Letters to the Editor

Forgot easiest solution

I n his Letter to the Editor of July 12, Jackson Forney proposes that the only solution to the energy crisis we are facing is to produce more oil as fast as possible and ignore any and all alternative fuel solutions proposed by those “elite environmentalists.” His suggestion to use “our vast coal resources to manufacture synthetic fuel (as Germany did in World War II)” is a glaring example of the backward thinking that keeps this society paralyzed in the face of the greatest challenge humankind has ever faced: climate change and its root cause, reliance on carbon-based energy.

When I was in high school, I learned about climate change and the greenhouse gases that would cause the problems we now face. Here we are, three and a half decades later, with an acute crisis in hand, and the Bush administration has reduced eight critical years of potential to solve the problem to a wait-and-see period of public comment. How pathetically small-minded!

Mr. Forney neglects to mention the easiest and most effective solution: We must all drive less, use less, buy less, demand less, turn fewer lights on and perhaps do without what we think we must have. It’s a simple and unexciting concept. Keep your V8 engine in the garage, walk outside and breathe deep the world those awful elitists are trying to save.

Neal Sistek

San Luis Obispo

Byproduct of ticketing

Most want to be safe drivers and do what is right. I do. Signage guides us to that right and proper goal, and ineffective signage needs correction, in this case by the city of San Luis Obispo.

Those turning left from Madonna Road into the Laguna Village Shopping Center have been greeted immediately by police parked there awaiting miscreants. Many dozens of drivers now have tickets, no doubt generating coveted municipal revenue.

The fines assure that at least the ticketees will never turn left there again, but it’s highly probable that only a small percentage of all violators will be ticketed. When many dozens of tickets can so readily be issued, it is proof of a broader and permanent traffic guidance problem that ticket issuance will never solve. So if safety improvement rather than revenue generation is paramount, the city would better serve all by revamping its signage and the median to remove the widely held belief that it’s OK to turn through the gap there.

I live in the North County where retail choice is convenient and improving, but I often shop in San Luis Obispo. With so many shopping alternatives available, I’ll not tolerate this. I’ll pay the ticket, but when San Luis Obispo’s fathers and retailers scratch their heads analyzing why the city’s retail sector is struggling, they now have another reason to ponder.

Jennie Price

Atascadero

Gratitude to supporters

Your overwhelming response to Al Silva’s Benefit BBQ brings us to our knees in humble gratitude. Words cannot express the way we appreciate your hard work, generosity, love and support. You could reach out and feel the love that warmed all of us at the park on June 29.

His classmates, teammates, faculty members from Morro Bay and Atascadero high schools and his business clients and co-workers were in attendance.

His mom, brothers, sister, kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends worked their hearts out to make this event a whopping success!

We replenished the food three times and still ran out. To those who didn’t receive a meal, please accept our heartfelt apologies and regrets. Your kindness and support will not be forgotten.

Sadly enough, Al left us on July 1, and our hearts are extremely sore. He knew before he left us what all of you did for him. He and Sheril were deeply moved and grateful.

He loved all of you unconditionally. We know you will miss him as we all do. In loving appreciation, on behalf of the entire Al Silva Jr. family.

Glenda A. Silva

Atascadero

Mozart is still the focus

I was pleased to see “Mozart&more” take prominence over the ridiculous new brand Festival Mozaic on the front page of Ticket (July 17). The Mozart Festival has always been about the music of Mozart…and much more.

I do welcome the wonderful new talent that Music Director Scott Yoo has brought to the festival. His programming continues the long, eclectic tradition of the Mozart Festival but does not justify a change in the name of our treasured festival.

Max Riedlsperger

San Luis Obispo