We had a movement going in Italy, asking people to keep going out and supporting local businesses, feeling that the government was overreacting, but in hindsight this was not a great plan.
Category: Opinions
Post
Opinion: School Closure Now
"The school district has a key role to play in stopping the tsunami of illness and death that is heading our way by moving classes online. When you look back years (or even weeks) from now, you will be glad that you moved swiftly and decisively at this moment."
Post
Sustainable City News Endorses YOU
As the March 3rd Election approaches, numerous media outlets of varying size and distribution method are endorsing candidates for offices at every level of government. Sustainable City News will not be one of them. Instead, we are wholeheartedly endorsing voting.
Post
Opinion: Yes on Measure W
Barring major cuts to the city budget, MEASURE W is the only way Whittier can continue to provide the services we rely on while working to solve some of our most pressing issues.
Post
Opinion: Senate Bill 50 Failed and My Generation Still Has No Place to Live
Moving back home to Downey, California was a tough transition but was going to be a short one, I assumed. “This is temporary!” I assured my mom, who only had a couch to offer me. “No need to unpack the boxes, I’ll be out of here in no time.” A year later and I’m still living at home.
Post
Opinion: Homes For Whittier Says We Should Build Granny Flats
Honestly, having a legally sound ADU ordinance is just the beginning. Whittier should be actively promoting ADUs (e.g. City website, bill inserts, Park and Rec classes), letting people know that building one is an option, making sure fees are reasonable and in line with other cities, making standard plans available and making low-interest loans or other financial help available for construction.
Post
Resolving to Do Better on Homelessness
A public safety response to homelessness is neither effective nor fiscally responsible. Ordinances that disproportionately impact people with nowhere else to be, when they are otherwise committing no crime, shouldn’t exist. Period.
Post
A Call for Civility at City Hall
Tolerating hate speech, yelling, and clapping at Whittier City Council meetings is uncivil and invites lawlessness. The editor of Sustainable City News calls on City Council to make Public Comment safe by standing firm for civility.
Post
A Journalist’s Welcome to Sustainable City News
I salute the founders of this paper on their mission to spread the gospel of Whittier, at a time when we need to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable more than ever before — and at a time where too many want to comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted.
Post
Opinion Editorial: Whittier’s Mayor Is Right—But Also Wrong
The fastest way to add affordable housing at the lowest cost to the city is through gentle densification. The state has helped us by allowing ADUs ("back houses" and "granny flats") to be added in areas zoned for single-family residences.
The City of Whittier can facilitate homeowners’ adding these units at little or no cost to the city just by setting and meeting a goal to issue at least 100 ADU building permits every six months.