Volume 28
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Issue 49
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May 18 - 31, 2017
YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR HANDS - YourBayNews.com LOS OSOS
MORRO BAY CAYUCOS
CAMBRIA
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Cayucos Shootist Wins Again Millions of dollars worth of steel, chrome and pure horsepower, cruised Morro Bay’s Downtown streets during Cruise Night on May 5; part of the 21st Annual Cruisin’ Morro Bay Car Show. More photos on Page 8. Photo by Neil Farrell
Osos CSD Customers Voting on Rate Hike By Neil Farrell
W
ater customers of the Los Osos Community Services District are being asked now to approve a substantial rate increase, which district officials said originally stems from a severe miscalculation. The principal reason for the rate increase, said CSD Board member Chuck Cesena, who along with CSD Director, Renee Osborne, were interviewed for this story, is because the consultant who determined the current rates only calculated in a 5-percent drop in consumption due to conservation. Instead, Cesena explained, in the face of a drought, the CSD’s customers conserved nearly 30% and revenues dropped. “When the Governor called for conservation,” Osborne said, “SLO County really did it.” Yes, it’s illogical — water rates are going up because customers are using less water in response to drought. But just as gasoline taxes fell behind the State’s road maintenance needs, because of the popularity of high mileage, hybrid and electric vehicles, which is the excuse for the recent gas tax hike, the CSD has bills to pay with a limited income stream — essentially, just water rates and property taxes. “It’s the same as with the gas taxes,” Cesena said. “The less gas sold means less taxes, and less maintenance gets done.”
See Rate Hike, page 14
City Manager Resigns By Neil Farrell
M
orro Bay City Manager David Buckingham’s tenure with the City came to a screeching halt Friday, when the City announced his sudden resignation effective June 26. Buckingham was immediately placed on paid administrative leave and will receive the 6-month severance package in his contract, despite the fact that he reportedly resigned voluntarily. A formal statement from the City Clerk’s office reads, “The City is committed to meeting the terms of Buckingham’s employment contract, including a 6-month severance provision, to allow him and his family to consider their options and opportunities to continue his 30-year career in public service. Buckingham’s annual salary is $160,000.” That means he’ll receive $80,000 in severance pay. And this, “Buckingham will be on paid administrative leave until his resignation becomes effective, in accordance with his employment contract and by agreement between the parties. During this period Buckingham has agreed to be a resource for the City to help ensure the smoothest possible transition in leadership.” Buckingham’s City email address was already shut down Friday morning, with the following auto-response message: “I am in transition to a new position. It has been a privilege and joy to serve Morro Bay as City Manager for the past three years. I will no longer be viewing email sent to this morrobayca.gov address.”
See City Manager, page 43
Page 12
Dinner and a Movie Page 38
Small Business Spotlight
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