By Aaron Ochs, on March 21st, 2013
 For a little over four years, CalCoastNews has appealed to a loud bastion of readers who are clamoring for hard justice in the name of “investigative journalism.” It appeared that suddenly there is another local website that investigated their reporting — ours — and we determined their reporting to be fraudulent and deceptive. We questioned something that their readers believe to be a wholly altruistic pursuit for truth. On March 18, CalCoastNews, once again, reaffirmed their conclusions — with a very dark, sadistic twist. . . . → Read More: CalCoastNews and the Wounds That Never Heal
By Aaron Ochs, on March 3rd, 2013
CalCoastNews is a local website that people in San Luis Obispo County are talking about for different reasons. People associate CalCoastNews with investigative journalism. Some believe that they are doing something good by uncovering corruption in a community where there are often a lot of unanswered questions. Readers who support CalCoastNews are satisfied to have their questions answered by a site that rarely goes beyond presenting allegations and anecdotes. When we reported about them, we received an incoherent phone call from the site’s co-founder — who only heard of the articles but didn’t actually read them — and a lengthy, emotional rant from a local radio host who refused to utter our name in a vain attempt to skirt his “equal time” pledge. Why are they so afraid?
Continue reading CalCoastNews’ Fraudulent Reporting on SLO Homeless Services →
By Aaron Ochs, on January 20th, 2013
 District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson UPDATE (1/31/13 3:00 PM): Here is Mrs. Tornatzky’s comments that she’s made on The Tribune (Courtesy: DISQUS)
UPDATE (1/31/13 9:30 AM): Since the article was published, I’ve been in communication with Lynette Tornatzky, who insists that one of the quotes — though they’re all linked to and verified — we’ve shown of hers was “Photoshopped.” She’s been invited to send us an e-mail and explain specifically her issues with the content shown, but has continuously been unable to do so. Our contact form does work! She continues to insist that I am the “multi-monikered anonymous” who disagree with her views. Paranoia is not a good defense.
Shirley Montague-Devine also responded to the article by asking for my home address to send us her resume. The behavior we’ve seen from Gibson’s most ardent supporters — since this article was published — have been very bizarre and cult-like. We sincerely hope that Gibson doesn’t actually give tacit approval to this kind of behavior.
UPDATE (1/24/13): We received a reply from Lynette Tornatzky, who had this to say about the article and my statements about it. She italicized comments made by me in the Tribune’s January 23 editorial on Gibson, which reflected the nature of the article. “The above statements are all untruths,” she wrote. “But thanks for confirming for me that the bloggers using multiple monikers who spout these same words against me on the comment sections in the various venues are now revealed as being you!” Uh… OK!
News surfaced this week that District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson has re-hired Cherie Aispuro to be his legislative assistant a month after he revealed that he had an affair with her and subsequently transferred her to the County Clerk-Recorder’s office. This came as a surprise to many who thought that Gibson would not reintroduce the topic in such a bizarre way. It’s highly unusual for a sitting politician to continue working with his mistress after already removing her from his office. Gibson’s defiance has clearly overshadowed any of his politics or accomplishments. Because of Gibson’s defiance, the conversation has transmogrified from the morality of his actions to the way he’s handled the issue in spite of growing criticism.
Of course, Gibson has his supporters — and clearly they’re not the kind of surrogates he should have.
Continue reading Meet Bruce Gibson’s Surrogates →
By Aaron Ochs, on December 16th, 2012
 Gewynn Taylor Gewynn Taylor’s life came to a premature end late Monday night on December 10. This is the same Gewynn Taylor who spoke every Tuesday morning for many years at the SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting, reminding every supervisor of their responsibility to the people of Los Osos. This is the same Gewynn Taylor who sacrificed her post-retirement life to protect and support people in need as well as the environment.
Continue reading The Glowing Compassion of Gewynn Taylor →
By Aaron Ochs, on December 9th, 2012
 Supervisor Gibson’s Tribune On December 6 The Tribune published an editorial that said District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson shouldn’t resign. This comes as no surprise to us, given that The Tribune has consistently offered favorable coverage, and was, in fact, contacted by Gibson himself to cover “the exclusive” about his extramarital affair. It would go against the grain for The Tribune to bite the hand that feeds them. But their editorial missed a few things and airbrushed a few details with an elitist stroke, which drew our ire.
Continue reading Tribune Chooses Gibson Over Readers →
By Aaron Ochs, on November 7th, 2012
 Gail Briggs McPherson UPDATED (11/17): The rehearing petition has been denied.
UPDATED (11/14): Citizens for Clean Water filed a rehearing petition on Wednesday. More details to come… [Source: Los Osos Sewer Saga]
On October 25, Los Osos’ Citizens for Clean Water (the organization formerly known as the Prohibition Zone Legal Defense Fund) filed for voluntary dismissal of their seemingly never-ending appeal against the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB). It’s unclear why CCW filed for voluntary dismissal, but it’s clear that Los Osos sewer construction is underway. Because the group is no longer a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and doesn’t appear to be operating under any other group’s 501(c)(3), they will have to pay the water board’s legal expenses.
Continue reading The Lasting Tragedy of PZLDF →
By Aaron Ochs, on July 14th, 2012
 Paso Robles spills wine of discord Confusion. Corruption. Chaos.
The City of Paso Robles is embroiled in a police department scandal that has rocked the community of just under 30,000 residents. The scandal, which started with accusations of misconduct against former city Police Chief Lisa Solomon, has been a widely discussed and hotly debated topic — and now it has snowballed into fiery hysterics from several sides of the debate.
People should recognize the dangers of getting too involved in the story and losing their perspective — and integrity in the process.
Continue reading Paso Robles is Burning →
By Aaron Ochs, on June 6th, 2012
To my readers,
I want to enlighten you on a recent decision that I’ve made regarding controversial wastewater project in Los Osos. I’ve decided to no longer publish any articles about the Los Osos sewer on Razor Online. Hit the jump for more information.
Continue reading Final Thoughts on Los Osos →
By Aaron Ochs, on May 7th, 2012
 Pulitzer to Cuddy: Nope The politics in San Luis Obispo County has never been pretty. The choice between District 3 Supervisor and incumbent Adam Hill and Pismo Beach city councilman Ed Waage has electrified the political debate in this county. There have been many wild twists and turns during the course of their campaigns, including but not limited to: prank calls, tampering with online newspaper polls, bizarre diatribes on racism and birtherism by the Tea Party, and kindergarten-grade character attacks from a newspaper that prints opinion columns as actual front-page news. This is clearly anarchy, and that reflects poorly on everyone who is involved in the mudslinging.
Continue reading SLO Politics: Guilty By Association →
By Aaron Ochs, on April 10th, 2012
Charter is the “worst among the largest service providers for bundled television, internet, and phone service.” Charter has also ranked very low in the publication’s television, internet and phone ratings. In San Luis Obispo County, Charter customers overwhelmingly agree. . . . → Read More: Charter Sends a Bad Signal to Customers
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