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Board votes against San Luis Obispo mayor’s proposed censure

July 27, 2026

San Luis Obispo Councilwoman Erica Stewart and attorney Christine Dietrick

By KAREN VELIE

The San Luis Obispo Personnel Board voted 2-1 on Monday against a proposed censure of Mayor Erica Stewart.

Chair Calvin Stevens agreed that Stewart had committed a serious violation. However, he argued that Stewart had a temporary lapse in judgement and should not face a censure.

Jill LeMieux said she had a personal relationship with Erica Stewart, but that she could be fair. She then agreed that Stewart had a lapse in judgement before voting with Stevens against Stewart’s censure.

Patricia Ponce was the lone vote to seek Stewart’s censure.

“This error was not made in good faith.” Ponce said. “I do not think it was Mayor Stewart’s place to decide who should get the report. This is very hard for me because I had great respect for the mayor.”

Board members Sharon Seitz and Chintan Desai were absent.

On July 13, SLO Councilwoman Jan Marx submitted a complaint and request for a censure hearing to the SLO Personnel Board. If the board had determined a serious violation occurred, it should have recommended the City Council hold a censure hearing.

Marx sought to have Mayor Erica Stewart censured for releasing a confidential Grand Jury report in violation of the California Penal Code. Stewart shared the restricted report with her employer Cal Poly.

On June 13, 2025, the Grand Jury sent Stewart a copy of the report that included a lengthy list of recommendations regarding issues with Cal Poly’s fraternities and sororities. The email included a warning that it was a violation of the law to share the report before it it was publicly released.

Even so, Stewart, a long-time Cal Poly employee, shared the report two hours and nine minutes after the grand jury sent it to her.

 


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26 Comments

Stewart’s apology is inexcusable as an airline pilot forgetting to put the landing gear down on final approach.


1

I love the “temporary lapse of judgment” concept. Does that work as a valid defense as to all sections of the Penal Code? First DUI? Theft? We can cut the DA’s workload by a huge margin!!! Great minds at work here!


3

So the San Luis Obispo Personnel Board members are appointed by the city council, the same city council that knew the mayor broke the law and did nothing until it was finally exposed, so had the San Luis Obispo Personnel Board affirmed the illegal actions of the mayor it would have also indicated the city also failed to take action sooner, plus the San Luis Obispo Personnel Board members would have known their appointments would be in jeopardy, got it, true transparency at work.


18

All women protecting all women. Pure emotion. No common sense.


9

Did that sound better in your head? You’ve every right to your opinion, but it is a shame it missed the mark.


-9

He meant “All leftists women protecting all leftist women. Pure emotion. No common sense”.


4

How many people on the SLO City Council work at Cal Poly. Doesn’t Mike Boswell work there as well?


16

Stewart,Shoresman,Boswell, I believe Marx’s husband taught there. Not too sure if he’s retired or still teaching and I’m not sure about Francis.

The council is stacked with Cal Poly people.


14

Emily Francis’s husband works for Cal Poly.


5

Well, my only suggestion is to think carefully before you vote for any of these people again, just because of the track record of not helping the residents of San Luis Obispo.


5

Correction

Before you vote should be before everyone votes in City elections


1

Cal Poly is running a puppet regime at City Hall.


2
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