Front Page  »  

SLO developer fined by state ethics watchdog

April 28, 2014
Caren Ray

Caren Ray

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A San Luis Obispo County developer has drawn a fine from the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for not identifying himself as a major donor to the election campaign of County Supervisor Caren Ray.

The FPPC voted during its meeting last week to fine Gary Grossman $400 for failing to properly disclose political contributions totaling more than $10,000 last year. Grossman is working to develop the San Luis Obispo County property formerly owned by rancher Ernie Dalidio.

Anyone who donates more than $10,000 total to election campaigns in a single year is required by California to form a major donor committee. The donor must file a disclosure with a county clerk reporting the committee and its contributions.

Grossman donated $10,000 to Ray’s election campaign on Nov. 11, 2013. He also made a $3,686 nonmonetary donation to Ray when he hosted a fundraiser for her later that month.

Gary Grossman

Gary Grossman

Additionally, Grossman donated $1,000 to Supervisor Adam Hill’s election committee in 2013. Hill is not yet up for reelection, but he kept his 2012 committee open during 2013 and accepted a $1,000 donation from Grossman on Sept. 26.

Adam Hill

Adam Hill

State regulations required Grossman to report all three donations on a major donor form by Jan. 31 of this year. But, Grossman waited until March 21 to properly disclose the donations to Ray. He then amended the donation report on April 1 to include his contribution to Hill.

Grossman had the opportunity to contest the fine at an FPPC meeting on Thursday. He did not make an appearance, though, and the committee voted 4-0 to fine him.

Grossman is currently planning a residential and commercial project on the 131-acre property that sets on Highway 101 near Madonna Road. Grossman’s plan, known as the San Luis Ranch, would include 46 acres of housing, a hotel, a convention center and commercial office space.

After Dalidio fought for years and failed to gain approval to develop the property, Grossman appears to have support for his project from both from the county and city of San Luis Obispo.

Grossman’s assistant, Monte Cool, also donated to Ray’s campaign. Cool, the chief of acquisitions for Grossman’s Coastal Community Builders, contributed $5,000 to Ray.

In a recent candidate’s forum, Ray criticized one of her opponents, Lynn Compton, for accepting big money donations. But, between just Grossman and Cool, Ray accepted nearly $20,000 in contributions.

Ray also received a $10,000 contribution from Andy Mangano, a developer with Mangano homes. Mangano did file a major donor disclosure before the reporting deadline.


Loading...
Subjects:                     
Related:


106 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

who is checking these contributions?


0

Gary Grossman’s smile is quite possibly the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. Seriously.


0

Lets face it, first, the problem with accepting ‘big money’ is that it is corrupting… few –if any– people give that much money unless they expect to see a return on their investment. Here’s what CCN said about the issue April2nd:


“Unlike Dalidio, Grossman has considerable political clout. Grossman has already donated more than $14,000 to the 2014 election campaign of recently appointed County Supervisor Caren Ray.


He has also donated recently to Supervisor Adam Hill. Ray, Hill and Chairman Bruce Gibson, each Democrats, form the current board of supervisors majority. They are aligned politically with the Democratic city council majority of Marx, Ashbaugh and Councilwoman Carlyn Christianson, who formerly served as Hill’s planning commissioner.”


The second problem with Caren Ray is she’s part of the Adam Hill – Bruce Gibson “squeeze them till they’re dry” majority. Its abundantly clear that Adam Hill pulls her strings or at least is ‘mentoring her’… to say otherwise is disingenuous .


Lastly, its seems to me that Caren Ray has been APPOINTED to virtually every job she’s held.Governor Brown appointed her to the board of Supervisors… I suspect with Adam Hill’s approval. Has she ever run for elective office?


0

The only disingenuous part is to make empty statements and act like any conflicting view could not be possible.


Based upon your statement we should be very suspect of Mike Byrds $31,000 donor, Peter Kieth. Makes you also wonder what all these big money north county donors for Compton have up their sleeve, not to mention the $5000 donation from the guy who made $30mil from a water banking scam gone bad.


Thanks for pointing that out


0

It seems the easiest way to see the superior candidate is to watch and listen. Since two candidates have no record or experience and the worst most can find to say about Rays time in Office is that she had coffee with hill.


Her are a couple links to the second and third candidate forums. Last nights should be up soon. Sadly this is nothing from the first.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5bJH_HIWoo&sns=em


http://www.slo-span.org/media.php?folder%5B%5D=EF2014


Have fun


0

In many cases it is those exact candidates with so-called “experience” that have gotten us into the mess that we are in and it is time for someone new with common sense.


I did watch the forums and the current appointed supervisor was put in her place by the other candidates, and unlike her they did not use aggressive tones. Either one of them would be better than what we have now.


0

So was that the same experience line you sang when McCain and Obama were up for election.


Please post a link to the forum you watched because clearly it was not either of these.


0

I suppose I should ask what trouble you speak of.


You do realize the two candidate who have come to the board with no experience are Hill and Arnold. Both seem to be the most difficult to me


0

As they say “Opinions vary” as seems to be the case here.


Let hope the voters agree, taxes are too high and many government bodies and such are calling for more taxes, in AG higher water and garbage are just two, none of the current “experienced” people” have done anything about cutting them and making groups and departments understand you have to budget with what you have and not keep trying to get more. None of those so called experienced people want to do anything bout the 1,000,000lbs gorilla in the room, salaries, benefits and pensions, their only answer to kick it down the road and let someone else deal with it later. We need new people, new ideas, and someone with business smarts that knows you can’t run a business with higher expenses than you have revenue, and who’s only answer is to try to increase revenue, i.e. taxes, instead of cutting costs, now and not later.


0

Plus, the current board has done nothing to encourage and promote business growth or creation. Their only ideas are to regulate, fee, restrict or inhibit businesses and business growth. Name me any idea Ms. Ray has supported or created that is true business friendly, not a faux idea. Plus an idea is only an idea if it is not passed by the board, so let hear of an idea that is not done for campaign sake with no chance of passing.


0

For one check all the empty store fronts just on Grand Ave, and recall the many stories about businesses trying to build and the troubles they had and the lack of support passed by the BOS.


0

Forgive me if I don’t cover all your comments. Some will require a little digging.

To start with, you seem to be confused about jurisdictions and what is within the control of each.

In Arroyo Grande or the county there is not much which they can do about taxes. Those generally are state and federal issues. The city of Arroyo Grande did bring a 1/2% sales tax add to the voters. It was approve by the voters. It was carefully presented to address specific issues and has been managed in very open and an accountable way. Caren Ray was park of the council that had the cities trust and brought this forward. It is viewed as a success and demonstrates government transparency. During difficult economic times the city did negotiate with the various unions for confessions successfully and stood strong when those negotiations got contentious. This also occurred while Ray was on council.

The city council does not decide water or trash rates and these are not taxes so that issue is mute.


If you had in fact watched the forums, you would have seen a discussion on county fees. Ray disclosed how the fee increases are intended to cover expenses. Most of the land use fees still don’t cover the costs but they are moving that way. This is exactly what you say should happen. Compton argued for a reduction in these fees. That is not the fiscally responsible position that you say one should aspire to. Perhaps you are confused on the candidates.


Finally, the board of supervisors has no effect on the storefronts in Arroyo Grande. The truth is after a deep recession that saw Caren Ray taking office in the hard times, Arroyo Grande is thriving. It is the financially strongest town in the district, it has a vital business base, solid infrastructure, all while maintaining its quaint character. This was all maintained and strengthened while Ray was on council.


0

Sorry I am not confused about jurisdictions, just tired of always hearing “That’s not our problem, or we can’t do anything about that”, it’s an old line that politicians use when they know they are holding the short straw. Those old ideas need to go along with those tired politicians, time for new fresh ideas and common sense. Something several on the current board lack in large quantity.


At lest you do agree, along with Ms. Ray’s support AG raised taxes instead of cutting expenses, and only viewed as a success by those that didn’t cut expenses.


Most agree the current Board of Supervisor has been anything but a government of transparency, constantly hiding and avoiding issues.


I am aware that the council does not decide trash and water rates but it is clear they have been silent in expressing the need to keep taxes and fees low and cut expenses, so the issue is not mute, except by those that are trying to hide from it.


Just mention one idea Ms. Ray has supported and helped pass that cuts expenses, hold taxes, and improves business climate, just one please.


0

The most recent forum is up for viewing.


Learn about slate mailers and why it is irresponsible to be biased as a supervisor.

No need to watch Compton, she says the same thing over and over as usual or parrots Supervisor Ray’s answer from the last forum. Compton learns a little from Ray each time.


http://www.slo-span.org/media.php?folder%5B%5D=EF2014


0

Sadly, there was another candidate we knew very little about who was elected to high office… his name was B. H. Obama.


0

Hmm, campaign contributions not disclosed. How do we know that these funds were for campaign contributions since they were not disclosed. Maybe, just maybe they were for past or future services rendered?


0

wow, i would so like to be able to donate $10,000 to a candidate and throw a big party for them.


0

$400 for TEN thousand, a bargain at twice the price. Not until the fines are punitive will these transgressions stop.


0

Meh. It’s a first-time violation. But here’s something else to consider: If you were a candidate (like Caren Ray), wouldn’t you want to keep your donors out of trouble? BY LAW, Caren Ray was supposed to send a required notice to Gary Grossman when he hit the $5,000 mark, letting him know of his filing obligations.


A careful candidate doesn’t want FPPC actions against their donors as it looks bad (and it should look bad). Caren Ray should have been on the ball. Caren Ray should have chased down Grossman to ensure he filed his Form 461 report and keep him out of trouble. Apparently Caren Ray did not send the required notice.


A “clerical error”, I’m sure.


0

“Apparently?”


As in “assuming?”


0

You are positing the notion that Grossman was notified, but blew it off, knowing he could be fined and it would reflect poorly on Ray? No, I don’t find that plausible at all. And, if Ray had a decent treasurer, they would have hounded Grossman to file. Yet, he filed immediately upon receiving the FPPC complaint, so what would entertain one to believe he was notified before the complaint?


0

One might assume so, Kevin. Yes, one might assume and, upon that foundation, nothing really can be built.


0

Gary Grossman was prosecuted and fined by the FPPC. THERE’S YOUR FOUNDATION.


0

It takes a lot of illegal donations to put up signs illegally on public right of ways, and I have seen a lot of them from Ms. Ray. In fact I have seen more signs that are illegally placed than legal ones from Ms. Ray.


0

Google Map of Illegal Caren Ray Signs


0

O.K. Kev – now I see you’ve done your “Patriotic” duty and have spent tons of hours documenting these terrible illegal signs which by the way were placed along side Super Cuts signs, garage sale signs, “Anna’s Birthday this way” signs, etc. Good job Kev!! Good expenditure of your time…I guess? Don’t have anything else to do?


I have an idea, Patriot! Now go around and document all of Lynn Compton’s oversized signs that are placed “illegally” within the urban reserve lines…yes, on private property…still illegal, I’m sure you know. Now there’s a new hobby for ya! Go Kev!


0

CAREN RAY LACKS ETHICS.


* RAY is abusing the public trust by placing her signs on public property.

* RAY received the NOTICE from Public Works to remove her signs.

* RAY doesn’t care about the NOTICE.

* When wrong, RAY goes ahead anyway, making up justifications.

* RAY needs to have HIGHER ETHICS than “Super Cuts” or “Anna”. Ray doesn’t.

* RAY sees a couple “garage sale” signs up for a day and thinks that makes it okay to put up fifty signs for two months.

* RAY sees one wrong, and thinks that justifies her fifty wrongs.


The other two candidates aren’t abusing public property. RAY shouldn’t either. But RAY is only concerned with personal gain, not abuse of authority.


DON’T VOTE FOR CAREN RAY. SHE IS UNETHICAL.


0

Write the Editor. Tell Caren Ray to remove her illegal signs from public property. Stop abusing the public commons for personal gain.


letters@thetribunenews.com

letters@newtimesslo.com

http://timespressrecorder.com/contact/letter/


0

Almost every single one of Compton’s 32 SF signs are illegal, including all the ones in Oceano and Nipomo. Josh brought this to her attention and she said she would remove them when someone told her too.

How is that not thumbing her nose at the law and the community.


0

FIRST, that sentiment completely reflects Caren Ray’s unethical character. Ethical people are concerned with themselves first. It’s the old adage, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”


SECOND, I absolutely dispute there is anything illegal about Compton’s signs. Recent court decisions are clear. I know of not one single Compton or Byrd sign in the public right-of-way. Caren Ray has fifty, in blatant disregard of the law.


THIRD, there is a COUNTY NOTICE about signs on public land, flatly calling it a violation of law. Caren Ray’s refusal to comply with the law, even when straight-out confronted by a County Notice, speaks extremely low of her morals.


Instead of acting above reproach, Caren Ray chooses to serve herself first. Bad actor. Bad representative. Bad vote.


0

Oh where to begin.

It’s a narcissist that is concerned with themselves first, not an ethical person.

The person I referenced was Compton, and it shows her ethics, nothing more. Your paraphrased quote is not an old adage, its an attempt to quote Jesus.


Your argument in support of picking and choosing laws to follow rings hollow. Until these local laws are challenged and overturned in court, they are the laws that govern our community, the one Compton proposes to lead and the laws she chooses not to follow.


I have personally seen a email from Caren Ray directing all volunteers to remove any of their offending signs.


I took a drive to find the signs you have called out. In some cases the idea that they are in the right of way is very doubtful, in most cases they simply were not there. In a few cases they were not in county jurisdiction. Some I knew were there before and clearly Rays volunteers removed them as she directed.

I did find one knocked over on Willow Rd.

I also found one of the ones indicated on Hwy 1 in Oceano. The interesting thing about that one was it was two feet further off the road than two of Compton’s giant signs that were very close by. So in that case, Ray has one legal sized sign maybe in the right of way and Compton has two illegal size sign even further into the right of way.

You facts have been checked and have shown to be lacking.


1

So if Ms. Ray is concerned about her illegal signs she is a narcissist?, interesting logic.


0

Where to begin? The question is, when will you end? Penniless defenses of Ray’s unethical campaigning, “tu quoque” rebuttals, and off-topic diversions merely constitute logical fallacy, not reasons to vote for an unethical representative.


The only reason Caren Ray has so many illegal signs out is her difficulty finding supporters within the community willing to erect signs on private property. WORK ON THAT.


0

So the kind of thinking you want from a sitting supervisor is “I think everyone else has illegal signs so I going to do it too, and when told to remove them I am going to ignore the warning”, yeah that’s an upstanding person to have on the BOS.


0

The county has notified all of the candidates at least three times about what constitutes legal and illegal signs. Where volunteers are involved mistakes will undoubtedly happen. Maybe I was raised differently than some people but my sense is, when you’re told you’re doing something wrong stop doing it.


Then there’s the issue of theft of legal signs on private property on a grand scale. Until now I’d never considered campaign signs all that important in the grand scheme of things, but it seems they are thought to be very important by someone.


0

It’s people like you, and others who do the same rant and cry-me-a-river daily with your one-way politicking, that convinces me that Caren Ray is the only choice because of all the vitriol and avarice you, and others, spew forth.

She has my vote – thank’s to you, Kevin – for convincing me, my vote is on the winning side in Caren Ray!


Even better news, there are many decent folks, who watch and observe quietly all this hate and chest-pounding. You help them more then you realize to make up their minds whom to vote for.


The bad news: It’s not going the way you’d like.


0

The old “I’m voting for X because of you” line. Well, that really only reflects on you, for lacking a thoughtful reason to vote for X.


Also, spiteful predictions (“bad news”, above) ahead of reality are not wise.


0

Kevin,


You may be right about Caren Ray’s signs (I don’t know for sure) but your unwillingness to be equally critical of Lynn Compton’s signs makes you look every bit as partisan as 1inthe middle and thus makes your views suspiciously unobjective too.


I probably won’t vote for either of these candidates — more for other reasons than the scofflaw signing, but that does affect my views. If Mike Byrd doesn’t shoot himself in the foot (metaphorically speaking) I am leaning his way.


0

I saw only two Compton signs and ZERO Byrd signs in public spaces. It’s only Ray doing it, and it’s egregious.


I Like Mike too. It’s so pathetic that the partisan war overlooks the least objectionable person in the race.


0

Other hand. It is unfortunate that I come off partisan. I had not started that way, only trying to be a balancing voice. The discussions become so one sided and filled with false information, I try to correct that. Admittedly, I am now a solid supporter of Ray after watching the recent forums. While I will continue to correct false and misleading comments, you will also find that when I am wrong I will acknowledge that

I simply encourage you to consider all candidates on the issues and there performance and experience and leave behind empty distractions.


0

QUOTING WILLNOSE: “It’s people like you, and others who do the same rant and cry-me-a-river daily with your one-way politicking, that convinces me that Caren Ray is the only choice because of all the vitriol and avarice you, and others, spew forth.”


Using your logic, we all should have voted for Sarah Palin (by voting for John McCain).


0

Sorry. The WAH!-everybody-else-is-doing-it defense doesn’t even work in a kindergarten class.


You know, in the beginning of the Caren-Ray supervisor mess I took a wait-and-see attitude.


Then she parked her Caren-Ray Ego-Mobile in the Albertson’s/WalMart parking lot and kept it there for weeks and weeks. I wasn’t pleased about that eyesore at all. Indeed, I thought it was presumptuous and a little tone-deaf to force customers to look at her GIGANTIC face every time they wanted to go to the store. (I mean, it was REALLY a GIGANTIC representation of her face.) It made me wonder, “If she will treat the public like this NOW, how tone-deaf will she be to the public after she is REALLY elected?


But, always a glutton for punishment, I went to a meet-and-greet, and was unhappy about her talking-out-of-both-sides-of-her-mouth gambit over her vote on the Paso GW Basin district. Again, she demonstrated a real lack of respect for the people who will make up the voter contingency needed to get her elected.


Then there was the Caren Ray Sign-Gate debacle…and even after she was notified of the illegal signs, she continued to use them for her campaign…all the while blaming her staff for the illegalities involved in the sign placement.


Of course, we cannot forget the CampaignFunding-Gate debacle (for which the funder has now been fined by the FPPC), which Ray ALSO blamed on her staff.


Really? Do we want as a supervisor another nincompoop who thinks the laws don’t apply to her?


In the next few years our County BOS may be facing some future-changing water issues, for which they will be making the decisions. We already have at least two majorly dishonest and self-serving supervisors we have to deal with.


But now we have a chance to get rid of Caren Ray, which would at least prevent a third self-serving, dishonest nincompoop from sitting on the BOS.


0

Mary, I think you are confused. All those offensive trailers were Lynn Compton’s. All those illegal sized blue signs we see are Lynn Compton’s.


Yes there were some Ray signs in the right of way but they are gone. It should not surprise people if some reappear by any of the candidates. Supporters can be enthusiastic. Of course, that is far different than the large oversized signs of illegal size and or quantity that the campaign itself designates placement.


So you went to a meet and greet. Can you articulate what you did not agree with?


0

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind

Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?


0

More like can’t you read the rules, but it seems Ms. Ray thinks the rules are only for others and don’t apply to her, a common theme among career politicians, rules are only for then little people.


0

Hardly a career politician. Up until 7 months ago she was a career educator who invested her time in public service that resulted in experience and community support.

As opposed to a life long chemical sales person who stands to make money from the position.


0

Another lie. Caren Ray has been on city council for years, and before that on the planning commission for years. She is on the take with her tens of thousands from developers and will sell out the public including voting for the rail spur.


0

Oh my,

This is true, 3 plus years on city council. A position that pays nearly a stipend compared to the time required. That position was held while she was a full time educator. Prior to that 5 or so years on planning commission, again an unpaid community service position while she worked as a teacher. And before that, years as a teacher.

So that is pretty clear that her career was as an educator and she invested her time serving the community and gaining respect and experience.


The other comments are not even worth addressing


0

I have to say that those other comments are worth addressing. The donation from the big developer may not automatically make her “on the take” but it is enough that I would worry about her ability to make an unbiased judgment on any decisions involving his projects — directly or indirectly. Will she recuse herself from such votes either before or (if elected) after the election.? What IS her position currently on the rail spur?


0

Other hand-

I can’t speak to Ray recusing herself or being influenced but there is nothing in front of her or in the near future that I’m aware of and she does have a solid track record.

She has been very clear on the rail spur. If you did not see the televised chamber of commerce forum tonight then catch it on the Internet feed. She has spoken very clearly on that issue and others.

I really don’t need to argue for her to anyone who has seen one of the forums. It is all very apparent.


0

Lets not forget the little escapades for running around drunk and on drugs,while still being an educator.


0

Myself – let’s not forget that was unsubstantiated innuendo, fantasy and fiction.


0

I absolutely freaking love it. Good work. I applaud your willingness to do the leg work and paperwork in attempting to keep Caren Ray from violating campaign regulations.


The sad news about this…that Caren Ray, someone already a County Supervisor, needs public watchdogs to keep her honest.


On the plus sign, the CarenRay EgoMobile (the huge white whale of a bus with her HUGE name and face plastered on the sides) has been removed from its habitual spot in the Albertson’s/WalMart parking lot in AG.


Honestly, seeing her huge face looming over the parking lot was creepy….not to mention a tribute to her being politically deaf to imposing herself on the public.


0

Mary, what are you talking about? The only giant vehicle signs are Lynn Compton’s.

Had anyone actually fact checked the sign claims they would have found that of the claimed 49 signs, most were not there (probably in response to Rays direction to volunteers to remove), other are well off the right of way but on the list to make it seem like something, and the two I found that remained, were next to larger offending signs of competitors.


But all this is really a distraction anywAy from a real look at who can do the job best. I encourage you to attend a forum or watch one of the ones online.


0

You say its Caren Ray’s sign at Walmart / Albertson??? Please open both your eyes, and your selective memory. What you saw was LYNN COMPTON’s trailer and truck obnoxiously, not to say flagrantly, parked for weeks on end in that location.


0

Datz da way it’s done folks – grease the pig/feed the beast/cover your bet/prime the pump. Call it a banana if you want, all political stripes take the bribe (legally of course). Too bad most voters are morons and pick our political poison by looks, familiarity, catchy slogans, party, global catastrophic fear, jingly commercials, smut smear; whatever. You all deserve what you get. Thanks for not voting.


0

Wow, Russ, your language is a little coarse, but that’s a damn fine summary of local politics from Gibson on down the line. Well said, chief!


0

I only vote for the candidate I see on a bumper sticker when I drive into the polling place!


I’m so slow and stupid, I need a sign somewhere directing my views and opinions on important matters and representation. It’s all useless clutter – but it works, and there is a reason. How about we try to address that reason.


My personal rules of thumb, if I cannot find out anything about a candidate:

1) Never, NEVER vote for people from the Legal professions if at all possible.

2) Never, EVER vote for “educators” – I know it’s hard to swim against the current filled with the brain-dead on this, but educators almost always make for lousy leaders.

3) Never, EVER vote for “the family name” – whether it’s Kennedy or Bush, Romney or Gore; the last thing anyone “not in the family” needs is someone in “the family.”


In short: No lawyers, no teachers and no privileged dynasties.


0

Wrong. Jack O’Connell is the real deal, and he took his experience as an educator to benefit California in the State Legislature.


0
1 2 3