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GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XIX
EDUCATION
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EVENT
SLO County Sheriff’s Host First Rodeo
AUSD Celebrates Retirees of the 2021-2022 School Year
May 15 thru 20 proclaimed Classified Employee Appreciation Week
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for their regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 17, A rider competes in the steer wrestling event May 14 at the SLO County Sheriff’s Rodeo in Paso Robles. Photo by Chuck and Vikki Photography/ATN at 7 p.m. following their 6 p.m. Closed Session. held its inaugural Sheriff ’s Commander Chad Nichol- gathered on the rodeo ground More than 4,000 Rodeo on Saturday, May 14. son said of the event, “Every- to dance during the concert. The board meeting started people came to the with Assistant SuperintenMore than 4,000 people were thing went phenomenal. It was “We wanted to produce a huge success.” a family-filled event for the dent of Human Resources rodeo on May 14 in attendance. Curt Eichperger giving recogThe first Sheriff ’s Rodeo was Held in the Grandstand community where the commuBy CAMILLE DEVAUL nition to the 2022 AUSD planned to debut in 2020 but Arena at the Paso Robles Event nity could come together and camille@atascaderonews.com Retirees. A total of 19 teachwas postponed twice to wait Center, the rodeo was followed celebrate togetherness, the sport ers and classified staff were SAN LUIS OBISPO through COVID-19 restric- by a concert performance of rodeo, law enforcement, and thanked for their years of COUNTY — The San Luis tions, but it was well worth the by country music duo Joe & the western way of life,” NichCONTINUED ON PAGE A15 Obispo County Sheriff ’s Office wait. Martina. Families and friends olson said.
SLO County Supervisors Will Not Propose Charter Government Public raises concerns over allocation of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grants By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
City staff and Pedal to the Garden attendees are shown in front of City Hall. Contributed photo
Bike Commuters of All Ages Participate in Pedal to the Garden
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — On Tuesday, May 17, Atascadero bike commuters of all ages met
on the Palma side of Sunken Gardens, in front of City Hall, to participate in Pedal to the Garden. The morning event lasted from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and alternative transportation enthusiasts were celebrated. Pedal to the Garden was a part of San Luis Obispo County’s Bike to Work Week, which takes place from May 16 through 20. “The city hosted, what we’re calling, Pedal to the Garden, which is a fun way of talking
SPORTS
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GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY
Morning event was a part of SLOCOG’s program for Bike Month
Eight different events were held at the rodeo finals: open team roping, sort n rope, #10 roping, breakaway, sorting, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and JR team roping. Contestants competed at the SLO Sheriff ’s Rodeo Qualifier event held at the RCR River Ranch
about a bike event, promoting some of our bike ridership here in the community,” said Public Works Analyst Ryan Betz. The event included a Bike Breakfast to thank members of the community who cycle to work. City staff was on pancake duty, while El Compadre Mexican Restaurant provided breakfast burritos, and Malibu Brew Coffee served the coffee. “It [Pedal to the Garden] is CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NEWS
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 17. During this meeting, supervisors considered the adoption of a resolution that proposed putting County Charter on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election. Many members of the public voiced their opinions on the possibility of transitioning to a county charter. San Luis Obispo County is currently a general law run county — as are the majority of counties in California. On Dec. 7, 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to proceed with the process to have the board consider the adoption of a County Charter to be considered on the
FEATURE
Nov. 8 election ballot. While general law counties mainly adhere to state laws as to the number and duties of elected officials, charter counties have a limited degree of “home rule” authority that may provide for the election, compensation, terms, removal, and salary of the governing board. The charter would not affect ruling over the sheriff ’s office. Current charter counties in California include Alameda, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Tehama. The majority of public commenters wished to keep the county’s government ruling the way it is and disagreed with moving forward with the possibility of a charter county. District 1 Supervisor John Peschong clarified, if put in place, no safeguards can be placed on the charter. It cannot be modified in any way. Following public comment,
Supervisor Peschong said he would not be supporting the charter proposal and motioned to postpone the subject indefinitely. However, he admitted, “I actually thought it was a pretty good idea when Orange County did it. But it does look like the Constitution does bar us from putting in some safeguards to allow it to happen. At the end of the day, it’s not a good idea.” District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold seconded the motion. District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson wanted to further pursue the conversation of independent redistricting but was supportive of not forcing staff and use of taxpayer dollars to further pursue the charter. Ultimately, all the supervisors approved Peschong’s motion to postpone the charter county proposal indefinitely. Concerns from the public were raised regarding the issuance of granted funds represented in consent agenda Item 9. Supervisors pulled the item CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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