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O’Malley threatens mayor with alley brawl

May 23, 2008

By KAREN VELIE

Atascadero City Council member Tom O’Malley challenged Mayor Mike Brennler to handle a dispute regarding council procedures his way, man-to-man out in the parking lot, said numerous attendees of Thursday’s “public trust and campaign reform workshop.”

During the conciliatory-turned-contentious meeting, O’Malley interrupted and argued with a speaker during public comment. Brennler asked O’Malley to let the speaker finish. When it appeared O’Malley couldn’t hear the mayor over the altercation, Brennler began waving his hand at the council member.

“If you don’t stop shaking your hand at me, we are going to have to meet out back in the parking lot,” O’Malley is reported by numerous witnesses to have said.

O’Malley did not respond to requests for comment.

Late last year, the council voted to hire a mediator at a cost of around $9,000 to oversee a series of meetings designed to help city leaders develop skills needed to foster publics trust and confidence. At the first meeting a few months ago, O’Malley is reported to have hurled insults and argued with Brennler and Tom Shanks, the mediator.

Shortly before O’Malley’s latest threat, Suzy Anderson, a member of “A Better Atascadero,” — a political action committee — accused council member George Luna’s wife Ursula of taking certain actions during an election eight years ago.

George Luna said he was not going to listen to “lies,” and walked out of the meeting. Anderson later said she was not speaking on behalf of her group.

Following lunch, Luna returned, and Brennler asked attendees to follow meeting decorum and refrain from personal insults and requests for fist fights. Shanks put a limit on public participation, and the focus turned towards public finance reform.


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By: Anonymous on 6/2/08

Don't elect another developer lackey like Clay and O'Malley!!

By: Anonymous on 6/2/08

The California Woman's League supports Patterson. NO 0n 98.. YES on 99

By: Anonymous on 6/2/08

Don't forget to Vote for Arnold. Get out everyone you know. Your wife, husband, son, daughter, Mom, Dad, freinds and coworkers. VOTE FOR ARNOLD. Your current and future property rights depend on it. As well as a drug free environment.

By: Anonymous on 6/1/08

I agree that it would be a great idea for Atascadero to have it's own blog page. We could all suggest subjects to discuss and Karen & Dan could then set the pace for a new subject each week ( WM, creek set backs, trails, City Council, FEMA, blah blah blah) based on what we all need/want to talk about.

By: Anonymous on 6/1/08

It appears that all of the controversary in Atascadero would warranht its on blogging page so all of the truth regarding Atascadero, along with comments, could be available online.

It could be an "open blog" for Atascadero.

By: Anonymous on 6/1/08

It is evident by the # of hits registered to this web site that the # of posts are within range compared to the hits. In reality only about 3-5% of readers actually post. I believe that Karen said when Congalton did the show about Kelly Gearhart that she had 20,000 hits.

By: Anonymous on 6/1/08

most people post while at work….off-work time is much too valuable to spend on mindless blogs/boards.


In other words, most of us, with insider bseing the exception have a life

By: Anonymous on 5/31/08

Dan & Karen have this blog thing figured out. It is evident that most all of the remarks, especially the nasty, mean, hateful remarks are made between 8 to 5 Monday through Friday from the government employees sitting at their trough job.


So Dan and Karen have the weekends off or are they writing most of this stuff and taking the weekends off?

By: Anonymous on 5/31/08

I'll check here Monday to see what ou have to tell us all about insider. The person sure is full of bs and makes constant rhetorical statements and then ask's for an answer! Should be interesting. I think that the IP for insider should be blocked by the web master. We could all get a lot more accomplished and maybe begin a real dialogue.

By: Anonymous on 5/31/08

Aparently the Luna, Brenler, Beraud, Comar, and OWM don't like the questions people ask of them they perfer to attack. Your lack of answers to the many questions posed are the answers themselves.

By: Anonymous on 5/31/08

It's time for a new story. The O'Malley/ Clay crazy's have spent themselves and have now gone into full psychosis.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Why wait until Monday when you can hear it now!

Here’s the deal, Brennler is being used and hasn’t a clue that he has been set up as the fall guy. They are playing him like a cheap violin.

George and his (read “his wife’s) group are the masterminds behind getting Brennler & Beraud elected. George saw this coming along time ago and had to get someone expendable and naïve (to damn dumb) to know when he is being used.

George will come away from the collapse of the city pointing his finger at Brennler and Beraud.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

One side of Geroge's mouth-I want commercial growth to come to Atascadero.

The other side of Luna's mouth, this is a quoate "as far as i'm concerned they can't charge these developers enough."

That certainly are words of encouragement to anyone wanting to do anything in Atascadero. We are certainly seeing the results of that.

Remove Luna and the lunatics and the town will prosper and unfortunately you do nothings will have to stand back and actually see somebody make a living and hopefully a profit so that they can pay their taxes to subsidize you.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

ATTENTION


Be here Monday for a mind blowing, bomb-dpopping bomshell regarding "insider."


You're not going to believe what I will post. Stay tuned.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

"Full of S**t says:

If a person sells their trailer they no longer have a lease. Don't give me your bs. The landlord is free to raise the rent and we all know it."


Uh. Yeah. You probably want to look in to that. I don't believe you're quite correct in your assertion.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

And what concrete steps did Luna ever take to attract comercial business. Yes he cried, whined, and complained. That sounds like all you guys do. Then you yell conspiracy when somebody like Tom acually works hard to find potential retailers. As if that is some how a problem.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

to Local Business


So are you saying Luna cast his final vote against the Dove Creek project?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Where were you O'Malley & Clay groupies between 2000 & 2007? Luna was screaming about commercial development. He continued to point out the the city was going to have a financial crisis if they didn't slow down on the residential building (re zoning) and start working on commercial development and main street. He complained continuously about the Chamber. He complained about being out voted every time he tried to do something about the problem. Do any of you know how sickening you are to listen to you blame Luna. It's you and your budies that are responsible for this. Get an education and get informed and get the hell out of here. Jokers.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

to to out of buisiness


Name one business that was encouraged to locate in town by Luna suppoters.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

to full of it


Thats why they call it rent control. Locally it only exist in mobile home parks. You go ahead and believe what you want to believe it your right then all this about rent controll doesn't matter and therefore no reason to not vote yes on 98. Right?


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

A bunch of ill informed, bs sproting, self centered trouble makers. They do nothing but cause disruptions at meetings and can't except that they must live with the will of the people. They will very soon be the laughing stock of the county just like everyone in Atascadero is laughing at them.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Name one business that was run out of town by Luna supporters. Never happend. Except for hopefully Wal-Mart. You ABA pack are just so full of it. Go kick Joan Main in the butt and tell her to do her job. Pay a visit to Steve Martin while your at it and tell him to work on main street instead of looking to "pocket" another 10K a year from Wal-Mart.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

If a person sells their trailer they no longer have a lease. Don't give me your bs. The landlord is free to raise the rent and we all know it.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

And where is there rent control on commercial property? Eventually the lease runs out. 5 years and then there is a new lease that can block sub leasing.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

The mattress shop by Home Depot was loading up and taking their sign down. The cowboy shop at Entrada was loading up a truck and closing up. I don't recall the name of the third business.

Then the idiot came out in you. Who do you think brings all of the businesses to town and puts the "deals" together? You better sit down for this one, it's the REALTORS and to burst your bubble again they do get paid for it. Please let me know of 1, I'm giving you a real brake here, just 1 business that this city government is FULLY responsible for bringing to town? But Wal Mart doesn't count because they have no knowledge of that and Luna's hard drive went out, remember. I can only imagine that you are a Luna and Beraud supporter. Those 2 are like the Judas goats leading the sheep to slaughter. They and there followers have ran more businesses out of this town than most people would ever imagine. I know for a fact that a hospital wanted to town and the first question was "how much sales tax does it make." That was it for the hospital. The actions of the current Planning Department is fully endorsed by this anti business attitude and that is why we are where we are today. Doomsday is around the corner.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

to BS


Lets say you are in a rent controlled Mobil Home park. The landlord has been restricted from raising your rent other than minor yearly increases for the last 20 years you have been there. You have a great ocean view and a old double wide. You are ready to sell. Your space the land you rent from the park is say $350 a mo. the park owner is restricted to 10% increase and therefore can charge only $385 per mo. to the new tenant. Your mobile is worth say $30,000. You are however able to sell it for $200,000 to a new owner because of it being in Cayucus with a great view. The new owner comes in puts a brand new doublewide on it and because of the great view it's new value is $500,000 if you sell but of course once again you are getting the gain because of the view and the park owner gets the shaft or another 10% or $38.50 a month on the space. These are not accual numbers but the concept is correct. The point is the Tenant is taking advantage of rent control because he is taking full advantage of market conditions and the new owner of the mobil is obviously not there for low cost housing

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

The blanket statment regarding leases is wrong. A lease is a contract and ANY terms and conditions can be added to the lease by either party. Then both parties must agree to the terms and conditions, sign the lease and away they go. Sub-leasing of commercial leases is almost a standard part of a lease agreement.

1 for insider.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

The question is where is our Chamber of Commerce? They spent years in bed with the realotors rather than promoting Atascadero and the small business. Heck they send peope shopping in Santa Barbra. The city is a result of many years of the Good Ole Boys running the show. It can't be corrected over night. I also drove through town today and didn't see any business's loading up trucks and moving. You must be one of the ABA (twisted) folks.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

to BS about selling rentals


Are you drunk?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

This blog has gone completely astray. We need to stay on the topic of Atascadero. While driving thru PART of town today I observed 3 businesses loading trucks and going out of business.

Where is our city council that is going to turn Atascadero around?

I ask everyone in Atascadero, especially the business people, are you better off today than before Brennler and Beraud along with Luna got control of the city?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I wonder what Tom O'Malley's opinion would be on this? They are kind of hard to track down since he has out some of them in his "silent" partners name.

Just ask Tom he usually has the Answer.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

A tenant hasno right to sublet a rental space. If there is a lease then that is the person who has a right to ocupy. If they move a new lease must be signed and the rent can be raised. A ggod landlord can demand that every person occupying a dwelling must have a lease. The lease can say that the tenant can't sublet. That is just standard.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I wonder if real rent control say on apartments and single family houses was allowed how many of you would want to be in the rental buisiness. How many of you would want to construct apartments and or condos that could be used as rental stock. No one! Thats the answer. Yes on 98. No on 99.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

The following is a load of horse-misinfo posted by a poser:


Another Vote for Patterson says:

I am a senior on fixed income, struggling with health problems. I am afraid of Prop 98 and Arnold. She will make me and many of my friends homeless.


Prop 98 only ends rent control on a unit when the tenant moves out.


Prop 98, among other things, tries to correct the following unfair situation:


What happens is that tenants in rent control situations enjoy a "free" benefit at the expense of the building (or in SLOCO, the MH park) owner. Wittingly or unwittingly, tenants then become equity stakeholders in their rent-controlled dwelling. In an apartment situation, tenants sell their right to occupy a rent-controlled space. In SLO Co, mobile home owners sell their MHs with a higher price because the unit is in a rent-controlled park. What effectively happens is that the real estate owners' equity is transferred to the owner of the improvements (the mobile home owner). Therefore, the tenant gets to profit at the direct expense of the park owner.


It is unfair beyond words, and has been going on so long, tenants in mobile home parks feel like it is their entitlement to sell their rent-controlled space to the highest bidder.


It is this type of involuntary transfer of assets that will be corrected by the passage of Prop 98 and the rejection of Prop 99.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I only wish that Tom still had all of his freinds with money. Oh yes, I forgot he used his own money. If Tom did have those freinds he may have made a run for County Supervisor. I'm sure that he would have received some great support from Atascadero like Oppose Wal Mart and the rest of the people who have heard to much from Tom. The opportunity is gone for now unless Tom picks another fight.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

O'Malley's friends are jealous because Tom wasn't acceptable as a County Supervisory Candidate. Patterson has more ontellect and integrity than O'Malley and his rabel rousers have combined x 10 fold.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I have no doubt that Jim will win by a land slide vote.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Some people are so rediculous with their comments.Like this last comment "government checks" ,it must be that nut insider sliming again.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

When Tom O'Malley resigns or is removed from the city council he does have an option. Tom has told us for years that he is a trained economist and graduated with a degree in economics.

Perfect, Tom can then get in line to do $50,000 to $100,000 studies to help other government agencies during these tough economic times. He must know what he is doing because Atascadero is the only city on the Central Coast that doesn't appear to have an economic problem. Just ask them.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Patterson's followers probably don't have to worry because they will be getting their government check in the mail. Don't worry about anybody else but yourself.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

County bankrupt? City bankrupt?

Well with EFI, Hurst, Kelly Gearhart, the criminals in the White House, Insider, etc. how is that working out for you?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Think with just 1 vote we can get rid of Paterson and his pet Sarah Christie. Wait maybe he's her pet.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

This election will be a real turning point. If Paterson and Hill join Gibson and The three stooges stay in power in Atascadero. Both the City and County will likely face bankruptcy within the next several years. We won't have any development so our income will stagnate our expenses will go up. Thier solution will be to raise building fees and place more affordable housing agendas on the people. Which will stop any chance of the building industry of recovering. So ultimately there will be less affordable housing and housing in general, less services to help the needy and they will be either pointing thier fingers at past leaders or promising some utopian future. Ironically they will further devide the haves from the have nots which is just the opposite of thier retoric. How much more affordable has housing got since they started that concept. Not at all its just got more expensive for everyone else. Including you and your family. Throw the bums out.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Open Line Friday refers to Rush Limbaugh.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I am a senior on fixed income, struggling with health problems. I am afraid of Prop 98 and Arnold. She will make me and many of my friends homeless.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

If it's open line on Friday you must be Congleton or the folks at KPRL.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

TO: To Anonymous says


Thanks for taking the bait.


IT'S OPEN LINE FRIDAY!!!!!

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Today must be the big day that we all have been waiting for. Cindy Sasur is revealing her secrets.

So Cindy, tell all about the finances of Oppose Wal Mart. The whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you Tom Comar.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I make no secrets about where I place my votes. I'll be voting for Patterson.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I would hope you could do better than the babysitter statement. I'm sure all of the feminists appreciated that.

Fortunately my mother,who babysat me during my informative years, instilled some good standards of life in my upbringing. She didn't have an AA, was not a certified teacher but taught me some of the best things I have learned in my life.

What has Mr. Patterson done for the best of EVERYONE? And just not his Sarah Christie group. Jim could almost be acceptable if he would remove Sarah Christie and her likes from his agenda. Although what would he then have left?

I'll take an A over a P anytime.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

What most people don't know is that McKinney had an internal survey done of city staff to get there take on the trust they had for their leaders. The results backfired on them. 75% didn't trust the department heads and city manager while close to 50% had no confidence in the city council.

Consequently the public trust workshop was formed. I think they needed to instill trust within before they attempted to convinve us that they are ethical.

Well Tom O'Malley demonstrated the degree of public trust that I guess we should have with our city leaders.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

McKinney got away with it because he knows IT ALL. Any detrimental action against McKinney is like signing a death warrant for Clay, Luna and O'Malley. As far as the report on Tracy I believe that personel matters are confidential. Tracy is certainly entitled to a copy of that report.

Although when Tracy wanted to appeal the actions taken against him he wanted the hearing to be opened to the public. That is when the McKinney and the 3 stooges backstepped and did whatever was necessary to keep Tracy quiet.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Arnolds radio ads prop her up as a "Teacher". What kind of teacher celebrates an AA fron Cuesta? No doubt she was a pre-school babysitter at best.


On the other hand, Patterson is a socialist….not good choices either way

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Paterson is a lying two faced politician that will say anything to get elected. He is either a closeted extremist environmentalist or a completely wishy washy kiss any but politician that has never had a job that pays this well. oust Paterson. Vote Arnold for change.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Lets not forget about Hurst Financial and Kelly Gearhart. They want Arnold too.

VOTE FOR PATTERSON AND SAVE YOURSELVES

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

My three vote go to Arnold. Vote early, Vote often, Vote Arnold. Protect your private property rights even if you don't have any now protect them for your future. Vote Arnold. Vote YES on 98. Vote no on Pateson supported 99.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Here are the people who want Arnold. Buban, Jackson, Burbach, Anderson , O'malley and Insider.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Insider and Arnold probably relate to each other. Always twisting the truth and sliming the facts. VOTE FOR PATTERSON. Patterson isn't about to take anyones land.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Lets face it , IF INSIDER WANTS ARNOLD THEN YOU KNOW PATTERSON IS THE GOOD GUY.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

If you want to throw old folks on the street, statewide, vote yes on 98.


By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Patersons supports taking your private property rights with creek setbacks. Paterson proposed criminal proceedings against YOU if deer fed on your landscape or drank water on your property. Paterson supports marijuana dispensaries in your nieghborhood. Paterson supports eminent domain. Vote for Arnold. Yes on 98

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I would vote yes on 98 only if I knes that inseder was a perpetual renter…..98 is not about ED, it's about no rent control…you think that doing away withprop 13 will put old folks on the street? this wiil do far worse

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Don't vote for Arnold. Vote for Patterson.


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Eminent Domain is always on the table. Just because a current CC says they are not interested in Eminent Domain doesn't mean a future CC won't be. Vote yes on 98. No on 99. Vote for Arnold and oust Paterson.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

It's very curious how it is that Wade "got away" unscathed in the end. Some questions have never been answered. It appears that there is a mess that Mike & Ellen can't "clean up" without a 3rd vote and for some unknown reason they aren't getting that vote. The results of the investigation with Marty were determined by the city attorney Enright to be (not for public viewing)confidential but that's not legal. The investigation is a legal public document but Marcia Torgeson won't release it.The city gave a copy to Marty Tracey and that immediately made the report a public document (ask any attorney). I think Karen and Dan should do a story on how the city has to release the contents of that document.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

That was a perfect case of cover your a_s 101. It's also called diversion. The city council wanted that corner developed and directed McKinney and Tracy to go after it, which they did. There were other player's involved in the transaction also, rumor has it a current Planning Commissioner had their finger in the deal. After the revelation of being caught the guilty council went after McKinney. The end result of that condemnation meeting was that McKinney walked away with great praise for his job performance. That meant someone else had to be targeted. Hello Marty Tracy.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Why wasn't Wade fired?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Wade McKinney instructed Marty Tracy to threaten the gas station owners with the ED words. The council was furious about it. Scalise even called an emergency meeting (there was a 24 hour notice on the city hall doors and no one knew) the fire dept showed up to stick up for Wade and some employess showed up as well etc. The CC had a private investigation done on what happend. Marty was hired back because Wade had instructed him to do what he did without CC consent.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

Sounds like the city council and cronies are paying "hush money" to Marty Tracy for his silence for their past activities. Could this possibly be the stumbling block that Mike Brennler has come into in trying to fulfilling his campaign promise to clean up city hall. I would venture to say there is not enough money in the coffer's at city hall to silence the city manager and/or planning department officials if they were "released" from their duties. I would say it would be virtually impossible for Brennler to get a majority vote to take the appropriate action needed to clean the town up. If the above mentioned people went, I don't even think my wild imagination could conceive all of the dirt that would come out on the "leaders" of our city. Good luck Mike. There could almost be the pssoibility that Beraud could utter the word "Yes" on the this serious matter.

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

How do you know that the city council doesn't endorse eminent domain. There actions speak to the contrary. O'Malley, Luna and Clay who are currently on the council were participants in the proceedings against the Gaughn's. I've been told directly that they lied about that and made Marty Tracy the scapegoat. That is evident by the fact that upon Mr. Tracy's request for a public appeal he was immediately reinstated to his position at full pay and then salted away somewhere in city hall. Wouldn't you like to see the confidentiality agreement on that deal. So to inform you a majority of the current council, city management, planning department and the redevelopment agency of Atascadero has attempted eminent domain. What makes you think they would not do it again when they have stated that their desire is to have a trail along the creek from downtown to Atascadero Creek?

By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

I am willing to help you, in the event of "b" below, by giving you information.


You need to work hard and save in order to help yourself in the case of "a," like the rest of us have.


Vote yes on Prop 98 to help protect our homes and businesses from government "taking."


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By: Anonymous on 5/30/08

If you're not scared of eminent domain and the Kelo decision, either a) you do not own any real property, or b) you are under-informed.


Vote yes on Prop 98 to help protect our homes and businesses from government "taking."

By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

No! I will be voting against Prop 98, the Farm Bureau, and that developer lackey,Debbie Arnold because she wants to put seniors on the street.

By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

Thank you for your vote of confidence.


Thank you, too, for voting No on 99.


Since you don't seem to understand Prop 98, I implore you to do the right thing and withhold your vote on that proposition.

By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

You are an idiot. Prop 98 is about eliminating rent control in California. Vote for Prop 99 if you are concerned about eminent domain. I am not, so I will be voting no on both.

By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

Let me interject here that we all would benefit from the eminent domain protection offered by Prop 98 next Tuesday.


The "fooler" version is Prop 99, which is weaker.


If you really want protection from eminent domain, please vote yes on Prop 98, and no on prop 99.


By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

The CC doesn't approve of aquistion by eminent domain. Just ask them. If someone really has a private creek reservation then that will probably be the end of the public trail idea because it will "dead end" on private property. If you have private property then no one is going to take it. As for the ABA you had better hope that you can prove someone has private property because I'm going to raise up a collective action for public trails along the creek "on public property" and stick to you assholes who think your so smart. I'm tired of your bullshit. Recall the CFA- ABA and stick it too them.

By: Anonymous on 5/29/08

"They do however leave room for a easement"? Who are you quoting? Certainly not Webster's as I did.


"To simpify it for you the CITY could aquire an EASEMENT by eminent domain".


Thanks for 'simplifying' your thoughts, but I "COULD" just ignore you too.


If the City proposed a Creekside Eminent Domain Ordinance that'd be one thing, but it's called the Creekside Setback Ordinance. Just 'cause you can't read (or spell) doesn't make it so.


If the City (Manager & Staff) wanted to take your property by Eminent Domain, I'd be there fighting against them with you, but they're not, so I'm just trying to stop you from looking like a fool 'cause you can't understand the difference.


Ultimate goal? Bwahahaha


Me? I'm at work, but going home in five minutes!


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