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Letters to the editor from Paso Robles High School students 

Letter to the editor paso robles daily news

–Last week, students from the Paso Robles High School read and responded to stories in the Paso Robles Daily News. The following are their submitted letters:

Dear Editor,

It is obvious that drug trafficking has become an epidemic when an operation is busted not only in prime residential area, but also just yards away from the very place parents send their kids for education. (“Thirteen indicted for drug trafficking operation centered in Paso Robles” March 7) Our community high school is supposed to be a safe environment for young children as well as young adults and teachers, but when invasive drugs are being poured into town like Paso Robles, there is indeed a problem. We as a country need to protect our borders to the fullest extent, not to keep the people out, but to keep illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin away from our community. This could prevent crimes from ever being committed in the first place as well as keeping our community strong, safe, and clean.

Blake Haupt, senior, Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

In response to your article, “Paso Robles Schools prepare for layoffs..” (Feb 26), students are losing valuable electives at Paso Robles High School due to irresponsible spending by the previous administration. These classes that get us through school and help us years after we graduate. When dozens of concerned students went to petition the Board of Trustees on Tuesday the 10th, they were put off and ignored. Why should we students have to pay for the Board’s mistakes and shortcomings? The board and administration should take the cuts themselves since they were the ones responsible for the mess in the first place.

Sincerely, Xander Radeski, 17. Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

Regarding “Council discusses riverbed cleanup…” (March 4), it is evident that the Paso Robles is finally moving forward on the plan to clean up the riverbed. There are an estimated 1,483 homeless currently in San Luis Obispo County, and Paso’s spacious riverbed is how many homeless live in Paso. I have family members who have lived in the riverbed, I know how dangerous the area can be. By cleaning up the riverbed, Paso is providing a safer and cleaner environment for all of us. I am appreciative of this development towards keeping Paso safe.

Sincerely, Patricia Slason, 18, Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

I’m writing in reference to the article, “High School campus hit with graffiti over the weekend” (March 02). This sort of vandalism reflects poorly on all of us at PRHS. Such hateful and homophobic behavior disrespects our classmates, teachers and ourselves. We are damaging our second home, the temple where we all develop new knowledge. I am foreign student, temporarily studying here at PRHS. These actions just show hate and misinformation. I am worried about the rise in rude, mean and disrespectful attitudes among my fellow students, including racist comments, which I have experienced personally. It is necessary to encourage students to respect other cultures and different points of view. Let us start from our homes, with our friends, not just in school, and let us spread kindness into students’ minds!

Sincerely, Nora Pulido, 18, Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

I am writing in regards to your recent article, “Paso Robles police see rise in calls for service, but short on officers”. How many urgent calls have been ignored or delayed? We hear the police department is short on officers, but with a population of approximately 29,793 citizens they are actually 17 officers above the average per capita rate for U.S. cities. We have no other choice but to establish alternative solutions so that our fellow citizens of Paso Robles can fill out incident reports for minor incidents. Instead of making our police department respond to an average of 4,000 phone calls per month, they can focus on responding to priority, emergency calls instead. The city of Dallas, Texas also faced short staff but used a new online reporting system for nonemergency, low-priority crime. By establishing a system similar to theirs we will be helping out our police officers, our citizens, and we will build a better tomorrow. The time is now!

Sincerely, Michelle Ventura, 17. Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in response to Sara Semmes’ editorial regarding anti-vax group at the Women’s March Rally (January 22). It’s clear Ms. Semmes is a bit misinformed on the removal of the anti-vax women from the Women’s March rally. I was at the rally, and witnessed these women walk the entire parade route alongside the crowd holding their signs high and wearing their t-shirts proudly. Whether they were removed at the end, I am not sure as I didn’t physically see it happen, but I know that they were very much allowed to walk the route from start to finish, even though the march wasn’t about vaccines anyway. If they were removed at the end, I believe it was justified for the organizers to remove them. To disbelieve in vaccines is to disbelieve in science, and the message the anti-vax group was trying to convey was one built on faulty claims and shaky scientific evidence. In fact, one of the most well known anti-vaccine research papers was supported by biased procedures and falsified evidence. Because of vaccinations, our life-expectancy has grown and illnesses have been eradicated from the population. I understand some children may be medically exempt from certain vaccines, however, that just makes herd immunity all the more important and necessary in the wellbeing of our society. I am a science student and both of my parents are medical professionals, so I consider myself very well informed on this issue. If they were removed, it was not because the organizers were “uncomfortable,” with their opinions, but because their message was untrue and dangerous to the prevention of illness.

Sincerely,
Mairin McNerney (18) Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

It is clear there is an opioid crisis in Paso Robles and surrounding communities. In recent days, San Luis Obispo County has confiscated over 15 lbs of methamphetamine and nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl. Paso Robles has been taking a hit from the trafficking routes of this powdered killer. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, as much as 100 times more potent than morphine. This dangerous drug has become increasingly popular, causing a jump of 73% of overdoses in the US from 2014-2015. At an unimaginable mortality rate, the CDC says it takes a mere 2-3 milligrams of fentanyl to surpass a lethal dose. It is critical to understand the risks posed by methamphetamine and fentanyl. Paso Robles is typically thought of as small and quiet wine region, but the drug trade is a dark secret that is too well-kept. With more exposure on this topic, and by making drug education a higher priority, we can begin the fight to liberate Paso Robles from this dark reality of drug smuggling and distribution.

Sincerely, Hayley Lacy, senior, Paso Robles High School


Dear Editor,

I’m writing in regards to how few people see the great, hard, and heroic work our Peace Officers perform every day (“City of San Luis Obispo sees 4-percent decrease in overall crime.” March 10) As the son to a Police Officer serving the city of Paso Robles, I witness first hand the toll of how the job affects my father. It is absolutely ridiculous that our media too often scrutinizes police officers, showing only the mistakes of the few and giving the entire force a bad reputation. Just last year in the U.S., 146 officers were killed in the line of duty protecting their communities. This article finally shows the good work our officers are providing, and it warms my heart, since our heroes are finally getting the recognition and respect they deserve.

Sincerely, Nate Lehr, 17, PRHS


Editor’s note: Letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paso Robles Daily News or its staff. We welcome letters from local residents regarding relevant local topics. To submit, click here. 

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