A recent Santa Maria City Council meeting saw members of the council claim that San Luis Obispo County has been negligent of its duties to keep the Santa Maria Riverbed clear of homeless encampments — but does it all come down to lines on a map?
At the Nov. 4 meeting, Mayor Alice Patino said while Santa Barbara County and the city of Santa Maria have done their part in dealing with riverbed encampments, those bodies “need cooperation from San Luis Obispo County.”
“I personally will go to the (San Luis Obispo County) Board of Supervisors and request help and money from them,” Patino said. “I have no problem going to the Board of Supervisors again and saying, ‘We really need your help. This is not just for Santa Maria to do.’”…