Front Page  »  

Port San Luis Harbor commissioner refuses to sign reprimand

February 25, 2021

By KAREN VELIE

During a contentious Port San Luis Harbor District board meeting on Tuesday, commissioners voted 3-2 to reprimand Commissioner Bob Vessely for allegedly violating the Brown Act by emailing confidential closed session information through his public email.

District President Jim Blecha wrote two reprimand options. The first would be used if Vessely agrees to stop sharing confidential information; the second would be used if he refuses.

The board voted for the refusal option after Vessely said he was unaware of the accusations. Vessely then claimed spousal privilege protected him insinuating he sent the email to his wife. He also blamed a staffer for reading his emails.

Robert Vessely

When asked to respond to the allegations, Vessely said he did not know what he was accused of, and that he had not been given an opportunity to read the reprimands. He then refused to open his email to read the reprimands and asked that public comment be opened.

“It sounds like a rigged jury,” Blecha said before opening public comment.

The majority of Vessely’s supporters argued against the reprimand, claiming the charges had not been disclosed. Kara Woodruff, who for years worked to conserve Wild Cherry Canyon, called the “unknown” charges “suspicious.”

However, the agenda, which was posted days before the meeting, provided links to the reprimands that described the alleged violation.

“Commissioner Bob Vessely did willfully and knowingly forward a document, dated December 30, 2020, clearly marked Confidential Communication -Personnel Matter and pertaining to confidential personnel matters, to a third party not authorized to receive such documents,” according to the district’s resolution of reprimand. “This action by Commissioner Vessely violated the public trust and the implicit trust of fellow Harbor Commissioners to be ethical in the dealings of Port San Luis Harbor District.”

Vessely disagreed that he sent the email to someone not permitted to receive it, saying that “California allows marital privilege.” Vessely is married to Susan Devine, who was one of former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s legislative aides. The commission did not disclose who Vessely allegedly sent the email.

Commissioners Blecha, Bill Barrow and Drew Brandy voted for the reprimand, while Vessley and Mary Matakovich voted against the reproach.

Sign up for breaking news, alerts and updates with Cal Coast News Top Stories.


Loading...
Related:


10 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Just curious why the tribune or ksby hasn’t picked up this story. They certainly picked up the story of the Pismo city council woman that was censured. Do they just not concern themselves with the deeds of progressives?


8

Thanks. I had that same thought, and then remembered the left leaning media protects their own. Look no farther than the lack of negative coverage for Heidi Harmon, blm, Salaud Carbajal, Adam Hill or any that are part of the narrative they all want to present. They’re all vultures of the same feathers. Circle and protect with deceit, while not presenting the facts and truth.


5

If it was a “public” e-mail account, i.e. paid for by the Harbor District, a case could be made that his “sent” file should be examined to see to whom he sent the e-mail. Or maybe this is protected? Don’t know. But I can’t imagine “spousal privilege” is meant to cover actions like this.


Nice try, Bob, but it doesn’t fly.


What else have you done that we don’t know about?


8

vessely should resign, so a person who has respect for the office, his fellow commissioners and the harbor staff can be in office. i watched the joke of a meeting where he tried to defend his blatant dishonest actions – spousal privilege-who believes that? the amazing part was his group of 7 supporters, some of who wondered what this reprimand was about (how about simply reading the agenda item). not sure what his goal is, but what he is succeeding in is looking like an arrogant, spoiled, buffoon.


20

Bob do the right thing and resign NOW!!!


25

Next time the Harbor Commissioners are up for election I’ll vote for Blecha, Barrow and Brandy. I was unaware that “confidential” information may be shared with a politically activist spouse in California. Really?


37

What a piece of garbage. He gets caught and like a 12 year old starts lying and refuses to own up. He knows that he can simply continue to bully his way out of this mess, like he has always done. Just another fine example of a government employee. He has obviously been taking lessons from the City of SLO management team – lie, lie, lie and then refuse to cooperate.


40

Friends of Adam Hill act like Adam Hill.


20

Dang Bob, you used to be a pretty good, low-key guy. A typical engineer.


What happened?


36

Mr. Vessely, do the right thing and resign. You not worthy of a position even on this minor little harbor district. Your “willfully and knowingly” self-serving arrogant act prove your ignorance and incompetence. This position requires honesty, accountability, and responsibility which you obviously lack in a big way. The sooner you resign, the better.


66