GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIX, NO. XLVI
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
SLO County ballot count continues amid tight races and measure results
School board bids farewell to Trustee Matt Pennon, President Terri Switzer
With over 49,000 votes unprocessed, local elections remain in flux as North County leaders and measures take shape
Board approves motion to make board meeting agendas digital
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — At its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees said goodbye to two of its own, Trustee Matt Pennon and current President Terri Switzer (who did not run for reelection during the Nov. 5 election). D uring the Board Members’ Report, Pennon asked to be allowed to give his update last before Switzer, as it was his final board meeting. “Good evening, AUSD; as I address you all for the final time as a trustee on this board, I want to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of serving this community,” stated Pennon at the top of his departing speech. “It had been an honor to work for you for the past two years, and my commitment to advocating for our students, teachers, and families remains as strong as ever.” Pennon, who ran for reelection this year, went on to say that he has concerns about the pending results of the Nov. 5 election, which have not been officially called at this time. Currently, Joey Arnold, Corrine Kuhnle (who ran for reelection), and Roni Decoster have garnered the most votes. He went on to say that, in his opinion, two of the individuals lack experience or a clear understanding of what the role demands. “One who did not participate in campaign events or present the community with a vision of our district. Another candidate secured their seat through manipulative tactics and the advantage of name recognition rather than a genuine commitment to working for our schools or understanding how they work,” continued Pennon. “The third, while bringing extensive experience as a trustee, has consistently CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
AGRICULTURE
Atascadero Fall Festival carnival rides light up the night sky downtown last weekend. Photo by Rick Evans.
Over 18,000 fill Sunken Gardens for the 4th Annual Atascadero Fall Festival A free shuttle was added from Paso to Atascadero By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The bold, bright, and fun Atascadero Fall Festival was back in full swing for its fourth year, starting on Friday, Nov. 15, and running through Sunday, Nov. 17. This year boasted more vendors, more carnival rides, 40 live bands, over 18,000 attendees, and more food options than ever before.
“It’s the most vendors we’ve ever had on site. We had so many food vendors,” stated Andres Nuno, owner of En Fuego Events, who puts on the Fall Fest every year. After feedback from prior years wishing for more culinary options, Nuno listened, and this year, there were so many food vendors that they filled both East and West Mall. “This year, we had Greek food, pizza, BBQ,” Nuno said. “We had Mexican. We had hot dogs. Anything you could imagine, there was somebody there who sold it.” Hungry Mother Food Truck was one
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Ballots are continuing to be counted here in San Luis Obispo County. As of Thursday, Nov. 14, San Luis Obispo County Clerk Recorder’s Unprocessed Ballot Report, 103,348 votes have been counted, with 49,152 votes still left unprocessed, meaning only 4,800 votes were processed between Nov. 8-14. The next vote results are expected to be released by Wednesday, Nov. 20, by 5 p.m., which was unavailable at the time of printing. The last results were received on Thursday, Nov. 14, and with results still coming in, North County races and measures are shaping up as follows:
such vendor. This was their second time participating in the Fall Fest, but owner Tommy Stein said they’ve been part of plenty of other events in downtown Atascadero. “[The] vibe’s been tons of kids and middle schoolers running around having a good old time and then parents playing chase. It’s been good,” he said of the Fall Fest. “[We’re] stoked to be here and very grateful that A-town tries to put on events Atascadero City Council With two council seats up for for the community.” The Fall Festival also brings people in grabs, Mark Dariz remains in the CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 lead with 34.08% (5,012 votes), closely followed by Seth Peek at 34.94% (4,991 votes) and Tori Keen at 31.98% (4,704 votes).
Local boy raises money for Woods Humane Society
Max Pflum will also have one of his adopted cats in Woods calendar for second year By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — For the second year in a row, local Max Pflum has raised money for Woods Humane Society and gotten his cats, which he adopted from Woods’ Atascadero shelter, in their calendar twice. The 11-year-old is the youngest person to raise enough donations for the shelter during their Woods Pets of the Year Calendar Contest, and can now proudly say that both of his cats will be featured inside. Max Pflum (left) and Woods’ Communication Manager Jamie Relth (right) in front “It makes me feel like I have of Woods Humane Society. Photo provided by the Pflum family. done something very important and that I supported a good time, Woods takes care of the “The animals don’t have cause,” Pflum said about donat- animals in a loving environ- homes, and they need care ing to Woods in their efforts to ment until they find and can go while they find one. I also find animals homes. home with their new owners. appreciate Woods because of This year, Pflum raised It was seeing Woods’ work first what they do to care for the around $950 for the nonprofit hand that made Pflum want animals,” he added. that pairs residents with their to start raising donations for The youngster has adopted perfect cat or dog. In the mean- them. two cats from Woods, a 3-year-
COMMUNITY
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
GREYHOUNDS
old tuxedo cat named Olly Atascadero Mayor and a 1-year-old lynx-point Charles Bourbeau is running Siamese named Belle. unopposed, securing 100% of the “Two years in a row, Max vote (6,991 votes) in his bid for raised enough votes on his re-election. contest page through his own efforts to become one of the Atascadero Unified School top 10 entries in the contest. Board He has had both of his cats The race for three open featured as a calendar pet,” school board seats shows Joey said Woods’ Communication Arnold still in the lead with Manager, Jamie Relth. 22.11% (6,075 votes), followed Belle will be featured in the by Corinne Kuhnle at 20.93% 2025 calendar, while Olly was (5,752 votes), and Roni Decoster featured in this year’s pages. back in the game at 19.87% Pflum was at Woods’ Wiggle (5,461 votes). Jodi Taylor is Waggle Fall Festival on Oct. 26 currently sitting at 19.79% (5,438 to unveil Belle’s glamour shot. votes) and Matt Pennon 17.29% “The annual Pets of the Year (4,751 votes).. Calendar Contest celebrates the human-animal bond while rais- Measure B-24 Atascadero ing funds to help more pets in Unified School District need,” added Relth on how the Measure B-24, requiring a calendar is created. “Contestants 55% majority to pass, stands submit a photo of their pet and with “Yes” votes ahead at 55.58% reach out to friends and family (7,076 votes) and “No” votes at to vote for their photo on their 44.42% (5,655 votes). contest webpage. Contestants earn a ‘vote’ with every City Measures in Atascadero one-dollar donation made to Measure M-24, requiring their contest page, and the 10 a 55% majority to pass, is still top fundraisers win a featured close, with “No” votes ahead at CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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WEATHER
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