Archive for November, 2009

SMALLER IS BETTER 11 09

November 23rd, 2009

SMALLER IS BETTER, BUT STILL WRONG SIZE: POLICIES and IMPACTS THE SAME

Wal-Mart’s announcement that it will be submitting plans for a “smaller” store in Atascadero, (still the size of two football fields plus), is a step in the right direction.  Apparently, Wal-Mart realized, as their competitors have, that a smaller store can be profitable and sustainable. But, the proposed project is still the wrong size.

Wal-Mart has told Wall Street analysts that it is now comfortable with the idea of building 70,000 s.f. superstores, which are less costly and more efficient for the company to maintain. (Al Norman,  HYPERLINK “http://www.sprawl-busters.com” www.sprawl-busters.com).

Shrinking the new proposal down to this smaller footprint would minimize traffic, air pollution and other environmental impacts, and reduce the economic and community impacts on the City.

However, changing the size doesn’t change corporate policies. These policies and impacts, because of which 10 to 32% of last year’s Atascadero voters will not be shopping at a Wal-Mart of any size, are still in place:  unsavory business practices, labor and environmental law violations, coercion, intimidation and unfair labor practices aimed at blocking union representation, low wages and poor benefits, driving force behind the massive loss of American manufacturing jobs and of locally owned small businesses across America.

Tom Comar, Spokesperson for  HYPERLINK “http://www.saveatascadero.com” www.saveatascadero.com (formerly Oppose Wal-Mart)

November 23, 2009

Comments Off »

Posted in Uncategorized

SPRAWL-BUSTER ON WM IN ATASCADERO

November 22nd, 2009

2009-11-22
Atascadero, CA. Wal-Mart Delays Process By Submitting A Smaller Superstore

On November 6, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart had ‘bought’ a victory at the polls in Atascadero, California. By using its corporate free speech rights, the retailer had spent a small fortune to turn back a citizens effort to put a cap on the size of retail stores. “We took on the 800-pound gorilla, took them to the mat. We ended up at the bottom this time, but there will be very many options for us in this long process before any supercenter will be built here,” said Tom Comar, one of the organizers of Opppose Wal-Mart, the group behind the “Yes on Measure D-08” initiative petition that appeared on the ballot last year in Atascadero. On October 5, 2008, Sprawl-Busters noted that Wal-Mart had spent big money on voter identification, TV ads, and other local organizing. Dozens of communities across California and the nation have used a size cap to limit the scale of new development in order to preserve character and quality of life, and to mitigate the adverse effects of traffic and environmental impacts. On December 18, 2007 local residents in Atascadero filed an initiative petition entitled “Taxpayers’ Initiative Ordinance To Reduce Costly Effects Of High Intensity Urban Development By Preserving Atascadero’s Unique Small Town Character.” Measure D-08, called the Atascadero “Shield Initiative”, would have prohibited commercial buildings in excess of 150,000 s.f., and prevented any store in excess of 90,000 s.f. from having more than 5% of its gross floor area dedicated to nontaxable goods, such as groceries. The voters of Atascadero on November 4, 2008 voted 68% against Measure D, and 32% for it. As many as 12,000 people turned out to vote. A spokesperson for the city of Atascadero said it could now move forward with a proposed Wal-Mart project—but opponents still had the entire permitting process in which to challenge the superstore’s impact on the city—and then ultimately the courts on appeal. One year ago, Sprawl-Busters predicted that the construction of a Wal-Mart supercenter was far from a done deal in Atascadero. This week, the Tribune newspaper reports that developers of the Wal-Mart superstore still don’t have a permit to build—and are now revising the store’s footprint to make it smaller. City officials met with Wal-Mart this week to review a plan that cuts the store size by nearly 40,000 s.f. Wal-Mart is eliminating the tire and lube center, cutting out the drive-through pharmacy, and lopping off some floor space for merchandise. The store will still include groceries, a company spokesman said. In January of 2009, the Atascadero City Council put out a request for proposals to study the economic impact of this project on the city. But now, with the store size changing, that impact study is on hold. The revised application now totals around 120,000 s.f., compared to the previous 157,000 s.f. plan. When Measure D-08 was being voted on, the supercenter at the time was 146,000 s.f. (to allow it to fit under the 150,000 s.f. cap that already existed for that specific site). But Atascader officials told Wal-Mart after the vote that they wanted the retailer to add back into their plan a drug store and auto center. This week Wal-Mart said those additions were no longer ‘feasible.’ Wal-Mart explained that the submission of a smaller store was not caused by the recession, but by the local site’s configuration. “To do a larger facility and maintain the two parcels included with it would require a significant amount of site work that just doesn’t make sense,” a Wal-Mart representative said. It also avoids having to ask the city to alter the existing limit on buildings at this site of 150,000 s.f. Wal-Mart added, “This project is very much about what is appropriate for the site design. It is about meeting the customer base and filling customer needs. The (environmental) study is the next major phase, and we needed to make sure that before we began that we were comfortable with the overall size of the store.” Wal-Mart’s size shift has further delayed the impact reviews which now must proceed using the new submission.

What you can do: After the Atascadero vote last year, one media outlet wrote: “The defeat of the measure will now allow large retail stores like Wal-Mart to soon set up shop in the area. This in turn will bring much-needed revenue to Atascadero in the form of tax money.” Both of these statements were pure speculation, since Wal-Mart opponents vowed to continue to battle any big box store that submitted a proposal, and tax revenues from a Wal-Mart will largely be drawn from lost revenues at existing merchants and grocers in the Atascadero trade area. “The environmental process usually takes over a year,” the city’s Communithy Development Director explained at the time, “so then there’ll be hearings and building permits. So we’re still a couple of years away of actually seeing any dirt moving out on the site to build the project.” That timetable assumes no legal action by opponents, which could delay any construction for another year or longer. While the media reported that Measure D’s defeat “derails a grassroots movement to prevent a Wal-Mart or any other large or warehouse-style store from building within city limits,” it didn’t really do that at all. The opponents remain in Atascadero, and are likely to be in the thick of the permitting process that unfolds in the months ahead. Wal-Mart has an application pending to build a Supercenter at Del Rio Road and El Camino Real. In March, 2008, the City Council voted to process Wal-Mart and The Rottman Group’s applications for a 146,000-s.f. store. The city now has to hire a firm to conduct an environmental review of the proposal, which must meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Review Act. The city has been frantic over its “slumping” sales tax revenue. “We need additional sales tax and Wal-Mart is offering to bring that,” one local official said. Readers are urged to email Atascadero Mayor Ellen Beraud at: eberaud@atascadero.org with the following message: “Dear Mayor Beraud, It is always a good thing when Wal-Mart comes in with a smaller store. Oppose Wal-Mart continues to raise the serious environmental and traffic issues that surround this project, which is still the wrong size. Big box chain stores will never bring you financial prosperity, and the more Atascadero fills up with box stores, the worse your crime and quality of life problems will become. Now that Wal-Mart has submitted a smaller footprint, it’s time to seriously consider asking them to shrink the store down to a size that will minimize traffic, air pollution, and other environmental impacts. It has taken years to get Wal-Mart to reduce its footprint. The retailer has told Wall Street analysts that it is now comfortable with the idea of building 70,000 s.f. superstores, which are less costly and more efficient for the company to maintain. Keep pressuring them to get more efficient in Atascadero.”

Comments Off »

Posted in Press

SAVE ATASCADERO UPDATE 9/01/09

November 22nd, 2009

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)

  1. TOWN HALL MEETINGS SCHEDULED LOCALLY
  2. MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 350.org ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT
  3. No Wal-Mart Supercenter Proposal submitted to date
  4. CITY COUNCIL’S REPEAL OF VOLUNTARY “ATASCADERO CAMPAIGN ORDINANCE”
  5. CITY COUNCIL SECOND READING OF TOBACCO BAN IN CITY PARKS
  6. CITY APPROVES LASER TAG BEHIND NEW HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL IN ATASCADERO
  7. Panel on Homelessness, Hunger and Hunger Walk in Atascadero

*****

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Comments Off »

Posted in Save Atascadero Updates

SAVE ATASCADERO UPDATE 11/09

November 22nd, 2009

SAVE ATASCADERO

(FORMERLY OPPOSE WAL-MART) UPDATE

NOVEMBER 20, 2009

Contact us at info@opposewalmart.com or go to

opposewalmart.com or saveatascadero.com

(Please notify us of email address changes)

  1. ATASCADERO ALERT FROM ELLEN BERAUD
  2. ATASCADERO QUARTERLY ART AND WINE TOUR DEC 4
  3. Documentary film, “RETHINKING AFGHANISTAN,” directed by Robert Greenwald to be shown in Atascadero, Thursday, January 21.

—–

I. ATASCADERO ALERT FROM ELLEN BERAUD-NOVEMBER 20, 2009

Dear Citizens,

There is an important agenda item for the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 24th: Item C-1 (likely starting around 7 or 7:30PM).  City Council Meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. The staff report recommends “the Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with PowerHouse Services Inc. to administer an ‘AB811′ program.”  This is the long-awaited program to enable citizen to voluntarily finance energy efficiency improvements and/or solar energy installations to be paid for over many years through their property taxes, thus avoiding large up-front costs.  The full staff report is available at the city’s website.

Not only will implementation of this program be a positive step towards fulfilling the City’s commitment under the Mayor’s Agreement on Climate Change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also help to create local green jobs and help citizens to save money on long term energy costs.

Please attend this City Council meeting, or contact the Council members and voice your support for this “voluntary opt-in” program to add valuable improvements to your home.

In addition, I intend to request a future agenda item for council action: a Council Resolution to Encourage Reduced Waste, by ending the use of plastic water bottles and Styrofoam products by the City.  There has been misinformation circulated that I was calling for a city-wide ban, which is incorrect.  This effort is an educational opportunity where the city will lead by example encouraging others to make positive changes in their business and family routines to reduce waste.

This will be my last meeting as Mayor.  The year has gone by already!

The December 8th meeting will start with the rotation of Mayor’s position and designation of the next Mayor Pro-Tem.  It’s mostly a social meeting with a short agenda.  Please come and voice your thoughts of the past year!

Sincerely,

Ellen Beraud

II. ATASCADERO QUARTERLY ART AND WINE TOUR DEC 4

Businesses, artists come together to host Atascadero’s quarterly Art and Wine Tour on Dec 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the city of Atascadero in conjunction with the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony to take place at 6 p.m. in Sunken Gardens.

The Atascadero Art Tour has been renamed to the Atascadero Art & Wine Tour and will include local wineries pouring at many of the participating galleries and businesses.

The idea is to keep local residents in town on a Friday night with something to do. While the majority of the participating businesses are concentrated in the historic Colony District, the tour is city-wide. This Art & Wine Tour is a great opportunity to get holiday shopping done early and spend money locally.

The tour is free and open to the public. It is an effort by local merchants and artists to bring something special to the city and area. More information will be posted at www.youngcurryphotography.com/arttour.

Any Atascadero businesses, gallery or organization is invited to participate, for more information about how to participate in future art tours, contact Heather Young Curry at 704-1126 or at heather@youngcurryphotography.com/arttour. The deadline to participate in the Feb 12, 2010 Atascadero Art & Wine Tour is Nov 30.

The next Atascadero Art & Wine Tour will be held on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 the night before Atascadero Main Street’s annual Sweetheart Stroll.

Mark your calendars for the 2010 Atascadero Art & Wine Tours to be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12

Friday, May 21

Friday, Aug. 27

Friday, Dec. 3

Participating galleries, businesses and artists include:

Actor’s Warehouse, 3524 El Camino Real. Featured artists: Deb Hernandez, John Battalino and Sherron Reeder. Featured winery:Rotta Winery.

All About Hair, 6195 El Camino Real. Featured artist: Carla Cary. Featured winery: Pear Valley Winery.

The ARTery, 5890 Traffic Way. Featured artist: under $200 Art Show. Featured Winery: Graveyard Vineyards.

Atascadero Historical Society, 6600 Lewis Ave. Featured artist: Marj Mackey’s local art collection exhibit and sale. Featured winery: J Paul Rosilez Winery.

Back on the Racks, 5920 Entrada Ave.. Featured artist: Cindy Franklin. Featured Winery: Dunning Winery.

Bella Cose, 5992 Entrada Ave. Featured artist: David Butz and J. Jaggar. Featured winery: Sculpterra Winery.

Complete Escape, 3504 El Camino Real. Featured artist: Mark Cruzen. Featured Winery: J Lohr.

Creative Cabinetry Solutions, 6025 Palma Ave. Featured artist: Deborah Kyle Hintergardt.

Divine Touch Massage and Skin Treatments, 5811 Traffic Way. Featured artist: Carolyn Watson. Featured winery: Graves Winegrowers.

Doster’s Gallery & Gifts, Entrada Ave. Featured artist: Nathan Doster.

Endless Summer Unique Jewelry, 5990 Entrada Ave. Featured artist: Sienna Shahan. Featured winery: Toucan Wines.

K-Jon’s Fine Jewelers, El Camino Real. Featured artist: Nguyen Thi Tam. Featured winery: Malloy O’Neil Winery.

Living Well Gallery & Spa, 6280 Palma Ave. Featured artists: Lindsey Hahn.

Peabody & Plum Realty, 6755 El Camino Real. Featured artist: Steve Curtis and Marc Lebed. Featured winery: Locatelli Winery.

The Red Tree Gallery, 5850 Traffic Way. Featured artist: Atascadero Fine Arts Academy students. Featured winery: Castoro Cellars.

Wilkins Photo & Art Gallery, 6405 EL Camino Real. Featured artist: Image Makers Photo Club. Featured winery: Frolicking Frogs Winery.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Curry, Young Curry Photography, 975-3844 or heather@youngcurryphotography.com

  1. Documentary film, “RETHINKING AFGHANISTAN,” directed by Robert Greenwald to be shown in Atascadero, Thursday, January 21 at the AARP BLDG. at the Lake Park across from the Pavilion at 7:00 p.m.

Rethink Afghanistan, directed by Robert Greenwald, the man behind Outfoxed, Wal-Mart:  The High Cost of Low Price, and Iraq for Sale (see rethinkafghanistan.com) will be shown by the Atascadero Democratic Club at their January Meeting on Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:00 p.m.  The showing is free and open to the public.  If you have questions, please call Lee or Tom at 466-2448.


Comments Off »

Posted in Save Atascadero Updates

ATASCADERO ALERT 11/09

November 22nd, 2009

ATASCADERO ALERT FROM ELLEN BERAUD-NOVEMBER 20, 2009

Dear Citizens,

There is an important agenda item for the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 24th: Item C-1 (likely starting around 7 or 7:30PM).   The staff report recommends “the Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with PowerHouse Services Inc. to administer an ‘AB811′ program.”  This is the long-awaited program to enable citizen to voluntarily finance energy efficiency improvements and/or solar energy installations to be paid for over many years through their property taxes, thus avoiding large up-front costs.  The full staff report is available at the city’s website.

Not only will implementation of this program be a positive step towards fulfilling the City’s commitment under the Mayor’s Agreement on Climate Change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also help to create local green jobs and help citizens to save money on long term energy costs.

Please attend this City Council meeting, or contact the Council members and voice your support for this “voluntary opt-in” program to add valuable improvements to your home.

In addition, I intend to request a future agenda item for council action: a Council Resolution to Encourage Reduced Waste, by ending the use of plastic water bottles and Styrofoam products by the City.  There has been misinformation circulated that I was calling for a city-wide ban, which is incorrect.  This effort is an educational opportunity where the city will lead by example encouraging others to make positive changes in their business and family routines to reduce waste.

This will be my last meeting as Mayor.  The year has gone by already!

The December 8th meeting will start with the rotation of Mayor’s position and designation of the next Mayor Pro-Tem.  It’s mostly a social meeting with a short agenda.  Please come and voice your thoughts of the past year!

Sincerely,

Ellen Beraud


Comments Off »

Posted in Atascadero Alerts