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Brennler, Luna won’t run again

August 1, 2008

By KAREN VELIE

Atascadero Mayor Mike Brennler won’t seek a second term on the Atascadero City Council because of health concerns.

And council member George Luna said he will also retire from the council

Relatively unknown before his first attempt at public office, Brennler ran for a two-year seat promising to address local corruption. With three seats up for grabs in the 2006 election, he tallied the highest percentage of votes.

“From day one I’ve always known I was in a position, if I was compromising my health or the welfare of my family, I would have to leave the public arena,” Brennler said. “Politics is an ugly business.”

During his tenure, Luna voted to make development pay for itself and for downtown redevelopment. He approved the Atascadero Road Plan, and was involved in balancing the city’s budget and avoiding municipal layoffs in the early 1990s. Luna has been a majority favorite during the past decade.

How might these changes affect Atascadero? Let’s recap the past few years:

April 2006: The Rottman Group announced plans to build a super Wal-Mart at the corner of El Camino Real and Del Rio Road;

May 2006: City officials denied prior knowledge of negotiations with the box-store giant;

June 2006: Opponents and proponents of Wal-Mart began a battle that still rages today;

July 2006: E-mails leaked to the media reveal city officials and staffs were negotiating with the retail giant in 2005;

November 2006: Newcomers Brennler and Ellen Beraud, along with incumbent Tom O’Malley, won seats on the council. Advocating transparency in government and reform, Brennler and Beraud immediately encountered a volatile opposition;

January 2007: Prompted by Brennler and Beraud, the council voted to televise council meetings. In prior years, Luna’s motions to televise gatherings were always unsuccessful;

June 2007: Brennler asked law enforcement to investigate whether developer Kelly Gearhart committed fraud in not paying development fees. Gearhart is currently a defendant in a lawsuit alleging he bilked investors out of money;

February 2008: City Attorney Brian Pierik informed Brennler the FBI is investigating the city. The ongoing FBI investigation is said by sources to be focusing on possible under-the-table payoffs to, or overly-cozy relationships between, upper level city management. The probe reportedly includes both elected and non-elected officials and some private individuals;

May 2008: At a “public trust and campaign reform” workshop, O’Malley challenged Brennler to handle a dispute regarding council procedures “out in the parking lot.” Council members and a few citizens engaged in frequent heated disputes ranging from arguments about Wal-Mart, to battles over council decorum.

Three seats will be open in the November election.

Tags:, Atascadero, brennler, election, Luna


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I don't think Clay will be re-elected. The candidate forums will have too much exposure for him to get away with the answers he has given the public in the past. The man is incompetent. Fonzi won't be able to win either, Al has doomed her election. The new guy Len has a better chance than Clay or Fonzi. There will be some other candidates coming forward. We have until the 8th. Some signin on the last day.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Our next Council: Clay, O'Malley, Fonzi, Beraud, ?????


Doesn't really matter who the 5th one is. Beraud will be voted out in 2 years, or will step down sooner because she doesn't like the pay or late hours.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

This blog ROCKS!!!!!!!!!


This will be NewTimes' "Best blog in SLO county 2009"


An award that will bring traffic and advertising to this invaluable site!


ROCK ON Dan & Karen!

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Walnut, Pistachio, Almond, How do we pick a nut that doesn't look like a NUT! Oh what a dilemma.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

No, Tom Comar isn't our man. There is no indication that he is interested in running and even if he wanted to, he is all about the WM issue. He wouldn't be a good candidate. I support OWM and what they are doing and will vote in favor of the ASI. I would not ever encourage Comar to run for CC. It's not in the best interest of our City. He is too controversial. I have seen how Mike was treated and he was willing to look at all possibilities. Comar can't do anything for us on the CC except cause more discord. He's a great guy doing just what he's doing. We need balance and objective members that can weigh everyone’s concerns. Luna was and is excellent but always was out voted by the previous self serving GOB's. He tried many times to save us from that element. Now he has had enough and I don't blame him. The CC did the right thing by sending the ASI to the public vote. If the CC had listened to Luna 10 years ago and even 5 years ago we wouldn't be in this mess right now. I'm sorry to see George leave.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

How about that Tillman guy, there's a guy thats full of himself. A real orator that one. A quote for every situation. Yeah Tillman he's our man if he can't do it no one can.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Although Insider comes off as a chucklehead I did enjoy his comment …


"Maybe we can sell the Rotunda to Kelly Gearhart and he can fix it."


I think everyone has pretty much come to the conclusion that whatever money Gearhart has squirreled away will be needed to hire some defense attorneys.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

How about David Broadwater. Can it be David? Can it? Please can it be David? Please.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

What, isn't Tom Comar your man. Comarads unite! Please let it be Tom.


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

The city has a choice when a city structure is damaged and FEMA funds are used. 1)Repair and Restore the original 2)If #1 is not feasable the feds will provide a lessor amount to be use for an alternate project. How do you think they built that community center. With the money that would have otherwise restored the printery. Which yes we all know is a controversy GOB's blah blah blah. Whatever I am talking about today and what we can do now not about the past and who shot John. Maybe we can sell the Rotunda to Kelly Gearhart and he can fix it.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

WE need people who are willing and have the time to throw a hat into the ring. Atascadero needs you. We have very few choices for the up coming City Council election. We also need an all new council except for our newest member Ellen Beraud. Jerry Clay has served for a long time and it's time for him to retire. He has strong emotionally driven opinions(primarily an obsession over the Luna supporters) and no longer acts in the best interest of Atascadero. Roberta Fonzi will be running but the problem is that Al Fonzi is far too radical and his mouth is interpreted as speaking for Roberta. The guy scares me and is a fire fighter who wants a WM so that he and his buddies can get a raise. They already announced (more than once) that they want a raise and that WM sales tax will achieve that goal. This is disgusting considering the pay scale and all the benefits they receive and the fact that they live here in this beautiful city and already earn far more than the average wage per capita for Atascadero. Then there is this new guy from New York City, Len who is an attorney, that’s three strikes and he's out – new in town (too new)-from NY City and an attorney. He is also far too assuming to think he understands our situation. He hasn't done his homework and is too arrogant to realize that he doesn't know what he thinks he knows. Bob Kelley might run for election and he is actually far more reasonable and objective than I had previously thought. If Grigger tries to run again , well there are skeletons just waiting to open the closet. The guy doesn't have a chance in hell. Who will save us? Who? Please stand up? You are out there. It will take courage but if your honest ,sincere and capable you will get the endorsements that you need to win. Many will rally behind you. You will win with us.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

An alternative project has already been built. Have you been to the bowling alley?

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

quack, quack, quack,

You ask if anyone has the guts to demolish the rotunda building and then keep the FEMA money? Why don't you do it?? LOL

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Here's my solution to the old city hall: Gut the entire inside of the building. Since there is already a dome there, build a small-scale Diablo Canyon type nuclear power plant inside the gutted building. The exterior will retain the original architectural style, but the inside will generate enough electricity to not only power Atascadero, but will generate revenue we can sell to PG&E. Perhaps the Feds will even help out. It's the perfect solution!

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Please tear your architectural history down,we are your future.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

What if the only realistic plan for the rotunda is to demolish it and take the money the fed offers for an alternative project. Does anybody have the guts to say it or will they let the passion to save it take us to bankruptcy?

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Towns across the U.S. seem to have similar players:


-Those seeking position for profit.

-Those seeking position for status (ego)

-Those seeking position for honest governance (rare).

-Those who just want to live and be left alone.


The problem is, there's no profit in honest governance.

So many feel entitled to wealth.

So many have no integrity.


As you sow so shall you reap.


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By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

To insider: I’m afraid it won’t be that easy. Even if the Atascadero Shield Initiative gets voted down in November, and a new council majority is voted in, Tom Comar and the union along with Ellen Beraud and the environmental extremist will not let this go. They will prolong the battle as long as it takes to out last Wal-Mart. Even if Wal-Mart doesn’t give up, it will take many years before the project is completed.


As far as the Rotunda Building, I agree, it is a lost cause. From reading the engineering reports on the building it basically needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. Like the Carlton was, except Atascadero doesn’t have the money Wyrich does. The new guy on the block (Len Colamarino) has some grand ideas about turning the Rotunda Building into a world-class museum along with moving the junior high school. I hope the other candidates can come up with a little more realistic plan.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Who cares that Brennler and Luna are retiring? Mudhole sucked before they got there; it sucks now, and it will continue to suck after they leave. What is the big deal?


I can't believe I just wrote that. All you negative posters are really working a number on me — and I don't even live in A-berg (thankfully).

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Brennler and Luna have figured out how bad our finances are. They may have also figured out what a drain or I should say what an impossibility it will be to restore the old City Hall. They know this City is in such a mess that bankruptcy is eminent unless an immediate change is made in our priorities. The old City Hall could easily end up being $50 million with maybe only a fourth of that coming from the fed. We have staff that is being overly optimistic when they should be overly conservative. Is it better to lay off a few now even if it means a few less police or fire fighters or let this thing go until we have to disban both departments and contract with the county for services. We can not continue robbing Peter to pay Paul and it will be several years until any turnaround, even if it starts today will put us in the black again. Wake up Atascadero we need some serious fiscal responsibility now! We need to cut services to the bone and get this WalMart on line as soon as possible. We also need to have the whole deal with the old City Hall evaluated by an unbiased third party at once.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

It appears that there is a New York City Attorney who moved here a couple of years ago. He seems to think he knows whats best for all of us and wants to run for city council. I winder who's backing him? Hummmm

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

For the most part you are correct however the enviromentalist have always been for retail business. They just want something that fits the character of Atascadero. It is the planning department that gave the city the "buisness unfriendly" reputation. It's been siad many times that George Luna who has always represented the enviromentalist/open space, and general plan champion was lobbying for retail development and protecting the commercial zoning years before anyone began to pay attention. Up until somebody got the grand idea of bailig Atascadero out by courting a super Wal-Mart the developers had themselves a hay day rezoning the prime commercial properties and over building residential properties. Now the best land we have left is being held hostage by Wal-Mart thanks to Wade Mckinney,Tom O'Malley, Kurt Stone, Jim Lewis and the Rottman Group.


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By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Any candidate that thinks they are going to walk into Atascadero and say let’s hug and make up simply does not have a clue about what is going on in our town. You would have had a much better chance of getting the north and south to kiss and make up at Gettysburg. And like Gettysburg, Atascadero is ground zero of a national debate. There are two fundamental ideologies at war here in Atascadero……The extreme environmentalist socialistic view, and the property rights pro business bunch…..The far left vs. the far right.


War makes strange bedfellows, for example, the anti Wal-Mart union campaign teamed up with the environmentalist to accomplish their goal of stopping Wal-Mart and growth. After they win they can fight it out for the ultimate winner.


I wish it could be different, but this battle is much larger than Atascadero, we are simply the battleground. Right now the city council and planning commissions have an extreme environmentalist majority. But that may soon change……It really doesn’t matter because both sides have enough backers to put any decision the council makes to a vote. So it doesn’t matter who the candidates are, they will be shredded by one side or the other, and considered collateral damage. This war will ultimately be decided at the ballot box. Maybe as it should be……The only question that remains is if Atascadero as a town will survive.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

A new Grand Jury just was sworn in. Those with knowledge of wrong doings in Atascadero should file complaints with the Grand Jury.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

I hope someone will encourage Fred Munroe to step in and run for council. He was on the GB city council for years and did a heck of a job. Now he lives in the Del Rio neighborhood. Perfect choice!

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

By the way I think an investigation should be done as to under what authority Brennler took it upon himself without consencus of the council to direct city staff "the APD officer" to oust an individual citizen from a city council meeting. The investigation should include any direction or encouragement given to other city staff outside of a consencus of city council, primarily planning or building. He seems to feel quite comfortable breaking the rules that are set for others but not for himself. Kind of like those guys on Traffic Way.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Build the WalMart, allow it to attract other retailers to the corner of Del Rio, take the tax increment surplus and invest it directly into the downtown area into diversified shopping opportunities. Everyone wins.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

The ABA is run by the same Atascaderans who've consistently demonstrated since the city's incorporation that building a city is not their forté. I would hope we can all abandon partisan politics, look at Atascadero, and judge whether we like what we see. If we think the town was ust fine before Brennler was elected, fine, follow the ABA voting line. On the other hand, if we look at the town and observe its leadership lacks a vision, let's thank the ABA folks for what they've tried to do here and push them along their way. By the way, I am no fan of Brennler and Beraud — both have been huge disappointments — but remain convinced that they are more capable of making smart decisions than their councilmates. By the way, let's not build a Wal-Mart here. It's fundamentally flawed to build a city from the outside in, and fundamental flaws have a way of biting people in the butt. Having a Wal-Mart in town would be like downing a bag of pork rinds for lunch. Solve one problem, create two others.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

The first plan WalMart brought in was fantastic and had it not been shot down would be well into its EIR by now. If WalMart goes away which I certainly hope not we will know where the blame squarely lies. I acually hoped things would continue as is and maybe a one seat swing would occur on the CC and this WalMart thing could be expedited. The City needs to quit spending money and concentrate on this project and tightening thier belt for a few years. Stop spending reserves. Freeze hiring and lay off as necessary to achieve a balanced bubjet. Quit trying to plan everything to the nth degree and play the cards you're dealt.


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By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

insider says: "We could start by making the Del Rio corner the best and most profitable Super WalMart ever and let them put a couple of quality medium priced restaurants on the same site like Chili's and Outback. How's that for a start? Instead of trying to block WalMart lets focus on making it the best WalMart."


While I must admit WalMart was not my first choice for the Del Rio corner, I think we must face reality. WalMart owns the property, and no one else is interested in our city at this time. I've been reading Len Colamarino's website, http://upgradeatascadero.org/ and he seems to have some good ideas. Below is a partial statement of his vision for the business sector:


"A third important district for retail activity is the big box store district that is already

partially formed at the northern end of Atascadero. Currently, the most notable big box

stores there are Home Depot, Staples and Office Depot. In the next couple of years, it looks

like Wal-Mart might also arrive, which would probably bring a few more specialty big box

operations, and maybe some of the chain restaurants that often open around groups of big

box stores. If the voters adopt the Shield Initiative, or the Wal-Mart project is not

completed for some other reason, it will be necessary to recruit some other big box retailers

to that area. With the right strategy, that should be doable."


Interesting! Unlike Brennler and Beraud, Len is actually offering up a vision. Not sure if I'll vote for him, but his ideas warrant more study.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

We could start by making the Del Rio corner the best and most profitable Super WalMart ever and let them put a couple of quality medium priced restaurants on the same site like Chili's and Outback. How's that for a start? Instead of trying to block WalMart lets focus on making it the best WalMart.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

I'm not sure why people on this blog are always trying to figure out who the bloggers are, but whatever. And no, I'm not David Broadwater. There's another useless self-proclaimed "watchdog" who likes to make unfounded accustaions and conspiracy theories, much like Brennler.


Time for Change says:" Let's all turn the page and start out fresh to make Atascadero be what it should be-the best town on the Central Coast.

Is everyone willing to let bygones be bygones and move forward?"


I agree with Time for Change. I believe we have far more in common, than not. There only seems to be a few controversial issues that we disagree on. We need to focus on those issues and reach consensus, something the current CC can't seem to do.


By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Let's all turn the page and start out fresh to make Atascadero be what it should be-the best town on the Central Coast.

Is everyone willing to let bygones be bygones and move forward?

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

I know who truthbeknown is.

It's David Broadwater!

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

OK, let's expand

What about the statements recently made by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Let's start a blog about their statements that they basically know more and are ordained to take control of the county.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

The Bell curve doesn't lie says:"Truth be known…Atascadero is like a teenager at risk. You can only talk about it so much before you get sick of it."


Try living here!


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By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

This site is weighted at 90+% North County.


Our county is much bigger than that. What about the rest? What about the eco-Marxists on the SLO city council?

We need more diveristy of stories. please.

Truth be known…Atascadero is like a teenager at risk. You can only talk about it so much before you get sick of it.

EXPAND!

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Evel Knawful says:"Atascadero is the Mississippi of SLO County." and "Coincidentally, I'm moving back to SLO next week after three years in Atascassippi."


Ya'll come back after we build our Super Walmart and do a little shoppin, ya hear!


By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

who gives a rat's ass about association. Most bloggers here are using nicknames

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

"Buban Rhetoric says: 1st insider & truthbeknown are ABA members (there are about 7 of them with very BIG NASTY MOUTHS that disrupt every meeting) who tried to have Mike and Ellen recalled after they were elected. Blah blah blah blah . . ."


Here is another assinine assumption and untruth told by someone to help them justify their unfounded position. FACT: I am not associated in any way with the ABA. However, I may have met some of their members in the past, but I’m not sure because I don’t know who all are members.


Please don’t make ridiculous assumptions about me, and I’ll show you the same courtesy.

By: Anonymous on 8/2/08

Breaking News……..After reading this blog Governor Schwarzenegger has called out the emergency response teams and National Guard to enlarge the State Hospital fencing to encompass the whole town. He has ordered Cal Trans to remove all exits to the city by day break ……Stay tuned for further updates.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Public trails along the Salinas River? The river is owned by the motocross and ATV riders, and if you suggest to them that they're breaking the law, destroying the riverbed and silting up Monterey Bay, they'll threaten you. If you call the APD, they'll say "We'll be right over," and then never show. (See a few paragraphs down this article, about Atascadero.) Meanwhile, the APD has plenty of time to intimidate my neighbors on the flimsiest pretexts contrived by their crooked, incompetent landlords.


(Coincidentally, I'm moving back to SLO next week after three years in Atascassippi. I love the warm summer evenings here and the oaks and wildlife, but I've run into more complete jerks in three years here than in the prior seventeen elsewhere in the county. I thought I knew what to expect, but it's much worse than I thought. Atascadero is the Mississippi of SLO County. No surprise that people don't want to serve in city government.)

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Just think that if this site had audio what it would sound like.

And if had smell the Air Quality Control Board would be called in.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I bet the PRPD and the APD and Mr. what's his face that drives too fast are all very relieved today. Its back to crazy Atascadero politic's. You are really nuts in this city. Talk about corruption. Geeez it's so obvious what the problem is.


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By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like duck then it's a duck.

We know who are. We can't mistake your quacking.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I sometimes wonder if people at ASH sleep better at night knowing that at least they have a fence to protect them.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

You all continue to make the point why you scare the hell out of Brennler and Luna. By the way I am not anyone you proclaim and am not a member or the ABA or the chamber just a citizen that the outright insanity that has taken over this city since Brennler and Ellen the turtle Bereaus election. I'm sure within the next council meeting or two they will revise our shortfall another $500,000. Run, run carpetbagers.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

To Anonymous,

More people were angry about the WalMart cover up rather than about the WalMart itself.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

NOT TRUE.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Very Funny rumor you are starting. No one is worried about the shield initiative going to a vote. Brennler ran on transparentcy, not Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart had very little to do with why many people voted for him, in fact he said he would honor the general plan and if wal-mart fit within its guide lines he would consider them.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Let's have some more schooling!

Brennler has been thrown under the bus by OWM. He has fallen out favor with the union thugs. I wonder if he found a horse head in his bed.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I would like to add some information. The ABA was originally called Recall the B’s.

They changed their name to Citizens for Atascadero because no one would sign their petition for a recall. Then they changed their name again from CFA because someone beat them at their own game and foiled their club. Go look at http://www.citizensforatascadero.org or http://www.citizensforatascadero.com.

So now they are the ABA = A Better Atascadero. Go back and watch the City Council Pod Cast’s of meetings and see who and what they are about for yourselves. It’s funnier than their CFA website.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

"If it's too hot in the kitchen then get out."

Thank you Mr. Truman for giving this advise to Mike and George.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

To all new comers.. To help you understand the polictics.


1st insider & truthbeknown are ABA members (there are about 7 of them with very BIG NASTY MOUTHS that disrupt every meeting) who tried to have Mike and Ellen recalled after they were elected. They wanted them recalled because the the Good Ole Boys had lost the majority vote on the City Council and they didn't like not having their GOB friends in control anymore. Also one of them wanted to build an illegal PUD (planned unit development ) along the creek.

2nd. The word's "business friendly" means one thing to them and one thing only. WAL-MART. They want a SUPER WAL-MART. They aren't satisfied that the city council will be putting it to a public vote in November. "Business Friendly" has become a part of their rhetoric.George,Mike and Ellen are the most business friendly members on the council. They think we deserve better than a Wal-Mart and are trying to protect the existing merchants while bringing in new retail stores. All the flack from WAL-MART politics has made that a difficult thing to do.


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By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

to to insider


I don't think you get my drift. What I'm saying is Luna and Brennler are more worried about the Oppose WalMart group than thier clear opposition. These people are straight out nuts and they know Comar and his comarads will turn on them in a New York second over this WalMart deal. Brennlers whole base was these crackpots last election and the speculation is they have him running scared. He voted against thier initiative. He actually did the right thing but these people don't know right from wrong. So thier stuck do the right thing or do as thier told. Comar will probably run.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Donald says: What are the solutions?


1. Vote down the Shield Initiative


2. Vote in some business friendly councilmembers


3. Start taking action! Nothing has been accomplished with the current council majority!

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

What goes around comes around. George Luna and his cronies have been undermining campaigns for years. They had committees that actually would compose hate letters and false accusations against candidates that ran for them. George fully understands that his deeds have caught to him. His actions were due to backfire on him. Although I congratulate George for making a wise decision.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

The word is the reason Luna and Brennler aren't running is not because of "us". They can handle "us". It's because of you loose cannons. They don't know what you will do or say and are afraid you nuts will undermine thier campaigns. Thanks for the help.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Thats a great e-mail that you sent the Chamber. I'm sure plenty of ripped off investors would agree with that one.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Just thought I would stop in and see if you're all still stroking each other. Yep, still stroking.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Atascadero could deffinetly use an overhaul when it comes to out do nothing Chamber of Commerce. We just need one big overhaul.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Joanne Main,

They invited Mike and Ellen to a chamber dinner and then insulted them and made of them including Ellens husband. Ellen and her husband walked out.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

This is a sad day. I knew Atascadero was divided but this degree of anger is troublesome. If we don't find a way to work this out with each other we are going to be doomed. Equally we are scaring away anyone who might consider running for City Council. I'm more than concerned about the way that Mike and Ellen have been treated and I'm not down playing the damages but we have to have some kind of comradely here if this city is going to eventually thrive. What are the solutions?

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Actually when the results of the arbitration hearing comes out I think all of those involved, which are Clay, O'Malley, Luna and McKinney should all step down. We will never know the terms of the settlement but we will know the amount. I'm sure a significant sum will be added on to the settlement to get Mr. Tracy to also sign a confidentiality statement so that he will never be able to talk. Now let's hear about all of this transparency that the Council has been talking about. This is the perfect time to clean the scum out of City Hall.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I think George is stepping down because he gave us all 20 years of service. His wife has recently had 2 strokes and it's time to take care of his own.


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By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I think there are a lot of very angry people right now.

I know the facts and I don't blame them. I'm angry too.

To George Luna and Mike Brennler- Thank You for all your benevolent efforts.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

The city is in the final stages of arbitration hearings on the Marty Tracy incident. Most people think that Marty was used as a scapegoat for the actions that the City Council took against the Gaughn's. The Council attempted to fire Tracy until he demanded a public hearing and was then immediately reinstated-that smells. When the results of the arbitration hearing comes out and what it is going to cost us taxpayers for what the Council did should prove very embarasing to the Council members who did this to Mr. Tracy. Could these cowardly actions by the Council have helped Luna to decide not to run and consequently avoid the criticism that the Council is sure to receive?

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I think the majority of people posting here are informed individuals. There are many new people reading this site every day and many people who just don't follow the political climate or even know the names of their city council members. This blog must be very confusing to them. Maybe we should keep that in mind when posting. It would be a good idea to start educating the public. For those of us that know the facts (its sickening at times) there are many who don't. Maybe we should mention the facts when we post for the sake of educating.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

How many different people are posting here?

Most all the posts could be made by the same hatred filled person.

All emotion, no facts.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

Ellen is new and should stay however Clay shouldn't run again and O'Malley should step down. We can then have an all new council and the council can replace Wade and the new manager can replace Kurt Stone and Jim Lewis. Maybe then we can all heal and get along. It's O'Malley and Clay that encouraged this discention in the first place.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

The fact is that there are people who didn't want to give Mike & Ellen a chance. They were voted into office but these people would rather disrupt the process rather than allow Mike and Ellen a chance to create change. Atascadero needed change but all the O'Malley and Clay puppets could do was blind side every attempt to make things better unless it was about bringing in a Wal-Mart. This should be a crime. These people are self centered narcastist who care about nothing and no one except what they think they want in power. They didn't care a bit about our city. They have no respect for the public vote. Discusting, absolutley discusting.

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

hey guys maybe wade will go with you. he is by far the biggest boob!

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I just sent this email to our small minded chamber of commerce.


You people are a bunch of geniuses electing a scum bag like Kelly Gearhart Atascadero's man of the year. I will try to do my shopping in another town from now on.


By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

The real truth:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gardner_Lewis


If this your kind of hero, I feel sorry for you!

By: Anonymous on 8/1/08

I find the warm and fuzzy references to EG Lewis quite humorous! Facts are, he was a shrewd opportunitist, not very honest, and a racist to boot (no blacks allowed to buy his Colony lots). I guess time has a way of "softening" the truth, though.


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