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Hill calls Grover Beach mayor a disgrace

August 5, 2013
Adam Hill

Adam Hill

By CCN STAFF

EDITOR’S NOTE: See San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s email to the Grover Beach City Council at the bottom of this story.

In a recent email to members of the Grover Beach City Council, County Supervisor Adam Hill called Mayor Debbie Peterson “a disgrace to our community” and says he now has police protection because of death threats.

The email, dated July 26, was sent to all council members via the general email address “gbadmin@grover.org.” City Manager Robert Perrault then requested that electronic copies be forwarded to Peterson, as well as council members Karen Bright, Jeff Lee, Glenn Marshall, and William Nicolls.

In addition to his comments about the mayor, Hill, whose supervisorial district includes Grover Beach, attempted to explain away his absence from the July 23 scheduled meeting of the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Board. Hill and fellow county supervisor Bruce Gibson informed APCD officials earlier that week that they would be unable to attend the meeting for unspecified reasons. Hill was later photographed having coffee in San Luis Obispo with Arroyo Grande city councilwoman Caren Ray when the APCD meeting would have been taking place.

“My absence at the APCD meeting was precipitated by the illness of my fiance’s 11-year-old daughter (Sage). This occurred Monday morning while she was at camp and her mother (Dee) is in DC.” Hill has been dating Dee Torres of CAPSLO Homeless Services and Torres was away in Washington, D.C at the time.

Hill also used the email to accuse community activist Kevin P. Rice of stalking.

“On Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., Kevin P. Rice was parked outside my house,” Hill wrote in the email. “He then followed me as I took Sage to the doctor. After that, he followed me as I dropped another daughter off at day camp. Then he followed me as I met for coffee with AG City Councilwoman Caren Ray, and later followed me again as I returned to take care of Sage.”

Hill went on to call Rice “your mayor’s sidekick” and indicated that he will seek a restraining order again Rice.

“It should appall you that I have to live with death threats and stalking as it appalls me, and frightens my family,” Hill wrote in his email. He did not elaborate on the threats he has been receiving.

However, Rice said he did not follow Hill throughout the morning and just happened to be at a kitchen store across from the coffee shop where Hill met Ray. In addition, a CalCoastNews reporter met with Rice during the morning hours during a time Hill claims he was being followed.

Rice dismissed Hill’s comments as “utter fabrications” made in an attempt to turn the Grover Beach Council against Peterson, who is serving her first term as mayor. Peterson is also the Grover Beach representative on the APCD board.

“Like San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, Hill’s harassment and abuse will only be stopped when the targets of his harassment speak out publicly,” Rice added.

The bad blood between Hill and Peterson stems primarily from the on-going debate over the so-called “dust rule” which calls for more stringent fines and regulations regarding dust emissions in the popular Oceano Dunes, a cause long championed by Hill.

Peterson has been questioning both the science and the economic impact of the changes, passed in 2011, and is trying to repeal the dust rule. Both Hill and Gibson argue that Peterson should follow the APCD staff’s recommendations.

The issue was scheduled to be addressed at the July APCD meeting.

Critics suggest that Hill and Gibson, both of whom were photographed at various public events that day, decided not to attend the meeting in order to prevent a quorum because they lacked the needed votes to block the repeal.

The Grover Beach City Council is scheduled to meet Monday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Peterson has come under criticism from fellow council members for taking up the dust rule issue without consulting them. There is a possibility that council members will decide Monday to replace Peterson on the APCD board, a move believed to have the blessing of Hill.

Over the weekend, both Hill and Gibson contacted Grover Beach Council members asking them to vote to replace Peterson on the APCD Board. Several opponents of Hill and Gibson’s alleged “strong-arm tactics” contend that Grover Beach City Council members Jeff Lee and Glen Marshall have a perceived conflict of interest because they are also San Luis Obispo County public works employees who may have difficulty voted against their bosses wishes.

In his email, however, Hill said he didn’t care what the city council decided to do.

“Frankly, I don’t care what you do about her anymore,” Hill wrote, referring to Peterson. “If you want to keep her on the APCD Board she will continue to embarrass the city, and most likely get the county sued. She has alienated me entirely, and I find her a disgrace to our community.”

 

Hill’s email

“From: Adam Hill

“Sent: Friday, July 26, 2013 10:49 AM

“Subject: from Adam

“Council Members,

“There has been another cycle of misinformation so a quick correction is in order.

“My absence at the APCD meeting was precipitated by the illness of my fiancé’s 11 year old daughter. (Sage) This occurred Monday morning while she was at camp and her mother (Dee) is in DC.

“On Wednesday morning at 8am, Kevin P Rice was parked outside my house.

“He then followed me as I took Sage to the doctor. After that, he followed me as I dropped another daughter off at day camp. Then he followed me as I met for coffee with AG City Councilwoman Caren Ray, and later followed me again as I returned to take care of Sage.

“This stalking by Mr. Rice, who you know as your Mayor’s sidekick, is actually legal. Nonetheless, I contacted the Sheriff and the SLOPD and I now have police protection. I will next have to seek a restraining order against Mr. Rice.

“This is how ugly and dangerous this nonsense about a non-issue stirred up by your Mayor has gotten. It should appall you that I have to live with death threats and stalking as it appalls me, and frightens my family.

“Frankly, I don’t care what you do about her anymore. If you want to keep her on the APCD Board she will continue to embarrass the city, and most likely get the county sued. She has alienated me entirely, and I find her a disgrace to our community.

“Sincerely,

“Adam”

 


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Adam, Adam, Adam….


I know that government at all levels is particularly insidious nowadays…. and we all seem to have reason not to trust them and you… but do you really need to play up to the stereotype?


By the way, this issue is about YOU and not about them. Stop trying to deflect and tell us WHY you acted this way? Sounds so petty.


I thought after your last fiasco we were going to see a kinder and gentler Adam??


1

OK, so Kevin P Rice, were you following Adam Hill on the day in question as he charges?

Did you follow him from his house at 8 a.m. to the doctor’s office and then to his lunch date with the councilwoman?

Have you been served with a restraining order from Hill?

Have you threatened him? Are you stalking him?

Because if you are, knock it off. This guy’s already on the ledge with his toes sticking out to oblivion, but don’t be the one to drive him over the deep end. You don’t want that on your conscience.

Just kick back and watch, guys like him self-destruct in time on their own. It’s just in the nature of a control freak when he or she stops getting their way. They go bonkers and self-destruct.

As for the 5th District, if you people are so upset with his conduct and attitudes then start a recall petition.

You only need something like 25% of the registered voters to sign a petition and force a recall. That would scare the Hell out of him.

And even if a recall failed, it would send a clear message that even a moron like Adam Hill can understand — We’re NOT HAPPY with you!


1

No.

No.

No.

No. No.

FYI, Hill represents the 3rd district, not the 5th.


0

When will we see the Hollywood motion picture of this epic “dust-up?”


Jeeze


0

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Adam hill should stay away from any form of communication when he’s drinking.


Thank you district three. You have given us:


Evelyn Delany

Peg Pinard

Adam Hill


Three of the greatest supervisorial train wrecks one can imagine.


0

Well, at least the voters are consistent.


0

Mr. Hill:


You state the concerns you have for your safety and that of Ms. Torres and her children. May I say that you should seek some help and stop all the manic behavior you seem to create around you.


You cannot go around this community and spite fire at people who do not agree with you.


You cannot go around this community and phone people and leave threatening messages and call people names and then call it a joke.


You cannot go around this community any longer telling lies, falsehoods and untruths because we have lost respect for you and really don’t believe anything you have to say.


You cannot go around this community and silence people at public forums because you do not like the time they take, the message they deliver, and difference they express. You are elected to serve all the voters not just the ones who agree with you.


You cannot go around this community sending vile emails, bullying, threating and intimidating people because of their belief and view points which differ from yours. Civilized people have learned to “agree to disagree” but treat people with respect and some uncivilized people have not learned that lesson.


You cannot go around this community continually apologizing for your misbehavior and the promise to rein in your actions and become a better person. You need serious help for whatever your problem is, be it mental, substance, or untrained behavior.


This community no longer respects you and cannot wait until you are a has been. Please contain yourself!


1

Excellent post, SLOBIRD. Wish I could vote a “like” twice.


0

Very well said Slobird. you ought to print your comment and send it to Mr Hill. It was spot on, not snotty, vindictive or offense, just honest and to the point.


I especially like your comment that he needs help, it does not matter the cause of his ranting’s, but he needs help. I would like to add to that, there is so shame in asking for help. There is a lot of shame in the way he conducts himself in public and the way he treats others.


I too wish I could vote like twice of more!


1

Excellent post slobird. The problem is he has done all of the things you say and the liberal voters in SLO re-elected him because “he cares about the environment”. So Adam Hill will continue to act like a spoiled child because there are no repercussions to his actions.


1

Isoslo? Is the DSA and Parkinson’s going to support Hill again this next election?


0

“Mr. Hill” and “the truth” are incongruent when used in the same sentence! I find it unconscionable that adam would use a “girlfriends daughter is sick” excuse to miss a meeting he has obliged himself to as part of his profession. Then, blow all this up to death threats and stalking…..(I can believe the death threats…….he really pisses people off!) adam, all they wanted was a picture of you shrugging your responsibilities…and you know it. I enjoy watching you go through all these gyrations though, it is rather entertaining.


0

If Mr. Hill and/or Ms. Torres actually believe that Mr. Hill is being stalked and is under death threats, what steps are they taking to protect Ms. Torres’ children? It seems likely that because of their professions, Ms. Torres and Mr. Hill are “mandated reporters” – persons who are legally mandated to report to Child Protective Services any possible threat to a child’s safety.


How about the children’s father? If there is any potential risk to the children, one would think that he might want to take steps to remove them to a safer location until the threat has passed.


I don’t believe much of what Mr. Hill says, but if he is telling the truth this time, and the death threats are real, he and Ms. Torres and the children’s father need to do whatever is necessary to protect the children


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