Josh Friedman
Writer Josh Friedman may or may not live in San Luis Obispo County.
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Marx’s car vandalized after SLO council contests binding arbitration ruling
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Shortly after the San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously Monday morning to appeal a ruling that would restore binding arbitration for police and firefighters, a vandal smashed the window of Mayor Jan Marx’s car. Marx attended a lunchtime rotary meeting at the Madonna Inn Monday after the council decided in closed […]... (Continue Reading)
Morro Bay staff accused of suppressing business competition
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Antique shop owner Jeffrey Specht and his staff spent months clearing out, cleaning and painting a shop so he could open a business in Morro Bay. But city staff refused to grant him the operating permits for Specht’s antiques and candy store. A city building inspector also tagged the building making it […]... (Continue Reading)
Five Cities firefighting costs escalating
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach and the community of Oceano merged their fire departments in 2010 with the intent of saving money, but the resulting Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA) may soon cost residents more than their original agencies did. The merger of the three fire departments saves residents […]... (Continue Reading)
Cal Poly pounds UCLA in game 2
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Both of Cal Poly’s big boppers hit three run home runs, and freshman pitcher Slater Lee threw a complete game shutout in his first collegiate road start as the Mustangs beat UCLA 8-0 Saturday. Junior right fielder Nick Torres put Cal Poly on the board by belting a two-out, three-run homer in […]... (Continue Reading)
Mustangs stumble in UCLA series opener
By JOSH FRIEDMAN UCLA hitters squared up Cal Poly ace Matt Imhof, Mustang right fielder Nick Torres made two errors on one play and Poly batters only mustered five hits in a 5-2 loss to the Bruins Friday night. Imhof, who delivered a seven-inning, no-run, 14 strikeout performance in the season opener, gave up six […]... (Continue Reading)
Morro Bay officials shut down business competitors of council members
By JOSH FRIEDMAN (Editor’s note: This is the first in a series about allegations of abuse of power and selective enforcement of laws in Morro Bay. Several videos, showing police and planning staff interacting with people who have business interests in the city, are attached at the bottom of the story.) Morro Bay officials have […]... (Continue Reading)
Tim Donnelly calls Velie CPS case payback
By JOSH FRIEDMAN In an interview with CalCoastNews, gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly explains his reason for sending San Luis Obispo County Child Welfare Services a letter condemning their treatment of the family of CalCoastNews publisher Karen Velie. “It was absolutely criminal what they did taking those kids away from their mother right after their aunt […]... (Continue Reading)
Los Osos sewer bid award costs residents and local jobs
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Los Osos residents will have to foot a bill for nearly $2 million beyond expected costs and local electrical workers will lose thousands of man-hours because San Luis Obispo County staff recommendations were approved by the board. On Jan. 28, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors awarded a $48.2 million […]... (Continue Reading)
Larry Allen receives contract extension amid Forbes dispute
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two days after Forbes Magazine published a commentary highlighting the high pay of San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) head Larry Allen, the APCD board approved a contract extension for the district chief. On Wednesday, the APCD board approved a two-year contract extension for Allen that appears to show […]... (Continue Reading)
What do council members make in SLO County?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Some part-time city council members and mayors in San Luis Obispo County earn high compensation rates for the hours they work. The top earners among council members in the county received approximately $27,000 to $30,000 in total compensation in 2013. San Luis Obispo Councilman John Ashbaugh received the highest compensation of $29,768.92. […]... (Continue Reading)
