Arroyo Grande tryst a group affair

August 19, 2014
Steve Adams

Arroyo Grande City Manager Steve Adams

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN

A late night rendezvous at Arroyo Grande City Hall involving two city officials ended abruptly when emergency workers, responding to a 911 call about a missing spouse, discovered a partially dressed couple in the darkened building.

But the sex scandal apparently goes far beyond staff using a City Hall office for late night liaisons, and includes the cost to taxpayers for the emergency response and for the pair traveling together to out of town events. Several staffers said city officials appear to have conspired to minimize the incident.

On July 3, Arroyo Grande City Manager Steve Adams and Community Development Director Teresa McClish attended the grand opening of Robert’s Restaurant, across the street from City Hall.

At about 10 p.m., McClish called her husband to say she was on her way home from work and that her cell phone was dying, according to city documents.

Teresa McClish

Community Development Director Teresa McClish

Shortly after 11 p.m., McClish’s husband called 911 to report that his wife had not arrived home. Though it had only been about an hour since McClish had called her husband, he said he was worried because she has a heart condition and he asked officers to find out if she was still at City Hall, according to city records and sources.

Police dispatchers responded by sending a car to City Hall and another to check out Ralph and Duane’s, a neighborhood bar. Officers did not find McClish at Ralph and Duanes, according to police documents.

At City Hall, police discovered McClish’s green Ford Focus parked in the front lot, with her purse and cell phone inside. The lights at City Hall appeared to be off and no one answered knocks on the door or calls to inside phone lines, police documents say.

Considering McClish’s heart condition, officers called firefighters for assistance, according to city records and sources.

At 11:36 p.m., during their search of the building, officers discovered Adams and McClish in an intimate situation, several sources said. After dressing, McClish informed her husband that she had been found.

In the past, Adams has been adamant about prohibiting romantic relationships with subordinate employees. Several years ago, he insisted on the termination of a female police officer who had a personal relationship with a lower-ranking member of the force.

Following the Adams-McClish incident, city staff said they have concerns about the handling of an investigation because of the close relationships between Mayor Tony Ferrara, city attorney Timothy Carmel, and Adams. In April, Carmel wrote a memorandum recommending the Arroyo Grande City Council approve a 10.5 percent increase in Adams’ salary — to begin on July 4.

Nevertheless, Ferrara selected Carmel to lead the investigation into Adams’ alleged affair with McClish, city sources said.

On August 12, Adams sent a memorandum to the city council asking them to approve a 3 percent increase to the $250,000 the city paid Carmel for legal services in fiscal year 2013-2014.

Calls to Adams, McClish and Ferrara were not returned. A woman who answered the phone at Carmel’s office first said, “Just a minute please…” and then returned to the phone to say Carmel would “be out of the office until September.”

When asked why the city was having Carmel investigate Adams’ alleged affair with a subordinate, Councilwoman Kristen Barneich said she would have to speak with Carmel and Adams before she could respond to the question.

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I wonder how soon it will be before Arroyo Grande their claims employees are underpaid…


It’s obvious that they are underpaid if their boss is on top.


Certainly not “underlaid!’


You can’t make this stuff up. Your tax dollars again at work! I guess her heart is strong enough for certain activities.


Her heart condition has been diagnosed as “broken heart”, she got caught, and the remedy retirement with benefits. Typical government treatment!


Interesting- according to recent news sources, Adams was one of the local city managers who supposedly assisted in screening the candidates for the Morro Bay city manager job.


Imagine that…yet another wolf in sheep’s clothing.


panflash….bahahahahahahaha. Yes and look who the new city manager is? Some hot tempered military guy from Virginia. Someone that knows ZILCH about our community. Can not wait to see where he ties into the incestuous group we have running the City of Morro Bay right now. What a JOKE! Wont matter to much longer as Irons, his 2 sidekicks Noah Smuckler and Christine Johnson, (soon to be Matt Makowetski) are sending our city down the tubes. It is just a matter of time before the county takes back over. Of course not before Mayor Jamie Irons gets his newly bought property rezoned located in downtown Morro Bay. You know the property he tried to get rezoned and was told he couldn’t by our highly respected city attorney at the time, Rob Schultz? After King Irons was told he had to play by the rules, Mr. Schultz was gone. Must give credit to Rob Schultz. Being the GREAT attorney he is he had a new job in 2 weeks! Was picked out of dozens of applicants.Morro Bay’s loss and the city of Los Gatos gain.


Robber Shultz highly respected? Yes he was, by a handful of corrupt people who needed him for covering up miss-deeds among the old guard, all who believe themselves above the law, including Rob. Great attorney? Oh Pleeeease. Good riddance Rob. Feel free to move to Los Gatos Nurse Nasty.


Oh Diamond, sorry not moving. Just bought another home here in our beautiful fishing village.Have a great job, wonderful family, 2 cats, 3 dogs. Not to mention I am on The Morro Bay Beautiful Committee. Again diamond, missing your comical videos.


Nurse Nasty? Oh my, the truth seems to ruffle your feathers a bit doesn’t it? Sticks and stone will break my bones. Looking forward to your nickname for a PA.


I guess by the amount of likes diamond, you must be upset that Mr. Schultz called in your ticket when trying to file a s load of bogus lawsuits. You are just another drifter that preys on the unsuspecting.


Less about each other, much much less.


? or ! moderator@calcoastnews.com


Nurse, you must have some incredible sources. I am shocked to read that Christine Johnson is soon changing her name to Matt Makowetski. I guess that works as long as Nancy Johnson changes her name to John Headding.


As for Schultz, he most likely started looking for a job after the election in June of 2012.


Dear Linda and Walter. Get well soon. : )


I just feel bad for her husband…


Your cheatin’ heart

Makes you a creep

You’ll try and try

With Stevie to sleep.


But sleep won’t come

The whole night through

Your cheatin’ heart

Will tell on you.


When the cops come down

Like fallin’ rain

You toss him around

And call his name.


You’ll walk the floor

of city hall

Your cheatin’ heart

Ignores your husbands call…


Hey, if Bruce Gibson can get away with it, why not Adams? Thanks for setting the bar Bruce! You’re a peach.


Would be nice to see the expense voucher on this one. I guess you could give them some credit for saving the city some money by not renting a room.

Next will be the mental breakdowns, paid administrative leave and finally a large cash settlement to keep everyone quiet.

Oh well, it’s just business as usual with our tax money.


Hash House Harriers “Mis-Management” meeting?


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