Dear Editor,

From: Bob Ward
Los Osos

Missing the chance to acquire 10 acres of property for free from the government might be a blessing in disguise. For now Briggs, from the RWQCB has stated, "Except for the Cardiff Stud Farm Area, we concur with the Report's recommendation that no further action (i.e. additional investigation or remedial work) is required along the JP-5 pipeline at this time."  The key part of the sentence here is "at this time." It surely doesn't mean that Morro Bay would not be on the hook somewhere down the line to even remove the pipeline which would make the $10 million dollar freebie paltry in comparison. Certainly some government agency wants whoever owns these 10 acres to be responsible for a pipeline as well. Furthermore DTSC says if any of the property is converted to residential use that it should again be reevaluated for benzene contamination.

It looks to me like there are too many unknowns, any of which could end up making them responsible for further cleanup. Remember the adage, If it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't!

[Note: Bob is referencing an article in last month's issue: A Multi-Million Dollar Missed Opportunity]

From: Jerry
Morro Bay

Its a great job you are doing and the Slo Coast Journal has become my only source for news. Not to wish you bad luck, but the other news sites and papers had better wake up to the quality and depth of what is going on here on your site. Real reporting, real life, and real good. Thanks! Keep up the good work. You've got a good crew! And please, keep an eye on that Yates and his cronies. They are sneaky and only out for themselves.

Photo by Judy Sullivan:
Morro Rock Morning

Photo by Linda Tanner:
Los Osos Barn

Photo by Dave Johnson:
Quiet Day at the MB Harbor

From: David Georgi
Shell Beach

I had questions about the Topaz solar project in the Carrizo Plain. Outreach director Dawn Legg organized a bus trip to have the project director and project biologist explain it. I am very impressed with the efforts they are making to minimize the impact of the project. In fact, the mitigation provisions will actually improve many aspects of the ecosystem. My questions were thoroughly answered and I now fully support the project, which will provide clean energy and utilize currently underused power lines. I encourage anyone with questions to attend the next trip on June 20. You can sign up by sending email to: Dawn.

From: Monica Thompson
Los Osos

My kids, Jess and Michael, love Dr. Riordan's "Best Friends" column. We all love animals and look forward each month all of the beautiful photographs on that page. His advice and insights are not only fascinating, but they are perfect teaching moments for us all. I come from a family that always had pets and I make it a point to teach my kids to respect, love, and have compassion for all animals, especially those in our homes. Pets are love and we give it right back to them. Jess is four years old and doesn't remember a time in her life when Baxter, our mixed-breed dog wasn't with us. She won't go to sleep until he is cuddled up beside her. Michael wants a puppy for himself, but at just three years of age, we don't feel he is quite ready. Every month he looks through Dr. Riordan's pictures and picks his favorite. We keep a collection of the pictures for him to think about what kind of puppy he wants when the time comes.

The entire Journal is amazing, but please thank Dr. Riordan especially.