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Tribune record’s request debated at Paso Robles City Hall

January 8, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

The Paso Robles City Council met in a special closed session meeting on Tuesday to discuss a public records request from the San Luis Obispo Tribune asking Councilman Chris Bausch to provide documents and a tape.

A key element that Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis cited in making his claim against the city for $2.275 million was that Bausch had used CalCoastNews to publish a damaging story about him. Lewis said that the story, “Paso Robles councilman discusses allegations he disparaged staff,” was not true and contributed to the hostile work environment he experienced at his job. The tape shows otherwise.

Lewis returned to work after he was denied a settlement, but continued to allege that he was targeted by Bausch and held up the CalCoastNews’ story as evidence of the “conspiracy.” Lewis alleges that if someone tipped the reporter off to the meeting at a local pastry shop, that would be a conspiracy. A claim not supported by law.

More than seven months after the tape was made, the Tribune asked for a copy. After Bausch did not provide the tape, the Tribune threatened legal action.

For more than two hours, the council discussed two cases regarding threats of litigation, with no action taken on one case.

Regarding the Tribune’s record’s request, City Attorney Elizabeth Hull said the council members discussed the case, and chose to create a subcommittee which will meet with Hull. On Wednesday evening, the Paso Robles City Council will meet in a second special meeting to continue discussing the Tribune’s records request.

 


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The recording is subject to the Public Records Act, according to the City Attorney, so Bausch needs to turn it over. If there’s nothing to hide, no problem. If he “lost” it, it doesn’t look good. Just turn the recording over to the media, as requested, otherwise, it’s going to turn into a much bigger deal with litigation. The coverup is always worse than the crime.


1

It must be lousy working in Paso Robles City government.


14

Until the Tribune can cease cheerleading for wrongdoers and operating as a partisan machine for special interests that repeatedly harm the community, neighbors, families, maybe consider canceling subscriptions and advertising, not talking to reporters, not buy the paper and not read it.


Tribune reporters Cloe Jones and Joan Lynch’s reporting or absence thereof concerning important health safety and welfare matters such as the toxic waste at Grossman’s Grover Beach residential project, Ty Lewis, and SLO’s massive residential expansion plans underway in Airport Land Use Area (Margarita Specific Plan Area, San Luis Ranch, Airport Specific Plan Area) appear more like some orchestrated PR/”business” strategy of special interest groups gaming the system and community.


14

Even if the Tribune is fishwrap for you, the right thing to do no matter who is requesting public records is to be transparent and provide them. Hiding and covering up will make the situation worse.


4

Ty Lewis, the city counsel, and this crap is nothing but an embarrassment to all of us. Clean it up, or be voted out!!


21

Does the City have or own the tape? Might not be theirs to pass along.


15

The City Attorney said it is subject to the Public Records Act and must be disclosed to the media or any requesting party.


0

If such tape exists then the city council knows which side is lying and should allow the public to know as well. What are you hiding from the people you represent city council?


21