Setting up this new website provided the option of creating a short “catch phrase” to accompany the website’s name. This posed an interesting question: Why have I been writing since late 2004 about the Lake Don Pedro community and the forces that have greatly influenced this area?
We’ll get to that in a moment but first I owe you an explanation as to this website’s hiatus for a few months, the new format, and absence of over five years of research and posting. Although backups exist, time, effort, and the inevitable loss of hard drive space encourage me to just move forward from this point forward. We can resurrect the past activity when necessary.
AHRC AND THE JOURNEY OF UNDERSTANDING
When I first started to understand some of the political complexities of this area (an ongoing process) I discovered an online organization called AHRC, The American Homeowners’ Resource Center. Home and property owners across the nation wrote to AHRC with questions, comments, and indeed horror stories of experiences with their CIDs (Common Interest Developments). A common theme of these communications regarded the reasonable concept of property owners determining the future course of their investments and how such a concept could be so completely perverted by others – often companies and corporations with their own financial special interests at heart.
$1,300 for a $20 LIST
I started posting my comments on AHRC about the Lake Don Pedro Owners Association and what I was learning about the domination of this community by two local real estate businesses in co-operation with a multi-million dollar land development corporation based in the Bay Area. When I attempted to secure a membership list of owners as clearly permitted under Davis-Stirling (California Civil Code governing CIDs) the board at the time (spearheaded by a local real estate business owner who cannot obtain a real estate broker’s license due to past Department of Real Estate violations) simply refused to obey the law forcing me to either give up on the idea of contacting other members by “snail-mail” or going to court. I chose court.
Next thing you know legal material is being mailed to me with deadlines for responses and a court dates. I consulted an attorney to make sure all my paperwork was in order, went to court by myself, and was victorious but learned a very big lesson about winning in court. The Tuolumne County Superior Court Judge did not award attorney fees so my victory of obtaining what the law quite clearly said I had a right to anyway actually cost me around $1,300 out of my house construction fund. What a deal huh?
[Just think, every single LDPOA member pays for our legal representation, yet our attorneys at the time were being used by special interests on the LDPOA board to prevent members from receiving something the law stated they had a right to acquire. What a racket!]
POSTED THE STORY
Needless to say I was quite vocal about that matter on AHRC. After writing for a while on that website, which was represented in every one of the 50 states, I was contacted by them and presented with the proposition of starting my own website. I explained I was not familiar with computers and all that stuff, and essentially computer/website illiterate, but when offered free use of the software (only had to pay for the domain name), server and storage space as an affiliate of AHRC, LAKEDONPEDRO.ORG was born.
ATTEMPT TO SILENCE CREATED WEBSITE
You know, I’ve often laughed to myself at how this website was created. If those Special Interests on the LDPOA Board had simply sold me a $20 membership list with thousands of names on it in the first place, the time and expense for paper, ink, envelopes, and postage would have kept me busy for a very, very long time. Their intended “gotcha” of intentionally violating the law to conceal their highly unethical activities only gave birth to a different media with the capability of displaying photographs.
LAKEDONPEDRO.ORG continued for over five years as an affiliate of AHRC. I stopped posting for a few months after learning of another Mariposa County Grand Jury inquiry into CSD operations believing to do otherwise might somehow compromise their inquiry. Shortly before the creation of this new website I discovered AHRC no longer existed and I had lost free use of the software program and server. Clicking a LAKEDONPEDRO.ORG icon only referenced a blank page and we all know what a wonderful and fulfilling experience that is.
NO HUG OR KISS GOODBYE
No pre-warning notice. No hint of shutting down. One day LAKEDONPEDRO.ORG was there, the next: “WEBPAGE CAN NOT BE FOUND”, Evidently the last renewing of server fees and such for AHRC was in 2007 for four years – then in mid 2011 – PRESTO! AHRC and all its affiliates dropped off the internet.
A VERY GOOD RUN
AHRC for many years provided a sounding board for owners across America to express their opinions regarding one of the most common major investments a person can make – purchase of property and/or a home. Yet often this purchase is tied to a contract involving a system of management and government which provides untold opportunities for the dishonest and unethical. AHRC was instrumental in educating buyers and sellers as to some of the pitfalls of owning property in a Common Interest Development. AHRC cautioned people to think very carefully about investing in an organization where you give up many of your rights and must abide by decisions of fellow owners whether or not they had the experience, education, or even basic integrity for the position. [Frankly, I am almost to the point of believing there should be some form of competency examination.]
Ahhhh, memories, …just think how much we as owners have benefitted from the efforts of so many others who refused to idly set back and watch corruption flourish in their Associations and communities. The law is continually updated and new laws written in an attempt to close the “grey areas” in which so many without ethics or morals seem to operate. They play, the public pays. What a sweet racket for the dishonest. Well goodbye AHRC and all of you affiliates across the nation – you served well and encouraged others to stand up and oppose those who prey upon the innocent. Caveat emptor my friends, “Buyer Beware”. Yup, everything has its time but inevitably dies giving birth to something else.
GIVE THE GOVERNMENT PROCESS A CHANCE
SO ANYWAY, I had intended not to post anything while waiting for some kind of public acknowledgement as to what may or may not result from the Grand Jury referral of information to the Mariposa County District Attorney’s Office. I was very disappointed about AHRC and its other affiliates but had already scheduled the “down time”. I had someone redirect the site information and put together this basic website that will hopefully get better as I learn the software.
Unfortunately, the stepped-up unethical activities by others has caused me to re-evaluate this course of action as it only seems to encourage even more outrageous behavior by those with apparent and absolute contempt for law, regulations, and appropriate public behavior.
Question: Why does this occur?
Answer: Because law and regulations conflict with what they wish to achieve.
Why a Recall now?
Answer: Who knows, but evidently this small and organized group is quite concerned about the distinct possibility that a board vacancy may open due to some sort of misconduct or criminal activity of a sitting director. Not just any director, but one who has unequivocally supported real estate and land development interests in this area for a long time. Naturally, that in itself is not inappropriate, but when it is contrary to the majority of owners/customers interest and violates the law, we have a problem.
WAIT JUST A MINUTE THERE…
Rather than taking the position, as the former LDPOA Board did by not aggressively campaigning against the first “cartoon recall” by Thomas Porter and hoping the community would see through the sham, I refuse to step back and watch this group once again deceive and confuse this community with their all too familiar propaganda. I realize this information only reaches a small number of customers and that the most promising hope for this community was the NEW DISCOVERER but I also know it was conveniently turned back into a minimal newsletter devoid of important issues affecting this community by this same group.
SAME OLD MODUS OPERANDI (Method of Operation)
Established rules are obstacles to their plans of personal and business financial gain. They cannot defend their past activities or current erratic positions with truth, logic, or the facts so they resort to board meeting disruption complete with personal attacks, false accusations, and outright lies hurled at those who do not agree and question their activities.
Question: What is their position again?
Answer: Demanding special benefits for themselves that are simultaneously detrimental to the district and the overwhelming majority of ratepayers who have little knowledge as to what is happening within a Community Services District they must financially support.
[Side Note: I still find it absurd that “out of area owners” pay availability fees for future water yet usually cannot vote in district elections due to voting registration requirements of the respective counties, while at the same time others here locally are considered within the district boundary and CAN VOTE even though they receive NO WATER and DO NOT PAY a thin dime to help support this CSD.
Does it make sense that non-stakeholders vote in district elections?
WHAT DOES THIS GROUP REALLY WANT?
Well, let’s start off with what they have already proven they do not want:
They do not want directors who take the time to read the water related periodicals like CSDA (California Special Districts Association), ACWA (Association of California Water Agencies), RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Corporation), etc. and participate in FREE online training classes to better educate themselves regarding water related issues.
They do not want directors who take an interest in what MID Water License 11395 states about where Lake McClure water can be legally used.
They do not want directors who question unethical behavior or misconduct by others, especially a director they steadfastly support. [The audio tape of that “rent-a-mob” (or SO GOSIP- Same Old Group of Special Interest People) meeting clearly documents the crowd yelling they did not care that Vicki Keefe may have violated CSD policy…..”WE CAN LIVE WITH IT!”]
They do not want directors who ask questions about the many years of significantly under billed water consumption at the Lake Don Pedro Waste Water Facility that just happens to serve Tom Porter and/or The Deerwood Corporation’s golf course, residential, and unimproved properties around the course. [A county designated special benefit sewer zone.]
THEY WANT WHAT?
They only want directors who will “rubber stamp” whatever flavor of the day water resource they require for their property concerns.
They want directors without the integrity to stand up and say “NO”
They want directors who when told to “JUMP!” – only ask “how high?” while hovering in the air.
They want complete domination and control over this area for their financial benefit.
They create dysfunction and turmoil at meetings with spurious accusations and insults then claim recall of their “director targets” as a reasonable solution to the controversy.
NOT ALL WHO OBJECT ARE DISCOURTEOUS
Please do not confuse honestly presented information, even if emotionally augmented, with being in the aforementioned group. There are many customers (and potential customers) who have made good arguments before the board that were passionate, articulate and well-presented without disrespect to anyone. Most obey the opening meeting request to use the podium and have the fortitude to address the podium properly and state their case even though public speaking isn’t all that enjoyable for most of us.
They don’t sit in the audience from the comfort of their chair barking comments, insults, and accusations choreographed just at the right time to interrupt and distract from another’s recognized turn to speak.
THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATION
“Board members should stop publishing documents privately (e.g., blogs) that do not promote or represent the Districts interest as a whole.”
Two sitting directors currently have blog web sites (another a “Ranching in Don Pedro column in the Foothill Express), one website is filled with a host of “anonymous comments” with accusations, nasty inuendos, and absolute lies. The other is LAKEDONPEDRO.ORG where I (Lew Richardson) do not hide behind “anonymous” (any mouse) spewing hatred and disrespect for regulations, the law, or other individuals. I stand by what I write and always will.
The Grand Jury obviously does not appreciate the fact this community has suffered from a lack of accurate and unbiased reporting for many years and this failure continues today.
How could any legitimate article about a public business meeting of the CSD leave out the little fact their Foothill Express author Mr. “Ranching In Don Pedro” Emery Ross himself, in yet another public display of childish tantrums and lack of control, tossed the gavel across the board table and resigned?
NOTE: For those of you at home keeping score, I count three separate resignations thus far by Mr. Ross (but of course the day is still young):
- As a director completely immediately after being elected in 2005 without even attending his first official board meeting,
- March 21st, 2011, as president, when he tossed the gavel, and,
- May 9th, 2011 upon recommendation of the Mariposa County Grand Jury after an interview with the CSD Board and GM on May 5th, 2011.
The descriptive title “Resignation Ross” appears to have been earned.
Is truthful information about the conduct of your elected representatives in the “Districts interest as a whole?” I believe so.
PLEASE LEW! NOT SUCH LONG BLOGS!
I’ve been advised many times by viewers that they would prefer to have multiple short blogs rather than rambling novellas, so, with that suggestion in mind, let’s put this one to bed by returning to the initial subject:
Question: Why have I spent so many years writing about the Lake Don Pedro community?
Answer: ANYTHING VALUABLE REQUIRES PROTECTION
My best to you and yours, Lew
— NEWS FLASH —
Evidently yesterday there was a “Recall Bill and Lew from the CSD Rally” at (of all places) Tom Porter’s Deerwood Corporation sales office on Merced Falls Road. The WHO’S WHO of the Special Interest Fan Club were present along with people who were curious about Porter’s second recall of a duly elected local board.
IF ANYONE attended this meeting in hopes of hearing some truth, well, you were misled once again by the same people and for the same reasons.
COWBOY UP EMERY
It is no secret that Emery Ross has wanted to be a Mariposa County Supervisor for some time now and desperately hopes name recognition will somehow springboard him into such position someday. Apparently it is immaterial whether that name recognition is positive or negative.
I have been advised on good authority that Emery Ross at yesterday’s meeting indicated he would run for the Mariposa County District II Supervisor position because…….(are you ready for the newest Emery whopper?)
I was planning on running?
Seems to me this little cowboy has instigated yet another unnecessary stampede and trampling of the truth by the ever gullible Porter Supporters with yet one more piece of false information. In other words,
“Resignation Ross” is full of what his bovines routinely deposit on the ranch.
FIGUEROA IS RUNNING!
NO – LEW RICHARDSON IS RUNNING!
WAIT! WHO IS THAT IN THE SHADOWS BEHIND THE TREE?
ARE THEY RUNNING?
You know, it was just a couple of meetings ago when Mr. Jesse Figueroa addressed the board concerning his request for emergency fire suppression water for a development he would like to pursue at the intersection of Bonds Flat Road and HWY 132. During Figueroa’s presentation I found it totally inappropriate that Emery Ross would have the audacity to question him about whether he (Figueroa) was considering running for the District II position.
WHAT?
What did that have to do with Figueroa’s request for water service?
What did that have to do with district business?
What business is it of Emery’s what that gentleman’s political aspirations may or may not be?
Why did Emery run for the CSD Board and then the SDRMA Board in Sacramento?
Emery Ross appears to be more concerned, to the point of paranoia, that someone might challenge his dream position of respect when he should be focused on some of the serious problems his “leadership” has created here at our CSD and where he has already taken an oath of service.
More later.
MBTYAY, Lew
