Debbie Peterson

160 S. 3rd St.

February 19, 2019 Grover Beach, CA 93433

Mayor Jeff Lee and Council Members

City of Grover Beach
154 S. Eighth Street
Grover Beach, CA 93433

Dear Mayor Lee and Members of the City Council,

After much soul-searching I have decided to submit my resignation, effective after this evening’s
council meeting, because I can no longer in good conscience associate myself with this Council.

I want to thank the voters of Grover Beach for electing me to serve them for over ten years as their
councilmember and mayor. Thanks also to our dedicated city employees who have been a delight
to work with.

Much good has been accomplished by the council over the past few years. During my
tenure criminals were ferreted out from public roles, pockmarked streets are being repaired, and
our city has balanced its budget with greater transparency. While I was a member of the sewer
district board, facing the depletion of over $11m of reserves, we restructured the organization. This
ultimately led to the investigation and conflict-of-interest conviction of the former chief executive.

The DA is still investigating alleged extensive misappropriation of funds at the Integrated Waste
Management Authority. Yet, the council continues to appoint people to the sewer district and
waste management authority boards who have supported those who been convicted or accused of
fiddling, cheating, and double dealing at both public agencies.

Finally, while I support the legalization of cannabis and the benefits of bringing the industry to
Grover Beach, I cannot support those on the council, who with their political consultant, crafted a
pay-to-play insider game. Many members of the community and the cannabis industry report that
some dispensary applicants paid council members and their consultant to get their licenses
approved. In the end, applicants with clean backgrounds were pushed out of town while those
with felony convictions were granted licenses.

I cannot betray the trust of those who elected me by looking the other way to avoid rocking the
boat. Doing so, just to get along, is complicit and would make me as guilty as those who commit
the evil, or those who choose to wear a blindfold. Every councilmember’s first duty is to the people,
to take bold action when there is no other viable option.

Yours faithfully,

Debbie Peterson