YourCoastNews.com
Volume 13 •
YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR HANDS
Issue 22 •
December 15 - 28, 2016
See Inside and Online
Dinner And A Movie Page 40
Santa Claus was spotted in the Village of Arroyo Grande. We at the Coast News hope you have all been good boys and girls and get to see the man in red coming down your chimney.
Holiday Parade Page 41
Photo by www.PhotoByVivian.com
DREAM Center Coming to Poly
An Emotional Changing of the Guard in Pismo
By Camas Frank
Story and photos by Mark A. Diaz
R
egardless of the reader’s personal political viewpoints or voting choices in a recent election there are harsh realities for local communities regarding national immigration policies. That’s particularly so for the scores of undocumented migrants brought to this country as children, who in many cases, are not aware until High School or university admission that they are even in the U.S. without a valid immigration status. Since 2001, however, those students who meet certain eligibility requirements have been able to enroll in public colleges and universities while paying in-state tuition. In 2011, the California Dream Act (a play on the acronym for the Federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) was enacted permitting eligible undocumented students to benefit from state financial aid. Since then, DREAM Centers have been established on CSU and UC campuses to give those students special support. In fact, the CSU system, of which Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a part, has lagged behind their UC counterparts despite having more undocumented students. See DREAM, page 9
L
ast week, the Pismo Beach City Council bid a farewell to Mayor Shelly Higginbotham and welcomed newly elected mayor Ed Waage. Higginbotham, who has served with the city for 12 years, announced earlier this year that she would not seek out reelection. The public comment period of the meeting was filled with people who came forward to thank Higginbotham for her years of service. Dr. Marc Lebed, president of the Dinosaur Caves Preservation Society, read a letter from the French Polynesian Parliament and the mayor of the Polynesian Island Haapu that commended Higginbotham on her contribution to the natural resource preservation of Polynesia. Lebed also presented a handcrafted necklace as a gift from the Polynesian well-wishers. The ceremonial necklace is called Hei Tavana, and is worn by mayors and officials of high standing. “Our city’s future is bright, and it is even brighter for your presence and leadership,” said Lebed.
See Farewell, page 10
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