Front Page  »  

SLO County Supervisor Bruce Gibson violated the Brown Act

April 26, 2023

Supervisor Bruce Gibson

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson violated the Brown Act when he discussed an item not on the agenda which did not provide an opportunity for public participation, the SLO County District Attorney’s Office concluded last month.

During a Feb. 28 receive and file discussion on the budget, Gibson went off topic and made a motion for a new $14,167 expenditure. Supervisor Debbie Arnold then argued the board needed to agendize the item so that the public could have a chance to participate.

Though County Counsel Rita Neal was sitting with the board, she made no comment regarding Arnold’s request to place the item on the agenda.

Gibson rejected Arnold’s request and demanded a vote on his motion. The board then voted 4-1 approving Gibson’s motion with Arnold dissenting.

Concerned that Gibson appears to regularly violate the Brown Act, on March 7, Creston resident Greg Grewal sent a cease and desist letter to the county regarding Gibson’s Feb. 28 motion.

County Counsel Neal rejected Grewal’s request in a response she also sent to SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow.

“The motion did not violate the Brown Act as the item and the ability for the board to provide staff with direction was clearly agendized and there was an opportunity for public comment,” Neal said. “Because there was no Brown Act violation, no corrective action is needed.”

Deputy District Attorney Ken Jorgensen did not agree with Neal and found that the board entered into and voted on an item “that did not appear on the agenda,” according to a March 26 letter from Jorgensen to Neal.

Jorgensen then ordered Neal and the Board of Supervisors to start complying with the Brown Act and “refrain from discussions of items not on the board’s agenda.”

The Ralph M. Brown Act was passed in 1953 because of mounting concerns that government bodies were avoiding scrutiny by meeting secretly. The act, which has been amended and strengthened in the years since, guarantees the public the right to attend and participate in meetings of legislative bodies, to have forewarning of discussion items through posted agendas, and forbids a majority of board members from discussing government issues in private.


Loading...
Subjects:         
Related:


28 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Some people talk highly of DA Dow but why is he silent on this? This is his job, but he refuses to do it.


-4

Isn’t Rita Neal first in line for that? She sat right there and let it happen. Dan Dow is the next level in accountability. You’re right. Maybe he should question both Neal and Gibson in regard to their blatant hypocrisy and violations.


8

Neal is just a failure on regarding her ability, Dow is the responsible party for legal consequences for the violations


1

Thank you Debbie Arnold. Rita Neal, you’re a joke, an enabler of the SLO Co. cancer that is Bruce Gibson. He is a bully. A crafty bully. That is all. Debbie Arnold is doing what anyone should do with a bully—stand up to the insecure cur. Bruce: GTH.


50

Our supposed local legal watchdogs over the Brown Act, like county counsel and city attorneys, are notoriously lax in enforcing this aspect of the Brown Act. SLO City Attorney Christine Dietrick is notorious for being unable to see even the most obvious BA agenda-notice violations as they are in progress, then after the fact denies any took place. The explanation from Neal is identical. Birds of a feather?


34

If you get a ticket for making a traffic violation you get a ticket, pay a fine or perhaps go to jail.


What’s the penalty for violating the Brown Act?


55

Although technically a misdemeanor, typically there are not any penalties levied based on a brown act violation. However, the actions taken in connection with a brown act violation can be nullified by order of the court.

Don’t expect anyone to be fined, go to jail, or be recalled because of a brown act violation. Sorry.


9

What’s the penalty? You admit your mistake, rescind the improper action, then if you want to proceed you put it on an agenda and do it legally.


20

That is absurd. The things you list as a “penalty” are no such thing. They are more like restitution. They might make we the people whole again by repairing any damage done by the crime, but they do nothing to discourage repeated offenses. Recidivism is absolutely certain when the worst thing that could happen is that you must backtrack to the original conditions. There must be a downside, a penalty in addition to restitution.


11

Gibson Derangement Syndrome is an epidemic in this County


-76

The only derangement is Gibson himself when comes to his lack of character, integrity, honesty, and fairness. He’s heavy-handed, sneaky, mean, angry, intolerant and purposely divisive, along with being a very deceitful person.


89

He’s not any of those things. That’s just your opinion.


-103

As anyone can see by the number of people who voted your comment down that its not just his opinion.


26

As anyone can see, the opinions here represent the far right wing, not the majority of SLO county.


-39

And by “far right wing” you mean anyone who disagrees with you.


39

You’re absolutely correct. My opinion is based on his words and actions.


28

And Yet, they still voted him in again…although just barely right?

I was shocked when it happened. Was not ok that Morro Bay was not allowed to vote on it. I’ve wondered what would be the outcome if MB were allowed to vote?


-5

No Gibson fan here. While I agree with some of his politics, his behavior in office has been abysmal. Atascadero had the chance to get him out, but opted for an idiot carpetbagger to face him last year. Geoff Auslen was the best candidate in that election—businessman, community volunteer, etc. He would have easily beaten Gibson.


Unfortunately, the MAGA’s in the Republican community thought that a Debbie Arnold mini-me was the best candidate. Sad. I guess the Republicans need to continue to lose elections with MAGA candidates until they get the message that an old school Republican such as Bob Lagorsmino or Katcho Achadgian is what Central Coast independents will vote for. When the candidate is too extreme they will opt toward the Gibsons of the world.


-11

Yep, now we’re seeing the effects of the MALA extremist democrats, locally and nationally with their greed for power and control for the narrative and political agendas while stopping at nothing to achieve it.

I don’t agree with any of his politics and you’re right, his behavior has always been abysmal. Geoff Auslen wasn’t the best candidate, or he would have won the primary election. It’s obvious all are blinded by their political ideologies, including myself. We reap what we sow. Good and bad. In this case, very bad with Gibson.


9

Gibson’s pro-segregation way of doing business does not surprise me. For starters, segregation has rules for the elite and rules for the subordinates. Well da…, starting to see the picture. It is essential that people speak up and challenge this behavior, regardless of who is the derelict public representative. Additionally it is important for the news to get out, thank you CCN.


81

We need to look at a recall on this guy. After all, the precedent has been set by Alvord and the teacher’s union. Gibson with this, and many other things done this year alone, is much more agreges than what Mr. Enney did in his freedom of speech and opinion. Sound’s fair to me.


62

It’s spelled “egregious”, not “agreges.” But you are quite right in your assertion- Gibson definitely should be recalled, for this and a growing abundance of other egregious exhibitions of disrespect for the citizens, voters and our Constitution.


38

Sorry. Thanks for the correction. He needs to go. Period.


28

Well, I’m shocked. Shocked that government mistrust is going on in here!


34

Gibson just didn’t want Paulding to be the only one to violate the Brown Act


44

Yep. Larry, Curley and Ortiz-Legg


40
1 2