Welcome to Save Oceano!
SAVE OCEANO was formed by longtime residents and business owners in Oceano and the adjacent Arroyo Grande area who have great concerns about recent events in the OCSD that threaten our safety, our essential water, sanitation, and lighting services, and our very way of life as an agricultural and tourist economy and a relatively low-cost place for workers and retirees alike.
Our present concern is about the chaotic and destructive behavior of the current Chair of the OCSD Board of Directors - Charles Varni. The information provided in this website illuminates the chaos, illegality, mismanagement and personal and civic destruction that has characterized Varni’s brief tenure in power.
We Oppose Charles Varni and His Majority on the OCSD! Charles Varni has proved to be a chaotic, destructive, ill-informed and extreme political personality.
You may have seen our billboards -- VARNI NO BUIENO! SAVE OCEANO--around town. Or you may have received our first few mailings highlighting our concerns in your mailbox recently. More information can be found below and in these pages about these very important issues.
Vote on November 5, 2024, in person, or you may vote by mail ballot that will begin to arrive in your postal box after October 7, 2024. If you have further questions, please contact us at (info@SaveOceano.com).
Who we are and our purpose
Who we spotlight
We support Shirley Gibson & Linda Austin to SAVE Oceano.
Shirley Gibson, a current Director of OCSD, is running for re-election to the OCSD Board for her third term in office. Shirley lives in the Halcyon Community. Shirley’s biographical information and platform of service and commitments if elected are set forth below. Due to the new districting, OCSD Directors are elected from 5 separate Divisions beginning with the 2024 Election. Shirley is running against the 1 term current Director, Charles Varni who lives in the same Division.
Linda Austin, a longtime resident of Oceano and the daughter of Oceano pioneers Harold and Helen Guiton, is in her second term as an OCSD Director. Linda lives in Division 1, operates a real estate business and is the longtime leader of the Oceano Railroad Museum at the Oceano Depot.
Just by way of note, Kim Rose, who lives in Division 4, was elected without opposition to fill the other Division up for election this year. Kim has endorsed Shirley and Linda for re-election.
We are glad to provide you additional information concerning the Oceano Community Services District (known as the OCSD), its 2024 General Election Candidates, and some background on why the November 5, 2024 election is very important to our residents’ future. The outcome of this election will affect residents’ future, especially our public safety, our fire safety and fire insurance rates, and the continued availability of plentiful and affordable water, sewer and sanitation services.
This election also will have important effects on our way of life. Will Oceano continue to be an affordable place for all residents, whether they work or live here, in retirement or raising families on the Central Coast?
Division 5 Candidates
Shirley Gibson is the right choice for Oceano!
Shirley Gibson is the right choice for OCSD Director. She has earned the widespread support of local leaders and businesses and longtime residents– Her endorsements tell the tale.
Gibson has obtained the support of a bi-partisan group of local community leaders and a vast cross section of residents.
Gibson’s record is of a solid, no-nonsense public servant with no schemes or hidden agendas to promote.
Her approach to good governance is founded on fidelity to the charter duties of the OCSD and sensitivity to protecting its revenues from misuse and unauthorized activities.
Gibson promoted your public safety and personal wellbeing in seeking a public vote to pass the 2020 and 2022 fire tax measures, which would have preserved Oceano’s fire station and protect fire & emergency response with local fire assets & personnel.
Gibson has demonstrated concern about and support for protecting the stability of OCSD operations. This means sound district management and preservation of its limited financial resources to use for OCSD’s essential services.
Gibson strongly opposes annexation to Grover Beach, and preservation of Oceano and Halcyon and the town/national historic district which heedless annexation would threaten.
Gibson has the respect and support of OCSD staff, due to her respect and appreciation for their talents and hard work. Gibson exhibits common courtesy in dealing with members of the public, OCSD employees, and management.
Gibson merits your support for her character, her focus, and true concern for accomplishing the real tasks of the OCSD and protecting it from chaos and mismanagement.
Shirley Gibson will stop the VARNI TAX BLEEDING.
Charles Varni is no bueno for Oceano!
Charles Varni is the wrong choice for OCSD Director. His only support is from Supervisor Paulding - who schemed to giveaway Oceano's water and its autonomy to Grover Beach - and two OCSD directors who take Varni's directions.
Varni has been the source of controversy and destruction of OCSD from running off 2 General Managers and 2 Law Firms along with private schemes decided in secret - blatant violations of the Brown Public Meeting Laws.
Varni's approach to governance fundamentally misunderstands OCSD's powers and duties and focuses on proposals NOT within OCSD's core responsibilities to provide and protect water, sanitation, and lighting.
Varni led opposition to the 2020 and 2022 Fire Safety Measure which led to loss of our local fire and emergency response service, lessening emergency response times by 30-40%
Varni has failed to protect the stability of the OCSD's operations. From driving off General Managers he has sought to exercise the power of General Manager himself. His actions have imposed hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra legal fees and staff time.
Varni promoted the annexation of Oceano and Halcyon into Grover Beach. He schemed in private to set OCSD on a course toward giving away our community.
Varni doesn’t respect OCSD staff, has lost their respect, and made false accusations against two key staff members. Staff morale is at a new low. Varni has called members of the public “dogs and “thugs,” and totally lacks the common courtesy and civility that are hallmarks of a good public servant.
Varni lacks the character, focus and concern for accomplishing the real tasks of the OCSD.
If Varni is re-elected the VARNI TAX BLEEDING will only worsen!
Vote for SHIRLEY GIBSON to end the Varni nightmare. SAVE OCEANO!
Vote for SHIRLEY GIBSON to end the Varni nightmare. SAVE OCEANO!
Division 1 Candidates
Linda Austin is the right choice for Oceano!
We support Linda Austin for re-election to OCSD Director, Division 1.
Linda is a stalwart supporter of Oceano, a multi-term OCSD Director from a pioneer Oceano family. She has always been a great supporter and promoter of Oceano's wellbeing and way of life.
Linda has vigorously opposed Charles Varni's harmful schemes and stood up for its independence from Grover Beach and the other efforts to give away its water.
She supports and will work with Shirley Gibson and new OCSD Director-elect Kim Rose to re-open and re-activate the Oceano fire house to protect public safety and improve emergency response times.
Linda is very active in our community and is Chair of the South SLO County Sanitation District, Chair of the Vitality Advisory Council of Oceano, and President of the Oceano Depot Association and is dedicated to representing the interests of our residents and businesses.
With the betterment of our community in mind, her focus remains on infrastructure improvements, especially our water system.
Water is Oceano's most valuable asset, and she's committed to ensuring its protection for current and future generations
Linda will continue to be a loyal and committed voice for our community, striving for transparency, financial responsibility, and the protection of the services that make Oceano a great place to live.
Her ability to work with other agencies and strong ties to the community brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the OCSD.
Angela Smith is an unknown in Oceano.
Angela Smith has not provided any information to date on her qualifications or campaign.
Vote for LINDA AUSTIN & SHIRLEY GIBSON to join Director-elect KIM ROSE to a majority that will help end the Varni nightmare!
Vote for LINDA AUSTIN & SHIRLEY GIBSON to join Director-elect KIM ROSE to a majority that will help end the Varni nightmare!
Save Oceano
Paid for by Save Oceano, a Committee to Support Shirley Gibson and Linda Austin for Oceano Community Services District 2024. #1473910.
Not authorized by a candidate or candidate-controlled committee.