GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. XLVIII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023
COUNTY
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HOLIDAY EVENT
CITY
Atascadero’s General Plan Update moves onto next steps
County staff recognized for over two decades of service upon retirement
A rough Draft Land Use Plan is currently in the works
Brenda Dye worked for SLO County for 38 years and Laurie Salo celebrates 28 years of service
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Two San Luis Obispo County staff members were recognized at the Tuesday, Dec. 5, board meeting for their retirement from the county after serving for over two decades. After 38 years of service, Brenda Dye officially retired from the county. Beginning her career as an intermediate typist clerk she rose and ended her career as the assessment manager. The resolution presented at the board meeting commended Dye for embodying the highest standards of dedication and professionalism in public service, particularly in fiscal and office administration, management, and exceptional service delivery. Dye was described by her colleagues as a leader who prioritized training, encouragement, mentoring, and advocacy for each member of her staff. Her leadership style was characterized by a consistent and caring approach, founded on the belief that every employee possesses the capacity to be knowledgeable, respectful, and helpful when serving the public. Dye’s positive impact extends beyond her immediate department, as she is recognized for fostering cooperation among various county departments, promoting efficiency, and approaching challenges with a spirit of mutual respect to “get the job done.” “She will be sorely missed,” said SLO County Assessor Tom Bordonaro. “She will never be replaced. And because of her unique ability to get the job done in a fair way and equitable way.” After hearing kind words from her colleagues, Dye kept it short and sweet, saying, “Thank you for the opportunity.”
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LOCAL NEWS
Santa Claus showed up for photo-ops with local kids at the Light Up the Downtown event in Atascadero. Photo by Rick Evans
Atascadero starts off December by lighting up City Hall and Sunken Gardens Atascadero Lake joined ities on Friday, Dec. 1. The Choir and the Atascadero that you’ve joined us tonight. night was combined with Community Band, before a We have a lot of holiday in the holiday fun, too By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atasc adero kic ked off December in style by drenching itself in Christmas lights. Light Up the Downtown started the weekend’s festiv-
the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Holiday Sip and Shop event, meaning there was holiday cheer for every age that evening. The event started at 5:30 with a performance from The Fine Arts Academy Honor
countdown that led to the Christmas lights on City Hall and in Sunken Gardens turning on. “ We l c o m e e v e r y o n e . Happy Holidays,” said Mayor Heather Moreno before the lights were turned on. “The City of Atascadero is so glad
activities coming up this month and this one’s kind of kicking it off and we’re excited that you are all here.” At the end of her speech, Moreno invited all the kiddos in the audience to come up to the steps of CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
TRADITION
New tree lighting tradition planted in Templeton
Templeton Presbyterian Church hosts community tree lighting in Templeton Park By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
TEMPLETON — A new tradition has been planted in Templeton Park. In October, the Templeton Presbyterian Church planted a 30-foot redwood in Templeton Park and on Sunday, Dec. 3, it was the fixture of Templeton’s tree lighting ceremony. “Ultimately, we want it to be a light for the whole community for people to have joy, for people to have excitement, and for all walks of life to celebrate and embrace what the season is all about,” said Templeton Presbyterian Church Pastor Roger Patton. A Tennessee native, Patton moved to Templeton with his family a few years ago. While getting to know his new community, he felt that a new tradition was needed in Templeton for Christmas. “I just have always loved
NEWS
Avelyn Walla, 7, holds a candle at the Templeton Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 3. In October, the Templeton Presbyterian Church planted a 30-foot redwood in Templeton Park. Photo by Val Walla
Christmas,” he said. “I’m a big kid at heart and I love the tradition ... I was just like what can we do as a church to spark something in this community.” In the first two years, the church brought in temporary cut trees first at the church and in the second year it was brought into the park with an official lighting ceremony. That inaugural year welcomed hundreds to witness
the lighting. Patton thanks the community for jumping into the next step by bringing a permanent tree to the park, including Derek Luff and Neil Roberts. This planting was organized by the fellowship and outreach ministry of the Templeton Presbyterian Church with the support of Will Wilkerson from the San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation.
The tree was found and planted by Whit Curtis of Whit’s-Turn Tree Care, and the heavy lift planting was done by Randall Clag and his tree truck. The Templeton Presbyterian Church was one of the first churches built in Templeton. According to the Templeton Historical Museum, “The first church was the First Presbyterian Church, chartered on
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
WEATHER
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ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero is currently in the middle of putting together its General Plan Update. Here is what the city has done so far and their current plan to move forward. “Cities are required to keep their General Plan up to date, the state requires that,” said Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore. “Our General Plan was last updated in 2002. The typical time frame for updating the General Plan is about every 20 years, so we’re definitely due.” Around three years ago the item was brought before the City Council to initiate the process of getting the funding to move forward in creating the new General Plan Update. The city then hired MIG, Inc. out of Pasadena. They’ve been working with the city for the last year and a half. “For the majority of that time we have been spending our time doing what we call Existing Conditions, which is a full analyzes of all of the city’s infrastructure, all the city’s road system, all the city’s land use plan, and all the city’s policies. And basically putting all that together so we understand the template we’re working from,” added Dunsmore. At the same time, the City of Atascadero has provided the community with plenty of outreach in both neighborhoods and at city events to make sure that the people who live there have a say in how things move forward. The city started its outreach with a booth at the 2022 Colony Days celebration and has gone forward since then, most recently with a General Plan Project Public Workshop on Oct. 14 at the Pavilion on the Lake. “We had an all-day workshop and we invited the public to come in and look at the information that we’ve gathered and [share] their thoughts about the future of Atascadero and where we should go,” Dunsmore continued. “Primarily from a CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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