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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. XXXII
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
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Community mourns the passing of Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin MEMORIAM
Mayor Martin passed away on Monday, Aug. 14, after a hard fought illness
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — The community of Paso Robles is in mourning after the City of Paso Robles announced the passing of Mayor Steve W. Martin. Mayor Martin passed away on Monday, Aug. 14, after a hard-fought illness. On Thursday morning, March 2, the City of Paso Robles released an update on Martin to address rumors surrounding his absences from two recent city council meetings — Dec. 20, 2022, and the Jan. 31, 2023, meeting. It was said by city staff that Martin was receiving treatment for a serious health concern. The mayor took a step back from his duties serving the city to focus on his health, treatment, recovery, and family. Since March, Martin has participated in City Council meetings remotely when he was available to. During his absence, Mayor Pro Tempore John Hamon filled in. Martin’s passing leaves a void throughout the community, as he leaves behind a legacy of over two decades of tireless public service and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Paso Robles and San Luis
ague, a good friend, a thoughtful leader, and the ultimate public servant,” Hamon said. “It has been an honor to serve with him these many years. His passing is a great loss for the City Council, our community, and most especially his family. Our prayers are with his wife Jennifer, daughters, grandchildren, and extended family.” Martin’s visionary approach and dedication to the community’s welfare earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues, constituents, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. During his time on the City Council and as mayor, Martin was a strong advocate for economic development and quality of life in Paso Robles. He was instrumental in the development of the city’s downtown area and the creation of the Paso Robles Wine Festival. He was also a strong supporter of the city’s schools and parks. Atascadero City Mayor Heather Moreno shared, “Steve and I were friends; he was talented and humble, and I loved his sense of humor. He always had a strong desire to not let our differences divide us, but to work together as a community. I will miss him.” San Luis Obispo County An Atascadero native, Steve Martin was first elected mayor of Paso Robles in 2014 then in 2018, and again for a third term in November 2022, which would have run Supervisor Debbie Arnold through 2026. He died on Monday, Aug. 14 at home with family after a brief battle with cancer. Photo Courtesy of the City of Paso Robles (District 5) said of the mayor’s Obispo County. elected as mayor in 2018, Paso Robles City Council from resident of the North County, passing to Paso Robles Press/ Martin was first elected and again for a third term in 1987 to 1996 and was selected growing up in Atascadero and Atascadero News, “San mayor of Paso Robles in 2014. November 2022, which would by his peers to be mayor of living in Paso Robles from Luis Obispo lost a great He was elected in 2012 as a have run through 2026. He Paso Robles from 1988 to 1973 until his passing. community member with councilmember and was again also previously served on the 1990. Martin was a life-long “Steve was a trusted colleCONTINUED ON PAGE A7
EVENT
EDUCATION
Central Coast Cider Festival Returns to Atascadero Community addresses AUSD on Over 400 people attended the festival that last took place back in 2019
pride flag displayed in classroom
ATASCADERO — The 5th Annual Central Coast Cider Festival made a triumphant return to Atascadero on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. The last time the festival took over the Pavillion on the Lake was back in 2019, but after a four-year absence, it was back with more cider and more fun. “There was a lot of anxiety in bringing it back, and we’re trying to bring it back with as much consistency as possible,” said Maggie Przybylski, the
Central Coast Cider Association (CCCA) president. “And honestly, we’ve had such a good turnout.” Over 400 people attended the Cider Fest, which the CCCA put on. The fest also featured 20 of California’s best cider makers all in one place. “This year’s cider fest, we had the most cideries ever in that building. It’s pretty incredible,” said Cody Broadstone, co-owner of The Poison Apple and Secretary of CCCA. “I think there’s only like 90 cider makers in California, and there’s like 12 of them here, right on the Central Coast. There’s so much as far as cider makers go. Just the density here locally is incredible, especially for my
purposes with The Poisoned Apple trying having a tavern for other people’s products. It’s really cool to have all that right here. It was so cool to see how many people came from out of the county.” “I believe Chico is our most northern, and then San Diego County is our most southern,” Przybylski added. “It’s a pretty big swatch of California, and I think that represents maybe a quarter of all the cider makers in California.” Next year The Central Coast Cider Fest hopes to move the event outside to accommodate more cider makers and more cider lovers. “I had such a good response from cider makers,” said Przybylski. “We had kind of maxed out, and then I had several
other people reach out to me like, ‘I still want to come,’ and School board meeting I was like, ‘Let’s make room. Aug. 15 marks official Let’s see if we can make some return to livestreaming room.’” This year, the CCCA By CHRISTIANNA MARKS decided not to hire any christianna@atascaderonews.com outside help to assist them with marketing, which is ATASCADERO — The how they’ve done it up until Atascadero Unified School 2019. They delegated the jobs District (AUSD) met for its throughout the cider-loving regularly scheduled school and making community, and board meeting on Tuesday, this is what happened. Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. This meet“We’re actually about the ing signified the AUSD’s offisame attendance [this year as cial return to livestreaming its in 2019], which is why we’re meetings. The district origso excited that we were able inally stopped livestreaming to pull the same amount of its meetings back on Aug. 2, people just by ourselves,” 2022. added Broadstone. All meetings in the future This year the festival also will be livestreamed on the added an educational program AUSD’s YouTube channel, CONTINUED ON PAGE A7 though an interactive feature
NEWS
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
that would give at-home watchers a chance to comment on the meetings has not been added at this time. You can find the Aug. 15 meeting and all meetings going forward at youtube.com/@atascaderounified4053/streams. Andrew Weatherly, the president of the Atascadero District Teachers Association (ADTA), addressed the school board at the start of the meeting. He stated that he’s been in direct communication with Assistant Superintendant of Human Resources Dan Neff regarding the fact that some special education teachers are wanting to leave the district. He also addressed the Atascadero Middle School
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