City hosts second ‘Talk on the Block’
–The City of Atascadero and Atascadero Chamber of Commerce held another Talk-on-the-Block Monday evening at the United Methodist Church in south Atascadero.
About 20 people attended the event. City Manager Rochelle Rickard described the city’s financial challenges and goals and answered a variety of questions from attendees. City staff members helped answer questions included Mayor Heather Moreno, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, and Fire Chief Casey Bryson.
Questions were raised about the closure of K-Mart and the impact to the community. Rachelle Rickard explained that K-Mart Corporation recently executed a five-year lease agreement, so the property owners will be receiving rent for the empty building for the next four years, but it’s in the owner’s best interest to find an occupant because that helps the other tenants. She says there has been interest in the empty building.
Related to homelessness, Rickard explained that Propositions 47 and 57 changed many state laws. She says today a transient can shoot heroin on the front steps of Atascadero City Hall and police can only issue a ticket. She said, “The governor said in his State of the State address that those laws are contributing to the problem. He says he’s going address the issue.”
Rachelle Rickard advised residents concerned about street conditions to go to the city’s website where one can report potholes and other issues.
The city and Atascadero Chamber of Commerce have one more Talk-on-the-Block scheduled Thursday at the Community Church on Rosario Road near the Atascadero Police Station. It begins at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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