It is hard to believe that 2022 is coming to an end. I thank the Chamber of Commerce for all their hard work in promoting the business community in Atascadero over the year. Atascadero is such a wonderful community that is showcased every year at this time with celebratory events like the Winter Wonderland at Sunken Gardens.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And I encourage you to shop and dine locally this holiday season. Supporting our businesses will help strengthen our community as they recover from the Covid19 restrictions.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of confusion after the redistricting here in the County. Redistricting happens every ten years to even up population counts for elected offices at the Federal, State, and local levels of government. The County Board of Supervisors approved new districts for the election of County Supervisors on November 30, 2021.
Both the primary election held in June of 2022 and the recent election of November 8, 2022, used the newly drawn district lines to identify districts. Atascadero changed from District 5 to being part of District 2. This resulted from the District 2 line moving east to include the entire city of Atascadero. Although the citizens of Atascadero voted in 2020, they voted for a supervisor again in 2022. However, this time in the newly drawn District 2. The newly elected District 2 supervisor will represent Atascadero at the County level, and I will continue to represent Atascadero. As the sitting District 5 Supervisor, I will continue representing the area for which I was elected until January 2025.
In the 2024 elections, the new District 5 will come into play, and Atascadero will no longer be part of District 5. But, for now, two County Supervisors will represent Atascadero. After the elections in 2024, a more normal situation of no overlapping supervisors will resume. However, as one of the two County Supervisors representing Atascadero, I will continue to represent all of you, and I welcome your calls and emails through 2024.
As we get ready to ring in a new year, the County will continue to provide many services to the seven cities within the County—including animal control, recording services, tax collection, public health, social services, the court system, probation, and county schools.
Throughout 2023 we will continue to work on how best to serve our citizens. The challenges of the homeless issue, affordable housing, and providing dependable water supplies throughout the County will be essential discussions in 2023, and finding solutions will be our goal.
Enjoy the holiday season!
It is an honor to serve as your County Supervisor.
Debbie Arnold
(805)781-4339
5th District Supervisor, Debbie Arnold
Debbie Arnold moved to San Luis Obispo County in 1973 to attend Cal Poly, she fell in love with both her husband, Steve, and the farming and ranching values that had been a part of the Arnold family way of life for more than 5 generations. While raising two children, she owned and operated a small business in Atascadero for more than 17 years. She then had the privilege of advocating for local families as a Legislative Aide at the County Supervisor’s office and as a San Luis Obispo District Representative for the State Senate. During these years, she worked with a broad range of community groups and interests, bringing people together to solve problems. Debbie Arnold now serves as the 5th District Supervisor for San Luis Obispo County.
