As one of the co-founders of the 1996 “Citizens’ Clean Campaign Coalition of San Luis Obispo County,” I am very pleased to see that Mike Byrd has stepped up to shine a light on the need for civility in our county—especially among candidates running for office and current office holders (“I offer a pledge of civility,” Jan. 30).
I am not surprised, however, as I have known Mike over the years and have had discussions with him about civility.
Full disclosure compels me to tell you that I am a supporter of his supervisorial candidacy, and after reading his commentary I could not be prouder that I decided to support him.
Civil discourse is, in my view, one of the foundations of our democracy. If we are to move forward in a positive way as a community, we must be open to listening respectfully to the ideas of others. No one person has all of the answers, and if we close our minds to the opinions of others for whatever reason, and try to exclude them from public discussion, we all lose.
It is my hope that this commentary will begin an open and respectful discussion in the county for the need to insist that we all be civil to each other—not only for ourselves—but for future generations.
-- Trudy Jarratt - Arroyo Grande
-- Trudy Jarratt - Arroyo Grande
-- Trudy Jarratt - Arroyo Grande
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