SAVE ATASCADERO
(FORMERLY OPPOSE WAL-MART) UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
Contact us at info@opposewalmart.com or go to
opposewalmart.com or saveatascadero.com
(Please notify us of email address changes)
- TOWN HALL MEETINGS SCHEDULED LOCALLY
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 350.org ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT
- No Wal-Mart Supercenter Proposal submitted to date
- CITY COUNCIL’S REPEAL OF VOLUNTARY “ATASCADERO CAMPAIGN ORDINANCE”
- CITY COUNCIL SECOND READING OF TOBACCO BAN IN CITY PARKS
- CITY APPROVES LASER TAG BEHIND NEW HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL IN ATASCADERO
- Panel on Homelessness, Hunger and Hunger Walk in Atascadero
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- TOWN HALL MEETINGS SCHEDULED LOCALLY
For those interested in Health Care Reform:
Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s health care town-hall meeting has been moved to the Mid-State Fair Grounds, Paso Robles Events Center (Building 2).
Date: This coming Wednesday, September 2nd.
Time: Plan to arrive at 4:30 to get a seat.
The event runs from 5:30 pm until 7 pm. You do not have to live in the 22nd congressional district to attend this event. Also, it is not required that you RSVP with Rep. McCarthy’s office. You do not need a ticket. Anyone can attend. Just show up.
LOIS CAPPS TOWN HALL MEETING IN SLO: The information session in San Luis Obispo will be at 6 p.m. Thursday 9/3, at San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks St., SLO.
In addition to Capps, Pastor Jane Voigts, Dr. Rushdi Abdul Cader and Lippmann will speak and answer questions, and consultant Don Maruska will moderate. The church seats about 250 people, according to Capps’ office. Arrive early for seat.
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR “350.org” ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT
350.org EVENT
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 IN ATASCADERO SUNKEN GARDENS
(in front of City Hall)
Time:
This is a free event and all are invited.
The 350.org, AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION is being held in response to global warming. Read on for an explanation of what “350.org” represents and its importance to our community as part of the world community.
There is a strong consensus among climate scientists that the earth’s climate is being changed by the increasing levels of carbon dioxide. The increasing levels of carbon dioxide (a “green house gas”) are the result of us humans, burning more and more coal and petroleum products. The carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, traps heat and causes temperatures to rise. The most recent scientific work shows that the amount of carbon dioxide must be kept below 350 parts per million (ppm) or the climate will be changed in drastic and harmful ways over the next 50 years. This level is currently at 388 and rising rapidly. We must act immediately to get back to an acceptable level if we are to avoid the flooding, droughts, and plant/animal species extinction that the high levels of greenhouse gases cause.
350.org is an organization formed to call attention to the urgent need for the nations of the world to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere to 350 parts per million. For more information and updates about the 350.org, go to the website www.350.org. To volunteer to help, please call 466-2220.
350 signifies the safe upper limit of co2 in our atmosphere and represents people around the globe fighting to stop climate change and to remake our world. 350.org on October 24th is a celebration of what our local communities have been doing to support 350.org. There will also be a band/music fair at the event.
A follow up event that supports “350.org” is Earth Day
EARTH DAY NORTH COUNTY WILL BE CELEBRATED AT THE LAKE PARK IN ATASCADERO ON APRIL 18, 2010. Mark your calendars.
- No Wal-Mart Supercenter Proposal submitted to date. City Staff advises it will be soon. It has been over a 9 months wait now for the final proposal.
- CITY COUNCIL’S REPEAL OF VOLUNTARY “ATASCADERO CAMPAIGN ORDINANCE” went forward with second reading approval and a vote of 4-1—Mayor Beraud voting against the repeal.
The last CC’s (Brennler, Beraud and Luna), by this ordinance, attempted to bring contribution transparency to the voters and level the playing field so that a campaign can be run at a voluntary expenditure of $12,000, far less than $25,000 which is becoming the norm.
This CC majority did not allow the ordinance to be tested and have voted to remove it from the Municipal Code.
- CITY COUNCIL SECOND READING OF TOBACCO BAN IN CITY PARKS
Atascadero City Council has voted once unanimously (with Jerry Clay absent) to ban tobacco in city parks. At the second reading Tues., Aug. 11th the CC voted 4-1 to accept the ban in all city parks. Jerry Clay argued against the ban. Many members of the community spoke in favor of the ban.
- CITY APPROVES LASER TAG BEHIND NEW HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL IN ATASCADERO
Yes, you read right. The CC approved a zone change so that a laser tag business which will be open late into the evening hours if not 24 hours to be built behind the new hotel. The owner and manager from the Holiday Inn Expess asked the CC not to approve this business unless there was a 9:00 o’clock closing. As it stands Laser Tag will have a minimal tax benefit to the city but will cause noise in the residential area and for hotel patrons.
The hotel has already provided over $100,000 in tax revenue to the City. Oh well! The owner of the hotel is not happy and who could blame him if he doesn’t invest his money in the city again. He has already invested 8 million in the hotel.
This is an example of spot zoning to accommodate the property owner and ignore investors of the hotel. Hotel owner and manager were also shut out of meetings with City Planners and with CC members Clay and Kelley who met with the developer in the months leading up to the issue coming before the CC.
It was stated during this property discussion that the pad next to the hotel is slated for a sit down restaurant but that designation lasts for one year. Let’s see what gets built there.
- Hunger Walk in Atascadero Sunday, Oct. 11
Atascadero Walk to Fight Hunger sponsored by
Central Coast Clergy and Laity for Justice
Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals can walk in support if this Hunger Walk which we hope will become a 1st Annual here in Atascadero. Hunger Walks are happening in many cities in the county.
The Food Bank and Atascadero Loaves and Fishes are two organizations that will benefit from this fund raiser. As you know the food pantries have been severely taxed by more homelessness and unemployment.
Please sign up to help and to get more information.
Call Anneka at 528-7025 or email at anneka12@aol.com for more information.
