Hope renewed for Montaña de Oro extension

Similar stories:

• California requires $1 million endowment for Montaña de Oro addition

  California requires $1 million endowment for Montaña de Oro addition

  State resource officials are requiring that a $1 million endowment be established before 2,400 acres can be added to Montaña de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill said.

• Montaña de Oro expansion talks get boost from Coastal Commission

  Montaña de Oro expansion talks get boost from Coastal Commission

  CORRECTION: The state Coastal Conservancy sent the letter to the American Land Conservancy, not the Coastal Commission.

  After several months of uncertainty, negotiations to add 2,400 acres to Montaña de Oro State Park appear to be back on track.

  In February, the executive officer of the state Coastal Commission sent a letter to the American Land Conservancy saying that the agency would only extend a $5 million contribution toward the $21 million purchase price of the property if PG&E agreed in writing to transfer the title to the property by this fall.

• Bouquets and Brickbats: Thanks to all holiday helpers

  Bouquets and Brickbats: Thanks to all holiday helpers

  Bouquets of mistletoe and holly to all the angels who went out of their way to make the holidays a little brighter for families struggling in this economy. Whether you served meals at a homeless shelter, donated to Toys for Tots, contributed to a holiday food drive or found your own special way to make a difference, please know that your efforts are a big part of what makes our community the special place that it is.

  Park expansion still in the works

  We toss thank-you bouquets of good stewardship to the holders of long-term leases at Wild Cherry Canyon. A deal has long been in the works to acquire the property for an expansion of Montana de Oro State Park, but an option to sell the leases was due to expire by the end of the year. The owners have agreed to one last extension, which keeps the project alive.

• Bouquets and Brickbats: Paso council’s about-face on car lot too late

  Bouquets and Brickbats: Paso council’s about-face on car lot too late

  Like picky suitors who recognize too late that they let the Right One slip away, the Paso Robles City Council acknowledged this week that a used-car lot at 201 Spring St. may have been a good match for the city after all.

  But guess what? Six months have elapsed since the council turned down the application, and Smith Volvo has since withdrawn its request. Too bad. The city would have gotten a lot of mileage out of that sales tax revenue. Also, a car lot wouldn’t necessarily have detracted from the ambiance of downtown; the applicant had offered to work with the city to make the business “look less like the typical car sales lot, and more like an upscale professional store.”

  We give the council credit for revisiting the issue. While it appears to be too late for this particular business, at least the city has signaled other car dealers that it would be willing to consider such applications in the future. Still, we’re delivering rusted-out, banged-up, fender-bent brickbats to the council members who slammed

• PG&E chairman announces company will spend millions on improvements

  PG&E chairman announces company will spend millions on improvements

  Acknowledging that the company’s reputation is “in tatters,” PG&E’s new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Earley announced Thursday the utility will spend $400 million in shareholder money over the next two years to improve its electrical and natural gas infrastructure.