AG City Manager Controversy Stirs More Protests

In front of a packed Arroyo Grande City Council Chambers, residents expressed frustration over how the Council has handled a controversy involving City Manager Steve Adams and Community Development Director Teresa McClish who was not in attendance.

Some pointed to unidentified City Council members making derogatory comments about city residents to the press amid the ongoing uproar.

“And for you to have done it, whoever, is just reprehensible and you should resign immediately”, Arroyo Grande resident Aaron Hinkle told the Council.

Late at night in early July, Arroyo Grande Police say they found Adams and McClish together in his City Hall office in what officers later described in their reports as an uncomfortable and awkward situation.

Adams has steadfastly denied he and McClish engaged in inappropriate or sexual activity. saying they were waiting for the effects of wine they shared earlier that night to wear off before driving home to their families.

An investigation by the City Attorney found no improper behavior by Adams or McClish.

Protestors took to Branch Street outside the City Council Chambers to voice support for the Arroyo Grande Police Officers Union and its vote of no confidence in Mayor Tony Ferrara and City Manager Adams whom some believe tried to sweep the controversy under the rug.

“You should be ashamed of yourselves if you are keeping things hidden like this”, Hinkle told the Council in his comments.

AGPOA has demanded an outside, independent investigation into the City Hall-City Manager controversy, which is now underway.

Others spoke in support Steve Adams saying the entire ordeal has been blown way out of proportion.

“I’m scared that we may be destroying people’s reputations that don’t deserve to be ruined”, says resident Ruth Morris, “from what I have read its all innuendo, who knows what really happened, as we well know we can all be in situations where it might look bad but it isn’t.”

Adams has since submitted his resignation but will remain in his job until a replacement is found.

“I just want to know what it is that this guy (Adams) has got on you”, said city resident Vanessa Andrews to the Council, “he knows that you keep him employed, he should have been terminated at the get go.”