‘Seniors are vulnerable’: Arroyo Grande residents want proposed cell tower moved | Opinion
Out of place
“Residents worry proposed SLO County cell tower could threaten their health. Is it safe?” (sanluisobispo.com, March 22)
I live in the Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park and have grave concerns about the project. This tower would be located 80 feet from my home, blocking out the afternoon sun, destroying our view and potentially exposing us to harmful emissions.
Hundreds of residents and visitors pass through our gates every day within 100 feet of the tower, yet no effort has been made to soften its appearance with landscaping or to make it aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area. Who’s ever heard of a 55 foot faux water tower standing on an asphalt parking lot surrounded by an 8 foot chain link fence marked with caution signs?
There are many acres of land surrounding us where a faux water tower might look appropriate — there’s even a viable location nearby at Saint John’s Church. We’re not against the tower, we just want it in a better place.
If Verizon is granted this building permit, it could be your neighborhood next!
Caroline Roof
Arroyo Grande
Protect our health
“Residents worry proposed SLO County cell tower could threaten their health. Is it safe?” (sanluisobispo.com, March 22)
Seniors are a vulnerable population. Our health can be damaged easily. Cell towers cast radio frequency radiation (notice the protective gear cell company employees wear in order to work on these towers). The negative health effects have been proven time and again per the Environmental Health Trust website.
Verizon Wireless touts safety standards established by the Federal Communications Commission in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. But technology in 1996 was far different than what it is today?
Cities and counties should not allow placement of these towers within 500 feet of anyone’s home, especially a retirement community.
Ethel “Tink” Landers
Opinion
Arroyo Grande
“PG&E hopes Diablo Canyon can operate past 2030. So do 3 SLO County supervisors | Opinion,” (sanluisobispo.com, March 12)
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has recommended that it is prudent to pursue the extension of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant until the state can confirm that the necessary resources are online or that the CEC’s assessment show viable alternative resources available to meet the needs that Diablo would have provided otherwise.
Californians for Green Nuclear Power is heartened by CEC’s recommendation, yet it is generally acknowledged that investment in alternative sources of energy capable of providing an equivalent supply of reliable, baseload electricity would cause an exorbitant financial burden on California electricity customers. We recommend that Diablo’s operating license be renewed for the expected 20-year term, and that the plant remain operational at least until its new license expiration date in 2045.
Gene Nelson
Californians for Green Nuclear Power
Arroyo Grande
Sunset Diablo
“PG&E hopes Diablo Canyon can operate past 2030. So do 3 SLO County supervisors | Opinion,” (sanluisobispo.com, March 12)
The SLO Board of Supervisors should phase out the operation of Diablo Canyon in no less than five years. It is folly — and Fukushima-like irresponsibility — to run a coastal nuclear plant that is aging.
We can replace Diablo with safe, renewable energy. We must sunset this plant already.
Colby Allerton
Redondo Beach
VACO doesn’t represent us
“SLO County board won’t recognize Oceano Advisory Council,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 7, 2022)
Last month, the Vitality Advisory Council of Oceano (VACO) drafted bylaws that fail miserably to equitably represent the Oceano community. VACO plans to establish an election committee run by a VACO member, an ex-member, and an out-of-towner with not even one lay person from Oceano. The election committee should be completely independent from VACO and staffed with Oceano residents.
VACO’s bylaws say “persons previously rejected or removed from membership in a Community Advisory Council … or who served on a CAC that was unrecognized in San Luis Obispo County by the County Board of Supervisors” cannot be elected to the committee. We believe it is unconstitutional to ban anybody from running for a public office unless convicted of a felony. This ban blatantly targets former members of the original Oceano Council which was unrecognized and disbanded by former Supervisor Lynn Compton.
If VACO doesn’t immediately comply with the county’s guidelines to hold fair and unbiased elections free of partisan influence and discriminatory policies, it should not be recognized by county supervisors.
Bonita Ernst, president
Allene Villa, treasurer
Lucia Casalinuovo, secretary
Oceano Beach Community Association
The real world
“How will SLO stop St. Fratty’s day partying, damage?” (sanluisobispo.com, March 21)
Hooliganism, vandalism, property destruction, public urination, alcohol consumption, swinging off utility lines, breaking and entering and mob mentality are not because of property owners, a lack of policing or lack of planning. They are solely the responsibility of individual actions and decisions.
An education is an earned privilege — not an automatic right. In my opinion, each and every person who was issued a warrant or citation should be summarily expelled from whichever college or university they attend. Welcome to the real world of responsibility.
Cynthia Logan
Cayucos
