Opinion

Published: Friday, Jul. 10, 2009

Bouquets and Brickbats: Kudos for Colony Square financing work

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Anita Robinson is an acknowledged leader in banking circles on the local and state levels.

And that guidance was once again demonstrated when — as the president and CEO of Mission Community Bank — she took the lead in helping secure $8 million in financing for the Colony Square project in downtown Atascadero.

The construction loan is actually shared by Robinson’s bank, Santa Lucia Bank, Community West Bank and a $1.5 million pledge from the city.

This is heartening news on multiple levels.

First, unlike much of the bank-lending gridlock that’s affecting the country, these banks are living up to their names and investing in their community.

Second, the Colony Square’s 10-screen movie complex and 14,000 square feet of retail space will help give a “there, there” to Atascadero’s downtown, hopefully enticing residents and shoppers to spend more time and dollars within the city.

Third, although the first phase is expected to initially yield about $50,000 annually in sales and property taxes, it sets the stage for a larger complex that will bring in an estimated $300,000 in new revenue a year.

We gladly give a taking-the-bull-by-the-horns bower of bouquets to Robinson and her banking buddies; the City Council for committing $1.5 million in redevelopment guarantees; and project partners Jim Harrison and Peter Hilf for hanging tough. They’ve all shown the value of putting unity in community.

Televising budget talks a good idea

On the flip side of such partnership stands the state Legislature. It’s impossible to praise Sacramento politicians these days as both parties play chicken with the health, safety and welfare of their constituents.

So Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may be on to something with his idea of televising budget negotiation sessions. While it may have been offered tongue-in-cheek, it’s an excellent suggestion worthy of bouquets if pursued.

We firmly believe the public’s business should be done in public. And if deciding how to spend taxpayer money isn’t a public concern, then what is?

Besides, closed-door negotiations haven’t succeeded, so why not open it up to public scrutiny? The budget-making process has been shrouded in secrecy, making it sport for politicians to point fingers at one another while denying any and all culpability for the crisis they’ve created.

So roll the cameras — it may not be pretty, but it certainly will be educational. And, most importantly, effective in shining a disinfectant light on what’s become a festering mess in Sacramento.

Good, bad news in eBay fencing case

File this one under bad news/good news/bad news:

• The bad news is that Paso Robles residents were plagued with a string of car burglaries in April. Brickbat.

• The good news is that one of the victims stumbled upon her stolen items while surfing eBay to replace them; an arrest was made. Bouquets to the alert victim and investigators with the Paso Police Department.

• The other bad news is that those folks who bought the stolen goods in good faith are probably out of luck in getting recompensed for their buys. Brickbat.

Of course, cybercrime brickbats are flying out to the perps who are facing multiple felonies for grand theft and possession of stolen goods.