10 Reasons to Save Poway by
Voting YES to Recall Tony Blain
- Councilmember Blain repeatedly enlisted law enforcement to intimidate and silence residents critical of his performance.
- Councilmember Blain threatens anyone who dares disagree with him.
- Councilmember Blain repeatedly urged the City Attorney to sue residents to silence criticism.
- Councilmember Blain schemed to conceal communications from public records requests — corruption thrives in secrecy.
- Councilmember Blain spread false corruption claims against his critics, slandering staff and costing taxpayers dearly.
- Councilmember Blain’s actions created the “Tony Tax” — the largest cost increase by any elected official in Poway’s history — raising everyone’s water bills.
- Councilmember Blain repeatedly encouraged residents to sue the city to deflect from his own misconduct.
- Councilmember Blain bullied civic and volunteer groups to cut ties with people he viewed as opponents.
- Councilmember Blain abused public records requests to dig for personal information about his critics and their families.
- Councilmember Blain behaves like a really bad person
Councilmember Blain repeatedly enlisted law enforcement to intimidate and silence residents critical of his performance.
Poway residents Phil Kissling and Brian Mallow and others spoke out against Councilmember Blain’s conduct. In the emails below, Blain tried to enlist law enforcement to visit these residents—an apparent attempt at intimidation. All were notified of his actions; one stopped all public criticism soon after.
Councilmember Blain threatens anyone who dares disagree with him.
Councilmember Blain threatened residents who were critical of his performance by sending a photo of himself in body armor and describing his firearm.
Councilmember Blain repeatedly urged the City Attorney to sue residents to silence criticism
Poway residents John Mullin, John Couvrette, and Anita Edmonson publicly criticized Councilmember Blain’s behavior. In response, Blain—an elected official—asked the City Attorney to sue them for slander. Would every city attorney have the integrity to refuse such an abuse of power from their own boss?
Councilmember Blain schemed to conceal communications from public records requests — corruption thrives in secrecy.
In this screenshot, Councilmember Blain instructs others to use the encrypted “Signal” app—an apparent effort to hide potentially illicit or corrupt activity. What is he hiding? Secret land or development deals? Is he using his office for personal gain?
The City of Poway is suing Councilmember Blain to force the release of his electronic communications related to city business. He has reportedly refused to comply. Public records indicate the city may now seek to recover its legal costs directly from him.
Councilmember Blain spread false corruption claims against his critics, slandering staff and costing taxpayers dearly.Councilmember Blain sent emails to elected officials across California accusing City Attorney Fenstermacher, City Manager Hazeltine, and Mayor Vaus of corruption—without a shred of evidence. In his own text messages, he admits he has none. As an elected official, his reckless and libelous claims expose Poway taxpayers to costly legal liability—paid through their taxes and water bills.
From the HR investigation of Tony Blain's behavior:
Councilmember Blain’s actions created the “Tony Tax” — the largest cost increase by any elected official in Poway’s history — raising everyone’s water bills.
Councilmember Blain harassed multiple city staff members, triggering over $250,000 in HR investigations. More than 2,000 pieces of evidence confirmed his misconduct. According to council statements in open session, total costs could exceed $1 million—money taken from Poway residents through higher water bills and cuts to essential services like law enforcement, fire protection, and parks. This is the “Tony Tax”: higher costs, fewer services, and a community forced to pay for one man’s behavior.
Councilmember Blain repeatedly encouraged residents to sue the city to deflect from his own misconduct.
Shown below, Councilmember Blain urges residents to skip normal channels of resolution and go straight to suing the city. Under his influence, Poway now faces more simultaneous lawsuits than at any time in its history. Each one drives up legal costs—costs paid by residents through their taxes and water bills. Once again, the community bears the burden of Councilmember Blain’s recklessness.
Councilmember Blain bullied civic and volunteer groups to cut ties with people he viewed as opponents.
In the email below, Councilmember Blain tries to shut out residents who criticized him—pressuring community groups like the Kiwanis and the Poway Chamber of Commerce to cut ties with them. He’s not just targeting individuals; he’s undermining the spirit of civic engagement that defines Poway.
Councilmember Blain abused public records requests to dig for personal information about his critics and their families.
For those who ask questions about him, he tries to get
access to personal records.
Public Records Request by Tony Blain attempting to get access to information on a person who performed a publics records request regarding Tony Blain's activities.
When city staff refuse to carry out his improper or illegal requests, Councilmember Blain reportedly searches for “dirt” to use as leverage against them. Insiders say Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman—once expected to become Poway’s next City Manager—grew exhausted by the harassment and instead accepted the top position in Santee. (After this blog was published, sources claimed her decision was unrelated to Blain’s conduct, though that explanation remains unverified)
Public Records Request by Tony Blain
Below is what appears to be an act of coercion against Councilmember Maeda—Blain filed a public records request seeking private information about her underage daughter. Was this an attempt to pressure or influence her vote on a land deal?
Public Records Request by Tony Blain
Councilmember Blain behaves like a really bad person.
The public records from his first divorce appear to show uncontested sworn testimony that he beat his (ex)wife in front of their children because she did not do the dishes on
time. (court case D526368)
