Josh Friedman
Writer Josh Friedman may or may not live in San Luis Obispo County.
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Top fundraiser in congressional race has personal finance woes
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The leading fundraiser in the District 24 Congressional race to replace retiring Lois Capps also leads the top four candidates in credit card debt and history of foreclosure notices and federal tax liens. Republicans Katcho Achadjian and Justin Fareed and Democrats Helene Schneider and Salud Carbajal lead the field of candidates for […]... (Continue Reading)
Hill and Arnold lead in race for campaign contributions
By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE With a majority on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors up for grabs, the eight candidates running for three seats are raking in cash, collecting endorsements and fervently campaigning. Leading in the fundraising race, District 3 Supervisor Adam Hill has raised more money for his reelection campaign […]... (Continue Reading)
John Hamon accused of conflict of interest
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Paso Robles Councilman John Hamon, who sits on the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) board, appears to be financially benefiting from votes he has made in favor of the Oceano Dunes dust rule. At an APCD board meeting on Wednesday, activist Kevin Rice accused Hamon of having a […]... (Continue Reading)
Who are the highest paid SLO County employees?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County employees averaged slightly more than $100,000 a year in total compensation for 2014, an examination of county employee pay shows. The county’s top earner was M. Daisy Ilano-Ramos, the medical director of County Mental Health. Ilano-Ramos received $409,647, according to Transparent California, a database of pay and retirement benefits. Ilano-Ramos’ […]... (Continue Reading)
Refugee stories from Eastern Europe
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Editor’s Note: As the refugee crisis in Europe has morphed into a political issue in the United States, CCN reporter Josh Friedman has traveled Eastern Europe, meeting refugees and watching the waves of mass migration. The following is the first of two articles on Europe’s refugee crisis. The names of the refugees […]... (Continue Reading)
Did Lou Tornatzky curse at the public after pledging civility?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Shortly after agreeing to the League of Women Voters’ civility pledge, Los Osos Community Services District Board member Lou Tornatzky mouthed a slur at an audience member, video shows. On Nov. 5, the Los Osos board heard a presentation from the League of Women Voters and then adopted a resolution on civility […]... (Continue Reading)
Sacramento attorney probing SLO County citizens
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Sacramento attorney is probing political opponents of developer Nick Tompkins, as well as allies of Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill, prompting some to denounce the effort as a campaign to suppress public participation in local government. It is unclear who is funding the inquisition. Last month, Tompkins won a battle for […]... (Continue Reading)
Butt dial gets Grover Beach company sued
By JOSH FRIEDMAM Have you ever butt dialed someone and then worried about what they may have overheard? A San Luis Obispo County woman is suing a Grover Beach company for allegedly firing her after her supervisor inadvertently left a sexually explicit message on her cell phone, according to a lawsuit filed in San Luis […]... (Continue Reading)
Los Osos GM overpaying herself, payroll shows
By JOSH FRIEDMAN In less than two full years on the job, Los Osos Community Services District General Manager Kathy Kivley has overpaid herself by more than $4,000, the CSD payroll shows. A recent audit of the district found Kivley engaged in questionable accounting practices during her first year on the job. The auditor also […]... (Continue Reading)
State employee demoted after crossing Gibson
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Succumbing to pressure from San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, the California Geological Survey has demoted a state geologist who is critical of the science behind a contested local air pollution regulation. The demotion has prompted feuding among county officials. In June, a senior engineering geologist, spoke during public comment at an […]... (Continue Reading)
