GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XXXIX
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
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Race tight for District 5 Supervisor with Super Tuesday results posted
46.02%
53.89%
SUSAN FUNK
HEATHER MORENO
Current Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno is in the lead at 53.89 percent, with Susan Funk at 46.02 percent
day, Moreno is in the lead at 53.89 percent (4,586 votes) and Susan Funk is at 46.02 percent (3,916) — 670 votes separate the two. With only two candidates running for District 5 Supervisor, the one who comes out of the March election will take the seat. Moreno’s term as mayor runs through 2024, and Councilmember Charles Bourbeau has already announced his bid for that seat. Funk’s term on council runs through 2026. In response to the midnight results, Moreno told Paso Robles Press, “I am deeply grateful to everyone who voted for me, supported my candidacy, and actively participated in our campaign. If current trends persist, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve our entire county on the Board of Supervisors starting in January. I am dedicated to making a meaningful, positive impact on our community.” Funk told Paso Robles Press, “We have run a strong, grass-
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The first results of the Primary Election are in from Super Tuesday, March 5. The highlighted run of this election was between current Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno and Atascadero City Councilmember Susan Funk for the District 5 San Luis Obispo County Supervisor’s seat. The district represents Atascadero, Cal Poly State University (portion), California Valley, Creston, Garden Farms, Pozo, San Luis Obispo (portion), and Santa Margarita. The position is currently held by Supervisor Debbie Arnold, who is not running for re-election. It is a tight race for District 5. As of the final results report posted just after 12 a.m. Tues-
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(From left) Event Coordinator Teresa Dellagana, Chef Jeffry Wiesinger, and Operations Manager Yoana Sandoval were all smiles at the Cioppino & Vino fundraiser. Photo provided by Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ
20th Annual Cioppino & Vino fundraiser raises over $28,000 for Paso Robles Children’s Museum Event raises funds for new exhibits and support youth programs By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — For a great cause, over 100 guests had cioppino for the 20th Annual Cioppino & Vino fundraiser benefiting the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. The fundraiser is the museum’s largest and only fundraiser of the year, with proceeds supporting the museum’s programs and daily operations. “We used this year’s event to honor the 20 year anniver-
sary of the museum and Tom Martin’s legacy to build a place where we can engage children in a joyful learn-through-play environment,” said Museum Board President Joanna Maxted. The Children’s Museum, located at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse, is a nonprofit that serves children and families in the community. The museum offers playful environments where the youth can learn while having fun. They provide various youth programs, a place to host birthday parties, and often partner with other youth based
programs in the community. This year’s event moved from the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom to the Paso Robles Event Center, which allowed for the museum’s cherished Old Mack Firetruck to be brought to the fundraiser and used as a backdrop for photos. On Sunday, chefs and judges came together to first make the cioppino — an Italian strew of fish, shellfish, tomatoes, and seasonings. This year’s competing chefs were: • Andrei Kibrik of I Love to Cater • Trish Jacobs of Paso Catering Co.
Year-round light display coming to City Park
PASO ROBLES — The late Paso Robles City Mayor Steve Martin was remembered during a presentation and proclamation at the start of the Paso Robles City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 5. Concluding the proclamation, Martin’s successor, Mayor John Hamon, said, “A true friend and advocate of the City of Paso Robles, of his colleagues, and of his family.” The highly watched and anticipated Downtown Parking Program was up for another vote Tuesday night. A second reading of the updated parking ordinance was read. It was moved from the end of the City Council meeting up towards the top of discussion items. At the Feb. 20 meeting, the City Council again approved
the parking program with a 3-2 vote, with Councilmembers Chris Bausch and Fred Strong dissenting. On Feb. 2, the city received a cease-and-desist letter from community member Gary Lehrer. During its Tuesday, Feb. 6, meeting, the council announced that it would be pausing the Downtown Paid Parking Program. At the time, the city’s legal staff announced that the city had received a cease-and-desist letter from Lehrer, who raised concerns regarding modifications to the Paid Parking Program, alleging violations of the Brown Act and other state laws. Several residents and business owners came out to the meeting Tuesday night to express their disapproval of the paid parking program. Part owner of Spare Time Books on 12th Street, Carla Carey addressed the council during public comment, “For those of you who don’t know, my mom and I immigrated
Local Atascadero diner to be featured on ‘America’s Best Restaurants’
NORTH COUNTY — Filming for a new episode of “America’s Best Restau-
rants” took place at A-Town Diner on Thursday, Feb. 29. The diner has been under the ownership of Robert and Melinda (Mimi) Davis since Sept. 12, 2022. During filming, the diner stayed open to the public, and friends and local customers filled the diner with their own energy. Atascadero News also
stopped by to see how filming was going. “’America’s Best Restaurants’ is in filming. They do a road show, they call it, where they go to diners and restaurants that are privately owned,” Mimi Davis said. “One restaurant, Mom and Pops. They don’t do any
NEWS
NONPROFITS
SPORTS
The upcoming webisode featuring A-Town Diner will be released later this year By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
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BEST OF 2024
WEATHER
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Council approves Downtown Parking Program
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Jay Russel (left) from “America’s Best Restaurants” is shown with A-Town Diner owner Melinda (Mimi) Davis (right) on the day of filming. Photo by Christianna Marks.
• Rachel Ponce of Pair with Chef Rachel • Jeffry Wiesinger of Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ • Gregg Wangard of Kelle Co To Go • Nick Nolan of Trumpet Vine Catering The honorable judges were Chris Batlle (Might Cap Mushrooms), Debbie Thomas (food, wine, and travel writer and retired restaurateur), Jennifer Olson (Creative Director of Edible San Luis Obispo Magazine), Pepper Daniels (local radio personality and program director), and Rachel
here from Romania back in 2001. Romania is a recovering communist country, and they have a very authoritative government that doesn’t listen to the voices of the people. What I want to urge you guys is to listen to the maybe outspoke majority of people who are in favor of no paid parking and to reflect the people that you were elected to represent and not your own personal biases.” Jennifer Roush Kloth of Park Cinemas added, “In no way do I want anybody to think we are against all parking programs. We are against paid parking programs. We understand that things may need to change. We have been bringing all kinds of CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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CITY LIBRARY Activities for March | A5
NORTH COUNTY Spring Schedule | A11
11TH ANNUAL Best Of Winners | B1
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