APCD board rejects Hill’s bid for chairmanship

January 23, 2013

apcd

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District Board chose Supervisor Paul Teixiera over Supervisor Adam Hill to serve as its chair for 2013 following heated debate about Hill’s recent behavior.

Hill served as vice chair in 2012, putting him in line to become the new chair. But, many members of the public spoke against his nomination, and six board members voted it down, creating a six-six deadlock. The board then unanimously elected Teixeira.

Hill’s failed bid to become chair marked the second time in January that a regional board rejected Hill serving as its leader. The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments chose Supervisor Frank Mecham over Hill to serve as its president earlier this month, despite Hill serving, too, as vice president of SLOCOG in 2012.

Teixiera, who is now chair of both the Board of Supervisor and the air district, voted in favor of Hill prior to his own nomination. Many people expected Teixeira to side with Mecham and Arnold, forming a conservative majority of supervisors.

But, Teixeira has now voted in favor of Hill and Supervisor Bruce Gibson for prominent county leadership positions since the formation of the new Board of Supervisors. Teixeira voted earlier this month to elect Gibson vice chair of the Board of Supervisors, aligning him to serve as chairman in his reelection year.

Public comment on the air district chairmanship lasted about an hour, consisting almost entirely of speakers criticizing or supporting Hill. The majority of the board members also addressed Hill directly after Gibson nominated him to become chair.

Both public speakers and board members who did not support Hill’s nomination discussed an email Hill sent in November to public servants across the state disparaging officials in state parks. Attorney General Kamala Harris filed Hill’s email as evidence in her lawsuit against the air district over its Oceano dunes dust rule.

New board member Supervisor Debbie Arnold voted against Hill, citing the email as her reason for doing so.

“That email could possibly be used to adversely affect the outcome in a lawsuit,” Arnold said. “Also, the negotiations with state parks could be adversely affected by emails such as this.”

Hill defended his actions in a last minute plea to become chair.

“Speaking up for what’s right is something that is really the reason why I’m here,” Hill said.

Hill also said that the debate over his nomination damaged “collegiality and public trust.”

Several speakers from the Nipomo Mesa, who support the dust rule, spoke in favor of Hill’s nomination.

After the board deadlocked on the vote to name Hill chair, Morro Bay Councilman Noah Smukler nominated Teixeira. The board unanimously elected Atascadero Councilwoman Roberta Fonzi vice chair after its unanimous vote for Teixeira.

 

 

 


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Move on ya little troll like grunion!


It’s funny that Adam Hill, one who will actually represent their constituents and not special interests, catches such grief while boldly doing what he was elected to do – protect the health and safety of us!! The fact that he doesn’t continue to play along nicely with the same, old destructive groups is a testament to his commitment to his elected post, as well as the special interest networks so firmly entrenched. If Supervisor Hill was as persistent supporting more water wells, ATV’s at the dunes and rampant development, he’d be a hero. Adam Hill is an example of a leader who is capable of inspiring the next generation of leaders, but not if he is constantly berated for taking a position that too challenges the power establishment. Note the total lack of a next generation of local leaders and, as an example, note the state of downtown Santa Margarita. Illegal and nonparallel parking (a safety issue) is the norm, businesses have inadequate space to park their own company vehicle onsite, and merchandise for sale is constantly placed and stored in the public right of way (a gift of public resources). When you can’t expect elected leaders to protect the average citizen, your culture will stagnate and degrade under the pressure from the few and the desperation and desertion of the many.


Hill should have considered “collegiality” and “public trust” before he wrote yet another unacceptable email. This guy doesn’t learn, and unfortunately he’s trying to become a clone of Gibson.


Video of Board vote against Hill:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_hzIMpacIM


Arnold N

Fonzi N

Hamon N

Hill Y

Marx Y

Mecham N

Peterson N

Smukler Y

Teixeira Y

Waage N

Costello Y

Gibson Y


6 – 6 Motion fails.


The next person who needs to be put under the microscope is Noah Smukler. He’s a trust fund kid who is Gibson’s golden boy. His deep involvement in the withdrawal of Morrro Bay’s sewer project, at it’s present location, after 10 years of planning, is going to be the end of fixed income seniors being able to afford to continue to live in their homes. People who don’t have to work have no idea how much damage they are doing to people who work all their lives to save some money. Hill, Gibson and Smukler all come from the same mold.


The last half of your contribution is almost verbatem what was said over and over in Los Osos. Hey,a “sewer nut” in the making.

Hill Gibson & Schumkler. Yeah, they are similar types. Paying us all back for them being rejected in High School? I know they were the types I gave grief to then. They still need it, more than ever because then they can cause real damage.


Thanks to Noah Smukler, Jamie Irons and Christine Johnson Morro Bay is now officially the new Los Osos. In twenty years or so they will all be gone but the taxpayers of Morro Bay will be paying for their actions. Maybe we’ll have a sewer plant by that time. I wouldn’t count on it.


Thanks, Kevin, for this list. I’ll remember those officials who are willing to condone poor behavior when election time returns. I’m embarrassed that my reps both supported Hill’s lack of ethics and rudeness to the public.


Maybe it’s time to form the “over the Hill gang”? Current members could be Hill, Gibson, Marx and Ashbaugh. It certainly is becoming more apparent that there are more people becoming aware of the antics of these “representatives” and are now will to take action against them.