GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XXXV
GOVERNMENT
Paso Robles Councilmen Decline Mask Mandate The councilmen were supported by the community following the decision By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES—Following the closed session of the Paso Robles City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1, two Councilmen gave statements announcing they will no longer be wearing a mask. The two said they will participate in meetings virtually, while masks are still required by Mayor Steve Martin. Councilman John Hamon, said his decision came after Mayor Martin said he would now request everyone to wear masks in the council chambers. “We don’t wear masks anywhere else together,” said Hamon. “It’s more of a sign of compliance. That is the main reason that the County and the State and Federal are mandating it because it’s more of a control thing at this point. The masks do not keep the spread away from others.” Councilman Hamon spoke with Mayor Martin prior to the meeting, informing the Mayor that he would make the statement and leave the meeting. However, neither of them knew Councilman Steve Gregory would also make the decision to leave the meeting. Since the meeting, Councilman Hamon says he has received an outpouring of support from the community, “Our citizens are tired of this, and they need to see an elected official, somebody, say something. And that’s what I did.” Councilman Gregory told Paso Robles Press that he had been thinking about making a stand against mandated masks for a while now. He notes that both he and Councilman Hamon have not been wearing masks to City Council meetings for weeks. He says, “I’m very responsiCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
SPORTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EVENT
Father-Daughter Dances Bring Smiles to the Community
The dances kicked off a month of Valentine’s Day fun By CAMILLE DEVAUL and CHRISTIANNA MARKS
NORTH COUNTY — Every year, father figures and the young ladies in their lives look forward to dressing up and attending the annual Father and Daughter Dances hosted by the City of Atascadero and the Main Street Dance Company in Templeton. In the Paso Robles and Templeton area, Main Street Dance Company hosted the Sweetheart Ball at Life Community Church. The dance company has hosted the Sweetheart Ball for roughly five years, despite taking a break last year to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. This year’s Sweetheart Ball was held on Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5. Both nights
Main Street Dance Company has hosted the Sweetheart Ball for roughly five years; little girls’ fathers plan for this night, creating memories that will last their whole lives (left). Local dad and his daughter get dressed up and ready for a night full of memories together (right). Contributed photos
were open to all ages. The proceeds benefit Main Street Dance Company dancers and help pay for convention classes and scholarship auditions. “It was easy to say no this year, there’s COVID surge,” says Jocelyn Willis, owner
and instructor at Main Street Dance Company, “but to offer events for fathers and daughters and the importance of what that means to a little girl’s life is so important. It’s just valuable.” Professional photos and
refreshments were offered at the ball. Willis says usually their Sweetheart Ball sells out, but this year’s tickets were limited for COVID precautions. That didn’t stop the community from showing up and having fun in Paso Robles.
After a brief pause in 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Atascadero dance returned for its 17th annual year, coming back with more support than ever. On Friday, Feb. 4, the CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EDUCATION
BUSINESS
Restaurants Remove Parklets in Paso
Dual Immersion Program Moves to New Glen Speck Campus Board holds moment of silence for teen victim of train collision By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
All parklets were removed from downtown Paso Robles by February 1. Photo by Camille DeVaul
its peak, more than 20 parklets cil that seven parklets had been Some also mentioned the Parklets were first were installed in place of roughly removed from downtown, free- parklets only benefit some of approved by City ing up approximately 15 park- the downtown restaurants. Council in June 2020 60 parking spots. By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Tuesday, Feb. 1, was the deadline for all parklets to be removed in Downtown Paso Robles. The first parklets went up in June 2020. The City approved the parklet program as a way for restaurants to remain open and comply with tight COVID pandemic restrictions on indoor dining. During
COMMUNITY
Council originally approved the temporary parklet program to end on Nov. 1, 2021. However, City Manager Ty Lewis extended the program for 90 days for businesses to continue using them if they wanted, making the new removal date Jan. 31. His reason for extending the program was due to public demand and rising COVID case status. Then, during the City Manager update on the Nov. 3, 2021, Lewis informed Coun-
HISTORICAL
ing spaces. There were then 19 parklets remaining in the Downtown area. In previous City meetings, Council heard mixed opinions from the public on the parklet program. In Aug. 2021, Downtown Paso restaurant owners said they wanted to keep the parklet program because tourist customers feel more comfortable eating outside. Other locals requested the parklet program to end to relieve more parking spaces.
WEEKLY FEATURE
During that same City meeting, Councilmember John Hamon said, “I am personally not going to support any permanent parklet until the City designs or plans or approves some additional parking structure or parking areas. I cannot see taking away downtown parking, which was so critical.” Odyssey World Cafe on Pine Street removed their parklet last week, and owner Anna Rodriguez says they have already seen CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8. A moment of silence was observed for a Paso Robles teenage girl, Genesis Guerrero, who lost her life in a fatal collision with a train Monday night. Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Gaviola gave a few words, “Last night, our community lost a precious child. Genesis was a loving friend, sister, and daughter. During this heartbreaking time of grief, our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, all of her friends, and our Flamson and Virginia Peterson staff.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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