October Updates
By: 5th District Supervisor, Debbie Arnold
It was wonderful to see the Colony Days Parade come back this year! I want to thank the volunteers who worked so hard to organize the parade and the Colony Days Festivities which celebrates the history of Atascadero. I also want to congratulate Mike and Charlotte Byrne, the 2021 King and Queen, and my friend Joan Rexroth for being named Grand Marshall. The weather was beautiful this year for Colony Days, and once again the event showcased Atascadero’s charm.
The Board of Supervisors has resumed in-person Board meetings at the Government Center in San Luis Obispo. On October 5th, the Board reviewed drought conditions in the County. The winter of 2020-21 was very dry with little rainfall to carry us through the summer. Reservoir levels are low throughout the county, so SLO County Public Works is keeping the public updated on drought conditions and managing the water supply throughout the county to ensure a safe drinking water supply. (To review the presentation online go to the Board meeting of October 5th, item # 16). The County recently created a new position, a Groundwater Sustainability Director who will oversee groundwater protection and management here in the County and keep all the groundwater basins in the County compliant with new SGMA laws.
A new County Clerk recorder has been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy left by Tommy Gong. Elaina Cano will hold that office for the remainder of the term, which does not end until January 2, 2023. The position is an elected one and will be part of the election cycle of 2022.
Lastly, the Board of Supervisors will be working on redistricting maps until mid-December. When approved, the map will change the Supervisorial districts. The maps are modified every decade (the same year census data is released). The purpose of this redistricting is to even out the population, so each district has approximately the same population. The next public hearing related to redistricting will be in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in SLO at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 26th. To see a complete list of hearing dates, please go to www.slocounty.ca.gov. Earlier this year, the Board wrote a letter to the California Citizens redistricting committee, who is charged with redistricting for congressional and state assembly districts, asking them to keep San Luis Obispo County whole when deciding the maps.
I realize many of the issues on people’s minds these days have to do with the Covid pandemic. Parents are concerned about school mandates, and businesses are worried about mask and vaccine mandates. Many government mandates have bypassed the legislative process and are coming to us as emergency orders under the Governor’s declaration of emergency. The Governor’s emergency powers will be in place in California until he decides to end them.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at (805) 781-4339. It is an honor to serve as your 5th District Supervisor.
-Debbie Arnold
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.
