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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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Has she mentioned the specific job she is moving to? It’s all very vague, and I did not hear one reporter ask her that question.


21

Everything is vague about “climate change”, that’s the point. If they can make it unintelligible for people, they can pass onerous laws and regulations, while loudly telling folks that it’s “good for the planet’, and quietly saying that it’s good for their own pockets…


Al Gore makes a bunch of money flying around in private jets, while telling everyone that flying in privates jets will destroy the world in just a few years.Well, a different few years than those other few years where we didn’t die when we were supposed to….again.


26

Indictment in 3, 2, 1…..


75

Good riddance.


73

Heidi said in her speech today: “Let’s be clear, I’m stepping down to step up”. “Climate action is my north star, but it’s just one star in a constellation of reasons”.


Heidi is trying to make a point that she’s stepping down because of climate change, having nothing to do with the bribery allegations.


Someone asked her if she was under investigation in relation to Helios Dayspring when she opened it up for questions. Heidi when pressed said “I have no involvement whatsoever in any of that”. How can she say that after having fundraisers at Helios Dayspring’s house? After being seen at Natural Healing Center upstairs on multiple occasions?


Hope I wasn’t the only one watching. Guess we’ll see what happens. The entire time she kept trying to steer the conversation to climate change and away from the questions which were almost all about her involvement with Helios.


83

Its a bit ironic her intense dedication to the Environment, as she is blowing (pot) smoke in the air!


47

What leader walks away during a pandemic, when the city needs leadership the most?


Does that mean Erica Stewart will become mayor, since she’s vice-chair? And didn’t she take money from Dayspring? Should Stewart give that money back?


By the way, not meant as a personal attack, but Heidi Harmon does look stoned in the photo with this article. Sorry, but she does.


75

Walk away???

She is not walking, she is RUNNING as fast as she can.


77

She did say in her speech today she’s not leaving SLO and will be working remotely in her new job though.


-16

Hey, you guys should know by my posts that I don’t want her here either, but this is what she said today in her speech. Don’t shoot the messenger!


9

I think people are hitting the down arrow because we don’t want her here in SLO county anymore. Nothing against you.


15

some people call that house arrest.


16

HAHAHAHAHAHahahahaaaaa! You said “leader”! HAHaHahaaaaaa!


17

“Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. “


-90

Storm on her horizon….


74

I can see her goofy flower dying as we speak.


43

Does that mean she won’t be inebriated at Concerts in the Plaza on Friday?


43
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