Hometown News Since 1916
Good News Real News CALIFORNIA
VOL. CIII, NO. XLII
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
ATASCADERO LIBRARY TURNS 100 By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — Founded on Oct. 7, 1919, the Atascadero Library celebrated its 100th anniversary this month. The facility boasts of being one of the first five branches opened in the San Luis Obispo County branch library system. The book repository spent nearly a century in search of a proper home. According to local historian Joseph Carotenuti, the little hometown
library began in a “Girl Scout’s cabin” although where the cabin stood remains unknown. The humble library went on to be housed in the historic Rotunda building (now Atascadero City Hall), the Atascadero Bible Church when it was the town’s community center, and an assortment of other locations. For 95 years, the facility moved more than half a dozen times, collecting books like a tumbling snowball as it bounced from place to place. Through assistance from generous donors and the stalwartness of librarians, it finally
Atascadero Library staff members, from left to right, Cara Lajoie, Melanie Bales, Sally LaPorte, Jackie Kinsey, Donna Aragon, Laura Smith, Joey Ley, Charlie Arthur, and Barbara Haga. Photo by Mark Diaz
CONTINUED ON PAGE A12
New Dispatch Center Coming to Templeton?
OSPREY AT THE LAKE
SLOCSO, Cal Fire propose joint facility By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com
TEMPLETON — Cal Fire Cheif Scott Jalbert and Sheriff Ian Parkinson presented preliminary plans to the Templeton Area Advisory Group on building a co-located dispatch facility in Templeton. The proposed project combines Cal Fire and the sheriff ’s department’s separate dispatch operations to serve all of San Luis Obispo County. As of now, the Sheriff ’s dispatch handles all incoming 911 calls for the entire county which are then distributed to relevant stations. A fire emergency is first received by the sheriff ’s department and then sent to Cal Fire to handle the call. Both departments operating from one hub would increase efficiency. “A couple of years ago we had a discussion of how we take two aging centers and move them into one,” Parkinson said. “We think it’s much more efficient and safer for the community to have one center for when the 911 call comes in.” Both Jalbert and Parkinson said that each of their departments have outgrown their respective sites. A dispatcher’s worksite, known as pods, are packed with monitors that display information such as maps and traffic conditions. As technology has evolved over the past several decades, the facilities that house the pods did not. CONTINUED ON PAGE A12
Local photographer Rick Evans captured this photo of an Osprey eating a fresly-caught bass at Atascadero Lake this past Sunday, Oct. 27. Photo by Rick Evans
Colony House Museum Closes Temporarily
Historical Society blames transient activity By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com
ATASCADERO — In October, due to a rash of incidents involving drug activity, vandalism and aggressive behavior from the homeless population, the Atascadero Historical Society temporarily closed the Colony House Museum, located at 6600 Lewis Ave., Atascadero. President Jim Wilkins said that after several incidents the organization suspended museum operations until security measures can be put in place. “The homeless that congregate around the area tore apart our 104-110-year old fountain,” said Wilkins listing
The Atascadero Colony House Museum, located at 6600 Lewis Ave. will close temporarily due to disruptive transient activity in the area. INSET: An antique fountain once owned by Atascadero Founder E.G. Lewis was toppled by vandals. Photos by Luke Phillips some of the damage the tran- a drug deal gone bad. Wilkins sient population has done to noted that most of the volunthe facility. teers that run the museum are The decision came after a senior citizens and that the soperson ran into the museum ciety must prioritize the safety to hide from the police after of its docents.
TIME CHANGE
LOCAL
“It just got way out of hand,” said Wilkins in a phone interview, “there could be 30 at a time between park bridge over there and our backyard.” Wilkins said that the upkeep of the facility is an uphill battle with the amount of homeless who advertently and inadvertently harm the little cottage’s surroundings. He said ofttimes they get drunk or high and defecate on the property. The society is looking to raise approximately $3,000 for up to date security cameras and floodlighting that would help deter the criminal element. Though closed for general operation, the museum can still be book for private research appointments. To volunteer or book a research time, email atascaderocolonymuseum@gmail.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
City Council Forms Ad Hoc Committee on Mobile Home Issue
Rancho del Bordo residents ask for action By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council voted unanimously to address grievances aired by local residents concerning practices by a local mobile home park that they decried as “predatorial.” Brought up during the public comments portion at a September meeting, Mayor Heather Moreno formally agendized the matter for the Oct. 22 Council meeting. Citizens requested that the City introduce a space rent stabilization ordinance, also known as rent control, that would combat what they deemed as unfair rent practices. They also asked for a temporary moratorium on mobile home parks from raising rent until an SRSO could be set in place. Karen Levenway, a tenet at the Rancho del Bordo Mobile Home Estates, said that her property rent increased by 25 percent in one year with another expected increase coming soon. CONTINUED ON PAGE A12
atascaderonews.com
WEATHER
Don’t forget to
twitter.com/ @Atascadero_News
FALL BACK One Hour This Weekend!
facebook.com/ @AtascaderoNews
GOODBYE SENIORS Hounds set sights on postseason | B1
JASON MRAZ Brings Smooth Tunes to Vina Robles Ampitheatre | B8
A True Community Bank
FORECAST | A6
5
67808 24135
At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers. We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.
1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com
7