Big mouth 

Generally speaking, I like 3rd District SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill’s politics, but he can’t seem to control his mouth and ego. I think he wants what’s best for the county and his constituents, and I worry that his competitor, SLO City Vice Mayor Dan Carpenter, would skew the ideological balance of SLO County Board of Supervisors if he beats Hill this November. That said, Adam-baby, I think you just dug your own grave by implying via email that “business leaders” need to donate to your campaign if they expect your support.

Are you freaking kidding me? Why would you do that? Isn’t that conduct unbecoming of an elected official? 

On July 30, Hill sent an email to 11 people, including Leonard Grant of RRM Design (which is involved in the huge Laetitia ag cluster development coming back before the board for a decision on Aug. 23), Michael Manchak and Melissa James of the SLO Economic Vitality Corporation (the EVC receives county funding), Bruce G. Ray of the Cannon Corporation and its CEO Mike Cannon, Brad Brechwald of the Wallace Group (which has already run into problems because of its ties to public officials), attorney Ziyad Naccasha, Brad Wilde of Mira Vista Holdings, Susan Lovenburg of California Forward Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and SLO City Economic Development Manager Lee Johnson.

And yes, New Times has its very own copy of the email thanks to someone who was pissed off about the way his or her county supervisor conducted himself. And it’s almost hard to believe that you, Adam-baby, actually wrote those words.

“SLO is way to precious about itself, and its businesses [sic] leaders, are often guilty of the same, wishing to avoid controversy at all costs,” Hill wrote, adding, “Guess what? Effective leaders are controversial, especially in these times.”

Adam, there’s a difference between being “controversial” and being an obnoxious, egomaniac who not-so-slyly suggests that business leaders better write checks to your election campaign—or else. I know, I know, you didn’t think anyone who counted would find out about the thinly veiled you scratch my back, I scratch yours that you threw out there.

“The EVC is still funded strongly by the county because of me—no one else on the Board of Supervisors cares about it. That is the truth. If it is to strengthen going forward, it will take my advocacy, and yes pushing,” Hill asserted.

In other words Manchak and James, bust out your checkbooks if you expect Hill to continue to advocate for the SLO EVC. Damn, Adam. Isn’t this a conversation better had in a proverbial quiet, smoke-filled backroom?

Hill goes on to say a “$99 check” is “not going to cut it.”

Is this guy for real?

“I have taken more heat than anyone deserves (even with my big mouth) and it has had terrible consequences on my health and personal life. So yes, I do get disappointed by the lack of strong support from too many business leaders. I don’t really care if people like me as long as they recognize the good things I’ve done for the community,” Hill whined.

Adam, Adam, Adam, you’re the elected official equivalent of a doctor with no bedside manner. Maybe there are enough lefties out there willing to forgive your parade of gaffs and insults to keep Carpenter out of office, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

“More business leaders should be like Nick Tompkins and Gary Grossman who never feel like they have to make excuses to support me, do so generously, and do so regardless if we agree on everything or not,” Hill offered by way of example. Last year developer Grossman gave Hill $5,050 in cash and another $7,784 in “non monetary” donations, and this year to date another $6,849 in non-monetary donations. Hmm? Back rubs? Gold and diamond-encrusted Swiss watches? Lavish parties? Developer Tompkins coughed up a cool grand in 2015 and so far this year, another $4,000. Take heed, you pikers!

Jeez, Adam, just say it: You get what you pay for. I just can’t believe you all but actually said in print that you can be bought—and you didn’t call New Times back to defend or explain yourself. Are you mad at us again? Come November, you might just find SLO County voters think elected officials should conduct themselves like they represent the public. 

Meanwhile, 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton, who donated money to Carpenter’s campaign, must be dizzy with power. She’s the only thing that stands between protecting our native trees for another year or signaling to opportunist tree killers that they have a year to do their damage before SLO County staff can draft a permanent ordinance to keep people like Justin Vineyards and Winery owners Stewart and Lynda Resnick from raping the land and planting grapes or whatever. Compton was the fourth vote needed for the four-fifths majority to pass the temporary ordinance currently in place, but come next Tuesday, Aug. 16, if she switches her vote—and she’s intimated she might—the ordinance goes bye-bye and there’s nothing in place to keep dicks like the Resnicks from killing native trees in their greedy grab for more profits.

All you mo-fos who like to complain but not to actually participate in the public process better write a letter or show up for public comment to the Board of Supes meeting, or you can resign yourself to not complaining about another year of destruction as staff drafts something permanent. You can cut down a shit-ton of trees in 12 months. 

While you’re at the meeting, slip Hill a couple of bucks. It sounds like he needs it. 

The Shredder is starting to feel election year fatigue. Send ideas and comments to [email protected].