Letters to the Editor

ments said that the system of a General Law County would self-correct an inappropriate appointment at the next election, so becoming a Charter County was not worth the risk. There was concern about the prospective cost of special elections, especially since we are facing a $15.1 million projected structural deficit for the coming fiscal year. Worry over low voter turnout during special elections was also voiced.

No one spoke in favor of becoming a Charter County.

Following public comment, Supervisor Peschong, who brought forward the Charter concept, said that he would not be supporting moving forward with the Charter and made a motion to postpone

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the item indefinitely. Though his original intent was worthy, he came to agree that “...at the end of the day, it was not a good idea.”

Supervisor Arnold seconded the motion.

Supervisor Gibson reiterated that his support of the proposed Charter County was contingent on attaching an IRC. Without which, he agreed it was time to shelve the idea and stated that he thinks “... we’ve been doing quite well for 170 odd years of our existence under the general laws of the state of California.”

Supervisor Compton shared that though she was fundamentally in favor of the electorate deciding who filled a vacant BOS seat, she was concerned about the slippery but even now, not one of their executives has served a day in jail – even when their choices caused multiple deaths. Now, at least, some executives have actually had to pay for their misdeeds. Also, until recently, utilities charged customers for maintenance, but actually used for that purpose only a tiny part of the $65 billion they’d collected since the mid-1950s for that purpose. Most went toward executive bonuses and other optional expenses.

Utilities have long paid fines when they caused fires, but recouped the money soon after in their next round of rate increases granted by the ever utility-friendly state Public Utilities Commission.

The new lawsuit settlement does not make way for others to sue right now. It was based on a claim by PG&E against its own highest former officials (including two former CEOs and its top electric managers). A bankruptcy judge handed that claim to the trust, which quickly sued the individuals. Most fire victims not involved in the trust probably won’t be able to sue, said Pitre, the Burlingame-based lead lawyer for the trust, because of an expired three-year statute of limitations from the dates of fatal decisions. slope of losing our say in our county to more commissions.

But the climate of the utility world has changed. From now on, utility executives will know they are watched and that their corporations won’t protect them, may, in fact, sue them. This could lead to improved decisions. For potential financial ruin figures to become a major motivator among utility executives.

Thomas Elias is an independent opinion columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email him at tdelias@aol.com.

“While I think there is some good in [the proposed county Charter], I think it could just be pretty catastrophic.”

In the end, the Board voted 5-0 in favor of postponing the Charter indefinitely.

Sara Semmes, Atascadero

Red, White & Blue

Dear Editor,

As we pledge allegiance to a red, white and blue flag, questions arise. What do these colors represent? Is the red for the blood spilled on our soil?

Is the white for the suprem- acy letting it? Is the blue for the uniform worn by its instruments?

Do these questions make you uncomfortable? Or, is it the answers? Regardless of your answers, if you don’t want anyone to answer “Yes,” what are you willing to do to make it a unanimous “No.”

Is one form of reparations ensuring these colors really stand for our willing sacrifices for our cause, our devotion to and aspiration to fulfill its ideals, and our loyalty to them and our union, so that liberty and justice for all is not only an abstract virtue, vacuous phrase or cruel joke, but our job description as citizens of this democratic republic?

David Broadwater, Atascadero