Final ‘Talk on the Block’ held at Community Church
–Thursday night, the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and City of Atascadero hosted the final Talk-on-the-Block of 2020 at Community Church on Rosario Avenue. About 40 people showed up and it was the liveliest forum of the year.
City Manager Rachelle Rickard gave her introductory speech on finances in the city. “We can do anything, but we can’t do everything. We have to make choices,” she said. She answered questions people raised about issues of fire, evacuation during emergencies, plans to narrow El Camino Real in downtown and other topics.
Fire Chief Casey Bryson talked about efforts to develop evacuation plans for the city. He said all the fire departments are working together to develop regional plans for evacuation.
Rickard explained that the city has considered all options in outlining plans to narrow to just one lane El Camino Real through downtown, but says there will be hearings in early March to solicit public input.
One resident complained about potholes. Another said he liked potholes because it slowed down traffic on his street.
A woman who lives on Santa Ynez thanked the police for stopping young drivers from speeding on her street near the high school. She said she brought the issue to their attention at a previous Talk-on-the-Block earlier this week. She said, “I’m impressed how quickly you responded.” She mentioned a neighbor’s anger at finding used hypodermic needles in his backyard, left there by homeless people. Rickard explained how Propositions 47 and 57 have changed the laws on drug abuse, and that police can only write a ticket to heroin users.
This Talk-on-the-Block at the Community Church on Rosario sparked some heated debate and foreshadowed upcoming hearings on evacuation plans and the narrowing of El Camino Real.
Mayor Heather Moreno said, “This was a lively discussion. That’s why people are still talking about those issues 20 minutes after the forum ended.”
Thursday night’s Talk-on-the-Block was the final in a series of three public forums giving residents the opportunity to meet with city leaders to discuss any issues that concerned them about living in the City of Atascadero.
