Supervisor Adam Hill targets radio talk show host

March 30, 2013

Update: Supervisor Adam Hill removed his name from the online petition sometime on Saturday. A second name Patty Truin was also removed. One name is currently left on the petition.

Original story: San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill launched a petition Friday afternoon on Change.org protesting KVEC radio talk show host Dave Congalton’s coverage of recent allegations surrounding the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO).

As of Saturday morning, the online petition, “Dave, Domestic Violence is no joking matter” has two signatures, including one from Hill.

“Radio Show host Dave Congalton has given comfort and credibility to a man convicted and jailed for beating women,” the petition says.

Hill is apparently referring to Ralph Almirol, an ex-boyfriend of Dee Torres, the CAPSLO Homeless Services manager. Almirol and other former boyfriends of Torres claim she routinely took gift cards intended for the needy and homeless for her own use. Almirol was arrested 14 years ago for domestic violence against Torres. Following the assault, Almirol said he sought help. The couple reunited and spent several more years together.

Hill and Torres are engaged to be married.

Congalton has featured numerous segments regarding the CAPSLO allegations on his afternoon radio show, defending the right of the ex-employees to be heard. He also devotes an entire broadcast every December to raise money for the San Luis Obispo County Women’s Shelter.

“I’m at a loss to explain Supervisor Hill,” Congalton said Saturday morning. “As I said on the radio, I’ve never seen a pattern of behavior like this from an elected public official in my 25 years on the Central Coast. I wish Adam Hill well. And I wish he would focus on county business.”