County newspaper calls for resignation of Paso Robles city councilman
SLO Tribune: 'Paso Robles City Councilman Chris Bausch is unfit for public office'
– On Thursday, San Luis Obispo's county newspaper, The Tribune, called for the resignation of Paso Robles City Councilman Chris Bausch in an editorial, citing concerns about his behavior and its impact on local governance.
The Tribune's editorial board called Bausch a "toxic menace" to the Paso Robles City Council, arguing that his presence is detrimental to the city's ability to function effectively.
According to the Tribune's reporting, Bausch has been involved in several contentious situations since joining the council. These include allegations of disruptive behavior during council meetings, confrontations with city staff, and public disputes with fellow council members.
"Former colleagues report a disturbing pattern of bullying that left some of them afraid for their lives," the editorial said.
The Tribune cites instances where Bausch allegedly berated staff members, intimidated people, and questioned their competence,
"More recently, he was accused of threatening and harassing City Manager Ty Lewis to such a degree that Lewis went out on medical leave and filed a $2.2 million claim against the city, alleging a hostile work environment," The Tribune wrote. When Bausch was a Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Trustee, he was censured by the board over similar allegations.
Read the full editorial here.
Councilman Chris Bausch declined to comment directly on the allegations. In a letter to the Paso Robles Daily News published on Oct. 23 , Bausch said he wishes to refrain from public comment until all facts are known.
Bausch said, "I will respond in the appropriate way, through the formal process he has initiated, which requires admissible evidence provided under penalty of perjury, rather than statements to the press which apparently do not require any such proof and appear designed only to influence the court of public opinion"
Bausch's attorney Robert J. Gundert added, "We are not inclined to litigate matters such as this in the press. Mr. Lewis' claims are better explored and dealt with in formal proceedings, where Mr. Lewis and any witness he cares to present are under oath."
