Political Notebook

Templeton

Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, is expected to endorse Paso Robles Mayor Frank Mecham for 1st District supervisor at a fundraiser luncheon from 11 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. Sunday at McPhee’s Grill.

Mecham has served four consecutive terms as Paso Robles’ mayor. He is challenging incumbent Harry Ovitt in an effort to lead the North County district.

Mecham works as a financial planner for the Blakeslee family’s firm in its Paso Robles office.

The district includes Paso Robles, Templeton, San Miguel, Shandon and other unincorporated areas. The election is June 3.

Luncheon admission is $45 per person. Call 239- 4437 or visit www.electmecham.com . McPhee’s Grill is at 416 South Main St. in Templeton.

—Leah Etling

SLO County

All six candidates for the county Board of Supervisors have been invited to participate in a forum organized in part by the people who work for them—the San Luis Obispo County Employees Association.

SLOCEA is the largest county employee organization, representing a sizeable majority of the county’s 2,600 workers.

SLOCEA and the League of Women Voters will host the event Wednesday from 5:30 p. m. to 7:30 p. m. in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers, 1055 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo.

The public is invited and can submit written questions.

In the three supervisor races this year, incumbent Jerry Lenthall is facing Adam Hill in the 3rd District; incumbent Harry Ovitt is facing Frank Mecham in the 1st District; and incumbent Jim Patterson is facing Debbie Arnold in the 5th District.

There are five members of the Board of Supervisors.

The election is June 3.

—Bob Cuddy

Arroyo Grande

Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara says he’ll run for mayor again in the election this fall.

Ferrara will seek his fourth term and has served on the City Council since 1998. He ran unopposed in 2006.

During Ferrara’s tenure, the council has worked to revitalize Grand Avenue, created initiatives to protect local agriculture, worked with Caltrans to create a traffic solution for Brisco Road at Highway 101 and acquired voter approval of a half-cent sales tax increase in 2006 (which brings in an additional $1.4 million annually for the city).

No other candidate has announced a bid for the seat. The city elects its mayor directly. Arroyo Grande mayors serve two-year terms.

—Dawn White