During Lynn Compton’s interview in a recent New Times piece, she referenced the San Luis Obispo Tribune viewpoint that I wrote criticizing the SLO County Board of Supervisor’s failure to adopt reasonable, broadly supported affordable housing policy.
While I would have welcomed a thoughtful, respectful counter-argument regarding the decision, instead she quipped “You picked a profession that’s not a highly paid profession, social services. You picked that profession, you come out of Cal Poly, and we owe you a house? No, sorry, kiddo. Doesn’t work that way.” Respectfully, Mrs. Compton, did you even read my opinion piece?
In the viewpoint, I shared my experience as a college graduate who must work two jobs to afford one room in an apartment. I shared my family’s experience—which mirrors those of many young families—who struggle to put down roots in this community. I shared the experience of homeless youth who are left behind and live on the streets of your district.
We aren’t asking for a house or a handout; we are hardworking people who want to earn our way. However, the status quo that you desperately protect fails to offer any foothold for those of us who are searching for opportunity in this county.
Your opponent Jimmy Paulding not only understands the members of his community, but he actually advocates for them. He stands with those who are fighting for clean air in Nipomo, or who are working to better the community of Oceano, or who are just plain tired of sitting in unreasonable traffic on Tefft Road and Highway 101.
It is for this reason that I took your advice and pursued a new career. Recently, I quit my job and am now working for Jimmy’s campaign. Working people need a leader who will listen to and be a champion for their constituents, not one who derides them.
Sincerely,
A ‘Kiddo’ for Jimmy Paulding
James Sofranko
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Mar 22 – Apr 1, 2018.
I heard the radio show the letter writer tells us about and I was also appalled by the openly condescending and arrogant attitude freely expressed by Lynn Compton who continually judges a persons value to our community and worthiness for respect by the size of their bank account or land holdings.
Comptons comments were shameful but her attitude was shameless.
Seriously, what good has Compton done for our community? Shes had her chance and has revealed her true colors and her failings, sowing more division,discord and unfairness throughout the county. Our community deserves to give someone else a fresh chance to do the job that she has not been able to do well.
Thank you, James Sofranko, for your excellent retort to Ms. Comptons’ arrogance. As I wrote before, she dances to her COLAB puppetmasters, and shows little compassion for working people. When she voted a few months ago to make all the little people pay for the 6 Million $$ ground water study in North County that the big Ag folks involved had ALREADY AGREED TO PAY FOR, she showed her true colors. Yep, you folks down in South county are now paying for Paso Robles water studies. Don’t think that is fair?? Vote Jimmy Paulding in June, make the needed change happen.
Her use of the word “kiddo” is a tell. Lynn Compton is seething with contempt–always–for anyone who sees things differently. Those who’ve worked with her have seen her literally screaming, red-faced, veins bulging out on her head, when she is dissatisfied. No one needs that. I fear for her family, if at home she is anything like she is at work. Adam Hill recognized that he had issues with depression and how it was expressed in anger; Compton has no such self-awareness. She is a cancer in the body politic, and must be defeated.
One thing you can say about Lynn Compton and her supporters … they are not masters of understatement. Recently Compton told NT multiple times in an on-the-street interview in front of her office that others on the Board “want to destroy me”. More recently, Laura M. wrote to the SLO Tribune that “Without Lynn Compton, 4th District Would Starve”.
Thin-skinned, hyperbolic politicians — especially highly partisan ones — will never create or support the kind of deliberative, fair-minded atmosphere which is the design for California local governments and which San Luis Obispo deserves.
Please consider supporting and helping Jimmy Paulding bring his centrist approach to the 4th District and county in general.
Lynn, as a grown proffessinal women I expect more from you then “kiddo” and an disrespectful uneducated retort to Mr. Sofrankos statement. Intelligent and respectful dialogue is more than lacking in our society. As a professional women herself who also graduated from Poly and also has 2 jobs to afford to live here. I expect more educated and intelligent arguments other than a petty high school response. Social services may not make alot of money but is a respectful career choice thag shouldn’t be looked down upon from others who make more than us.
Sincerely another Cal Poly social services career choice 2 job to pay the bills “kiddo”