GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XXIII
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023
ELECTIONS
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EDUCATION
VETERANS DAY
Countdown to Paso Robles District Cemetery hosts Veterans Day California’s ceremony, honoring local heroes across generations March Primary: Nomination period opens Second safety for federal, inspection state, and local offices coming for
Georgia Brown
Nomination period opened Nov. 13 for candidates joining race for California Primary Election on March 5, 2024
Moment of silence held for former Superintendent Dr. Julian Crocker By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Next year brings a presidential election, and San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elena Cano is looking forward to and preparing for the additional public engagement that naturally comes with such an election. The nomination period opened on Monday, Nov. 13, for candidates looking to join the race for the California Primary Election on March 5, 2024. The nomination period closes Dec. 8, allowing individuals interested in running for Congress, the State Legislature, County Board of Supervisors, and local partisan offices to file their candidacy. Leading up to the new election cycle, Cano emphasizes the importance of transparency and accessibility, inviting the public to visit the Clerk-Recorder’s Office and observe during the counting process. “It’s definitely important to me that people know that what we do to conduct an election is on behalf of them,” Cano said. “It’s their votes. It’s accessible, it’s transparent ... they can come and watch.” Up for election and directly affecting SLO County are the following: • District 1 Board of Supervisor • District 3 Board of Supervisor • District 5 Board of Supervisor • Superior Court: Offices 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 Federal Voter Nominated Offices: • President/Vice President • United States Senator (2) • Representative in Congress 19th District CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
EVENT
Unidentified veterans stand in salute during patriotic songs at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony at Paso Robles District Cemetery. Photo by Camille DeVaul
World War II veterans share reflections on sacrifice, service, and the ongoing need for a strong military force
Cemetery to acknowledge and give thanks to our local veterans. This Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11, the Paso Robles District Cemetery welcomed back its Veterans Day CereBy CAMILLE DEVAUL mony. Each year, the cemetery camille@pasoroblespress.com creates the Avenue of Flags PASO ROBLES — Last throughout the grounds to pay Saturday, the community gath- tribute to our veterans. Addiered at the Paso Robles District tionally, the flags are accompa-
nied by a ceremony conducted at 11 a.m. sharp, with notable speakers, bands, and a flyover by the Warbirds Museum. It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — 104 years ago — World War I ended with an armistice signing between the Allies and Germany. Twenty years later, on May 13, 1938, that Nov. 11
was anointed as Armistice Day and proclaimed as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” Master of Ceremonies and VFW Post Commander VFW10965 Salvador Cota welcomed the public to the service, which included an invocation by American Legion Post CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
EVENT
Nutcracker dancers on display for annual Elegant Evening Downtown merchants welcome guests as traditional event promotes shopping small for the holidays By BECCA SLIGH Paso Robles Press Contributor
PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles’ traditional start to the holiday season began last Saturday, Nov. 11, with merchants opening their doors for Elegant Evening. Activities ranged from members of Paso Robles High School’s marching band playing in Norma’s Alley to performances by dancers from Artistry In Motion doing various performance numbers for onlookers. Elegant Evening is said to be the start of Paso’s Christmas Story, as it’s the first Christmas-themed event that gets everyone excited for the holidays. Almost all stores that participated had elaborate decorations. Firefly, as well as The General Store located in the heart of downtown Paso
Robles, both spent countless hours building and decorating for the big night and will keep their decorations up well into the New Year. Most shops also offered food and wine pairings to those shopping and strolling. “This is probably our favorite downtown event,” says Bill
Haley of the Haley & Co. clothing store located at 1309 Park St. “We love hanging out and getting extra foot traffic,” said Haley, who also mentions he loves this event since it’s free to those who attend and anyone can join.
Elegant Evening not only kicks off the holiday season in Paso Robles but it also promotes shopping at local small businesses. Garrett Wesch, owner of Kahunas, shares how his shop makes Elegant Evening
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
WEATHER
The staff of Firefly enjoyed the festivities at last Saturday’s Elegant Evening. Photos by Becca Sligh
CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
PASO ROBLES — A moment of silence was held for the former superintendent of the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) and San Luis Obispo County superintendent of schools, who passed away last week. Dr. Julian Crocker served the county for 16 years before retiring in 2015. He served as the PRJUSD superintendent for nine years and took on the interim superintendent role in 2019. Current PRJUSD Superintendent Dr. Curt Dubost shared his condolences in a Facebook post, describing Crocker as “the classiest educator” and one of the most admirable men he had the privilege of knowing. In remembrance of Crocker, his family has requested that donations be made to the Julian Crocker Community Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be sent to the fund through the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, located at 550 Dana St. in San Luis Obispo. The PRJUSD Board of Trustees approved the base pay salary for the new superintendent — who has not been chosen yet and will start in July of next year. The base pay for new superintendent will be at $215,000. The new salary was passed unanimously by the board. Additionally, the Superintendent Search Subcommittee will hold a meeting to receive public input in January. More details on the meeting will be available in December. Concerns about the safety of the Georgia Brown (36th Street) campus have prompted increased concerns from the community, citing possible “structural” weaknesses in CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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