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Peterson names Grover Beach officials she believes took bribes

February 23, 2019

Former mayor John Shoals and current Mayor Jeff Lee

By KAREN VELIE

Days after stepping down from the Grover Beach City Council after accusing public officials of corruption, Debbie Peterson has now named the council members she believes have taken bribes. [Cal Coast Times]

“While I support the legalization of cannabis and the benefits of bringing the industry to Grover Beach, I cannot support those on the council, who with their political consultant, crafted a pay-to-play insider game,” Peterson said at Tuesday’s council meeting. “Many members of the community and the cannabis industry report that some dispensary applicants paid council members and their consultant to get their licenses approved.”

Peterson identified both former mayor John Shoals and councilman Jeff Lee as the public officials she believes accepted bribes for three applicants for pot shop permits.

In 2017, amid allegations of threats and backroom deals, the Grover Beach City Council awarded three marijuana shop permits to applicants who were political contributors to Shoals and Lee. Peterson recused herself from the vote because of a conflict of interest, she owned property near one of the proposed pot shops.

At the time, Shoals and Lee veered from staff’s recommendations, selecting Helios Dayspring’s Natural Healing Center, The Monarch and 805 Beach Breaks as their top three choices.

Helios Dayspring, rapper Xzibit and then Grover Beach mayor John Shoals outside a building Dayspring planned to house one of his marijuana businesses

In 2018, three of Dayspring’s former grow supervisors told reporters that Dayspring had paid public officials for votes and support.

Two of the former grow supervisors, who have asked to remain unnamed because of fear of retaliation, said Dayspring paid $100,000 to Shoals at a restaurant to secure one of the lucrative city cannabis shop permits.

Another former grow supervisor, Tony Brocking, said Dayspring boasted of paying public officials.

“Dayspring told me he paid the mayor $100,000,” Brocking said. “He was guaranteed a spot.”

Councilman Lee did not respond to requests for comment. Mayor Shoals denied the allegations.

“These allegations are unfounded and specious, and I am not going to dignify this inquiry with any further response,” Shoals said. “I trust that you will inform whoever is making these false allegations and anyone you are communicating with that I categorically deny these allegations.”


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Where is our DA? His office has the ability to investigate – if found credible then prosecute, if there is no basis to the allegations then report that and let those charged start getting their reputation back.


13

Dan Dow is trying to figure out how he can best protect he “special” friends.


8

Dan Dow was friends with the mayor’s wife. He wouldn’t want to upset the apple cart.


5

Sounds like Dalidio Ranch project. The Dalidio family tried to develop their property for years and were turned down over and over. When he finally gave up and sold the property to Mr. Grossman, Mr. Grossman “donated“ to every member on the city Council and was instantly approved. Local developer Gary Grossman purchased the property and anticipates a speedy approval process to final development. Open Corruption is so in right now $


29

Prince Alexander III Helios was the son of Maccabee Queen Alexandra II. Heli, the shortened nickname for Helios (“The Sun”), was a descendant of both the Maccabee Kings of Judea and a prince of the House of David. In the Gospel of Luke where Jesus is cast as the bringer of a golden age, he is described as the “dayspring” [dawn, sunrise] who has visited man to give light to those who sit in darkness.


Seems this fellow is failing at his namesakes mandate lmao


-6

Helios Dayspring was born and raised on the Central Coast, Morro Bay area. His mother had a bunch of children, who were raised part time in foster care. His brother Scotty took the rap for another in a stabbing at Taco Bell in SLO and went to prison as a teen. Scotty works for Helios because as a felon it is hard for him to get a job. Helios has become a tyrant with his mother and his brothers and sisters, some of whom are afraid of him. No, he does not live up to his namesake.


3

Doesn’t matter. He will receive one of the SLO City licenses. Heidi says so.


21

Sounds like the perfect replacement for Hill or Gibson.


15

Never heard of these people before this.


4

Both John Shoals and Jeff Lee work for government and live off taxpayer monies, and maybe bribes. Jeff Lee works in the public works department for SLO County, also suspected of widespread corruption. John Shoals works for the Santa Barbara County planning department. I wonder if he is pulling strings to help Helios Daysprings with his many pot grows in Santa Barbara County?


Why did city officials in several SLO County cities agree to give large points for people who have been in the business for more than five years, meaning they used to operate illegally? At the same time reputable business owners are penalized.


40

If people like Debbie Peterson and Karen Velie are not willing to come forward, nothing will ever change. With the online trolls who attack anyone who questions John Shoals or anyone tied to Adam Hill, I understand the fear. But people have to come forward not only about criminal activity they are aware of, but to stop the online attacks on mostly women who stand up for the truth and the people of our county.


36

I have seen Shoals at the counter in many city and county offices. You pay him to peddle influence, period. He’s not the only one, just the most brazen and most corrupt.


33

I have to give her credit. She knows what she is doing and what it will cost her. For some, integrity has no selling price. Her name will not appear on the list that includes Michael Blank, or Lee Collins, or…Steve Adams or Tony Ferrara or Bruce Gibson, or Adam Hill, or …


41

Is there any doubt Shoals is dirty, dirty, dirty?

His behavior during his time on the SSLOCSD with Tony Ferrara, Matt Guerrero, and Mary Lucey was telling.

He’s largely responsible for Wallace walking away with only a hand slap.

It’s time karma pays a visit, and we’ll have CCN to thank when it comes knocking.


43

There you go, now this WILL get interesting…. One cannot make allegations of criminal bribery , naming sources without consequence. Criminal investigations likely have been launched and grand juries empaneled in LA… or at least this starts this. Let’s see who “lawyers-up” quickest, that could be telling. Waiting for next shoe to drop . Good job CCN, you are first in class on this.


42

If it wasn’t for Karen and Blackburn, we the people wouldn’t hear about any of this,do you think the trib is going to print this, not till its been brought up by someone else.


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