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Ferrara now chasing write-in Hill

November 7, 2014

AG racerBy DANIEL BLACKBURN

At the tail end of a race he never expected to run, Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara will spend the weekend mulling vote totals announced by county voting officials Friday afternoon showing a write-in candidate leading him by 43 votes.

At day’s end, Ferrara still could not crack 50 percent of the votes cast — his unofficial total was 2,896, or 49.63 percent, against those for “write-in,” 2,939, or 50.37 percent.

Most of those write-in votes will likely go to Jim Hill, whose last-minute entry into the campaign to unseat Ferrara gained momentum rapidly and whose success so far has astounded even the most jaded political observers.

In Arroyo Grande, 387 ballots remain to be counted. Those include 164 vote-by-mail ballots; 184 provisional ballots; and 115 election night non-processed ballots.

At present, the counted “write-in” votes incorporate all names written on the ballot, and may or may not be Hill’s. A ballot-by-ballot examination will be conducted by county clerk-recorder officials.

Then, if a recount is needed, additional ballots — those which did not have a blackened oval next to a write-in’s name– would then be tallied. There are about 900 of those, officials said.

Official results might not be final until Wednesday, and if a recount becomes necessary, this race might not be determined until near Thanksgiving.

Ferrara is the newly-elected president of the League of California Cities, a position now jeopardized by Hill’s unexpectedly strong challenge.

 


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Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

All the king’s horses and all the King’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again


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This article headline is jumping the gun a bit. There will be a number of write-ins for other non-qualified candidates. Jim Hill will only win if he gets the most votes. Let’s be cautiously optimistic.


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I disagree. It is in the bag.


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Really? Based on what? Believe what you wish. Things look bright, but it’s far from in the bag.


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40, max, mickey mouse votes. that leaves a three point lead. 50/50 on remaining votes. Worst case scenario? win by three votes. Ez deduction. In the bag. Sorry.


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Kevin is totally correct, but I think Hill will probably win based on the trend.


Just look at tha AG Council race. It has 89 write-in votes. 89 votes for Mickey Mouse would steal the election from Hill.


We won’t know that Hill won until they read all the write-in balots.


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We can hope that those 89 who were demonstrating their frustration on the council ballot recognized that they could demonstrate their frustration by writing in a real candidate on the mayoral ballot.


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the county clerk recorder, admitted that there are some mickey mouse votes, but not a lot. I have a good feeling the number is under forty.


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I hope you’re right.


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Kevin, thanks again for the glossy pin up of ‘ole Joe and Tony.

It was a real boost to those working for Jim Hill,

and we appreciate your contribution to our campaign.


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Speaking of jumping the gun—how about the TPR stating yesterday morning that Ferrara had it in the bag?


OOPS!


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Sir make up your mind, please. You did not think Tony could be unseated, and so you went after Joe Costello. Then your stats say this and your stats say that. What is it exactly you want in this election?


You were not on the Jim Hill committee as far as I know, yet you want your voice heard as if you were the mastermind.


I see why you did not win an election.


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Just one of many reasons.


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Both Tony and Costello were targeted. Tony is unexpected icing. How nice!


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And sweet!


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Kevin has been very very helpful to the campaign. And I really appreciate his experience and input and comments at all times.


I do disagree with anyone who tells me Jim is not gonna win because i saw first hand the number of citizens who were supporting Hill as the team stationed themselves on street corners and grocery markets.


The trend of the informed voter has been overwhelmingly supportive of Jim Hill, a landslide if you will. How else do you make up 20% points when a third of the vote had already been cast?


This is the most incredible underdog story i have ever seen in my life.


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The upswelling of support for Jim was something you had to be here to see, feel, and believe.


It was undeniably palpable to those who stood on street corners (genius!), in front of grocery stores, or worked to keep up with requests for signs.


Initially we were greeted with blank looks and stares, but in an amazingly short period of time those were replaced by thumbs up, waves and honks for Jim Hill…

and ultimately votes!


Amazing doesn’t begin to describe it,

this was a once in a lifetime experience for all involved.


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Kevin is correct. We do not have the “actual names” that were written on those Write In ballots until it’s official…We can infer that it is MOST LIKELY JIM HILL’s name, since Jim Hill actively campaigned, but the race isn’t over until it’s over..Even when it’s officially over, I am pretty sure there will be a lot of recounting. Tony Ferrara is an egomaniac who hears only what he wants to hear, not what the public is obviously telling him in the polls.


I still feel very optimistic, not because I am confident Ferrara has been unseated, but because the numbers reflect what the true majority of citizens of Arroyo Grande think about Ferrara as their Mayor and the job he has been doing. The same citizens have realized that Tony Ferrara doesn’t make these decisions alone, he has HAD a majority vote from the City Council. So the citizens voted out Costello and wisely elected Barbara Harmon.


I want to remind everyone that what has happened to the City of Arroyo Grande at the hands of this City Staff and City Council was been condoned by it’s Citizenry, this includes myself. It wasn’t intentional, I just think we all were going about our daily lives, many apathetic to politics, especially local politics. Thinking that what they thought, or that their vote didn’t really matter…but we woke up ! Let’s stay awake and continue to demand a change that the true majority believes in, instead of apathetically accepting a dictatorship that reeks of misconduct and secrecy, and is aided and abetted by a less than honorable City Manager and City Attorney.


I hope our work might be made easier if Jim Hill becomes our Mayor, and pray Barneich will bow out with Tony, especially since her pre-disposed opinion has been made way before the investigation that we citizens are paying for is complete.


We kept telling everyone it wasn’t about a simple tryst…It’s what that simple tryst has exposed, hence that good ole Cover Up.


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Still amazed at how the Mayor and council were able to convince so many that our outrage was about the tryst.

They knew they had to leave that trail of breadcrumbs for the uninformed to follow.

Nice try!


What does Steve have on Tony?

Now that’s a question that needs answering…


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Probably EVERYTHING. There is no reasonable, logical explanation for this City Council to PROTECT this one Employee, who serves at their will that I can comprehend other than a Big Closet of Skeletons.


I do believe we are in for a lot more of these skeletons to be revealed. Maybe then the Sheeple will see what they refuse to now.


I still want Steve Adams to vacate City Hall via termination immediately. It’s driving me crazy that he has free rein around there, and any further involvement with City business.


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We all know there are keys to the skeleton closet. Those holding the keys will come forward.


Steve most definitely should not have free rein, and most certainly should not have access to the purse strings.

Adam’s needs to go, the city should hire an interim, and be done with him.


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To coin an old Welsh saying, our write-in candidate went up a Hill and came down a Mountain.


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or to coin the obvious: a ferrari ran into one big hill.


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how are you doing Dave? How is life on the Fringe? has Tony contacted you about a life on the Fringe? Oh wait, he is already there, now, thanks to hitting that HILL.


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Haha I knew you would been basking in the warm glow of Tony’s karmic payback Tory.


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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism


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zoroastrianism is the battle of good vs. evil, and the point of the link. Karma.


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How about showing just a smidgen of class and refrain from dancing on the grave.


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I wonder where cowtipper and Majority Fan are????? They seem awfully quiet the last couple of days….


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Where is Dolphingirl, I thought she said she would be back in time to vote?


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Shhhhhh, let lying dogs sleep.


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Pot calling the kettle black on that one. I expected no less.


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Glad to see I was missed! I took a few days off to hang with the happy hobos in Nipomo.


As for another recall attempt in Morro Bay, it could happen if a petition gets enough signatures. Last time they fell far short with 6 months to gather 1700 signatures. In AG, a recall could be more successful, especially if some hard facts are forthcoming. With the 90 days grace period from the beginning of the new term of office, 6 months to get signed petitions and then the time and cost to have a special election, it could take about a year.


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Whew! Sure glad we concentrated our efforts on winning outright.


Which has better odds of succeeding MF,

A write-in, or a recall?


Sincerely await your answer.


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A write-in, hands down.


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MF, you can’t seem to get a thumbs up here to save your life.

I don’t down vote you, there’s no point, plenty of others do.

What’s in this for you?


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The mayor of MB does not seem to have a problem defending himself. With the new council change in December MB will continue to move ahead. Jumping back into the 21st century again with the overwhelming passage of Measure J reinforces that fact.


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Uh yeahhhh sorry I just don’t have that level of class :)


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Traditionally campaigns have a post election celebration.

While many may feel we are a bit premature, this is just a warm up, the Hill campaign will organize a victory party if/when his win becomes official.


Sorry guy paso, your name was just removed from the invite list.


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Dave well all hope you are well—thank you again so much for supporting this campaign.


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We owe you soooooo many thanks for helping us get the word out.

You and Karen pushing the story, and sharing your own personal experiences of Mr Ferrrara’s famous wrath, helped others better understand why unseating Tony is the right thing to do for Arroyo Grande.


Our most sincere thanks from the write-in Jim Hill for Mayor supporters!


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And a big thank you to all down in the south county that voted for Lynn Compton!


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I don’t think either Compton or Ray would make a good supervisor, but I take comfort in the fact that at least she was voted into office.


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Will respectfully disagree with you Mary. We are delighted that the 2 bullies on the BOS are now the 2 lone rangers.


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That was not her point. She believed both were incomptontent.


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Cal Coast Fraud is typical r-selected behavior. Rabbit through and through. They won’t discuss the facts of the story and determine their merits, rather they attempt to disparage the messenger. There isn’t truth and untruth to them, just approved and unapproved opinions.


It’s a bit twisted on my part, but it is fun to see them try so hard. Entertaining indeed.


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astute observation.


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I’m a little surprised I got 22 down votes…maybe they thought I was talking about Cal Coast News? I was referring to the Facebook group Cal Coast Fraud, and disparaging their tactics and motives.


The rabbit reference was regarding the r-selected behavior comment. Rabbits are the best example of that in the animal world. In humans, it shows up, specifically trying to disparage someone’s motives and past and authority (or lack of). Anything but discussion and analysis of the matter at hand on its merits. That’s why, instead of defending Tony or Caren or others they support, they dig up the past of the messenger. Falling out of favor in the rabbit warren and straying from the warren’s approved list of acceptable opinions is the one thing most feared by the r-selected.


On the surface, that’s what drives Aaron Ochs. To be accepted by the warren is bliss. To be rejected by the warren is torture.


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“Rabbit”? I don’t get it.


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I think rabid…darn that autofill.


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Aaron Ochs needs to get a job. He has too much time on his hands. I for one appreciate CCN for at least putting the gathered information out there to help keep the public aware.


The stories are not over yet. There is so much corruption going on in many aspects of government. I am hopeful that with the exit of some incumbents we will start seeing things turn around, and those who violated our trust will be exposed.


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when aaron ochs writes it’s like the whole world took a dump after 2 months of constipation and it spews from his mouth all at once.


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It must be all those big words that disturb you.


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Yes and William Mulder is Adam Hill.


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I’m always amazed that object lesson provided by Pres. Nixon is so often ignored, thus the lesson is always validated. When caught, man up and take the medicine; the coverup is what always kills you


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I’m sure that when this is all over, Tony will see the errors of his ways, admit to mistakes, congratulate Mr. Hill on his victory, hard work and community support, wish him the best and quietly move on……..Bah Haaaa Haaa Ha.


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NOT!


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Tony’s latest rant proclaimed, “The results of the election have clearly indicated a need for the City and the Community to find ways to better communicate. Well Tony, they did! Can you hear me now?


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QUOTING TITLE OF ARTICLE:


“Ferrara now chasing write-in Hill”


——————


What an absolutely LOVELY title! Couldn’t be better, unless it was something like “Hill Kicked Ferraro’s @ss.”


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I have to admit I was a bit curious about that ridiculous “CalCoastFraud” and checked it out on Facebook. Low and behold the first entry on the page was a big long wordy retraction of accusations they have made against Velie and Blackburn.


If that wasn’t enough, further down on the page on 11/3/14, is another wordy and very boring entry by CCF beginning “Critics have pointed out that we use anonymous sources for some of our work. Some have asked, “What makes you different than CalCoastNews?”


While we don’t prefer using anonymous sources, we recognize the need to protect anonymity. When granting anonymity, we ask our sources to state their motives and provide documentation to support their claims……”


What irritated me most ? The following facebook comment from one of Arroyo Grande’s City Council members:


Kristen Fellows Barneich : ” I’m glad to hear there are members of the POA that disagree with how the union was playing politics w/CCN to get their points across. I look forward to sitting down with these members and more, after the election and investigation, and seeing how we can work to get back on track and heal this deep wound that has divided the City”


It is obvious what Ms. Barneich thinks and what she thinks concerns me. This is just one of MANY facebook comments Barneich makes on the ridiculous facebook page that I hate even drawing attention too. My Point ? This councilwoman needs to go ASAP with an attitude and belief like this prior to the investigation being completed.


I say RECALL actions are in order …I want a Clean Fair INTELLIGENT City Council person, not a puppet of Tony Ferrara’s.


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terrible grammar and spelling…I am tired and a bit peeved


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As we all are, we’ll give you a pass.


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Interesting that Cal Coast Fraud has 394 likes; CCN has 2,665.


I tried reading some of the CCF stuff on their FB page but it was just too weird.


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They are redundant and make no sense. I guess that’s why Kristen B. is one of the page’s biggest supporters making numerous comments supporting these watchdogs?


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After reading some of her FB comments on that FB page created by Aaron Ochs, It is very apparent that this appointed “council member” is also delusional in thought (I know, I am giving her credit for even thinking). In fact, if Kristen Barneich can even give that FB page or his website any credibility, (which she does) it provides proof that she is not only divisive, but a very unintelligent puppet of Tony Ferrara’s. Here’s hoping Ferrara will indeed lose the Mayoral race, and Barneich will RESIGN ! Either way, I want her off our City Council yesterday !


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I agree. In my book, supporting orch’s facebook site shows a frightening inability to make a sound judgment.


In addition, the more she acts like Ferrara the worse her chances are to remain in office throughout her term of office.


The people of AG have shown they are done with Ferrara’s despicable brand of government, and the more she clings to Tony and his brand, the greater the chance is she will be recalled.


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i have been saying this for almost a year now. KFB is seriously in over her head, and the fact that Tony appointed her, shows incredibly bad judgment. Shocker.


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She was appointed to do exactly what she does.

Nod her head when Tony gives her her clue,

and “second” any motion she can

so as to give the appearance that she’s actually in the game.


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QUOTING VANDREWS’ POST RE BARNEICH: “Kristen Fellows Barneich : ” I’m glad to hear there are members of the POA that disagree with how the union was playing politics w/CCN to get their points across. I look forward to sitting down with these members and more, after the election and investigation, and seeing how we can work to get back on track and heal this deep wound that has divided the City.”


—————-


Bitter, Party of one?


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I agree. On March 18th, I started a page to recall Kristen Fellows Barneich because she was an incompetent appointed official who was appointed over qualified and competent candidates such as Barbara Harmon(keep in mind Kristen was appointed to the seat that was appointed to Caren Ray who was then appointed to the BOD and Caren Ray is still yet to be elected over a ten year political career, and a devout Barneich supporter). Barbara Harmon has since scored a crushing defeat over two incumbents. Whether Kristen is recalled or not, she is done. It would be nice to get someone in the seat to stand on her own two feet though. So yeah, if she doesnt resign on realization that her second father figure in her life is gone, “oh daddy tony”, then lets recall her. And as far as her real fathers political influence in this town is concerned, phooosh, are you kidding me?. Save Arroyo Grande City Council – How did that work out for you you Chucky?. The people have spoke about Cronyism…..errrrrrr I mean Tonysism……errrrrr…I mean Tony. Now let’s speak out about Tony’s Cronies!


“Like” the page below if you think Kristen Fellows Barneich is Incompetent and has to go:


https://www.facebook.com/recallkristenfellowsbarneich


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What irritated me most ? on aaron’s facebook, the managing editor at the New Times Ashley Schwellenbach had this to say about CCN’s Karen Velie:


“That’s true, but it’s sort of like the drunk, belligerent animal at the watering hole at this point; someone’s gotta take her down for her own good, and for everyone else’s.”


Sadly this Ashley, managing editor did not realise that the image that was posted (that drew her ire) was a photoshop.


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Remember the boobs at the Tribune are just jealous that a squirrel has a better chance of finding a but than they do digging up a story. The tribune IS the establishment and they protect their own.


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What does that even MEAN? Analogies are supposed to be a comparison to something else that we have experience with to help us understand it or see connections… but how many times are there problems with drunk belligerent animals at watering holes? Or am I missing the double layered analogy of the watering hole to a bar? Quite a ridiculous statement for a managing editor of a newspaper / news magazine LoL.


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Does KB not understand the POA is the union, I can promise that not one member is going to sit down with her and get back on track. She has been a pain in the butt during this whole election process, more information will be coming out very soon, and we all should be able to show her the door along with Mr.Tony


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Talk to us girlscout…


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I have always believed that you Say What You Mean, and You Mean What You Say ! At least that’s my code. I use my name, and I am not afraid to express my opinion. I don’t like to intentionally hurt anyone, and only take the time to point out errors if the error matters or concerns me or mine. If you choose to put yourself into the political arena, you have made yourself my business, and anyone else you seek to support your political aspirations and endeavors.


I deny the right of no one to express their opinion as well, in fact I invite it. But if you are going to state an opinion Kristen Barneich, have the courage to leave the opinion in writing, instead of removing it from that VAPID INANE Facebook page of A Ochs after being confronted over it here on the CCN blog.


How is it Ms. Barneich you were so quick to state in that FB entry you were “glad those police union members who didn’t agree with the POA playing politics with CCN to get their point across” in your 11/3/14 entry on the CalCoastFraud (Truly a fraudulent sight ). Was it ok to state beause you thought the “right people” were looking? Why did you remove that biased comment before the results of this expensive investigation have even been revealed ? Or, could it be you read the CCNews and realized you made a big mistake making such a biased statement, AND basing it on anonymous sources.


Kristin Barneich has continued to back Adams, Ferrara, Cal Coast Fraud, and her loving father with his silly little webpage/Steve Adams playbook of bad defenses. The gig is UP ! Please resign. PLEASE…


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Honestly, what is she thinking? Or does she think at all?

Yet another example of her extremely poor judgment.


Too little, too late Kristin,

removing your post is NOT the same as never having posted it in the first place.

Removing your post does not undo the damage, thanks for sharing your opinion.


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