After reading “Morro Bay’s ruling majority lacks the founding spirit” (Jan. 23) by John Gajdos of Morro Bay, a thought occurred to me. While I believe I am as independent as the next person, I also am aware that I do not know everything—except that civilization and society are brought together by the joining of peoples.

This is mostly manifested in our government and politics, and, like a wise man said, all politics are local. There is such a roar in this town over our duly elected politicians in what appears to be a battle over the proposed wastewater treatment plant. I, for one, appreciate the input of our mayor and City Council members. The requirements were established by vote of the people of the state in 1972 (eight years after our incorporation) and subsequent re-enforcement in 1974 by the legislature of the Coastal Commission, whose mission statement declares to “protect, conserve, restore, and enhance environmental and human-based resources of the California coast and ocean for environmentally sustainable and prudent use by current and future generations.”

I don’t think that Mr. Irons or the government of Morro Bay has violated its independence or the “founding spirit” of Morro Bay by complying with the stipulations of the Coastal Commission; rather, they are abiding by what society has already required, and has since 1972.

One may not agree with the politics involved, but the solution rests at the ballot box on election day. Let’s accept what the founders of our fair city envisioned when the city was incorporated as a lawful member of the county of San Luis Obispo and a great city of the state of California. By Morro Bay concerning itself with the health of our waters, for our current and future generations to enjoy, it enhances our independence and founding spirit.

-- George Robertson - Morro Bay