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Compton leads in San Luis Obispo County supervisorial fundraising

March 26, 2014

lynn comptonBy KAREN VELIE

After sporting the largest number of contributors during the latest reporting period, San Luis Obispo County supervisorial candidate Lynn Compton has jumped further ahead of her South County rivals Caren Ray and Mike Byrd, according to their latest campaign finance statements.

During her campaign, Compton has collected $114,076 in cash and non-monetary donations in addition to a $20,000 loan she made to her campaign for a total of $136,576. Compton’s largest donations came from farmers and conservative organizations.

Compton’s top contributors:

$5,165 – Republican Central Committee

$5,000 – Kathleen Maas, Pear Valley Estate wine vintner

$5,000 – H D Parrett, Suey Ranch

$5,000 – Lincoln Club

Caren Ray

Caren Ray

Caren Ray, who was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown following the death of Paul Teixeira, has a war chest that includes a $500 loan for a total of $81,325. Her top contributors are primarily developers, many of whom have projects in front of the county.

Ray’s top contributors:

$14,386 – Gary Grossman, owner of Coastal Community Builders, developing the former Dalidio Ranch

$10,000 – Lori Mangano, developer with Mangano Homes

$5,000 – Monte Cool, chief of acquisitions for Grossman’s Coastal Community Builders

$3,000 – Ryan Comerford, CEO Fairway Management

Mike Byrd

Mike Byrd

South County candidate Mike Byrd, known as a moderate, has raised a total of $49,407 in both cash and non-monetary donations. His top donors include an investor, real estate brokers and business owners.

Byrd’s top contributors:

$26,500 – Peter Keith, investor and former mayor of Grover Beach

$1,000 – Debbie Petterson, real estate broker and the mayor of Grover Beach

$1,000 –Allan Real Estate Investments

$1,000 – Mark Fisher, partner Deloitte and Toche

$1,000 – SLO Home Store, real estate broker

Bruce Gibson

Bruce Gibson

On the North Coast, current SLO County Board of Supervisor Chairman Bruce Gibson dominates with contributions totaling $50,948, which includes a $2,000 loan. His top donors include retirees, his parents and a land use attorney from Irvine. Though leading in donations for District 2, Gibson’s total contributions following the exposure of his  affair with his legislative assistant Cherie McKee (was Aspiro before changing her name) have dropped considerably from past elections.

Gibson’s top contributors:

$1,500 – Allyn and Concettina Arnold, retired teachers

$1,100 – Jane and John Gibson, Bruce Gibson’s parents

$1,000 – Greg Sanders, Irvine land-use attorney

$1,000 – Stuart Warrick, retired

$1,000 – Barbara Renshaw, retired

Muril Clift

Muril Clift

Gibson’s rival, Muril Clift, has raised $8,578. His largest donors include farmers, retirees and his wife.

Clift’s top contributors:

$2,000 – Vicki Clift, Muril Clift’s wife

$1,000 – Mike Bradhurst, farmer

$500 – Donna Randolf, business owner

$300, David Odell, retired

 


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Keep in mind that the amount of money raised in a campaign does not make them the winner!


We still get to vote our conscious regardless of how much cash a candidate has!


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Yes we do vote our conscious but for the most part big money puts on the best show and ultimately buys the votes.


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Just ask Meg Whitman.


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A voter also has to think about Ms. Ray, who has not said a word about Mr. Hill’s recent “foot in mouth” episode and who she supports, her district or Mr. Hill? If she really was for the voters she likely would have issued a response to Mr. Hill’s letter, making sure to separate herself from his position. Saying something now would be likely be too little too late.


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Yes, because all the others on the board have done that, right? So you consider it good practice to publicly chastise people you have to do business with on a regular basis. And somehow there is some correlation between this and “choosing” her constituents.

I think Mr. Hill has separated himself from most everyone’s position. I can only conclude from your logic that you believe everyone in the county who works with Hill and has not publically seperate themselves from his position is in agreement.


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All the other members are not in an election, and there is a big difference from chastising and just stating the other person was wrong. Mr. Hill made a statement has a member of the board, whether official or not it presented itself that way, which represents the people of the county and if Ms. Ray truly represents her district and her voters she should have immediately separated herself and district from Mr. Hill and his issues, something she has had a hard time doing since being “placed” on the board. This would have been a good chance for her to make a statement and she choose not too.


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Well stated. Perhaps it is my belief that he needs a chastising that clouded it for me. In any case, I’m not sure that the status of an election adds or removes a responsibility to make a statement. If, as I suspect, others would choose not to do this for reasons of a working legislative relationship (elected official or otherwise), then it is seemingly equally prudent for Ray to deal with similarity. Effectively putting her ability to serve the people of SLO in her best capacity ahead her personal election concerns.


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There is not enough space on this site to discuss everything that Mr. Hill needs, but the top of the list would certainly be to leave the BOS. I disagree, election time is the best time for those running to speak up and agree or disagree with the way things are done, it provides a good chance for the voters to better understand a candidate and their thoughts about issues and the community, and Mr. Hill certainly is an issue. To choose not to speak up to preserve a working relationship denies the voters an understanding, even if Ms. Ray’s agrees with Mr. Hill. A clear separation from Mr. Hill would likely help her more in June than maintaining a working relationship with a member who clearly has many issues. I just wish Ms.Ray would have not chosen Mr. Hill, again, over her district by denying us an insight into her thoughts on his actions. This helps me come June at the voting booth.


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I suppose that was the point, choosing to focus on doing the job than engaging into an issue that is not hers to begin with.


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I would think that if Ms. Ray wants to be elected to the BOS the activities of any member should and would be part of her focus, and if elected at least in part would become her issue when CAPSLO next asks for taxpayer money, so why not let her tell us how she feels about it.


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So let’s actually do what this article is intending to do and take a no spin look at the numbers. As of the March 24th filing:


Compton has brought in a total of $136,276 including loans and non-cash contributions.

Using the basis for large contributions established here of $1000, She has received $94,619 in large contributions.

By far the largest contributions came from the Comptons and their holdings, totaling close to $39,000. Followed by Kathleen Maas of Paso Robles, a vintner at $6269, followed by the Republican Central Committee at $5,165, then H D Parrett at $5000 along with the Lincoln Club (a conservative group) and Holland Ranch both also at $5000. There is a total of 30 donors with cumulative donations of $1000 or more.

With $41,657 in contributions less than $1000, Comptons “grass roots” support is at 30%

With a total of 175 independent contributors, 24% actually are in the 4th District, 57% are in other SLO county areas, and 18% are out of SLO county.


Supervisor Ray has brought in a total of $81,624 including loans and non cash contributions.

She has received $45,387 in large donations.

Her largest contributor has been Gary Grossman’s, a developer, at $13,686, filled by Laurie Mangano at $10,000, and Monte Cool at $5000 followed by Ryan Cummaford at $3000. She has a total of 13 donors who have cumulative donations of $1000 or more.

With $31,237 in contributions less than $1000, Ray’s “grass roots” support is at 44%

With a total of 168 independent contributors, 45% reside in the 4th district, 50% are in other SLO county areas, and 5% reside outside of SLO county.


Byrd has brought in a total of $49,405 in cash and non cash contributions. He has received $38,500 in large contributions. His largest donor is Peter Kieth, a property investor, at $21,500, followed by CREPAC, a realtors political action committee, at $7000, and Peter broderson at $5000. Byrd has a total of 10 separate contributors with cumulative totals of more than $1000.

With $10,906 in contributions less than $1000, his “grass roots” support is at 22%.

With a total of 48 contributors, 46% live in the 4th district, 42% live in other SLO county areas, and 12% live outside the county.


Those are the facts, no tea cup ride here.


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Thank you for the unbiased (as far as I can tell) factual information. Not sure why anyone would vote you down without making a comment. Talk about shooting the messenger lol.


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As we all know, contributions of less than $100 go unitemized so we have no way to account for the number of people. So based on “grass roots” cut off that precipitated from earlier posts and the point where the article indicated $1000 donor as a large donor, a line was established. The contributions of less than $1000 were then lumped together with the unitemized amount to arrive at a total. This was divided by the total contributions received to arrive at a percentage of smaller donations relative to the whole.


The locations are taken from the 460 listing. Compton’s total number of listed donors exceeds Ray’s by about 8, as her donations are correspondingly hight too. If we were to assign an arbitrary amount for the typical unlisted donor of the mid range of $50 and say every single unlisted donor was in the 4th district, Compton would still have less than Ray. The more likely case is that the distribution falls along similar lines of the listed donors and Rays numerical advantage increases. Since that would be guess work on top of estimating, the other path seemed more rational.


Gary Grossman’ is listed at $3,686 + $10,000 + $100 + $500 + $100 = $14,386.


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As I said it came from previous posts that assumed all the other donations were small grass roots. Another poster pointed out that there is a lot of larger than $1000 posters in Comptons and Rays list so why are they not included in the larger donor list like they are for Bryd.

That line needs to be drawn somewhere.

It still would not change the fact that Ray has significantly more listed donors in the 4th district.

Feel free to post your own breakdown to discuss.


No one would waste time and money on a push poll 2 months before the first vote is cast.


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Would be more of a waste if it was done 2 months after the election


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1inthemiddle says:”No one would waste time and money on a push poll 2 months before the first vote is cast.”


Yet they did.


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That is assuming that the person telling the story is accurate. As I’m sure there were hundreds of call and the one I am aware of asked a non candidate specific question about the tea party and certainly discussed a self funded candidate at $30,000 not $100,000. As it turns out $30,000 was too low.


The one poll I am aware of was a typical per election survey to get the feelings of the electorate. I’m sure there will be more from all sides.


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Great accurate reporting CCN.


Check out a similar article in SLO County’s paper of record.. THE TRIBUNE


The differences are AMAZING with respect to the numbers.


THE TRIBUNE is obviously biased, slanted and with a specific agenda.


I URGE YOU TO COMPARE FOR YOUR SELF


http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/03/25/2990311/candidates-report-cash-flowing.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1


Also reference Kevin Rice’s comments for a synopsis of the misreporting.


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Too bad we could not replace Gibson with her!


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democracy is a harsh mistress eh


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How could we expect anything different from The Tribune. They only report what they want and then in most cases it is bias reporting and rarely the whole truth.


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Actually the trib did neglect the non cash donations and loans but in fact accurately reported the cash contributions to date except for Ray which was mor like $72,000. The cash on hand reported was straight from the 460s


And Kevin Rice’s comments contained his typical level of accuracy


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And your comments will contain less about other people, much less.


Have some math and facts? Great. Take a run at someone who does not support your chosen one? Not so much.


? or ! moderator@calcoastnews.com


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My apologies. As it seems to be the policy that public figures are not immune to directed comments, and that appears to be broad at many times, the afore mentioned person’s public role as a former candidate and political advocate presumably placed him in that category. I stand corrected.


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We don’t edit comments and we don’t like to delete comments. So we encourage people to use facts/figures and not to go for the personal.


Too many times a beautifully crafted fact filled educational comment has a “F### you Bob Smith” insult/attack hung on the end, then we have to decide, we would rather not.


If moderating was 1+1=2 it would be easy, it’s not as anonymous commenter’s will say thing’s here that they would never say in person.


Questions/comments > moderator@calcoastnews.com


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The Trib DID NOT accurately report contributions “to date”. For Ray, the Tribune bundled her 2013 and 2014 contributions, but in order to minimize Compton, the Tribune left out ALL her 2013 contributions.


For the record, I don’t mind your personal attacks. It’s more a reflection on you that you do so anonymously instead of on equal ground. If you’ve got something to say about me (or Hill or Compton or anyone else) and you put your own name in the sunshine, then go for it. For some reason, the Hill/Gibson/Ray lackeys always hide behind anonymity (with a couple exceptions). Truth comes in the sunlight.


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The tribune used the monetary contributions as shown on the summary page of the 460 filings. They appear to include all monetary donations and explode non-monetary and loans. As such the statements are accurate for Compton and are understated for Ray by $10,000, effectively minimizing her funding not Comptons.

All there on forms 460, summary page, line 1


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You are exactly backwards. Summary page, line 1 of Caren Ray says $23,489. The Tribune reported some $62,000 for Ray.


The Tribune minimized Compton to make Ray look as if she is getting competitive support. Ray is not well supported and her last fundraiser flopped big time.


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Of course that has no relationship to what the trib did or reported.


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Much is being made about the source of large donations to the various 4th District campaigns. Deep pockets have supported each of the candidates. Rather than looking at just the deep pockets, I find the percent of support coming from the “little” guys more interesting.

For example:

Lynn Compton has 14% +/- from BIG donors that leaves 86% +/- coming from regular people who are donating much smaller amounts.

Caren Ray has 40% +/- from BIG donors and 60% +/- from smaller donors.

Mike Byrd has 70% +/- from BIG donors and 30% +/- from smaller donors.


(NOTE: those who are math whizzes, don’t get all hyperventilating over my math. These are approximate percentages based on a quick “math in my head” look)


Compton has many volunteers distributing literature and providing grass roots support. She has two campaign offices where residents can go and speak with her or get involved. That kind of dedication from so many regular folks is powerful. I’m impressed.


Caren Ray is demonstrating sycophantic loyalty to Adam Hill. EEEEEKKKK!


Mike Byrd seems like a nice quiet guy who is sincere. With tough issues on the table,. Think about the abominable treatment that Debbie Arnold has been subjected to by Gibson and Hill. Arnold has demonstrated quiet determination and personal fortitude under harsh battering. I wonder if he would be able to stand up to Hill and Gibson on critical issues.


The Governor chose to appoint a Democrat in a Republican district (Yes, I know it’s a non partisan office). Ray’s politics don’t really reflect those of the 4th district. With three in the race, the June primary will probably result in a run-off in November. With the funding and volunteer momentum that Compton has achieved, her supporters will “double down” as the race heads to November. From what I see, Compton is earning her right to speak for the 4th district through her hard work and commitment to the people in the district.


No wonder the Tribune rarely mentions Compton, unless they are tossing dispersions. All the more reason to support Compton.


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Mike Byrd is tough as nails. I’d like to know more about his viewpoints.


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Citizen, just visit http://www.ByrdForSupervisor.com for frank information about my views or give me a call, 441-5133. I forthrightly share what’s on my mind with anyone. That might make me a bad politician but I believe it would make me a great representative for the people of the 4th district.


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Yes, Reality Check, I can stand up for what’s right always. Except for the eight years I worked for a county supervisor I’ve been pretty much self-employed most of my adult life. It isn’t always easy being on your own and helping to support a family without a regular paycheck. That takes strength of character. Besides, I’m too old to be bullied by anyone.


I will never have the troops or the money the two partisan candidates have because I’m not being backed by special interests or political machines; just by citizens who believe firmly that SLO County government should not be run like Washington, D.C. where partisan politics is all that matters.


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Reality Check said that 86% +/- of Compton’s contribution came “from regular people who are donating much smaller amounts.”


Get REAL dude or dudette! Compton has plenty of contributors who gave $1000 to $4999 who aren’t listed in this article. How can these be “BIG donors” for Ray and Byrd, but not for Compton? Next time, wait for all the information before making your pronouncements.


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BTW, Compton is the only candidate who has knocked at my door, and that also means something in my book.


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She also halls to be the only mult-millionaire candidate trying to buy a spot on the board. As she has no job her time is much more free.

Ho does that fit in your book?


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If Ray wants the job bad enough, we all know she could be knocking on our doors come Saturday or Sunday but we also know that she does not work 8 – 5 and she could be out there as well. I finding time to have coffee with Adam Hill was more important than meeting her constituents. It’s called priorities!


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Hmmm, meeting with Hill was prior to her being a supervisor, so that is waste of pixels.


Your right, she tends to go far more than 8-5, thanks for pointing that out. I wonder if Compton is up to the task of really doing the homework and constituent communication to do the job right.


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Are you trying to say that grass roots people don’t drop $85 to have a book signed by a radio host who was paid $8000 to show up. No, say it is not so.


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LOL My point was that a $1000 donation was considered a small “grass roots” donation for Comption, but money from a BIG donor for the other two.


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“Caren Ray is demonstrating sycophantic loyalty to Adam Hill. EEEEEKKKK”

Uh, what???

Typical analysis of Ray. You have no real evidence from her work so just toss out Adam Hills name and an unsupported statement.

Wait till the rocks start being hung around Comptons neck, look into her number one personal donor, H D Parrett.


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Look at Caren Ray’s number one donor (six times more money than Perrett, who IS NOT Compton’s number one):


Coastal Community Builders (Dalidio Ranch)

Coastal Community Builders (Dalidio Ranch)

Coastal Community Builders (Dalidio Ranch)

Coastal Community Builders (Dalidio Ranch)


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That’s a great point. Supervisor Ray’s number one donor has donated $10,0000 plus around $4k in non-cash donations. He is a local based builder, doing business with local people, and has no pending projects in county jurisdiction. Basically if you watch Fox News, he is a job creator.

On the other hand, Parrett is actually a far number 2 individual donor behind Lynn Compton’s small fortune in funding to buy the seat. But instead of creating jobs in the county, this “mega millionaire” made many millions in a failed Ernron, water banking scam and has petitioned to secede from the county at least twice in an effort to save money.

I think the difference is clear


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Coastal Community Builders (Dalidio Ranch). Let’s get real about this statement: Dalidio Ranch is currently in the County and will need County support to develop and work with the City of SLO… Something that Jan Marx can probably provide lots of assistant to as she and the Copelands destroyed Ernie Dalidio’s project. Since Jan, Adam, Gibson, Ray, etc. are all on the same train, the is good money spent if she wins.


Who wants this type of character on our BOS, we have enough nut cases falling from the tree.


Anyone remember this story on this site June 8, 2010 “New Arroyo Grande councilwoman leads a harried secret life”. And she was a school teacher at this time. Really character! Obviously, her and Adam and since Gibson is part of Adam’s team you have to put Bruce and his mistress/office assistant in this mix.


http://calcoastnews.com/…/arroyo-grande-councilwoman-leads-a-harried-secret-life/


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Well clearly you have no concept of how that process works since the development is pursuing annexation by the city of SLO. So much for your county connection.


So, going back to the dry well of lies and disinformation from 4 years ago. I really don’t understand if Ray is so bad that you can’t actually come up with documented performance on the job. Heck, she was on the planning commission then the AG city council, now 6 months on the BOS putting her position forward every week. The only thing anyone comes up with is this junk.


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Buried deep in the Trib’s last article about the Dalidio project was a reference to a county land use change necessary for this property to be developed as planned, irrespective of the jurisdiction in which the project is slated for development. During eight years working for a county supervisor I learned that there is much less clarity in government than we would all like to hope and expect. Sometimes it’s necessary to dig a little deeper.


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While there is a county administrative component associated with this since it is an annexation by the city. The actual regulation and approval of the project will be by the city. Recall that measure J has already entitled a project in the county long ago, and the city had also approved a project that included annexation in 2010 which was never pursued. So, yes, technically the county will have a role, but the development project is currently and will remain before the city of SLO.


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Actually, I do. The City and the County will have to work together because SLO will have to accept the transfer from the County and the County will want to negotiate the property tax issues. It is not as clear cut to transfer as you suggest without agreements involving the agencies, approval from LAFCO, etc. Even if the County agrees, the City will have to agree and we know Jan Marx and the Copeland’s Crew will have lots to say and agree to as Jan has had personal deviate experience involving this Dalido Property in the past.


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I do owe Mr. Rice an apology. In a different thread I indicated that the. Compton’s had contributed 52,000 to the campaign as of the end of 2013. Due to some sloppy 460 reporting and my sloppy work, I mis-stated. The total contributions to Lynn Compton’s family and holdings was more like $30,000 as of dec 31. I think there has been another $10,000 since then. In any case. I was wrong and do not want to compromise my credibility.


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Kevin also has a math error. 6 times $5,000 is $30,000. Not the $14,000 that Grossman’s donated. Don’t worry, happens to me too sometimes.


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Plus, $5,000 from Monte Cool, Chief of Acquisitions for Coastal Community Builders.


Another $700 this period from Gary Grossman, Coastal Community Builders

$100 Pam Adkisson, Coastal Community Builders

$100 Andrew Boots, Coastal Community Builders

$100 Dave Daniels, Coastal Community Builders

$100 Arlene Gonzales-Gee, Coastal Community Builders

$1,000 Jim Laloggia, Coastal Community Builders

$100 Marty Mohamed, Coastal Community Builders


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Well in not sure how Monte Cool, previously portrayed as an independent wealthy investor is now part of Grossman’s funds, but I suppose one could connect people who work in Grossman’s company in some convoluted way. That still does not come close to $30,000 or the $35,000 claimed on other boards.

It is an interesting exercise though. Perhaps we should lump all the realtors together too and all the vintners or ag interests and see how those calc out.


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Hahaha, that couldn’t be farther off the mark.

Both are also listed as individual donors representing different privately held companies.


Not the same as a husband and wife and there shared business.


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@1inthemiddle – I provided a link to Monte’s linkedIn page where he lists himself as Chief of Acquisitions for Coastal Community Builders. THE SAME COMPANY.


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Aside from the fact that was subsequent to the donation as he at the time listed a different company and is an independent donor and Grossman has no limits so no reason to spread around his donation, I was laughing at the suggestion that Monte Cool is Gary Grossman’s significant other


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@1 – Why is it funny if Gary has a significant other?


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That is not the humerus part


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So now that a real breakdown has been posted and it’s clear that Compton does not have much in the way of 4th district grass roots support, I’m image you are reconsidering your position


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That’s just a lie. Compton has far more supporters from the 4th district than any other candidate.


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I simply counted cities listed on the 460 for individual donors, attempting to only count a name once even if it appeared multiple times. Certainly room for error but not by a wide margin. It looks like Ray has 75 listed contributors in the 4th district, Compton has 42, and Byrd 22. Interestingly Compton seems to have 33 out of county listed contributors, almost 3 times that of Byrd and Ray combined.

No deception was intended. If the numbers are grossly in error, please redirect.


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Who is the one sitting in the middle of the board of supervisors?


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As they say with any crime-just follow the money.


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i saw Compton was an Independent yet, look where the money comes from.


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I see H.D. Perrette, the owner of Suey Ranch, contributed 5k to Compton’s fund. I suspect he wants to secede from SLO county again and have his Bull Cyn. land developed by the City of Santa Maria. I wonder what Lynn Compton’s position would be on this issue?


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Many of us former Republicans are now independent but haven’t changed official affiliation for Primary voting sake.


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Caren Ray has $32K from developers -BIG developers – and she calls herself an environmentalist and a moderate? If she is elected will she have to recuse herself from any votes on these projects?


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Yes, a way to keep someone from voting on your project is to do business with them, donate large amounts. Setting up a conflict is SOP in SLO county politics.


If this prevents her from voteing, perhaps her vote would go against the developers, so they conflict her out of the way.


YMMV


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“womanwhohasbeenthere” should know the answer, if indeed she’s “been there”.

Caren Ray is working with developers to obtain affordable housing, as per her pledge. Along with providing “Head-of-Houshold” type of jobs, by working with everybody by consensus to better our county, cities and collective lives.


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Are you kidding me?


Adam Hill has repeatedly voted on funding of CAPSLO’s homeless services, even though he was sleeping with, and then engaged to be married to, the Director of Homeless Services.


Even though Torres has been demoted by CAPSLO, she will still benefit from funding of CAPSLO’s Homeless Services. You can bet Adam Hill will continue to vote on that funding.


He’s got away with it so far. Why stop a winning strategy?


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While not the biggest developers operating in the county, they probably are the biggest based out of here. You know the ones, the guys who hire locally, the “job creators”


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