Two SLO County activists want expensive Oceano Airport event audited
New Times SLO (Atascadero)
July 9, 2026
Two local government watchdogs are calling for a closer look at how taxpayer money was spent on a recent event at the Oceano Airport. April Dury of Oceano and Julie Tacker of Los Osos, both familiar faces in SLO County civic circles, have asked the Board of Supervisors to audit what they describe as an extravagantly funded airport gathering. Their request, covered by New Times SLO (Atascadero), comes through a newly formed group called the SLOcal Activists’ Coalition, which is actively seeking more members.
For those of us living along the Central Coast, this matters because it touches on transparency and accountability in local government spending. Whether you’re in Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, or Paso Robles, how public funds are used at county-run facilities affects us all. Dury and Tacker have a track record of digging into county operations, and this latest push could set a precedent for how future events are budgeted and reported.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from New Times SLO (Atascadero).
City
AtascaderoPublished
July 9, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore AtascaderoAll Atascadero NewsMore News from Atascadero
AtascaderoMorro Bay considers skipping November election
Morro Bay might skip its November election this year, and honestly, it’s a move that makes you stop and think. With only three candidates stepping up for three open seats—including Mayor Carla Wixom—the city is considering canceling the vote and just appointing them. That would save about $30,000, which is no small chunk of change for a coastal town. It’s a practical call, but it also raises a bigger question: what does it mean when nobody wants to run? For us here on the Central Coast, this feels familiar. Local races often go uncontested, and while saving money is nice, it also means fewer voices in the room. New Times SLO (Atascadero) reported this story, and it’s worth reading if you care about how our neighbors handle civic life. Whether you’re in Morro Bay or Atascadero, it’s a reminder that our local governments run on people stepping up—and when they don’t, we all lose a little bit of that democratic spark.
AtascaderoSLO County pays into renewed statewide coalition to combat offshore oil drilling
Remember the good old days when the biggest worry off our coast was whether the fog would burn off by noon? Well, our supervisors just made sure it stays that way. At their Aug. 18 meeting, the SLO County Board of Supervisors voted to chip into a renewed statewide coalition—the same one that fought off offshore drilling back in the Reagan era. It's been dormant for over 30 years, but with the feds eyeing our waters again, it's time to rally the troops. For us here in Atascadero, this might feel like a coastal issue, but it's not. Our creeks, our aquifers, and our small-town way of life are all tied to that ocean. A spill wouldn't just ruin Morro Bay's views—it'd ripple through our tourism, our fishing, and our local businesses. So kudos to the board for spending a few bucks to keep the big oil rigs away. It's a small price for peace of mind. Thanks to New Times SLO (Atascadero) for keeping us in the loop.
AtascaderoThree candidates vie for Paso Robles 2nd District seat
Paso Robles voters in the 2nd District have a real choice this November, and it’s about time. For the past four years, Councilmember Chris Bausch has been at the center of a storm at City Hall—one that ended with lawsuits and over $840,000 in settlements and legal costs. That’s a lot of taxpayer money, and it’s weighed on the community. Now, Bausch is asking for another term, but he’s not running unopposed this time. Two challengers are stepping up, and that’s a healthy sign for local democracy. For those of us in the 805, this race is more than just a council seat—it’s about how we want our local government to work. The Central Coast is tight-knit, and when a council race gets this contentious, it echoes beyond Paso Robles. New Times SLO (Atascadero) has been covering the fallout, and it’s worth paying attention to. Whoever wins will have to rebuild trust and focus on the basics: roads, water, housing, and keeping our small-town feel. If you live in the 2nd District, this is your chance to weigh in—don’t sleep on it.