Billy, 41, who lived on the streets of San Luis Obispo for nearly three years, said he sees one clear silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic: It drew the public’s attention to the homelessness crisis.
“The pandemic may have been one of the best things that has happened to the homeless community in SLO,” said Billy, who asked New Times not to publish his last name.
COVID-19 certainly wasn’t easy on Billy. He battled an opioid addiction, was arrested more than a dozen times, and watched friends die on the streets. But he also saw an outpouring of care, compassion, and resources from the SLO community that he’d never seen before.
“The community at large started to react in a manner that wasn’t phony philanthropy any longer. It was practical philanthropy, people trying to feed us and provide clothing, food, and tents,” he said.
Billy recently got off the streets. He entered adult drug court last fall and quit opioids while at the Gryphon Society sober living home in Atascadero—a place that “absolutely changed my life.”
Then, about a month ago, Billy moved into his first apartment in years at ECHO Paso Robles, a former Motel 6 converted into Housing Authority of SLO low-income housing during 2020 thanks to a $15 million state Project HomeKey grant.
Billy now has a home, a job, and a car, and he’s working toward reconciling with his children.
“Nine months ago, I was doing heroin in the creek with the hope every time I did I was going to die,” he said. “Today, I’m halfway through the second phase of the adult drug court program and eight months clean. Because I’ve been shown some resources, my perspective has completely and vastly changed.”
Billy received a lifesaving housing opportunity in ECHO Paso Robles. But he knows that hundreds of others on the street today haven’t been so lucky this year. For now, they remain unsheltered, facing their own unique set of challenges, with some caught in the crosshairs of encampment sweeps in local creek beds and parks.
“A lot of my friends are still out there,” he said. “They need to be given a place that is safe harbor.”
SLO County and all of its communities are grappling with a rise in unsheltered homelessness. While no official count has documented the increase since the start of the pandemic, front-line social workers say a surge is obvious.
“I can only hope we’re at a peak,” said Janna Nichols, executive director of the Five Cities Homeless Coalition.
As the problem hits new heights, local jurisdictions are creating a regional and collaborative partnership on homelessness—a process that they say will lead to new projects, shelter options, and a 10-year plan for the county’s homeless. In the meantime, some local leaders are calling on the county to start implementing a new set of encampment recommendations outlined last month by a county advisory committee.
But not all of the focus is on new ideas. In the city of SLO, officials are trying to get the most out of an existing resource: the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center.
40 Prado fully reopens and expands—will it fill up?
For most of the pandemic, the 3-year-old 40 Prado Homeless Services Center in SLO operated at a reduced capacity of 70 beds instead of 100—a COVID-19 precaution. But on most of those nights, the shelter didn’t come close to reaching that capacity.
“COVID made everything go upside-down,” said Grace McIntosh, deputy director at CAPSLO, which operates the shelter.
When COVID-19 hit, McIntosh explained that most of the shelter’s younger residents left, and the shelter became predominantly occupied by the elderly. The trend toward housing more seniors had been happening for a couple of years, she said.
Seniors are a growing subset of the U.S. unhoused population in general, but McIntosh said a key issue in SLO County is that skilled nursing facilities have stopped accepting low-income, long-term care patients.
“The reality was that skilled nursing was no longer a resource,” she said. “Now what we have is this rising number of elderly people that really can’t be here, shouldn’t be here, so they’re shuttling back and forth to the hospital and here.”
With pandemic restrictions lifted, 40 Prado is working to get the word out that it’s fully open for business again and is hoping to serve a broader age range of residents on its way back to full capacity.
Full capacity is now 124 beds, after SLO city funded a 24-bed expansion this year. The shelter also provides safe parking, a counseling and recovery therapy program called SLO Hub, laundry, food, and medical care.
But 40 Prado isn’t exactly a popular resource. Advocates told New Times that the center has a rocky reputation among the unsheltered community, which may have played a factor in its lack of use throughout COVID-19.
Kelsey Nocket, SLO city’s new homelessness response manager, said she received similar feedback in her early street outreach.
“There’s a bit of resistance in the community to receiving services at 40 Prado,” Nocket said. “Part of what I want to do is better understand what those resistance factors are.”
McIntosh and other SLO officials said there are some misconceptions about 40 Prado’s rules and policies, which have changed over the years and again just recently due to the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The current rules are that 40 Prado residents simply need a SLO County ID and they do not need to have a full year of residency in SLO County (which was a pandemic rule). The shelter is not a “zero tolerance” facility for drugs and alcohol (though no drug use is allowed on-site). And the shelter is pet-friendly, with eight kennels available for non-service dogs (with rabies vaccinations required).
Nonetheless, four homeless advocates told New Times that Prado’s “institutional” approach and structure are imposing and can make it an unwelcoming place for some. Michelle Mansker, a volunteer with SLO Street Medics, which delivers resources and first-aid response to the locally unhoused, said that based on her outreach, she doesn’t feel like 40 Prado tries enough to “meet people where they are.”
“They [the unhoused] don’t feel like they’re at home,” Mansker said. “If you don’t feel like you’re at home, … they’re saying, ‘I’d rather live on the street.'”
McIntosh said she doesn’t expect 40 Prado to be the solution for every person. But she also anticipates that the facility will hit capacity, especially as COVID-19 eviction moratoriums are lifted. Her biggest concern is that SLO County simply lacks the shelter to house everyone living on the streets.
“Even if we had every bed taken [at 40 Prado], it doesn’t address the need,” she said. “There’s not enough shelter beds, affordable housing, tiny homes, sanctioned encampments, whatever the answer may be.”
Camping, public spaces, and other ideas
SLO County 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson said he often hears from frustrated constituents on the North Coast about the impacts of homeless encampments in Los Osos and Cambria.
He sometimes asks this question in response: “Would the Cambria community rather have a sanctioned encampment, or folks living out in the creek or forest?”
In 2019, a federal court ruling, Martin v. Boise, made it illegal for municipalities to enforce anti-camping codes unless they can provide enough shelter beds for their homeless population. In SLO County, since the pandemic, encampment clear-outs have occurred on a regular basis, with 40 Prado’s vacant beds cited as the available alternative shelter.
Whether or not that meets the legal criteria of Boise, Gibson and others are proponents of pursuing more low-barrier shelter and service options, like sanctioned encampments, to try to redirect unsanctioned camping away from fire-risk areas or dangerous spaces.
“It’s a big deal,” Gibson said. “There are legal constraints, financial constraints, there’s the spirit of the community we need to align. The other challenge is that we really need to take this on as a region.”
Last month, a subcommittee of the SLO County Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC) presented a series of recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on encampments. Potential solutions include providing services to existing encampments, authorizing sanctioned encampments, authorizing safe parking programs, creating alternative housing options, and increasing shelter space in South County.
Nichols with the Five Cities Homeless Coalition said the variety of options to support unsheltered individuals is a welcome approach. Her organization is an advocate for a South County shelter, but she said diversity is important.
“Some people don’t want to go into a shelter. That’s the thing I think we have to work on,” she said. “There isn’t one model. There isn’t one thing. There’s no one answer.”
Services that could be brought to an encampment include: trash collection, safety and sanitation, syringe collection, overdose prevention, and shower programs. In 2019, SLO County piloted a similar program—the Blue Bag program—with success. Programs like SLO Bangers syringe exchange already do some outreach to encampments.
Paso Robles tried creating a sanctioned encampment in 2020 but it was underused and then closed. Lois Petty of the SLO Bangers said the camp was poorly located on an exposed dirt lot without shade.
“The one in Paso was clearly set up, in my opinion, to fail,” Petty said. “The showers sometimes didn’t work. They had a handwashing station that wouldn’t get filled with water. It felt like they were being imprisoned because there was a fence around it.”
Alternative housing options could include tiny home villages, pallet houses, or another congregate facility. Becky Jorgeson of Hope’s Village SLO has been searching for property to house a tiny home village for eight years.
“The community village is my model, because it’s a mini city—a little town where people know each other and watch over each other,” Jorgeson said.
While the recommendations will take time to digest, Gibson said he wants to see the safe parking programs prioritized as early as this summer. SLO city runs the only safe parking program in the county at the SLO Railroad Square, and it’s currently underutilized.
“The situation is critical right now,” Gibson said. “We are going to be judged by the quality of our leadership and the commitment of county resources to actually do something about this.”
Working as a region
As SLO County and its cities commit to a shared and collaborative approach to tackle unsheltered homelessness, that route comes with both opportunity and challenges.
“One of the things that’s going to be needed is an agreement across the partners about options to pursue,” said Laurel Weir, SLO County’s homeless services director. “This is not something that any one jurisdiction can solve. The county [administration] has been starting to convene meetings with the cities.”
Weir said that the first steps in the partnership will likely take shape as pilot programs adopted in individual communities. SLO city is rolling out one this year, a Mobile Crisis Unit, where a social worker and EMT will respond to non-emergency 911 calls related to homelessness.
“The pilots are a chance to see what’s working and what’s not,” Weir said.
Susan Funk, an Atascadero City Council member and chair of the county’s HSOC, said each city has a common motivation to reduce the impacts of homelessness on those experiencing it and the communities affected by it.
“What’s at issue in every community is we need our public spaces back,” Funk said. “We want to be able to enjoy Mitchell Park or the Bob Jones Trail or Pirate’s Cove. We want to be able to share them. There’s a real sense of anxiety in the community that we’re really going downhill on this problem.”
What will be critical in the coming months is for communities to share the responsibility and burden of solutions, she said.
“The magic word is location,” Funk said. “Everybody wants it somewhere else. Nobody wants to go first. We need some kind of solution in every jurisdiction.”
Miriam Shah, a former Grover Beach City Council member, spoke during public comment during the May 4 Board of Supervisors meeting when it voted to approve the concept of a regional partnership.
“Everything we need is there,” Shah said, referring to the encampment recommendations. “What we need are locations. Instead of two more years of meetings, I propose one meeting. All seven cities in a room and all supervisors in a room. Nobody leaves until every single person has named a location where people in their district can exist. Because we have to share this burden fairly. No amount of planning is going to get us around that ugly, ugly part of naming a location. It’s just something that needs to happen.” Δ
Contact Assistant Editor Peter Johnson at pjohnson@newtimesslo.com.
Clarification: An update to this article clarifies that the Housing Authority of SLO operates ECHO Paso Robles’ low-income units.
This article appears in Jun 17-27, 2021.
This was an excellent article about a complicated subject. Kudos to Miriam Shah for boiling the homeless problem down to the nitty gritty.
I don’t understand this. I thought the homeless were an organized group of registered voters that could sway a local election. Nope, that wasn’t what I remembered. Oh yeah, the homeless make large campaign contributions to get the attention of the elected officials and get action directed in their direction. Hmm, maybe not. I guess I’ve had it all wrong.
It is as if the homeless aren’t really constituents and are rarely a priority. Maybe they are just a political tool to be invoked now and again. Actually solving it might not be in the best interest of those in power. Just like the “border crisis”. Yes, this paragraph is serious, the other obviously not.
We need to ascertain the homeless as either those ‘will not’ live independently or those who ‘cannot’ live independently.
Get it? I think most families in SLO County do not mind supporting a modest program designed to prepare people to live successful lives as independent adults, but we object to writing an open check for able-bodied adults who simply want to live off the work of others. As taxpayers, we should expect that our money is spent wisely and those being provided services are not simply using it as a drug flophouse.
Contrary to the criticisms of 40 Prado Homeless Service Center, I believe they are spot on in expecting participants to live honestly and seek counseling for obvious drug and alcohol problems. It is not reasonable for taxpayers to be on the hook for funding services and housing for people simply so they can relax without gainful employment. Despite the likely criticism from the whacky left crowd, no taxpayer should have to fund the lifestyle of an addict just so they can keep on using.
SLO New Times Assistant Editor Peter Johnson quotes a homeless man named Billy, who says: “A lot of my friends are still out there,” he said. “They need to be given a place that is safe harbor.” I can agree that homeless people need to get off the streets, but I object to the idea that we owe them anything. As adults, it is their job to live independently and drug-free, and acting like the rest of us owe them something indicates to me that Billy may have changed his situation, but he hasn’t changed his attitude,
Get it? Let’s help the people who cannot help themselves, and tell the people who will not help themselves and mainstream to go pound sand.
Three pillars of a successful life: Self -Reliance, Self-Respect & Self-Determination.
Rugged individualism has always been a characteristic of American life, and a man pulling himself up by the boot straps is central to our self-identity. The point I made was that we should be unselfish with our help for those who cannot help themselves, but expect the ‘will not’ crowd to show a little ambition and at least make a modest effort to help themselves.
Businesses are struggling to reopen as they do not have the labor to staff their needs, so jobs are aplenty.
I too believe in community, but it is parred with helping those who help themselves. Too often the drug bums I see occupying our public spaces are simply using the parks, etc. as a crash pad for a little substance abuse session. Should I be expected to pay taxes in support of their poor life choice?
Momma always said if we reach up halfway, the Good Lord will reach down halfway. 🙂
There remains a significant reward for anyone who, by Sept. 1, 2021 publicly reveals the identity of the person or persons behind the violence promoting white supremacist who continually spreads lies, hatred and promotes violence in our community under the name of Steve Edwards.
Rightword=Aaron=Tsankiwi=ChrisNutson=NeighborhoodFool=MickeySmith=G.GordenFugly=SAME TROLL.
I guess the paranoid, whacky alt left just cannot fathom that there are moderate and conservative voices in our community, and it is a favorite leftist tactic to engage in cancel culture, lol. See their hypocrisy? I guess I should thank Rightword for the free rent in his head!
The 40 Prado Homeless Service Center is sufficient to meet the needs of our local homeless population, and the fact that we have a few homeless people whining that 40 Prado is somehow not good enough for them is telling, beggars can’t be choosers.
Our community ALREADY provides significant help to the homeless population, and their are ALREADY transitional services available for those who are truly determined to leave the homeless lifestyle behind. An important point in this debate is that we cannot help people who do not want to help themselves, and it is ludicrous to think that society is somehow to blame when a person decides to forgo societal norms and live out on the streets and engage in substance abuse.
I say let’s help the ‘can not’s’ and do something else with the ‘will not’s’.
We can only help people who truly want to help themselves.
Blue Lives Matter
Love thy neighbor. Promoting violence against the homeless and promoting incarceration of the homeless is counterproductive and has no place in civilized society.
Love, as all the worlds great religions teach us, is the answer. To address these issues, and those who suffer, without love in our hearts will be fruitless.
Love all, serve all.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. -1 Corinthians 13:8
If your words are to be considered credible, you need to denounce the BLM-inspired assassination of Luca Benedetti, remember, love isn’t just for those who share your political inclinations. He was well loved by this community and his wife and children, and the dangerous BLM “Hate Police’ rhetoric embraced by you and yours inspired a demented dupe to intentionally kill him. Repent, sinner!
You should pronounce your love of the rest of us by acknowledging moderate and conservative voices respectfully, opening your heart to our words, and pulling away from the alt left political extremism that seems to have embraced hate. The left-wing hatred of Israel, for example, is leading to anti-semitic attacks and hate crimes against our Jewish citizens.
Can you not have ‘love’ for even God’s chosen people?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
-John 3:16
Jesus would not support the hatred, violence, vitriol and blasphemy that is celebrated and promulgated by the white supremacy propagandist who goes by the name of Steve Edwards.
Jesus was all about love.
Rightword=Aaron=Tsankiwi=ChrisNutson=NeighborhoodFool=MickeySmith=G.GordenFugly=SAME TROLL.
I say forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do. -Luke 23:34
I judge you by your actions, and, based on that, I think its pretty obvious that you are not a Christian. For real Christians, we live by the 10 Commandments, and, sadly, I think you have continually broken Commandment 9: Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor. Sadly, you and your troll friends have chosen to make a mockery of the truth, and your false attacks are something that you will need to be held accountable for, the Lord believes in accountability. 🙂
Jesus would reject your reckless rhetoric, promotion of radical agendas, and in particular, he would not approve of your acceptance of violence and promotion of hatred. Alt-left violence has recently attacked our own community, Officer Benedetti did not deserve to be assassinated by a willing left-wing dupe, and the wounds are raw. I imagine Jesus would also be dismayed to see you guys rejoice with the shutdown of Hwy 101, and the assault of shattered glass upon a baby. Get it?
Heidi Harmon & James Paulding: you and your willing dupes need to be accountable
“What goes into someones mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.
-Mathew 15:11
Reject Godless Atheism/Communism/Progressivism
RejectSLO County BLM/Antifa Violence
No Hwy 101 Shutdowns
Prosecute Tianna Arrata: BLM Terrorist
Support Israel over Hamas Terrorists
Stop Progressive Hate Crimes Against Jews
Stop Biden/Harris American Decline
End Abortion-On-Demand: Babys Lives Matter
Preserve the 2nd Amendment: Lawful Gun-owner Rights
Prosecute Alex Catlett: Left-Wing Hate Criminal
To the person or persons who masquerades and spreads community dividing and bigoted rhetoric under the name Steve Edwards: in order to clarify the truth of the matter, please denounce and disavow any connection to or support for the KKK and other white supremacist hate groups, that, based on your comments, it might otherwise be reasonably assumed that you support or are a member of. Thank you.
To the person or persons who masquerades and spreads community dividing and bigoted rhetoric under the name(s) Rightword/AaronOchs/Tsankiwi/MickeySmith/G.GordenFugly in order to clarify the truth of the matter, please denounce and disavow any connection to or support for the Chinese Communist Partyand other Communist/Socialist/Progressive hate groups, that, based on your comments, it might otherwise be reasonably assumed that you support or are a member of. Thank you.
I, Who comments under the name Rightword 2 have absolutely no connection with and do not support the Chinese Communist Party or any Communist/Socialist/Progressive hate groups.
Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Same Game, Different Name. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
I think our friend here is showing he is a dupe for the so-called progressives! All this time I thought he was a mouthpiece recruiter of low information voters, now, it turns out, he doesnt;t even realize that he is one of the people sucked into the deceit. Wow!
Progressivism was created as a ruse to mask communist thinking, and many observers believe there are about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party, they don’t actually hide. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus. While there may not be large numbers of card-carrying communists lining the halls of Congress, there is a clear tie between the Democratic Party’s Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Communist Party USA (CPUSA), and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Although Progressive share much in common with CPUSA and DSA, they are shrewd enough to understand the terms “communist” or “socialist” are unpalatable for most Americans. Hence, the word “Progressive” was injected into American political verbiage. While the words are not interchangeable, one thing is for sure: The CPC is doing its part to further the goals of modern Communists and Socialists who have found a voice in the Democratic Party.
Communist Party USA leader Joelle Fishman reported CPUSA uses the Congressional Progressive Caucus as “an important lever” to “move the debate to the left. She explains they plan to meet their goals by running for office “within the auspices of the Democratic Party” because “conditions rarely if ever allow us to run open Communists for office.
They are moving toward attaining their goals. The elections of Obama and Biden, in conjunction with Progressives cannibalizing the Democratic Party by ousting common sense Blue Dogs, aided in a severe shift to the left. Americans have witnessed the deterioration of this nation by way of the same type of race-baiting and class warfare Communism cannot exist without. Unbecoming of the American presidency, Obama and Biden have led the charge in attacks against job-creators, extended the olive branch to BLM/Antifa anarchists, and publicly castigated the third (and his equal) branch of government. Americans have had zero control over the appointments of unsavory anti-capitalist cabinet members like former “Green Czar” and avowed Communist Van Jones, who has served recent Democratic presidents.
I think it is pretty easy to see that our friend Rightword is linked to fringe, left wing hate groups.
Get it? Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
If you want to be trusted, be honest.
Thank you Mr. so-called Steve Edwards. You’ve made it very clear what you controversial ideas you support, where you stand on the most divisive issues, what you want to happen in our community, who you want things to happen to and which local candidates you eagerly endorse.
What more needs to be said that you have not already stated, time after time, day after day for months on end?
Thank you Mr. so-called Rightword. (He, She, It,They) You’ve made it very clear what you controversial ideas you support, where you stand on the most divisive issues, what you want to happen in our community, who you want things to happen to and which local candidates you eagerly endorse.
What more needs to be said that you have not already stated, time after time, day after day for months on end?
Dear Steve Edwards serial-liar white-supremacist hate- monger dude: you make some good and original comments. Unfortunately your good comments are never original and your original comments are never good.
I happen to support politicians I consider honest, competent, and hard-working; whose values are conjoined with compassion, selfless service and love for a diverse cooperative, peaceful and prosperous community. Big Jim Paulding is one local politician who fits that bill. More power to him.
I do not support the KKK and I publicly denounce Trump and Putin inspired serial-liar Steve Edwards and violence-promoting white supremacist attitudes and actions.
Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Same Game, Different Name. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
Heidi Harmon=Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez=Jimmy Paulding=Ilhan Omar=Out-of-Touch with Central Coast.
I think our friend here is showing he is a dupe for the so-called progressives! All this time I thought he was a mouthpiece recruiter of low information voters, now, it turns out, he doesnt;t even realize that he is one of the people sucked into the deceit. Wow!
So, our ‘progressive ‘friend’ denies any connection to the KKK, but I am unclear about his affiliation with communist groups?
Progressivism was created as a ruse to mask communist thinking, and many observers believe there are about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party, they don’t actually hide. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus. While there may not be large numbers of card-carrying communists lining the halls of Congress, there is a clear tie between the Democratic Party’s Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Communist Party USA (CPUSA), and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Although Progressive share much in common with CPUSA and DSA, they are shrewd enough to understand the terms “communist” or “socialist” are unpalatable for most Americans. Hence, the word “Progressive” was injected into American political verbiage. While the words are not interchangeable, one thing is for sure: The CPC is doing its part to further the goals of modern Communists and Socialists who have found a voice in the Democratic Party.
Communist Party USA leader Joelle Fishman reported CPUSA uses the Congressional Progressive Caucus as “an important lever” to “move the debate to the left. She explains they plan to meet their goals by running for office “within the auspices of the Democratic Party” because “conditions rarely if ever allow us to run open Communists for office.
They are moving toward attaining their goals. The elections of Obama and Biden, in conjunction with Progressives cannibalizing the Democratic Party by ousting common sense Blue Dogs, aided in a severe shift to the left. Americans have witnessed the deterioration of this nation by way of the same type of race-baiting and class warfare Communism cannot exist without. Unbecoming of the American presidency, Obama and Biden have led the charge in attacks against job-creators, extended the olive branch to BLM/Antifa anarchists, and publicly castigated the third (and his equal) branch of government. Americans have had zero control over the appointments of unsavory anti-capitalist cabinet members like former “Green Czar” and avowed Communist Van Jones, who has served recent Democratic presidents.
I think it is pretty easy to see that our friend Rightword is linked to fringe, left wing hate groups.
Get it? Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
If you want to be trusted, be honest.
Steve Edwards of 2020s = Joe McCarthy of 1950s.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McC…
Nope, just speaking truth to power. As Americans, we have every right, and a duty, to stand up to those who represent us and call a spade a spade. If it wasn’t true that progressivism=socialism=communism, then why attack those who point it out?
Our local whacky leftists, and their willing dupes are part of a resurgent trend of communist-inspired nonsense, and it appeals mostly to low-information voters and the have-nots. The strategy is to encourage envy and anger against people who have been successful, and progressivism is just communism by another name.
Those of us who believe in freedom, and using capitalism as the engine of our economy, are attacked, but wealth creators are the solution, not the problem. It is false thinking to attack the successful models of free market capitalism and political democracy, and, when we look at the violence and despair that we see in ‘progressive’ cities like New York City, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland, it becomes obvious that we DO NOT want to replicate that situation across our country, especially in SLO County.
Let’s not let the so-called ‘progressives’ drag us down, they will damage our democracy and stop America from being an opportunity society. We deserve better than to be governed by people who seek an American decline.
As a capitalist myself and strident supporter of strong and ethical government, I keep an open mind to progressive ideas, applying common sense and scientific knowledge, along with heartfelt compassion, to decide what issues I want to support and why. The politics of separation and judgment and unequal treatment Based on political or religious bias promoted by the person or persons masquerading as Steve Edwards is the antithesis of the compassionate, hopeful, healthy and prosperous community I am working for.
Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Same Loser Ideologies. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
Nice try, fella, but our local so-called progressives have lost the respect and admiration of our community as they have embraced more and more radical causes, we need a government that pursues mainstream values which support working families. Radicalism may be woke but results in high taxes, big government and lost freedom.
Our country didnt fight and win wars against fascism and communism only to roll over and let willing dupes empower low-information voters to ruin the progress of the last 70 years. We didnt dismantle those failed ideologies only to unleash a failed ideology Right here in America. The American people deserve better than a government out-of-touch with working families, and economic and political freedom are our birthrights.
Lets learn the lessons of the failed progressive experiments in Portland, Minneapolis, New York City and Chicago. These towns, with their failed progressive leaders, have suffered from BLM/Antifa anarchy, looting and violence, high crime rates and random violence. Lets reject their dark and failed prescription for our community and our country.
Blue Lives Matter
Reject BLM/Antifa Lawlessness
No Critical Race Theory Taught in Public Schools
End Abortion-on-Demand: Babys Lives Matter
Stop BLM Highway 101 Shutdowns: No Violence Against Travelers
Prosecute Tianna Arrata & Alex Catlett: Hate Criminals
Reject Progressive/Communists Trolls
No Homeless Drug Bums Occupying our Public Spaces
RIP Brave Officer Luca Benedetti
Fly Thin Blue Line Flags
Stop AOC/Ilian Omar, Heidi Harmon & James Paulding: Phony Politicians
Support Law & Order/Healthy Communities
Reject Progressivism=Socialism=Communism
Reject Envy & Class/race Warfare
Protect Election Integrity: Require ID When Voting
Reject Voting Suppression: Count Every Lawful Vote
The person posting as Steve Edwards has no track record of doing anything positive whatsoever for anyone or anything anywhere. He is a complete phony who has nothing positive to show or share with anyone. His resume is a big fat zero. No one knows for sure if he has ever held a job. No one knows if Steve Edwards lives in San Luis Obispo County. If there is anything he has ever done of value to his community, no one I know has ever heard of it. Everything about Steve Edwards adds up to zero.
If Steve Edwards has anything to show to refute these claims, I welcome him to share that right here and right now.
I thought the Sheriff was only supposed to empty the drunk tank when the inmates were sober?
Steve Edwards for Supervisor.
Tell him to put up or shut up.
Ask him if hes ever held a job for more than six months Ask him if he lives in San Luis Obispo County,
Ask him if hes ever done anything that wasnt totally selfish and self-centered and at the expense of others. Ask him if hes ever done anything constructive for his community whatsoever during his entire stay on this earth. Steve Edwards for Supervisor. Its time for him to step up or shut up.
I think our ‘friend’, Rightword is either off his anti-psychotic meds, or he has a serious substance abuse problem,. Either way it is painful to see him so obviously meltdown, and he should know that there is help for people in his condition.
To the issue, I think the SLO County is on the right track with the level of services and support to the homeless community, and I see no need to expand the offerings. As we move past the pandemic, most of these people can move into the mainstream and acquire gainful employment in the economy.
Again, it is very important distinguish between the ‘can not’s’ and the ‘will not’s’, as our efforts and precious tax dollars ought to be spent helping the neediest and the who cannot help themselves. If a person chooses not to work, not to be responsible, and not to seek gainful employment, NO AMOUNT OF HELP WILL UPLIFT THEM.
As the story noted, 40 Prado has unutilized beds, and other services and shelters designed to help the homeless are underutilized as well. It is appropriate for local government not to let the homeless population take up living wherever they feel like it, and this is true for a lot of reasons. Also, politically, the whacky libetards want to act like we have not done enough for the homeless population when, in fact, we have already provided a lot of services. Ultimately, the choice needs to be made by those living on the streets to either stay living on the streets or to live a more traditional lifestyle.
Progressivism-Socialism=Communism.
Steve Edwards for Supervisor If you like Joe McCarthy, You will love Steve Edwards!
I guess our friend, here, is off his meds again, he has resorted to illogical rants and I hope he gets the help he so obviously needs, mental health and substance abuse issues are serious business. 🙂
I think we can see from this story that San Luis Obispo has PLENTY of supports for the homeless, and it is nonsense to believe these people have been abandoned to the streets. The only people who believe that are the far-alt left libetards, who are searching for any narrative to hang a guilt trip on traditional society members. It wont work.
For those people who cannot make a decent life for themselves in a traditional setting, I advocate public assistance, so that they can live a dignified life and improve their condition, but, to be honest, many of the people living on the streets are drug bums who choose substance abuse over work, family and society. These people are not the can nots, they are the will nots.
I advocate laws against people choosing to live on the streets, consume drugs and alcohol, and occupy our public spaces. In doing so, they set a bad example, endanger our most vulnerable citizens and keep others from enjoying our public facilities.
Hugs not Drugs.
Tough Love for Drug Bums
Support the Great Work of 40 Prado
Support Sunny Hills Sober Living Center
Jobs are Aplenty!
Steve Edwards for Supervisor if you’re sick…and tired of democracy!
Thanks for the free rent in your head, Rightweird!
As other bloggers pointed out, we are ALL Steve Edwards, we are the silent majority.
Let’s conclude: there is plenty of help for the homeless who want help;
Many homeless do not want help, as they prefer drugs and a work-free lifestyle;
Only alt-left Libetards think we don’t do enough for them.
We should help the helpless, and do something else with the ‘will not’ people.
Thanks again!
If truth is inconvenient, and lies bring you comfort, vote Steve Edwards For Supervisor!
Tell him it is time to put up or shut up!
I guess ad hominem attacks will have to do for the whacky, alt-left libetards, for they have no reasonable comebacks for the argument put forth that asserts we already help the homeless enough, the progressive/communists are morally bankrupt.
Help the helpless, as we are a compassionate society.
DO NOT HELP the ‘Homeless-by-Choice’ Drug Bums, that is their choice.
No Homeless Occupation of Parks and Libraries.
Jobs are Aplenty, if the ‘Will Not’s’ won’t work, kick them off public aid.
Respect Taxpayers.
Steve Edwards for Supervisor, because it’s about time he got a job. And who cares if he doesn’t live in San Luis Obispo County?
Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Same Loser Ideologies. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
I think our ‘friend’, Rightweird, must either be off his meds again, or he has a serious substance abuse issue, please know that there is help available for either, good health is both physical and mental. 🙂
Nice try, fella, but our local so-called progressives have lost the respect and admiration of our community as they have embraced more and more radical causes, we need a government that pursues mainstream values which support working families. Radicalism may be woke but results in high taxes, big government and lost freedom.
Our country didnt fight and win wars against fascism and communism only to roll over and let willing dupes empower low-information voters to ruin the progress of the last 70 years. We didnt dismantle those failed ideologies only to unleash a failed ideology Right here in America. The American people deserve better than a government out-of-touch with working families, and economic and political freedom are our birthrights.
Lets learn the lessons of the failed progressive experiments in Portland, Minneapolis, New York City and Chicago. These towns, with their failed progressive leaders, have suffered from BLM/Antifa anarchy, looting and violence, high crime rates and random violence. Lets reject their dark and failed prescription for our community and our country.
Blue Lives Matter
Reject BLM/Antifa Lawlessness
No Critical Race Theory Taught in Public Schools
End Abortion-on-Demand: Babys Lives Matter
Stop BLM Highway 101 Shutdowns: No Violence Against Travelers
Prosecute Tianna Arrata & Alex Catlett: Hate Criminals
Reject Progressive/Communists Trolls
No Homeless Drug Bums Occupying our Public Spaces
RIP Brave Officer Luca Benedetti
Fly Thin Blue Line Flags
Stop AOC/Ilian Omar, Heidi Harmon & James Paulding: Phony Politicians
Support Law & Order/Healthy Communities
Reject Progressivism=Socialism=Communism
Reject Envy & Class/Race Warfare
Protect Election Integrity: Require ID When Voting
Reject Voting Suppression: Count Every Lawful Vote
Progressivism=Socialism=Communism. Same Loser Ideologies. Progressivism=Socialism=Communism.
Steve Edwards for Supervisor… Because his mom needs her basement back.
Steve Edwards for Supervisor… If you don’t like social Security, police departments, fire departments, water and sewer service, publicly funded highways and other socialist programs and services. Make the United States more like hell on Earth…Vote for Steve Edwards
“”Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” -Mark Twain
Reject Progressivism=Socialism= Communism.
Steve edwards is right…as usual