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Monday's mail brought with it the June 2008 edition of the Journal-Plus. Steve Owens puts out this friendly monthly, and I always look forward to browsing through it. You won't find anything on the latest scandals or anything written by someone with a chip on the shoulder or a bad attitude; you will find a wide range of interesting up-beat articles and profiles of some interesting people, families, and businesses throughout SLO County. The writers must all be like Steve. He is one of the nicest guys you're ever likely to meet and a guy who is really involved in our community -- I couldn't begin to count the number of places I've seen him helping at a fund-raiser or manning a BBQ for a service club. One of the good guys.
And speaking of BBQs, when I got to page 58 of the June Journal, I saw the headline "Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships" and was reminded that while I was back within the Beltway, I missed this year's fund raising BBQ on Super Bowl Sunday. And that reminded me to get out the checkbook and send them a donation.
As the article states, "The Board of Directors of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Memorial Scholarship Fund announced this year's recipients at a special breakfast presentation held May 15th at Cal Poly. Ten scholarships of $1000 and two scholarships of $1300 were given."
Do you have any idea how difficult it must be to raise $12,600 over the course of a year? As I've volunteered on a fair number of fund-raisers over the years, I do. It is darned difficult, but there are lots of good people in our area. I know. I've seen them working at fund-raisers, and I've seen them donating time and money.
I don't know how many years I've attended the King Scholarship Fund's BBQ at the Elks Lodge in SLO, but it's been a bunch. Steve Owens has been there for a lot of them and is also a Board member. Another regular has been Dale Federer (his photo and that of this year's scholarship recipients is part of the Journal article). It isn't mentioned in the article, but Dale Federer is one of the Fund's founders and still serves on the Board after nearly 40 years. Amazing guy and another one of the finest people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
For those unfamiliar with the King Scholarship Fund, here is some interesting information. As mentioned, it was founded in 1968 in honor of Dr. King, it has awarded about 400 scholarships to graduating seniors from high schools in the city of San Luis Obispo (SLO High, Mission College Prep, and Pacific Beach High), it focuses on students who may not have the resources to otherwise attend college or a trade or business school, and seeks out students who demonstrate scholastic potential and a sincere desire for furthering their post-secondary education. I dug all of that out of a flier I picked up at a BBQ a few years ago and have hung on to because I like to support organizations like that. Over the years, I've met many of the Board members at their annual BBQ, and they are the kind of people you'd like to work with or have as neighbors. Most of them are (or were) involved as staff or faculty at Cal Poly, Cuesta College, or SLO High School.
As you can no doubt tell, I'm a fan. If you'd like to help the King Scholarship Fund raise funds for next year's scholarships, head to the Elks Lodge in SLO next Super Bowl Sunday or open your checkbook as I did yesterday and send them a check; they'll appreciate it. Make it payable to:
King Scholarship Fund and mail it to them at P.O. Box 1693, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-1693.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Big Easy? Don't Bet on It
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That was a diversion that I had not expected. Just as I was getting comfortable and expecting to spend some time back home in SLO, I got an urgent request to get on down to New Orleans to check out and look over a few things.
I suppose that over the years, I've been to the "Big Easy" about a half dozen times. My general impression has always been that the people are great, the food is terrific, and the music has to be heard to be appreciated. Once, I was there (unintentionally) for Mardi Gras and, not being an alcoholic, was unimpressed. As the years have gone by, I've come to observe that excessive public intoxication tends to bring out the worst in people, and New Orleans has certainly seen more than its share of that.
Mardi Gras is the least of the Big Easy's problems these days. Suffice to say that the level of ineptitude on display in local and state government in New Orleans is mind boggling in this day and age. By their standards, our worst local politicians are almost paragons of virtue. By comparison, Supervisor Jerry Lenthall's and Councilman Allen Settle's shading of the facts as to where they do or don't live are small potatoes and would go unnoticed in Louisiana. Fortunately, our standards are still higher than those they accept in New Orleans.
That said, I'm was glad to get back home last week after a (thankfully) brief detour to Washington to present my findings. I have a little follow-up report writing to do over the next week or so and will try to get caught up on local events. I've already had a chance to have lunch with a former mayor and a former city manager to start getting current. We dined downtown at Mo's BBQ, and the shredded pork sandwich and Firestone Double Barrel Ale were the perfect lunch I remembered them being.
It's good to be home.
.
That was a diversion that I had not expected. Just as I was getting comfortable and expecting to spend some time back home in SLO, I got an urgent request to get on down to New Orleans to check out and look over a few things.
I suppose that over the years, I've been to the "Big Easy" about a half dozen times. My general impression has always been that the people are great, the food is terrific, and the music has to be heard to be appreciated. Once, I was there (unintentionally) for Mardi Gras and, not being an alcoholic, was unimpressed. As the years have gone by, I've come to observe that excessive public intoxication tends to bring out the worst in people, and New Orleans has certainly seen more than its share of that.
Mardi Gras is the least of the Big Easy's problems these days. Suffice to say that the level of ineptitude on display in local and state government in New Orleans is mind boggling in this day and age. By their standards, our worst local politicians are almost paragons of virtue. By comparison, Supervisor Jerry Lenthall's and Councilman Allen Settle's shading of the facts as to where they do or don't live are small potatoes and would go unnoticed in Louisiana. Fortunately, our standards are still higher than those they accept in New Orleans.
That said, I'm was glad to get back home last week after a (thankfully) brief detour to Washington to present my findings. I have a little follow-up report writing to do over the next week or so and will try to get caught up on local events. I've already had a chance to have lunch with a former mayor and a former city manager to start getting current. We dined downtown at Mo's BBQ, and the shredded pork sandwich and Firestone Double Barrel Ale were the perfect lunch I remembered them being.
It's good to be home.
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
Where Credit's Due?
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One just has to smile at the New Times and its efforts to beat up on the Tribune for taking credit where it wasn't earned. Talk about the pot calling the kettle . . . .
Faithful readers will recall that back on January 10, I wrote a piece on Councilman Allen Settle's home in Arroyo Grande. You can find it below or click on the link in the last sentence. Two months later, the Shredder covered the issue as did Patrick Howe in a New Times article.
On Thursday, April 3, I took the opportunity to chide Howe for failing to give credit where credit is due, and a week later (Thursday, April 10), old Shred had the audacity to chide the Tribune for doing what Howe and Shred had done to me.
As the Shredder said, ". . . it doesn't hurt a bit to give a little credit where it's due." Gosh, I couldn't agree more. In fact, I said the same thing about New Times.
And to further drive the point home, the Shredder wrapped it up thus:
"This is a hell of a small place, and refusing to give credit--just like the big boys in the real media markets do--just makes you look dumb."
Who could possibly argue with that around here?
Shredder, are you and your side-kick, Mr. Howe, listening?
One just has to smile at the New Times and its efforts to beat up on the Tribune for taking credit where it wasn't earned. Talk about the pot calling the kettle . . . .
Faithful readers will recall that back on January 10, I wrote a piece on Councilman Allen Settle's home in Arroyo Grande. You can find it below or click on the link in the last sentence. Two months later, the Shredder covered the issue as did Patrick Howe in a New Times article.
On Thursday, April 3, I took the opportunity to chide Howe for failing to give credit where credit is due, and a week later (Thursday, April 10), old Shred had the audacity to chide the Tribune for doing what Howe and Shred had done to me.
As the Shredder said, ". . . it doesn't hurt a bit to give a little credit where it's due." Gosh, I couldn't agree more. In fact, I said the same thing about New Times.
And to further drive the point home, the Shredder wrapped it up thus:
"This is a hell of a small place, and refusing to give credit--just like the big boys in the real media markets do--just makes you look dumb."
Who could possibly argue with that around here?
Shredder, are you and your side-kick, Mr. Howe, listening?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Allen [Un]Settle[d]?
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Councilman Allen Settle responded recently (Friday, April 18) to the Tribune's news article and editorial that I discussed in the below post. As Settle points out, "I legally reside in San Luis Obispo."
An alert reader will note the use of the qualifying word "legally" in that statement. While most of us could easily state that we reside in SLO, Settle qualifies his statement the way we have come to expect from many politicians and lawyers.
Settle goes on to write, "This is where I am registered to vote, tax returns are filed, homeowner’s exemption is held; where automobiles are registered, garbage service is used, utility bills are sent, my mailing address, telephone location and directory listing are located. It is where I live and temporary absences are just that, temporary. By law, all of the above are determinative of domicile."
We are expected to believe that after a hard day's work, he returns to his wife and a house full of students for a quiet meal, a little TV, and a good night's sleep.
To make things clear to us, Settle wraps it up with, "Nearly every day, I do all the items you listed such as shop, talk to citizens and drive and walk the streets in the city of San Luis Obispo. When finished with other activities, I return to my San Luis Obispo residence."
For someone who likes to qualify his statements, it's odd that he did not say his SLO City residence. Could he have meant his SLO County residence?
Councilman Allen Settle responded recently (Friday, April 18) to the Tribune's news article and editorial that I discussed in the below post. As Settle points out, "I legally reside in San Luis Obispo."
An alert reader will note the use of the qualifying word "legally" in that statement. While most of us could easily state that we reside in SLO, Settle qualifies his statement the way we have come to expect from many politicians and lawyers.
Settle goes on to write, "This is where I am registered to vote, tax returns are filed, homeowner’s exemption is held; where automobiles are registered, garbage service is used, utility bills are sent, my mailing address, telephone location and directory listing are located. It is where I live and temporary absences are just that, temporary. By law, all of the above are determinative of domicile."
We are expected to believe that after a hard day's work, he returns to his wife and a house full of students for a quiet meal, a little TV, and a good night's sleep.
To make things clear to us, Settle wraps it up with, "Nearly every day, I do all the items you listed such as shop, talk to citizens and drive and walk the streets in the city of San Luis Obispo. When finished with other activities, I return to my San Luis Obispo residence."
For someone who likes to qualify his statements, it's odd that he did not say his SLO City residence. Could he have meant his SLO County residence?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Trib Notices Settle
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It took longer than it should have, but a few days after my last comments regarding the New Times follow-up to my comments on Councilman Allen Settle's home in Arroyo Grande, someone woke up at the Tribune and sent a reporter, Sally Connell, to check it out (Sunday, April 6). In an interview, Settle said that he "treats the Drake Circle address as his primary residence and domicile."
According to Connell, "He [Settle] said foreign students attending Cal Poly also stay at the Drake Circle address and that he collects some money from them for utilities, but he does not report it as rent on economic papers filed with the City Clerk’s Office."
One has to wonder if he reports it as income when he files his taxes with the IRS.
Connell wrote that "When asked how many nights he stayed at one residence versus the other recently, he wouldn’t answer, saying that isn’t the issue."
Actually, it is the issue. Most adults would find it absurd to believe that Settle lives with his wife in the modest Drake Circle home with its driveway filled with student vehicles when he owns a hilltop McMansion in Arroyo Grande.
But then as Connell noted, "Councilman Paul Brown said nobody knows the ins and outs of city government better than Settle. But Brown is not sure spending so much time outside the city is what residents expect of a councilman." I could not have said it better myself.
But wait, that's not all. A few days later (Tuesday, April 8), the Tribune asked, "Where do you live, councilman?" in an editorial. The editorial started off:
"San Luis Obispo City Councilman Allen Settle may treat his home on Drake Circle as his primary residence because he gets his mail there and is registered to vote there.
It took longer than it should have, but a few days after my last comments regarding the New Times follow-up to my comments on Councilman Allen Settle's home in Arroyo Grande, someone woke up at the Tribune and sent a reporter, Sally Connell, to check it out (Sunday, April 6). In an interview, Settle said that he "treats the Drake Circle address as his primary residence and domicile."
According to Connell, "He [Settle] said foreign students attending Cal Poly also stay at the Drake Circle address and that he collects some money from them for utilities, but he does not report it as rent on economic papers filed with the City Clerk’s Office."
One has to wonder if he reports it as income when he files his taxes with the IRS.
Connell wrote that "When asked how many nights he stayed at one residence versus the other recently, he wouldn’t answer, saying that isn’t the issue."
Actually, it is the issue. Most adults would find it absurd to believe that Settle lives with his wife in the modest Drake Circle home with its driveway filled with student vehicles when he owns a hilltop McMansion in Arroyo Grande.
But then as Connell noted, "Councilman Paul Brown said nobody knows the ins and outs of city government better than Settle. But Brown is not sure spending so much time outside the city is what residents expect of a councilman." I could not have said it better myself.
But wait, that's not all. A few days later (Tuesday, April 8), the Tribune asked, "Where do you live, councilman?" in an editorial. The editorial started off:
"San Luis Obispo City Councilman Allen Settle may treat his home on Drake Circle as his primary residence because he gets his mail there and is registered to vote there.
But the question remains, does he actually live there? That shouldn’t be a hard question to answer—despite what the convoluted state Election Code may or may not have to say about residency.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, a philosopher or even an attorney to provide a definition of domicile. All it takes is common sense."
The editorial then proceeds to ask a series of questions that would seem pretty straightforward to most of us but are apparently quite complicated for many politicians and most lawyers. For those of us used to relying on common sense, they are easy to answer. In fact, I'll bet that most (if not all) of Settle's neighbors in Arroyo Grande are pretty darned certain that they live in Arroyo Grande and not in San Luis Obispo.
The editorial sums things up nicely:
". . . to be the most effective representative possible, we think you should actually live in the city that you were elected to represent. That’s the best way to get the intimate, day-to-day knowledge that comes from driving city streets, talking to neighbors, buying milk at the corner grocery, mailing a package at the post office, listening to the whine of police sirens on a Friday night.We aren’t saying that council members shouldn’t own multiple residences. And we certainly understand that they may have to spend extended time outside the city—be it for business, pleasure or family commitments.
But we strongly believe that council members should honor the spirit of the law — not just the letter of the law — when it comes to residency requirements. That means San Luis Obispo should be your primary home—not just the place where you work, or pick up your mail or claim a homeowner’s exemption on your taxes."
Thank you Tribune. I could not have said that better myself, either.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Flattered? and Howe!
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As my dear Mother often tells me, "Jimmy, pay attention and you might learn something."
I suppose that one might say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I suppose one might be correct.
Most readers don't comment on my posts, and that's fine with me; I just hope they think about what they've read. A reader who signed his name "Rick" left a comment on the below post and pointed out that he'd sent a link to the New Times (and uncoveredslo.com) about my post regarding Councilman Allen Settle and where he lives and that he thought that New Times had taken my work as their own ("imitated" me). My post was titled "Where did Allen Settle?" and was published on January 10, 2008.
Following "Rick's" suggestion, I searched past copies of New Times that I hadn't yet read since getting home and found an article by Patrick Howe titled "Where has Allen Settle(d)" that was published on about March 5, 2008. Mighty nice imitation, I'd say.
Amazingly, Howe discovered the same public records that I did (he's a reporter after all) and even found the same Zillow listing that I did (he's a thorough reporter). And even more amazingly, he followed Settle home from a Council Meeting and photographed the house (can't say I didn't warn you, Allen).
As he's a real reporter, I suppose Howe felt obligated to talk with the city's attorney (my sympathies go out to Howe for having to do that) who found the whole concept of residency very complicated (he's an attorney after all, and they live and die by weasel words).
And, as a real reporter, Howe apparently talked with Settle, and "Settle said he imagines those who raised questions about his residence are motivated by politics. "If you vote against their interests, they try to smear you," he [Settle] said. "That's what you get for entering public service." "
No, Mr. Settle, a lot of people are interested in ethical behavior on the part of politicians, and it is not as complicated as you and the city's attorney would like us to believe. You either live in the city or you don't. You may have a vacation home in another city (or county or state) that you visit, but you don't rent your "home" out and live in another house a few miles outside the city limits and call yourself a resident of the city where your "home" is located.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "Shame on you Allen Settle." You are setting a bad example for your students and the real residents of San Luis Obispo. If you want to run for City Council in Arroyo Grande since you live there, that's fine, but don't pretend to be a resident of our town. And for you, Mr. Howe, I just like to give credit where credit is due (apparently unlike New Times). Nice job of following-up though.
As my dear Mother often tells me, "Jimmy, pay attention and you might learn something."
I suppose that one might say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I suppose one might be correct.
Most readers don't comment on my posts, and that's fine with me; I just hope they think about what they've read. A reader who signed his name "Rick" left a comment on the below post and pointed out that he'd sent a link to the New Times (and uncoveredslo.com) about my post regarding Councilman Allen Settle and where he lives and that he thought that New Times had taken my work as their own ("imitated" me). My post was titled "Where did Allen Settle?" and was published on January 10, 2008.
Following "Rick's" suggestion, I searched past copies of New Times that I hadn't yet read since getting home and found an article by Patrick Howe titled "Where has Allen Settle(d)" that was published on about March 5, 2008. Mighty nice imitation, I'd say.
Amazingly, Howe discovered the same public records that I did (he's a reporter after all) and even found the same Zillow listing that I did (he's a thorough reporter). And even more amazingly, he followed Settle home from a Council Meeting and photographed the house (can't say I didn't warn you, Allen).
As he's a real reporter, I suppose Howe felt obligated to talk with the city's attorney (my sympathies go out to Howe for having to do that) who found the whole concept of residency very complicated (he's an attorney after all, and they live and die by weasel words).
And, as a real reporter, Howe apparently talked with Settle, and "Settle said he imagines those who raised questions about his residence are motivated by politics. "If you vote against their interests, they try to smear you," he [Settle] said. "That's what you get for entering public service." "
No, Mr. Settle, a lot of people are interested in ethical behavior on the part of politicians, and it is not as complicated as you and the city's attorney would like us to believe. You either live in the city or you don't. You may have a vacation home in another city (or county or state) that you visit, but you don't rent your "home" out and live in another house a few miles outside the city limits and call yourself a resident of the city where your "home" is located.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "Shame on you Allen Settle." You are setting a bad example for your students and the real residents of San Luis Obispo. If you want to run for City Council in Arroyo Grande since you live there, that's fine, but don't pretend to be a resident of our town. And for you, Mr. Howe, I just like to give credit where credit is due (apparently unlike New Times). Nice job of following-up though.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Shredder's Sights on Settle
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Well, I'll say it again. As my dear departed Father used to say, "Jiminy Christmas. What's goin' on?"
I took a stroll through downtown Friday afternoon, did some banking, bought stamps at the Post Office, got a cup of coffee, and picked up the first copy of the New Times I've seen in months. I scanned the cover and flipped to the Shredder to see what if anything was noteworthy.
Much to my surprise, old Shred was following up on my questions about the wayward Councilman Allen Settle from a couple of months ago. Sad to say that it was no surprise that Shred didn't note where it got the lead, but at least someone (something?) is checking up on Settle. I guess I'll just be satisfied that the information is becoming more widespread.
Shred noted, "When the city attorney was asked, he said it's tricky to say exactly what the rules are about where an elected city official has to live. Funny. Doesn't seem too terribly tricky to me. If you represent a place as an elected official you should actually live there. And not just part time."
No doubt about that. The only thing tricky is, as usual, the City Attorney, but that's yet another story for another time. It's not real complicated -- you run for the City Council, you live in the city.
Shades of Jerry Lenthall and his complicated living arrangement.
A recent puff-piece in Cal Poly's Mustang Daily called "Professor" Settle a "Man of Law" and started the piece with, "If you've never had the privilege to meet Allen Settle, you only have to peer inside his cramped and cluttered office to understand just how academically involved this professor of municipal government, public law and finance, and member of the San Luis Obispo City Council, truly is."
Well, Settle may be "academically involved," but it certainly seems that he may also be ethically challenged. Quite an example for a professor of ". . . municipal government, public law and finance . . ." to be setting for his students.
Some "Man of Law." Shame on you Allen Settle.
Well, I'll say it again. As my dear departed Father used to say, "Jiminy Christmas. What's goin' on?"
I took a stroll through downtown Friday afternoon, did some banking, bought stamps at the Post Office, got a cup of coffee, and picked up the first copy of the New Times I've seen in months. I scanned the cover and flipped to the Shredder to see what if anything was noteworthy.
Much to my surprise, old Shred was following up on my questions about the wayward Councilman Allen Settle from a couple of months ago. Sad to say that it was no surprise that Shred didn't note where it got the lead, but at least someone (something?) is checking up on Settle. I guess I'll just be satisfied that the information is becoming more widespread.
Shred noted, "When the city attorney was asked, he said it's tricky to say exactly what the rules are about where an elected city official has to live. Funny. Doesn't seem too terribly tricky to me. If you represent a place as an elected official you should actually live there. And not just part time."
No doubt about that. The only thing tricky is, as usual, the City Attorney, but that's yet another story for another time. It's not real complicated -- you run for the City Council, you live in the city.
Shades of Jerry Lenthall and his complicated living arrangement.
A recent puff-piece in Cal Poly's Mustang Daily called "Professor" Settle a "Man of Law" and started the piece with, "If you've never had the privilege to meet Allen Settle, you only have to peer inside his cramped and cluttered office to understand just how academically involved this professor of municipal government, public law and finance, and member of the San Luis Obispo City Council, truly is."
Well, Settle may be "academically involved," but it certainly seems that he may also be ethically challenged. Quite an example for a professor of ". . . municipal government, public law and finance . . ." to be setting for his students.
Some "Man of Law." Shame on you Allen Settle.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Who Knew They Could/Would Read?
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Well heck, that respite on the Central Coast was lots briefer than I intended or expected.
Who would have expected that one of the reports I mentioned back in November would find its way to the desk of a Deputy Assistant Undersecretary -- or maybe that was Assistant Deputy Undersecretary -- of an unnamed Federal agency? Not me. And who expected that anyone would read it? Again, not me. I just write those things because it's what I get paid to do. I don't expect anyone to actually read one (actually I do, but they usually don't), and I sure don't expect anyone to act on one (ditto).
Apparently over the Christmas Holidays when most of Washington shuts down, a few people -- including the aforementioned DAU or ADU -- stick around to get caught up. One of my reports must have been misrouted to someone who cared -- because the next thing I knew they wanted me back within the Beltway to brief the Undersecretary and some pals in mid-January. Then some folks over on Capitol Hill got wind of it and insisted on being briefed, and that ended up in a seemingly endless round of briefings/discussions. I doubt that anything will come of it all (one never knows does one?), but by the time it was all over and yet another "in-depth" report was written and submitted, nearly two months had gone by. That's good for my bank account, but it's bad for my psyche.
It was good to fly into SLO over the weekend and decompress with family and friends. We took the opportunity to have dinner one evening over at the 10th Street Grill in Los Osos. It's another of my favorite spots and reinforces the feeling that I'm back to our great Central Coast.
I'll take a day or so to get caught up on "what's goin' on?" and see where that takes me. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll try to stick around for a few months this time.
Well heck, that respite on the Central Coast was lots briefer than I intended or expected.
Who would have expected that one of the reports I mentioned back in November would find its way to the desk of a Deputy Assistant Undersecretary -- or maybe that was Assistant Deputy Undersecretary -- of an unnamed Federal agency? Not me. And who expected that anyone would read it? Again, not me. I just write those things because it's what I get paid to do. I don't expect anyone to actually read one (actually I do, but they usually don't), and I sure don't expect anyone to act on one (ditto).
Apparently over the Christmas Holidays when most of Washington shuts down, a few people -- including the aforementioned DAU or ADU -- stick around to get caught up. One of my reports must have been misrouted to someone who cared -- because the next thing I knew they wanted me back within the Beltway to brief the Undersecretary and some pals in mid-January. Then some folks over on Capitol Hill got wind of it and insisted on being briefed, and that ended up in a seemingly endless round of briefings/discussions. I doubt that anything will come of it all (one never knows does one?), but by the time it was all over and yet another "in-depth" report was written and submitted, nearly two months had gone by. That's good for my bank account, but it's bad for my psyche.
It was good to fly into SLO over the weekend and decompress with family and friends. We took the opportunity to have dinner one evening over at the 10th Street Grill in Los Osos. It's another of my favorite spots and reinforces the feeling that I'm back to our great Central Coast.
I'll take a day or so to get caught up on "what's goin' on?" and see where that takes me. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll try to stick around for a few months this time.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Where did Allen Settle?
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After a break during the Christmas holidays to write year-end reports for clients, it is good to be starting a fresh new year.
At some time during my report writing, I took a break to watch the re-broadcast of a City Council meeting dealing with the SLO Police Department's report on the graffiti that is beginning to spread through our city. During the public comment period, someone commented to Councilman Allen Settle that they had seen graffiti on a wall at his home, and Settle responded that he hadn't noticed (or words to that effect). That struck me as a strange response because I'll guarantee you that I've noticed graffiti on buildings I frequent around our town, and I sure wouldn't miss it on my property.
Then another odd thing happened while I was at a little get-together down in Avila around New Years. Someone mentioned that they had heard that Settle lived somewhere in South County. My ears perked up. What? Our councilman and former mayor living outside the city? That reminded me of the New Times trying to figure out where Supervisor Jerry Lenthall lives.
I have heard many comments over the years about Settle owning lots of student rentals around town and had never given it much thought. Someone owns all those mini-ghettos, and I know it isn't me. Walking around town early this week, I passed by City Hall and remembered all of the above. Time to do some checking.
The County Tax Collector maintains a nice website that allows the public to check on properties, and I decided to check on Settle. All the records are by parcel number, and I found that Settle owns four properties under his or his and his wife's name in the county (he may own others as a partner or something similar, but that is beyond my ability to figure out). Three of the properties [004-341-007, 004-631-001, and 004-341-015] are in the city of San Luis Obispo, and one [044-501-039] is in (get ready) Arroyo Grande.
Switching to a SLO City website, I found two properties on Oceanaire Drive (1249 and 1610) (the last one is apparently what keeps Settle from voting on the Dalido Ranch property) and one at 1244 Drake Circle that is referred to as the owner's address for this and the two Oceanaire properties and is the one where he apparently did not notice the graffiti.
The fourth property listed in Arroyo Grande is at 1070 Fox Canyon. Seems to be a nice little place on about 2.5 acres that was apparently purchased in 2001 for around $900,000 and is appraised at a little more than $1,012,000. With 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths it may be one of the student rentals that Settle is said to own.
Personally, if I owned a place like that, I'd live in it and rent out my Drake Circle house to students. But then, I'm not a politician.
Better watch out. Patrick Howe from the New Times may be headed your way with a camera.
After a break during the Christmas holidays to write year-end reports for clients, it is good to be starting a fresh new year.
At some time during my report writing, I took a break to watch the re-broadcast of a City Council meeting dealing with the SLO Police Department's report on the graffiti that is beginning to spread through our city. During the public comment period, someone commented to Councilman Allen Settle that they had seen graffiti on a wall at his home, and Settle responded that he hadn't noticed (or words to that effect). That struck me as a strange response because I'll guarantee you that I've noticed graffiti on buildings I frequent around our town, and I sure wouldn't miss it on my property.
Then another odd thing happened while I was at a little get-together down in Avila around New Years. Someone mentioned that they had heard that Settle lived somewhere in South County. My ears perked up. What? Our councilman and former mayor living outside the city? That reminded me of the New Times trying to figure out where Supervisor Jerry Lenthall lives.
I have heard many comments over the years about Settle owning lots of student rentals around town and had never given it much thought. Someone owns all those mini-ghettos, and I know it isn't me. Walking around town early this week, I passed by City Hall and remembered all of the above. Time to do some checking.
The County Tax Collector maintains a nice website that allows the public to check on properties, and I decided to check on Settle. All the records are by parcel number, and I found that Settle owns four properties under his or his and his wife's name in the county (he may own others as a partner or something similar, but that is beyond my ability to figure out). Three of the properties [004-341-007, 004-631-001, and 004-341-015] are in the city of San Luis Obispo, and one [044-501-039] is in (get ready) Arroyo Grande.
Switching to a SLO City website, I found two properties on Oceanaire Drive (1249 and 1610) (the last one is apparently what keeps Settle from voting on the Dalido Ranch property) and one at 1244 Drake Circle that is referred to as the owner's address for this and the two Oceanaire properties and is the one where he apparently did not notice the graffiti.
The fourth property listed in Arroyo Grande is at 1070 Fox Canyon. Seems to be a nice little place on about 2.5 acres that was apparently purchased in 2001 for around $900,000 and is appraised at a little more than $1,012,000. With 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths it may be one of the student rentals that Settle is said to own.
Personally, if I owned a place like that, I'd live in it and rent out my Drake Circle house to students. But then, I'm not a politician.
Better watch out. Patrick Howe from the New Times may be headed your way with a camera.
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