The Oceano of the future has a vibrant downtown. Cars slow when passing an attractive sign that welcomes visitors to Oceano Beach. A tree-lined plaza and wide sidewalks dotted with planters and benches invite strollers to linger. Paths with clear crosswalks provide safe access to the nearby beach. After dark, streetlights cast a cheery glow over visitors drawn to the town’s busy restaurants and shops. Each week, a farmers’ market west of Highway 1 hosts vendors and artists from South County and beyond.
That’s part of the vision of the Oceano Revitalization Plan, completed in July 2013 with input from local residents. But as I explore the unincorporated community where I recently bought a house, I don’t see any of its recommendations brought to life. Oceano continues to look like a dumpy town best seen from the window of a passing car en route to the more inviting Pismo Beach.
The office of the current District 4 Supervisor, Lynn Compton, offered only hand waving for the foot dragging. We need someone who listens to the needs of the people and wants to make Oceano Beach a destination instead of a drive-by. We need to elect Jimmy Paulding as our District 4 supervisor.
This article appears in Jan 18-25, 2018.