anywhere from a 28% to 59% savings. Read More

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News, Editorials, & Commentary
--News Page 2
--Power Plant Adoption of New Once Through Cooling Policy
--How Healthy is the MB National Estuary?
--Outlook for Morro Bay City Budget
--Information Access Denied or Just Impaired?
--Compare and Consider: Morro Bay Candidates
--Journal MB Candidate Endorsements
--The Condition of Morro Bay Sewer Lines
--Show of Support for "Save the Whales - Again"
--Vanished!-The Ceqa'l
--Wastewater Treatment Plant Update
--Democratic Central Committee Election
--In Response
--In Response II
--Access Denied or Just Impaired?

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