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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It just dawned on me, that the Mayor reminds me most of Robert Penn Warren’s character Willie Stark in “All The King’s Men” (for any of you old enough to remember this 1946 classic).


I didn’t have a dog in this hunt, but it’s been fun to watch nonetheless. I’m generally curious when these impromptu rebellions occur.


So often when the dust settles, it doesn’t settle. The complaining rabble just goes on, because that’s basically what they do. They’ll be rattling their cages and making unintelligible grunting noises at the NEXT incumbent.


Good luck with that ( and those ) whoever you are !


Thanks for describing the individuals who accomplished overturning Ferrara’s power structure by doing the work on a write-in campaign as being whiners who cannot be satisfied.


Does that make you feel better?


Well, if “Rattling their cages and making unintelligible grunting noises” gets the job done and rids the city of unwanted vermin…so be it

Next……….


If Mr. Hill wins, then those “who ever you are’s”, are clearly the majority.

Any other questions?


You are sounding like Big Tony.


Well, it is what it is. Sometimes you just to say…what the $%&# and fight fire with fire. Sadly, it’s the only thing some understand.

Next…..


have


Impromptu rebellions…insinuating baseless and unfounded.


A write-In candidate, leads a longtime Mayor,

and the newly elected President off a statewide organization…

Yawn…yawn…yawn…like it happens every day.


Please share with us the last time you pulled off something

that most consider nearly impossible.


For once, we whoever we ares, will be awaiting your response.


truly an amazing result, with very few successful precedents.


So proud of you agag1!


Amazing group of malcontents and rancorous misfits.

We are proud of Arroyo Grande.


For someone with no dog in the hunt,

you sure have a strong opinion ’bout huntin’ dogs.


howwwwl, howwwl we dun tree’d us a good one this time Elmer. Them city folk ain’t never brought nothing good to this here city no how. Think we shud have shooed him out of town long time go.


Damn varmint ain’t good for nothing, to slimy to eat, can’t train em, and they never shut up, always whining bout this, that or the other.


And if seems, them over grown ones just a hot mess huh Elmer. Ain’t even fun to chase, thems to big to run fast and make it fun. But hell it was fun to send him jackalope hunting. He must have been out there for days looking for those critters we told him about.

Darnest think I ever saw, he was sure he could get those jackalope rounded up and under control. Damn near kilt the man trying, my belly still herts from all that laughing.


Them city folk!


well shyt fire and six is eight


That Dog Won’t Hunt much longer!


The road is long

With many a winding turns

That leads us we know where

We know where


But Jim’s strong

Strong enough to carry us

He ain’t heavy, he’s our brother


So on we go

Arroyo’s welfare is his concern

No burden for him to bear

We’ll get there


For we know

Jim would not encumber us

He ain’t heavy, he’s our brother


If he’s laden at all

He’s laden with gladness

That everyone’s vote

Will end the sadness

And we’ll all love one another


It’s a long, long road

From which there is no return

While we’re on the way to there

Why not share


And the load

Doesn’t weigh Jim down at all

He ain’t heavy he’s our brother


He’s our brother

He ain’t heavy, he’s our brother

He ain’t heavy, he’s our brother


God blasts Glenn Cambell!


Hollies Dude…the Hollies.


Hahaha, I’m sure that meant to say God Bless Glenn : )

Love autofill.


Whoa you mean what?


It was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell, recorded by many artists over the years. The Hollies were the first to make it a hit, and years later Neil Diamond did as well. Glen Campbell probably took a stab at it since he never said “no” to a good song!


This is the nicest thing I think I’ve ever read you write.

Such a pleasant surprise!


Not cheerleading here, but thanks for the compliment, neighbor. I see no reason for worrying in Morro Bay.


Neither did King Irons pal, Tony.


His arrogance blided his judgment, may end up being his fatal mistake.


BTW heard that Steve Adams dressed up like a bronze statue for Halloween for the City luncheon.

Can anyone shed some light on this???

Something like he is retiring c/o his long transition with the City and was mocking becoming a statue of public art in the Village.

Is this so???


For the night, he replaced the fire hydrant…the dogs were ecstatic!


Better yet, since we know this isn’t really about Steve, (or Teresa at this point),

I heard someone went as a Write-In Jim Hill for AG Mayor sign!


Someone please verify!!!


We have your costume of the year award ready for pick up,

and no, it is not Steve in his costume.


Yes he did just like a golden statue, we are searching for pictures to post…


Heard they’re on that CCN bashing site, have fun.


You mean the site from Aaron Ochs the disgruntled journalism flunkie ? Or William Mulder one of the unhappy members on our BOS?


Morro Bay street hustler running the city of AG?


Dont think Aaron Ochs is capable of running ZIP! Except a Facebook Page that is dedicated to trying to smear reputable journalists. Jealousy is an ugly thing. Poor lil man, still trying to get out from under is mama and papas apron strings.


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


Cronyism is right, Good People have tried to get into these chairs,but time after time the desire for control has won out, there are so many clowns that got put in there..


The time for power hungry people & stupidity is over in Arroyo Grande , A Large Broom sweeps Clean! Tony & chucky’s gang can hit the road!!!


Better get out of Dodge by Sun up MR!..


Kevin Rice?


Why that would be our Governor The Brown Factor. A perfect example is Caren Ray for the inept appointed official category!


Sounds like another tree may be falling in Arroyo Grande.


Quick, get a picture!


the roots are rotten, i dont want to see that picture.


It’s time to get rid of the DEAD WOOD!


If only it cost $196 to haul it off!


As much as I want to see Tony gone, if he gets the most votes on election day, its time for us to show the respect for the voters that we are attacking Tony (rightfully) for not showing. Talk and moving forward with a recall is the temper tantrum we are upset with Tony about. Elections matter when we WIN but even more so when we LOSE! We must fight the urge to become what we profess to dislike…


Fair Elections mater more.


the only recall that we are talking about is for Kristen Fellows Barneich:


https://www.facebook.com/recallkristenfellowsbarneich?notif_t=page_new_likes


Recalls are not any part of a “temper tantrum.”


Clearly, there are a large number of AG city residents who are not happy with the current mayor, who is as crooked and deceitful as Richard Nixon was, if not more.


With Nixon, we had congress to remove him from office.


We don’t have someone who can remove Ferrara from office for us,, so we must do it ourselves. Recall is our only way to remove him for office before the next election.


Mea culpa for the double post.


Actually….Nixon resigned. He saw the handwriting on the wall.


He did not resign by choice. He resigned because he knew he would be impeached otherwise.


Actually, it was by choice. He, and he alone made the choice, THINKING that somehow history might forgive him.

It was a dark period in American history, one of many.

If nothing else, he brought the Vietnam disaster to an end….58,000 American lives later…all for NOTHING.


Recalls are very much the result of a temper tantrum. At least that was the case here in Morro Bay. It went nowhere fast.


I disagree. There has been much discussion of a recall of Ferrara, should Hill not win the election.


Thankfully we will not have to worry about that!


Recalls are not any part of a “temper tantrum.”


Clearly, there are a large number of AG city residents who are not happy with the current mayor, who is as crooked and deceitful as Richard Nixon was, if not more.


With Nixon, we had congress to remove him from office.


We don’t have someone who can remove Ferrara from office for us,, so we must do it ourselves. Recall is our only way to remove him for office before the next election.


The League of CA Cites must be stunned by our little Arroyo Grande band of misfits, who for the time being, have given their new League President notice to back his bags.

Imagine what they must be thinking, they’ve just elected someone they believed is the best person to represent their statewide organization.

Meanwhile, back at home we’re working hard to unseat someone we know is misguided, manipulative, and much, much, more because we no longer want him representing our city.


The success of Jim Hill’s write-in campaign may come as a shocker to a lot of folks, most of all some folks in Sacramento.


I was reflecting this morning on the mayor’s comment to KSBY and the outcome of the election.


It should have been so easy on July 4th to put Steve Adams on Admin leave. I bet right about now Adams wishes he put himself on leave and this might have deescaleted.


But… In all the Council meetings after the August 19th article by CCN, NEVER once did the Mayor offer to meet with any of the unhappy citizens. Never once did he offer to set up a committee to address our concerns.


From DAY ONE , Tony Ferrara discounted our views and waited for us to go away.


He thought time was on his side. He pontificates and told everyone that he has a handle on it.

What a shame! And he still is going to be looking over his shoulder….


True.

A good leader would have transitioned this away from the City Council meetings.

Immediately, the mayor could have set up a committee of citizens and 2 council people to listen in a town hall format. They could have had input on the scope of the investigation. They could have moved this away from the Council meetings. Furthermore, he could have placed Mr. Adams on Leave. Dahl!


But, no. Mr. Mayor NEVER admitted to making any sort of mistake ( not even for holding a meeting at 1:00pm on a Saturday,)


Man maybe we should sue the City of Arroyo Grande for all the stress they have created for concerned citizens.


If AG can do this, people in Morro Bay can as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s find a rallying event and begin building support for new leadership!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My suggestion to you is to start stocking up on neon posterboard NOW!


And start networking.


As with AG, it will take while for the fine citizens on MB to see what they elected, irons, christine johnson and smuckler and what those choices are doing to our one once fair city. the uncontrolled spending, non-support of the business community, hiring of questionable leaders and continued bleeding of quality city employees to other agencies should be a wake-up call, but if that fails, the cost of the wastewater treatment plant alone will be an eye opener. By the way, just where is the city with the waste water treatment plant project – apparently the decision has once again been delayed?


You are ahead of the game, for years we were too trusting, and unsuspecting.


agag1, wishing I could speak with you. Not sure how I could do it privately.?


It’s not who votes that counts it’s who counts the votes.