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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 8/4/08

George and Mike were undecided and only made this decission recently.We were all aware that George might leave because of Ursula's illness and the added stress.

George and Mike didn't have anything to do with running because of the Oppose WalMart group. George was around 20 years and Mike originally ran to clean up the corruption. It just so happends that WM was an issue at the time. Mike would have run regardless of the WM issue. I'm sure he will be able to do more for us once he is no longer on the CC. To quote a few posters here. "The Gloves will be coming off". I'm glad for Mike, he has taken enough abuse and if this town wants corruption and back room deals then they can just wait for the FBI to get to the majority of it. One thing George could do for everyone before he steps down is to replace Wade McKinney. Ellen and Mike need his vote to accomplish that.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

Issues says: "Finances, Restoring creditbility to Atascadero, Downtown"


I agree those three issues are very important. It will be interesting to see what issues the candidates bring forth.


BTW, Len C. will be on "Sound Off" (KPRL) on Wednesday at 1pm. I'm interested in learning more about his vision for Atascadero.


By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

to New CC- Please Step UP


You obviously have nothing more to say since you keep copy and pasting the same comment. To Dan & Karen this is the kind of thing that should be removed since it like free advertising. This comment in its entirety is being posted every day. As to the fire and Police department supporting the WalMart project I think they are more concerned with the survival of thier departments and the City as an independent entity than raises at this point. The way George and Mikes electorate has abandoned them when they made the only rational decisions they could is the reason they are not running and if Mike has a health issue its probably for the same reason. Stop talking about how much you love them and start looking at the way you treat them. It's not the way thier adversaries have treated them its how thier so called supporters have backed thier decisions.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

I'm suprised the two of them would bow out without having a runner in the wings..I was under the impression the anti-WM people were organized. I guess not.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

If only Mike and George would run again. They would win by a land slide and this time around we would be able to get things done. Two years and all the controversy just wasn't enough time. Unfortunately Mike's health is a major concern Nad George has served twenty years. I don't blame them for not wanting to serve any longer. Where is appreciattion and insentive to do all the hard work and put up with people like Buban,Jackson. Burbach & Anderson? The ABA will be long hated.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

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.


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By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

Noticed that The Tribune FINALLY ran a story today on this — four days later.


Wonder why no one bothers reading that rag anymore?

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

YAAAWN…

you people bore me.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

to election time


Why should we honor the next election when you didn't honor the last one?

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

TO DAN


look below my post and tell me that there is no double standard

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

To Anonymous:

If you want to make that kind of personal attack with that kind of language, please start your own Web site and stay off this one.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

based on the editing, it's easy to see where the admins sit

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

The business districts of East LA are more attractive than Atrashcadero.


Drive down Elko Meano with your eyes Real open and smell the barn, pilgrims: Your town is utter #@$$.


A Walmart center with the other national box and local small tenants would be a HUGE improvement.


You let your city rot year after year while you fight over who said what to who and when.


"Atraschabamans" is too good for you as it's an insult to Alabama.


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By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

Had this community let elected officials do what they felt was the thing to do we would have no problem. Unfortunately the part of the electorate that elected Luna and Brennler turned on them when they didn't toe the party line. These individuals will let this town succeed only over thier own dead bodies. Comar and Broadwater look pretty close.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

The people of Atascadero need to honor the results of the next election. Then the 2 sides need to take a break and let the new elected officials do what they promised to do during their campaign. Nothing will ever get accomplished with all of the fighting going on except the demise of Atascadero.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

Observing that no one seems to care that Brennler cited health concerns. Should have been expected after the city's reaction to Wendy Scalise's resignation.

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

To Atascadero goin down


Your hateful post, ignoring the fact that your 3 darlings held a mojority, is the main reason your town sucks. I's all about the hearts and minds and that's not the way you're going to get them

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

wise words stuck_in_the_mud, you speak the truth…

By: Anonymous on 8/4/08

To truthbeknown: I think everyone will mostly agree on what the issues are in Atascadero; finances, Rotunda & Printery, attractive downtown, good business climate, fixing the streets, nice parks, etc., creating a real plan with real goals and real means of achieving those goals.


The problem with Atascadero is that the population seems to be split about 50/50 on ideology. We have always been at war with each other. It’s a real shame because Atascadero has some very smart people with impressive connections and resources that could really get things done.


It is very sad but sometimes only an all out war will decide the direction a country or in our case a city will take. This has been brewing for many years. I remember the battle over moving the post office from downtown to where it is now, you would have thought the world was coming to an end……And the battle over the Hwy. 41 realignment has to hold a record for longevity, how long did that battle go on, 10 years or longer? The battles are too numerous to list, and there is a great deal of resentment over these battles. When you drive around Atascadero you don’t see a town with a vision, you see the results of many years of conflict.


Now with the addition of the national debates, oppose Wal-Mart, environmentalist, etc. fuel has been added to the fire, and all out war has been declared ……So the lines have been drawn, and sides chosen, and no one will give an inch, let the war begin. It will last a few years, and take several special elections, and there will be many causalities, but in the end, maybe Atascadero can become something one way or the other instead of the nothing it is today.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Finances, Restoring creditbility to Atascadero, Downtown

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

So now that we've all had our turns bashing our favorite bashee, what about the issues? What do you think are the top 3 issues facing Atascadero as we go into this election?

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

It seems like all the old long haired, war protesting, dope smoking, tie-dyed wearing, birkenstock wearing, draft dogging, bra burning, VW van driving, bell bottom wearing, peace sign wearing, anti establishment bashing, OH Wait, you have become the establishment and during the metamorphosis you have become old and bitter. You look back and all that you championed for is lost on the youth.

Oh, what to do, Oh, what to do, ????????????


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Well with that liar O'Malley and his idiot sidekick Clay on the council there is no future for Atascadero. Even Atascadero Chamber of Commerce man of the year, Kelly Gearhart is taking is money and running. http://thecentralcoastforeclosureblog.blogspot.co…

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I'm not sure what you are talking about. But maybe Kelley is as unhappy as everyone else is but has the guts to talk about it. If you are happy with the way Atascadero is then you should persuade Luna and Brennler to run again. It sounds like they are not happy where the town is going either,

Sounds like the hate groups have awaken for the election.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Bob Kelly! Really? Really? Have any of you heard first hand Bob spew his hate and bitterness regarding Atascadero? Ever since he lost the last election for trying to cosy up to Gearhart he's spent his lonely days at his computer composing his bitter bile for anyone who would read it! Don't be fooled! He would be disasterous for Atascadero.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

George was pushing for putting efforts into mainstreet and retail revenue for the last 12 years. He was the one that got the redevelopment funds into place and understood use of gov $$ to benefit the public. Everyone else went construction crazy making a buck on residential property and over building at the cost of city services and property values. Even the Chamber was in on it. They blew off retail for years because hey, you can't build a residence on main street.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Actually Mudhole, the act of taking down campaign signs is a bigger legal violation that putting them up illegally, which basically means they were on telephone poles, besides, they found way more than than that in her garage.


Ursala is a nut, and even nuts gets old, hence the strokes. My best to her health, but thank god will will not have her pulling at the political sheets anymore.


None of that matters anyway. The point of the story is that the man responsible for what he even calls a clasic lack of vision for the city over the last 2 decades, is going to let someone else try.


Thank god.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

The signs that Ursula Luna pulled down were up illegally. The woman is recovering from two strokes.


My god, you are one sick f –k.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I heard of Ursula plucking signs from the time of Georges first run at City Council. Once a plucker always a plucker

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

stuck_in_the_mud says: "I apologize if I left anyone out, but my fingers are getting tired."


While not officially Atascaderans, let's add AGP Video to the bash list. Their crappy broadcast quality is a waste of my taxdollars. Turn to Channel 20 right now and see what you are getting for your $.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

to stuck_in_the_mud


Wrong!


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I think I’ll start a new blog “The Mud Hole Shredder” I don’t know if I could get any advertisers, but it would sure get lots of hits.


Like I said in a previous comment, any candidate that runs in Atascadero is considered cannon fodder for one side or the other. If any of the candidates actually are in the middle with their viewpoints they will be shredded by both sides.


Let’s see, so far the comments here have shredded; O’Malley, Clay, Beraud, Brennler, Luna & wife Ursula, Colamarino, Kelley, Fonzi & Fonzi, Stone, McKinney, Joanne Main & the Chamber, E.G. Lewis, planning commission, all of city staff, city firemen, realtors, public trails, Rotunda Building, Veterans Memorial, and most of the cheerleaders for both sides; Gearheart, Buban, Jackson, Anderson, Burbach, Santos, the firefighters wife with wiggling butt, ABA, Comar & OWM, the GOB’s, the trailheads, and environmentalist.


I apologize if I left anyone out, but my fingers are getting tired. Here’s what I have got out of the comments so far:


Blog mystery: Insider is without a doubt; Jackson, Buban, Anderson, some other ABA person, or Bob Kelly.


Scorecard:

The Mud Hole Shredder- 453

Everyone Else- 0


Personal Attacks- about a million

Good Ideas- 0


I’ve heard some of the commissioners complain about the last election being nasty. From the looks of things they haven’t seen anything yet. This one is shaping up to be a real blood fest.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Lets see there were 7 Candidates in the last election. Bob Kelley, Anne Ketcherside,Grigger Jones, Mike Brennler, Ellen Beraud, Becky Pacas and Tom O'Malley.

Who claims that Ursula plucked their signs??

In the election prior to that there was George Luna, Jerry Clay, Wendy Scalise, Anne Ketcherside and Ellen Beraud. George had over 400 of his signs plucked. Someone found a couple of hundred of them and brought them over to city hall. Who's sign's did Ursula pluck?

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

To Truthbeknown says:


"That is a fun rumor isn't it?" Just what I heard.


"Ursula didn't do any such thing." How could you know? Are you George?


"Who's sign's did she pluck?" You tell me, George!


"You are clearly an ABA member." Wrong again!

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

That is a fun rumor isn't it? Ursula didn't do any such thing. Who's sign's did she pluck? You are clearly an ABA member. No question about it. Anyone that you would vote for is as nuts as you are.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Meant to say: Did all you Luna lovers consider his wife going around plucking opponents signs during the last election?

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Voting for Roberta says: "Voting for Roberta is like voting for Ray Buban and Mike Jackson."


I disagree. Jackson is scary, and Buban is just hateful. While I have never met Roberta personally, I have watched her closely at the PC meetings. She is well behaved, well spoken, and seems to bw knowledgeable on the issues. Whether or not you like her husband is irrelevant. You are voting for her, no Al. Did all you Lana lovers consider his wife going around plucking opponents signs during the last election?


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I agree with you about the Lube n Go. Unfortunately the procees that was imposed on them by Beraud and the 2 top planners in Atascadero was nothing but disgusting, At the final Planning Commission hearing for the Lube n Go Commissioner O;Keefe chastised the Planning Dept. for their actions. The Planning Dept. needs to be one of the first stops for a new CC to bring the respect back to this city that it deserves.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

It appears that the new Lube & Go has established a new high water mark for architectural innovation for the city of Atrashcabama.


This exciting new business opening may possibly invigorate the long-decaying core of what has never been, and likely never will be, a thriving environment for business.


On a more positive note, the FBI is rumored to be settleing in for an extended investigation into governmental corruption which bodes well for the new Holiday Inn Express and the local donut and porn shops.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

To insider says: "Brennler and Beraud have done nothing to bring about our fiscal crisis."


Actually, they have. Because of their acusations and voting record on various issues, they have wasted countless hours of staff time, consultant fees, studies, etc. In return, their has been no results of their accusations, or improvement from their consultants and useless studies.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

The Marty Tracy Scandal says:"We need more CC candidates. Step up folks. You have until the 8th of August."


Actually, because two incumbnants are not running, the filing period is extended one week. You have until August 13th.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Yes had either one of them had welcomed WalMart it would have gone a long way in changing the business climate in a possitive way. They had the chance and they chose to create havoc instead. Thanks again Ellen and Mike.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

to Cathy


Whats your full name, address, and phone #? I would like to have someone call you up and haras you like Brennler does when someone disagrees with him. I wonder if I could get the APD to come give you a good talking too like they did to the guy at the council meeting for Brennler.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Brennler and Beraud have done nothing to bring about our fiscal crisis. It was existing when they were elected. You of course blame them because you think if they had welcomed a Super Wal Mart that everything would be fixed. Your wrong. Quit blaming Ellen and Mike. You obviously don't have a grip on the real problems or why they exist. Mike and Ellen tried to replace McKinney. That would have been a good start but they couldn't get a 3-2 vote.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

to to Dewdog


I agree with most of what you say other than I am none of those people. I in fact find Jackson and Burbach often annoying and Burbach particularly off putting. I am quite annoyed with Brennler and Bereaus arrogance but have more distain for them since they have contributed greatly to our current fiscal crisis. These are already bad times but the actions of Mike and Ellen may have put this comunity into a unrecoverable tailspin. There level of arrogance will never allow them to recognize it and will always allow them to blame others.


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

No other conclusion possible but to admit that Atascadero is incapable of being a city. Too much inbreeding. Best course is to de-certify and allow the Supervisors a chance to hear your talented voices.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Would the real Bob Kelly please stand up? Who are you on this blog? We know your here, that would only be a reasonable assumption. If your insider and I think you could be then this is going to be scary. We might need a detective to look at the IP addresses. Maybe Karen will let someone do it just to be sure that insider isn't someone running for election. Karen owes us that.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I can't believe that I actually agree with insider twice in the last hour. He is usually such an ass. It's true that Bob Kelley (accidently?) outted himself as Dewdog in the Trib. I liked Dewdog and that is part of what caused me to change my mind about Bob but, he did back off on the Gearhart ripoff. He is going to have to tell us what he thinks about it. As for Bob Kelley being insider, many think its possible and if thats the case then we are dealing with a scitzo and thats scary. On the other hand there is no way that Buban and Jackson can possibly stay off this blog and most think thatinside is one of them or a number of the ABA. On the other hand insider knows things that Bob Kelley would know and that Buban wouldn't have enough intelligence to know. Then on the other hand sometimes insider does'nt have a clue about what he is quack quack quacking about. Also who would be childish enough to call Ellen and Mike names, especially calling Ellen a turtle and saying she looks like one, Kelley or Buban, Jackson and Burbach? I think the later would.They have already proved themselves as nasty, cruel, obnoxious and ignorant.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I've known many cops in my life. There are good cops, bad cops, and sleazy cops, I think we all know which Brennler is.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

With all of the controversy already going on with the bashing from either side against the other it looks like the battle has begun. It appears that Kelley has no allegiance to either side, is knowledgeable and courteous. He could possibly be the front runner should he decide to run. I think he would respect everybody and represent the all citizens of the community and it appears he has no special interests.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Someone once said that "There is a cop on the CC and the Atascadero Soprano's don't like it". I loved that statement. There is so much humor in truth.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

It's pretty funny how just when you are thinking of a post about something someone thinks they know who you are. My thought is Bob Kelley is a pretty nice guy. I also think he may have a better grasp on the issues than the rest. Now for what I was going to post before I discovered "I" was Bob Kelley. Bob recently posted on The Tribune a view point which included his own name and a blogger name of DewDog. Those of you who have followed the Hard money scandles might know Dewdog posted many times damming Estate Financial however when it was discovered the improprieties suspected by investors of Kelly Gearhart he totally backed off wanting toe give Kelly the benefit of the doubt with a wait and see attitude. As things worsened for Kelly Dewdog a daily poster dropped off the face of the earth. So with that I say Bob Kelley or Dewdog if that is his blogger name needs to come clean on his relationship and opinions on Kelly Gearhart and or Hurst financial if he expects to be a viable candidate.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Anyone who didn't like Brennler had something to hide. They ABA and friends caused all the discord to keep Mike from addressing the real issues. The gloves will off once he resigns and then the party will really begin. Run your candiadtes ABA. They will get torn to shreads. Thats a promise, we have all watched your tactics. You are a joke and the majority of those who do and don't support a WalMart are equally either laughing or embarrassed by you.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

This reminds me of Bill and Hillary. You get 2 for the price of one. I think this is scarry and Atascadero deserves better.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

How could anybody compare Brennler to anyone? Kelley was a good cop and Brennler is what he is.


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Bob kelley always courteous when on the Planning Commision. I believe he was on the CHP for awhile. I can't think of anytime that Kelley has ever been egotisical and has always treated people with respect. He obviously is not the insider. Hopefully he will announce his candidacy and tell us his viewpoints. So far I would say that he is the most eligible candidate to fix this city.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

We just got rid of one self righteous ex-cop (Brennler), why in the world would we elect another one (Bob Kelley: AKA insider) If you don't believe insider is Bob Kelley just read through the other post on this blog.


That's just what we need in city hall is another self serving, egotistical ex-cop.


Good grief wake up people.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

This time insider is right.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

to to Anne Ketcherside


You apparently missed my previous post. You must pick a nut that doesn't look like a Nut.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Voting for Roberta is like voting for Ray Buban and Mike Jackson.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Anne should run for CC again. This time she could actually win. I'll take Anne over Clay and Fonzi.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

When the facts come out about the Marty Tracy fiasco (and they will come out soon) O'Malley and Clay will both have to step down. Also McKinney will surely be replaced. We need more CC candidates. Step up folks. You have until the8th of August.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Bob Kelley came out and told the truth about O'Malley and Wade McKinney. He wants to clean up city hall. He hasn't been obnoxious and I think what he's had to say was honest and non bias. I have changed my mind about Bob and think he could be good for us. He is also very knowledgeable and I have to give him credit for taking an objective position about calling a spade a spade. I know he is convinced that this town needs a Wal-Mart. That is the part that worries me. He needs to really take a look at why only WM surposedly wants Atascadero and see if # 1 is it true and #2 why? Then #3, how can we change that? I think he might actually be willing to do that. Lets ask him and see where he stands on that.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I think apart from the WM issue Bob Kelley has come a long way. He was a PC for a long time and had a litle problem during the last election. I think if Kelley was willing to honor the outcome of the ASI vote and not take sides he would be more than capable of doing a good job. There are many issues that Bob and I actually see eye to eye on. I'm not going to come out for Bob just yet because I'm a well known activist but I think Bob could be a good bet for us. I would have voted for Roberta too because she was a good PC in my opinion but has since fallen off her rocker. She's scary, just listen to Al. She is too bias to ever bring this city back together.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Didn't Kelley write a letter to the editor in the Atascadero News questioning what the actual cost of the repairs to Rotunda Bldg. might be? I think he also wrote the City Council to reconsider their vote for a $4,000,000 engineering study on the Bldg. At least it appears someone is thinking about the whole picture.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

I read in the paper that Bob Kelley took out papers last week before the Luna, Brennler announcement. It appears that he is not associated with any groups in town and possibly would bring an objective mind to the Council. I think Kelley served on the Planning Commission for some years and probably is one of the more knowledgeable candidates regarding the General Plan. It will be interesting what his viewpoints of all this will be.


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By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

The rotunda is a very serious issue. We may never have enough money to fix it. If so why continue to fund it now. We can not continue to listen to the Architects who stand to make a great fee whether the project is fulfilled or not. The 4 million approved for the Architects by City Council at thier last meeting could be put to better use if the ultimate situation is that the building is not feasibly restorable. Although I fully support Clay and O'Malley they are going to have to come to grips with this. I can see they both have deep ties to the history of Atascadero however this building should have been dealt with 20 years ago not after a major quake. If its completely impracticle to repair lets find out accept it and move on. Given the circumstances I would be in favor of something that is not an exact replica but something simmilar but modern in its same place. Something that spoke to the history of the City. For the money they are talking about you could have a building designed by a world famous architect and built for half the price.

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

I'll vote for Len and Bob Kelley before I'll vote for Clay and Fonzi. Heck, I'll even join their campaign Committee. I know what I'll be getting with Clay and Fonzi, I'll take my chances if those are my choices.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

The Rotunda building will be one of the main election issues. Since the city does not have the cash.

Tear it down and build it anew.

It will be less costly to the city in the long run.

Do you realize that the plan is to add excessive width to the interior walls for strength.

It will never be the same building if they do restore it. It will just look the same on the outside……Just like you can make the new building look!

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Clay might be sincere and might have his heart in the right place but he's incompetent. He has been part of the problem and not the solution. He has encouraged all the disruptions at the CC meetings since Mike and Ellen were elected. He doesn't get it. He doesn't have the education or even the expierence to be of any benefit to the citizens. He "was born in Atascadero on the Clay ranch" and is always willing to help his friends and thats all that he can say for himself.

By: Anonymous on 8/3/08

Clays a shoe in. He's sincere and his hearts in the right place. Unfortunately Fonzi has looked like she's running for City Council every time she's opened her mouth for the last two years. Not very becoming. Lens been acting like a politician too. We need someone to just do the things that need to be done.


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