Timeline

| TIMELINE

After 33 years in county government, Jim Grant announces his retirement. The county’s top executive was widely credited for restoring stability after his scandalplagued boss, David Edge, was fired along with his second-incommand, Gail Wilcox, in 2009.

Debbie Arnold beats Jim Patterson in her second try for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, while Adam Hill fought off a challenge from Pismo City Councilman, Ed Waage. With Arnold’s victory, many expect a more pro-growth and anti-regulatory direction led by Arnold and right-leaning supervisors, Frank Mecham and Paul Teixeira.

June 5 June 12 In an ongoing effort to curb nuisances caused by late night drinking, SLO City Council tightens rules for new establishments wishing to serve alcohol. Now it is required that a manager be on-site when entertainment is performed; additional employee training; and video surveillance among other things.

June 19

June 8 June 15

The SLO County Sheriff’s Department hires Tony Cipolla, a longtime favorite newscaster as its public information officer and Lou Ferrigno (aka “The Incredible Hulk”) as a reserve deputy. It is rumored that Cipolla’s first press release stated, “Don’t make Ferrigno angry, you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.”

Despite their survey that says that 59% of voters will approve it, the SLO City Council decides to hold off on a ½ cent sales tax extension, kicking the can down the road until the November, 2014 election when they will ask for a renewal of Measure Y. If nothing changes, or the renewal is voted down, the current rate of 7.75% will remain in effect until March 31, 2015 when the 8-year measure expires.

In a surprise ruling that San Luis Obispo City Attorney characterized as “judicial misrepresentation,” Superior Court Judge Charles Crandall ruled that the city’s ordinance prohibiting overnight sleeping in vehicles does not apply to public streets but only to private property. In a 4-1 vote (Ashbaugh dissented) the San Luis Obispo City Council passes an emergency ordinance that effectively overturns Judge Crandall’s ruling by applying it to a different set of municipal code, setting up renewed debate about the state homelessness locally.

July 3 July 10

June 27 July 5

Former Atascadero Citizen of the year, Kelly Gearhart, is indicted on federal fraud and money laundering charges related to his real estate development projects. If convicted, the fifty-year-old who is now living in an empty Ohio warehouse, faces up to 300 years in prison.

The Arroyo Grande cross burning saga finally comes to an end when Jeremiah Leo “Smurf” Hernandez, a 33-year old San Simeon resident, is sentenced to 11 years in state prison on four criminal counts including hate crime enhancements.

July 17

In a 3-2 vote (Mecham and Teixeira dissented), the County Board of Supervisors establishes a ban on smoking in such public areas as county “mini-parks,” neighborhood parks, parking lots near county buildings, and an assortment of other outdoor locations.