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SLO Mayor Harmon to announce career change, timing suspect

August 25, 2021

SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon and Helios Dayspring

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

Amid allegations that local marijuana mogul Helios Dayspring bribed San Luis Obispo County politicians, SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon will announce on Thursday that she is making a career change.

Harmon plans to take a position as a statewide climate policy advocate. It is unclear whether or not Harmon intends to vacate her mayoral seat before her term ends in late 2022.

Dayspring, who was arraigned in federal court Wednesday on bribery and tax evasion charges, has agreed to plead guilty to both felony offenses, pay $3.4 million in restitution to the IRS and cooperate in the government’s ongoing corruption investigation.

Harmon was allegedly a regular guest at Dayspring’s Grover Beach pot dispensary, hanging out in the upstairs offices, one of Dayspring’s business partners told CalCoastNews. During one of her visits, Dayspring allegedly ordered staff to give Harmon two bags containing approximately $1,000 worth of complimentary marijuana products.

Around the time Harmon allegedly received complimentary marijuana from Dayspring, the mayor was among eight politicians for whom the cannabis mogul and his dispensary, Natural Healing Center, hosted a covert fundraiser. Harmon failed to disclose the non-monetary contribution, as required by state law.

Weeks later, following, the Nov. 2018 election, Harmon voted for a resolution establishing criteria for city staff to rank marijuana shop applicants. The resolution created a point system that appeared to favor applicants, particularly Dayspring, who had donated money to Harmon, as well as councilwomen Carlyn Christianson and Erica Stewart. Dayspring ended up securing one of three coveted pot shop permits from the city.

Harmon will hold a press conference at City Hall at 4 p.m. Thursday to announce her future plans.


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She can leave with her held “high”


32

Wondering if the “Timing” is also inline with the impending doom of the recall election?


63

More likely timing in line with the release of more from the FBI.


88

She is definitely dirty….she is running for cover.


100

The mayor was there, but be assured that she did not inhale, wink, wink, or do anything else that may be suspect between two consenting intoxicated adults.


97

The whole thing is hilarious, really. I mean does it get any more ridiculous and transparent than her campaign manager being literally the same person as Helios’ Chief Operating Officer? Chief Wiggum could have pieced all this together. We should all have a laugh at how funny it is that she even got away with that for so long. Obviously she is quitting before she will be forced to. What will become of her Instagram page @heidiismighty ? She was obviously losing it the other day, I bet she has been anxious as all hell knowing she will be implicated in the scandal. She made a long-winded post on IG that to me is the last whimper of someone who knows they’re done for. I won’t quote it all here, but just read it for a laugh:


https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5vPdfv8Ci/


I’ve pointed it out before, so why not one last time before she’s gone forever as a reminder:


We all know from the image in this article that Heidi Harmon had fundraisers at Helios Dayspring’s house:


https://calcoastnews.com/2021/07/a-twisted-tale-of-corruption-in-slo-county/comment-page-1/#comments


Just look up “Nick Andre” on both of these articles. He is listed as Helios’ Chief Operating Officer, and also as Heidi Harmon’s campaign manager.


https://mustangnews.net/heidi-harmon-grassroots-victory/


“(Heidi) led the local Sanders campaign in San Luis Obispo and helped register more than 1,000 new voters. She was eventually elected to be a delegate for Sanders at the Democratic National Convention alongside her eventual campaign manager, Nick Andre.”


https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/business/article241747526.html


“Nick Andre, Natural Healing Center’s chief operating officer, shared an email showing that a demolition permit had been issued in February, but a contractor’s missed pick-up of the permit paperwork failed to complete the process.”


Well, I guess now that she’s no longer the mayor, she can legally delete people’s posts criticizing her, which she did illegally as the mayor until she was forced to stop. I really wonder who is hiring disgraced, bribed mayors, I really don’t know what her skillset is other than posting on Instagram.


One more thing though, I’m pretty sure the comment by “Jennxxx620” went largely overlooked by the readers here, so check out the comments on this article:


https://calcoastnews.com/2021/08/dayspring-pursued-orcutt-dispensary-permit-after-signing-plea-deal/


If all she said is true, if a lot of the local government was in bed with a guy who, well, killed his business associate to prevent him from blowing this whole thing wide open, this is the biggest scandal in San Luis Obispo history. Can only wonder what will unfold from here.


81

This is my shocked face: ——–.


The only moral standards progressives possess, are low standards.


52

Harmon plans to take a position as a statewide climate policy advocate.


Just what the hell is that, exactly? Are there any actual qualifications for such a position? From my vantage point, HH appears to be unemployable — except as an elected politico or perhaps something in Hollywood?


80

Hopefully not a paid public position.


35

Good riddance.


153

Well, this is interesting! I’ll keep reading your reports! Best wishes.


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