Phil Dirkx
The Tribune
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Past articles by Phil:
Why I’m voting no on Measure G, gas tax repeal — but keeping an open mind
California and San Luis Obispo County voters have decisions to make in the Nov. 2018 election on Measure G, an oil drilling and fracking ban, and Proposition 6, which take away gas tax funding for road repairs. → Read More
A dollar sure doesn’t go far these days. Here’s where it got me back in 1935
The value of a dollar today sure isn’t what it used to be in 1935, writes SLO Tribune columnist Phil Dirkx. He learned that through an unfortunate accident living through the Great Depression. → Read More
It’s hot now, but do you remember when a snowstorm hit SLO County 30 years ago?
In 1988, a December snowstorm stranded residents and travelers alike on both sides of the Cuesta Grade, from Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo, writes columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
SLO County mental health care needs help
San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury reports published in May 2018 show lacks in mental health care provided by the Behavioral Health Department, including a crowded and unsafe psychiatric facility. We need a proper hospital, Tribune columnist Phil Dirkx says. → Read More
Paso Robles' 'sanctuary state' debate is about fear
Paso Robles residents who came out against and in support of California's "sanctuary state" law showed that the immigration debate on both sides is about one thing: fear. → Read More
SLO Tribune columnist told Trump to talk to North Korea
President Donald Trump is reaching out to North Korea and is willing to talk to Kim Jong Un, which is what Paso Robles columnist Phil Dirkx challenged him to do. → Read More
Cal Poly student in blackface photo doesn't deserve a degree
Cal Poly SLO should not award a degree to Kyler Watkins, the student in the blackface photo, until he proves he understands the history of black oppression in America, writes Paso Robles, CA, columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
Nacimiento Lake water isn’t lost — it’s just going to the Salinas Valley
Nacimiento Lake is at less than half capacity as water releases go to Salinas Valley farmers and communities. → Read More
‘I’m hungry. I didn’t have breakfast today,’ she said. That was my first Alzheimer’s clue
Doctor column on Alzheimer’s disease triggers memories of his wife’s illness, when he first noticed and how it progressed over 10 years. → Read More
Deported Grover Beach woman should have applied for citizenship
Neofita Valerio-Silva, the Grover Beach mother deported to Mexico after living in the U.S. for 25 years, should have applied for citizenship before being deported, writes Phil Dirkx. → Read More
Joy of giving is still authentic even as Christmas becomes more artificial
The era of online Christmas greetings and gift cards instead of personalized presents doesn’t take away from the joy of giving during the holiday season, writes Phil Dirkx. → Read More
Here’s who should pay to shut down Diablo Canyon — and it’s not you and me
Shareholders — not ratepayers — should pay the costs to shut down Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, including the $85 million to help SLO County’s economy, writes columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
'Payday' lending to be reduced by new federal rules
New rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could reduce “payday” lending by as much as 66 percent, writes Paso Robles columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
More will die on this stretch of Hwy. 101 unless we demand change
The death of Paso Robles grape grower Richard Sauret on Highway 101 at Wellsona Road demands a public campaign for change. Here’s who to write. → Read More
Trump wrong calling North Korea diplomacy a waste of time
President Trump was wrong when he urged his secretary of state to stop “wasting his time” talking to North Korea, writes Paso Robles columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
Paso Robles High School football losing coaches and games
With the Paso Robles High School football team at 0-3 and on its fourth head coach in two years, perhaps the district should de-emphasize the risky sport. → Read More
Paso hot spell, Gulf Coast flooding signal climate change
Tribune columnist Phil Dirkx says 10 straight days of 100-plus temperatures in Paso Robles and Gulf Coast floods are evidence that climate change is real. → Read More
Emergency call from 'grandson' in jail was a scam
Beware scam callers who masquerade as family members claiming they need money for an emergency, writes Paso Robles columnist Phil Dirkx. → Read More
Can we solve tough issues together? Our survival depends on it
Columnist Phil Dirkx of Paso Robles says that our ability to survive as a human race depends on our ability to tackle tough issues together worldwide. → Read More
Memories of my wife ‘comfort and encourage me and ... break my heart’
Mamie Woods Dirkx, wife of Tribune columnist and Paso Roblan Phil Dirkx, died July 4th. Among her jobs: The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. → Read More