Welcome to the tenth edition of The Slo Coast Journal. Published online monthly, the Journal is here to bring you information specific to our part of the Central Coast. So jump in! Browse, read, smile. Then come back next month for more. Want a reminder? Check below for information on how to receive an email or tweet letting you know about updates and the newest issue.
City Staff Deserves Appreciation, Not Criticism
Wow! If you believe all the opinion pieces on the front page of last month's SLO Coast Journal, Morro Bay City staff is determined to bamboozle our residents and ruin the city! Let's look at the truth behind these accusations . . . Read More
Great Shots?
Are you a local photographer with images of the Central Coast you'd like to share with our readers? The Great Shots team is always looking for photographs a cut above the rest. Join the Flickr groupSlo Coast Journal Photos and submit your favorites.
Opera La Boheme to Be Performed
"Love is Beautiful . . .
Life is cruel."
On April 9th at 7:30 p.m. and 11th at 2:00 p.m., some of our friends and neighbors will be among the performers of the beautiful, romantic opera, Puccini's La bohème, at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Treat yourself!
California's Energy Vision - Women and the Future of Energy
Four exciting women energy experts are coming to San Luis Obispo for an exciting forum on May 10th. Read More (pdf file)
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New State Policy Could Derail Morro Bay Power Plant Closure
by Jack McCurdy
The long-anticipated closure of the Morro Bay Power Plant, announced in 2008 by plant owner Dynegy, marking a turning point in the community's history, has now grown more uncertain with the release of the latest version of a proposed new state policy aimed at restricting use of estuary, bay, and ocean water to cool California's 19 coastal power plants, including Morro Bay's. Read More
A Brief History of Morro Bay Citizens in Action
The small beachside community of Morro Bay and its residents have faced threats to its very existence and their security long before it became a city 46 years ago, and that peril continues today--as intense as ever.
Last year, a redevelopment plan that could have exposed many homeowners to seizure of their properties through acts of eminent domain was defeated by residents' protests. Read More
Cambria Water Issue Reaches Flood Stage . . . of Information About Alternative Sources!
Right from the beginning, with the word play of "Water You Thinking?" (which came out of the musings of notable author and self-described recently "awakened" water activist Catherine Ryan Hyde), the March 16 water alternatives panel in Cambria showed promise of being something different. Read More
Public Services Director Ambo Resigns
Bruce Ambo, who had been Morro Bay's public services director for seven years and has been in the midst of several major controversies over city projects and programs as one of the city's top administrators, has resigned after being placed on paid leave on or shortly before February 19 pending an investigation of him. The city announced his resignation in a press release on March 5, effective April 1. Read More
Wastewater Treatment Wrestling Grows Murkier
Excessively higher sewer bills for homeowners. Sanitation short of the best possible. More environmental impacts than justified. Construction costs beyond what they need be, placing an even greater burden on the city of Morro Bay's budget, which is expected to confront a daunting deficit in 2010-11 and possibly beyond. Read More
Morro Bay Candidates
Four residents seeking to become mayor of Morro Bay--one for the third time--and four others pursuing election to the City Council make up the slate of candidates in the June 8 primary election in Morro Bay. The city faces some of the most formidable challenges in its history, including deciding on the kind of new wastewater treatment plant, water shortages, a leaking sewer system, budget shortfalls and the uncertain future of the Morro Bay Power Plant and possible redevelopment of the site. Read More
New Branch Manager at Morro Bay Public Library
Dani Porter, an experienced librarian who has developed expertise in marketing and has used it effectively in building support for public libraries she has worked for in Santa Ana and Las Vegas, has been appointed branch manager of the Morro Bay Library, succeeding Jude Sanner Long, who retired in December after nearly 35 years as assistant and branch manager of the library. Read More
Morro Bay Police Chief DeRohan Retires
The City of Morro Bay has announced the retirement of Police Chief John DeRohan, effective April 23rd. DeRohan has served the department since 2002, as Chief since 2004. He will be replaced by Commander Tim Olivas, who will be sworn in at the April 26th Morro Bay City Council meeting.
