CalCoastNews Contributor

Josh Friedman

Writer Josh Friedman may or may not live in San Luis Obispo County.

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SLO County’s six-figure pension club

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The number of retired public employees in San Luis Obispo County who are receiving yearly pensions of more than $100,000 continues to grow along with the more $500 million in unfunded pension liability. The highest earning pensioner in the county is former Cal Poly president Warren Baker, who received a $250,687 pension […]... (Continue Reading)

Grossman gives gift to group led by new SLO councilman

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Developer Gary Grossman, who is seeking approval for a contested residential development on a San Luis Obispo ranch, has donated $5,000 to an organization headed by the soon-to-be swing vote on the city council. During recent electoral campaigns, Grossman gave maximum contributions to Mayor Jan Marx and Councilwoman Carlyn Christianson, both of […]... (Continue Reading)

Has SLO gotten a grip on its pension problem?

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Ahead of Tuesday’s vote on San Luis Obispo’s half-cent sales tax, state pension reports have emerged indicating that the city’s unfunded liabilities have decreased slightly, but its annual retirement costs will likely rise by several million dollars over the next decade. San Luis Obispo has more than $115 million in unfunded pension […]... (Continue Reading)

Is Dee Torres-Hill a whistleblower?

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Claiming to be a whistleblower, the embattled former head of the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo’s homeless services program has sued the nonprofit, alleging CAPSLO retaliated against her for expressing safety concerns. Earlier this year, CAPSLO demoted Torres-Hill, cut her pay and placed her on leave, prior to her leaving […]... (Continue Reading)

Developers weigh in on SLO elections

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Several developers with projects under consideration by the San Luis Obispo City Council are injecting cash into the election campaigns of two incumbents who have recently supported their development from behind the dais and a county official lobbying council members. As the city of San Luis Obispo updates its general plan, the […]... (Continue Reading)

SLO council minority halts progress of Grossman development

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo City Council majority failed to muster enough votes Tuesday night to further several large housing projects, including one belonging to a politically connected developer. The city’s general plan update calls for high-density residential development on the south side of town. One of the projects in the area is […]... (Continue Reading)

Measure G supporters winning SLO fundraising battle

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Supporters of Measure G, a proposed half-cent sales tax in San Luis Obispo for the next eight years, are easily winning the fundraising battle with their opponents, recently released campaign finance reports show. As of Sept. 30, Measure G supporters have raised $21,013, while opponents of the tax initiative have raised $9,678. […]... (Continue Reading)

Water board lifts septic tank orders on 38 Los Osos homes

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Against the recommendation of its staff, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has rescinded orders that required some Los Osos homeowners to spend thousands of dollars treating their septic tanks while waiting for the construction of a sewer system. In 2006, the water board mandated that 50 homes connect to […]... (Continue Reading)

SLO councilman rips city’s anti-panhandling campaign

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo city councilman is criticizing the city’s latest attempt to address its homeless problem, calling a recent campaign a fundraising effort for a local nonprofit, rather than a deterrent for aggressive behavior in the downtown area. In April, the city, along with United Way, installed meters in several downtown […]... (Continue Reading)

Supervisor candidates clash over hobo bash

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A planned fundraiser for San Luis Obispo County supervisor candidate Lynn Compton involving “hobo stew” has become the center of the latest controversy in the nasty campaign for the fourth district seat. The Compton campaign is planning an Oct. 5 fundraiser at the Oceano train depot in which attendees are invited to […]... (Continue Reading)

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