Timeline

Trustees at Cuesta College, by a unanimous vote, agree to eliminate ten programs and reduce twelve others in order to save nearly $800,000 annually. It is just one in a series of on-going efforts by the college to restore its favorable accreditation status.

December 12 The Mayan calendar ends with no nuclear blasts or alien invasions. But, Congress, not to be outdone, creates a lot of unnecessary drama with its “Fiscal Cliff.” Fortunately, unless you make over $400,000 per year, everything remains pretty much the same. And, if you do make more than $400,000 things are going to be… pretty awesome!

UC Davis Pavement Research Center (seriously, pavement gets its own research center?) agrees to have a look at Caltrans’ recent work on Highway 1 after local cyclists raise concerns over the resurfacing work from Cambria to the Monterey County line. Cyclists, who call it “a travesty” in their online petition, claim that the “chip sealing” process created a bumpy surface with larger than usual rocks, which can be dangerous if they are kicked up by passing cars.

December 21 January 8

December 19 December 31

County Supervisor Adam Hill fires off an email about local businessman Bill Thoma, who is leading the opposition to construction of a homeless services center on South Higuera (next to the government services center). In the letter, Hill resorts to namecalling and character assassination. He follows it up the next day with a lengthy justification for his first email. Hill then reverses course and apologizes on his Facebook page. The music comes to an end for local financier, Al Moriarty, who, facing 19 civil lawsuits including fraud, breach of contract, and elder abuse, files for bankruptcy claiming $22 million in debts to $3.7 million in assets, including two Cadillacs and one Dodge Ram Van.

Judge Charles Crandall awards local attorneys Stewart Jenkins and Saro Rizzo $130,000 in legal fees for their work in discharging tickets written for overnight homeless vehicle camping in the City of SLO. City Council, by a 4-1 vote (Mayor Jan Marx dissented) offers to waive its right to appeal if the attorneys give half of the award to CAP SLO, operator of the Prado Day Center. The offer is summarily rejected, bringing the City’s tab to around $270,000, which includes the legal fees paid to an Oakland-based firm to represent it in court.

January 17 Claiming it was “one of the biggest [storms] I’ve seen in my meteorological career,” local weatherman, John Lindsey, sent us this photo taken in Cayucos. The storm was powerful enough to make the legendary Maverick’s International surf competition in Half Moon Bay possible that weekend. When Peter Mel of Santa Cruz won the $50,000 prize, in an incredible show of goodwill, he split it with his six competitors.

January 20

January 12 January 20

The SLO City Library is packed with locals who attend a standing-room-only open forum to address homelessness. Although opinions vary about how to handle the problem, Dee Torres, head of the Prado Day Center, gets right to the point proclaiming that, “We are in crisis.” SLO Chamber declares Phyllis Madonna its Citizen of the Year—rumor has it that she celebrated the award that night by “painting the town pink.” January 23

SLO City Councilman, Andrew Carter, announced half-way through his term that he is resigning his seat to become the city administrator of Guadalupe. Carter was known for his vocal leadership in the repeal of binding arbitration, and he flirted with a run for mayor last year. SLO LIFE