Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Loel:
Fellow earth lovers: We can post the horrid truths about Hobbs in www.Yelp.com That's the ratings site tourists use. They won't get erased, and trust me, that's where the hob-nobbing winos go to plan their little weekend outings. So, please tell all your Facebook friends to do the same. This will have long-lasting effects. Thanks!
Good idea, Loel! I've just done that - it's easy - and found comments from Loel and several others which should certainly have an effect.
Roland
05-21-2011, 01:53 PM
Roland Jacopetti
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by claire ossenbeck:
Go where, exactly? I didn't find it on Yelp, if there is something happening there. I went on Fb and "liked" it to get in, which totally creeped me out, but got me nowhere.
Besides, I don't have all day. Isn't today Rapture Day? I guess I'd better get ready.
What to bring, what to bring...
Nice knowin' y'all.
Hi, Claire. I did a search on Yelp for "Paul Hobbs Winery", and quickly found out how to write a review. And, by the way, abandon the packing and go sit in the sun. You and me ain't goin' nowhere.
Roland
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
OK, I found it, on Yelp. I had dialed in Sebastopol. ~ put my 2 cents in.
It's weird to see a house burn. So irrevocable, like an old beautiful tree-cutting, dead and gone. They leave an imprint for a while but we get used to it... and eventually the grapes fill in and... you become inured to the ugliness and try to see whatever beauty you can...
That's the way it has been going, going..
So Yelp will soon be covered. Next step! ?Maybe get some Citizen's Control over our local lands?
Sonoma, I hope we can start protecting you better. This whole area is a park, a treasure. We have a vested interest in keeping the splendor intact. It's what we want here! It's why we live here ~ even with such a high cost of living that many of us remain poor ~ We love it, whether we're natives, transplants, tourists or someone who visits once.
This gorgeous land is being eaten, chunk by chunk by chunk, and paved with metal stakes in the ground [at absurdly perfect geometric spacing, unrelenting linear visuals. Gee, folks, how about a curve here or there, since you took away the beautiful fields and hillsides, valleys and groves... but don't get me started. damaged goods, here. ]
So, we need complete accountability with what went on in this Hobbs/ Jenkel deal? I'll bet you it's interesting reading. (ok maybe not).
Speaking of paperwork, I sure hope they didn't get left behind, you know, by accident in that house they just burned down.
The beehive that is Sebastopol is a might bit stirred up.
This could just be the start of some kick-ass plan.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Roland:
And, by the way, abandon the packing and go sit in the sun. You and me ain't goin' nowhere.
Roland
lol!
Yeah Roland, maybe you're right. I probably shouldn't have dropped all my stuff off at the Goodwill.
Should have kept some shoes, or at least my snappy serapee, just in case.
Hey, maybe I'll see Molly Ivins coming the other way today in the Rapture. I'll be sure to point her towards Sebastopol.
OMG my last afternoon on Earth and I spent it on Wacco!!
I wonder if I'm going to regret that.
-edited again at 4:20.
05-21-2011, 05:03 PM
kit-kit
Re: Training burn
these older homes could have asbestos (pipe insulation, etc.): since asbestos doesn't burn, and is a mineral, the material will be in the soil when they start the grading with the huge machines -- putting the friable asbestos into the air for ALL TO BREATHE IT IN!!!
05-21-2011, 05:05 PM
2Bwacco
Re: Training burn
hoping someone with Jasper's status can help here (since no comments, just a photo, don't know Jasper's sentiment on this situation).
my property is zoned scenic resource, biotic habitat...even though it is diverse ag. i find it hard to fathom that perhaps, i too, could just chop everything down
this is such an atrocity!
05-21-2011, 05:41 PM
Barry
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
The Yelp page for Paul Hobbs Winery is here.
This business has behaved badly, in my opinion, even if it was possibly within the limits of the law.
The public's outrage at such behavior should be expressed and displayed for all to witness.
05-21-2011, 05:43 PM
Claire
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Barry:
This business has behaved badly, in my opinion, even if it was possibly within the limits of the law.
.
How badly? Wouldn't you love to know?
05-21-2011, 05:48 PM
Barry
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by caberens:
Timber harvest. How bogas. They only used short pieces of the very large trees, the rest is in a pile. Wanton waste of a declining resource. Every time I pass I ask forgiveness from our Mother for this ignorance.
Deena
Let me point out that Efren's comments about the plan was for a different property by the same owner. There was no timber harvest plan, as far as I know, for the former Jenkel property, and I imagine one was not needed.
To give credit where it's due, Efren's post reflected that the county was applying extra scrutiny to this other Paul Hobbs project.
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by greenbuddy:
The trees were not around building structures.Let's get it straight. I wonder what the definition on Scenic corridor means exactly? If you have enough money you are exempt from all the applicable rules including those in that impact other people.Why bother.Trees are so messy anyway. I think we could put up billboards of trees and it would be just fine. What is all the fuss about some hundred and fifty plus year old trees that belong to the visual beauty of us all?
Shameless takes on a whole new dimension.So now it is the Ag.Commission and perhaps CalFire's fault, and where does the burden of "DOING THE RIGHT THING" lie Mr.Hobbs and Carrillo? I want to know, and I am not going away.
Please keep the public informed on Jenkels property, boycott Hobbs properties.
05-22-2011, 10:59 AM
Ted Pole
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
I recently stopped drinking wine due to headaches, so boycotting this jerks product won't be difficult, but I'll do what I can to spread the word. Thanks to all of you for keeping the outrage going on this.
:thumbsup::apls::Ball kicker:
05-22-2011, 11:19 AM
Imagery
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Barry:
Let me point out that Efren's comments about the plan was for a different property by the same owner. There was no timber harvest plan, as far as I know, for the former Jenkel property, and I imagine one was not needed.
To give credit where it's due, Efren's post reflected that the county was applying extra scrutiny to this other Paul Hobbs project.
I'm guessing he didn't receive his payoff "contribution" check yet?
05-22-2011, 10:26 PM
ShapeShifter
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
They keep deleting my posts on their facebook page, that is a major faux pas... I keep putting it back. Have you taken any action? :thumbsup::hmmm::heart:
05-23-2011, 11:36 AM
Diesel_Dog
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Since I don't know exactly what Hobbs Winery did or didn't do I will be careful about my lynch mob writing. I would love to know exactly what happened there, as I've said before, but one thing I'm pretty sure of is there's no one offering me 3 acre parcels of West County prime real estate for $1,000. Nope, not in this lifetime.
There is the bigger issue of what is happening to the whole area. West County is stirred up because it's really started to happen here, but these policies are firmly in place all throughout Sonoma County. Trees are gone and vineyards are going in as fast as they can.
It's the elitist thing to do, to have one's own boutique winery in lovely Sonoma County.
Also, this is not just a matter of outsiders coming in and buying up "for the ambiance" they are destroying. The rolling hills on 2 sides of my old dwelling were owned by one of the oldest wine families in the area, with roots over 100 years deep. This is a good family, proud of their heritage, their wines and their legacy. They see nothing wrong with what they did.
Longtime (former) supervisor Paul Kelly (big Ag's pal) was there to support it all, Gallo included, and got voted in time after time.
It's going to take something big to stop this or to even slow it down.
05-23-2011, 02:47 PM
ShapeShifter
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
We are encouraging them to get an environmental plan in place and giving them an opportunity to step it up.. Go check out the page, take the poll, and voice yourself.
Now, they have an option to correct their wrong doings... Let's keep them honest.
05-23-2011, 03:37 PM
dominus
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
The damage is sickening. Vineyards are sprayed with insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides which are highly toxic to the soil, air and water. Additionally, they require water 12 months a year. I can hear the industrial heaters kick in on cold nights for hours on end in the vineyards near our house and they are loud. No amount of public relations can alter these facts. It's amazing that in 2011, a handful of people can destroy the environment and impact any number of people and that's still deemed okay. For all of Sebastopol's progressive views, many of the old conventions still linger.
So here's my question. When is it enough???
05-23-2011, 04:23 PM
kit-kit
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by dominus:
...Additionally, they require water 12 months a year. I can hear the industrial heaters kick in on cold nights for hours on end in the vineyards near our house and they are loud. ...
So here's my question. When is it enough???
i agree whole heartedly with your comments with one exception. I don't think the vines need water when they are dormant, i.e. after harvest, and until spring, no?
the vineyard development done next to my house established a RIVER that heretofore did not exist ... when we had that last torrential rain, it took my breath away to see it ... rushing water, heading for The Laguna, many many gallons per minute!!!!
the sandy Sebastopol loam was rapidly eroding. The vineyard developers did nothing to prevent this.
my house was not built next to a river, but now, there is a river.
Suggestion: perhaps there should be a moratorium time period after acquisition of property before the plants are removed in this fashion. How about a one year period before vineyard development, or since contracts are involved, three to four or five or six years, can't remember the statutes of limitations.
There simply is no going back on this widespread removal of long-established plants. It just is not right.
Our supervisors should make some changes to the PRMD requirements, etc. How about that?
05-23-2011, 05:33 PM
zenekar
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by kit-kit:
i agree whole heartedly with your comments with one exception. I don't think the vines need water when they are dormant, i.e. after harvest, and until spring, no?
the vineyard development done next to my house established a RIVER that heretofore did not exist ... when we had that last torrential rain, it took my breath away to see it ... rushing water, heading for The Laguna, many many gallons per minute!!!!
the sandy Sebastopol loam was rapidly eroding. The vineyard developers did nothing to prevent this.
my house was not built next to a river, but now, there is a river.
Suggestion: perhaps there should be a moratorium time period after acquisition of property before the plants are removed in this fashion. How about a one year period before vineyard development, or since contracts are involved, three to four or five or six years, can't remember the statutes of limitations.
There simply is no going back on this widespread removal of long-established plants. It just is not right.
Our supervisors should make some changes to the PRMD requirements, etc. How about that?
____
The wine industry is big business in Sonoma County. The Supervisors will not act on the rape of the land unless there is pressure on them to do so. Create a petition and gather signatures from registered voters and present it, with media present, at a Supervisors meeting. Make some real noise.
05-23-2011, 08:15 PM
Beverly Schenck
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Stay strong, and stay together on this issue, we can make a difference when were together, Jenkel needs our help now, thank you for your insight,, Beverly
05-23-2011, 08:57 PM
Califoon
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by claire ossenbeck:
It's the elitist thing to do, to have one's own boutique winery in lovely Sonoma County.
Claire, imagine when in 10 or 20 years oil prices make going local the only option for most of us. economy is tight. supplies scarce for most of us, local farms getting more in the city... - The rich will still buy great wine. That could save lives here.
Napa does cabernet just right. We do pinot and chardonnay just right. It is valuable because these grapes will not grow to perfection anywhere else and it is the most phenomenal value-add proposition farming has ever seen. It is thousands of years old as a good idea. It is a brilliant and inventive use of sunlight to create capital. It is a craft. I know it's terrible to see the form of the industrial age superimposed on the land, creating army-men grape-machines lined up....It is a function of our modernity and wealth that we can even see it that way (I do too). The romans didn't suffer that illusion.
I'm not here sticking up for mr Hobbs, as I understand it he burns everybody he comes into contact with, not too unlike the crazy old guy he...never mind. All speculation from there on out. - what I'm saying is let's not smear the wine industry with the patina of this particular turd. This is one guy that did all this, not an industry. Let's find out what happened at the sheriff's office. The Auction is the thing. I smell something and it's not pinot...
Cal
05-23-2011, 11:09 PM
Hotspring 44
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Califoon:
This is one guy that did all this, not an industry.
Cal
Maybe this instance if one is to insist on only the specifics’ of the title of this thread but otherwise, I think that’s just not so.
"Vineyard development is a real threat" to recovery of Gualala steelhead, according to Craig Bell, and is "the last thing I'd want in my watershed." He argued that vineyard threats are cumulative impacts, not due to single vineyards in isolation, but the aggregate effect of many of them in the same watershed. "Worse than a Clearcut" The Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club produced a short video to educate the public and decision-makers about the proposed Preservation Ranch vineyard development project. Mega-vineyard begins quest for permits "Preservation Ranch" is the largest conversion of coastal forestland to vineyards ever proposed in California. If approved, it would transform the rugged and remote landscape of northwestern Sonoma County. "Preservation" Ranch The so-called "Preservation" Ranch is a 19,300 acre development in the heart of the Gualala River watershed. Premier Pacific Vineyards plans to destroy and fragment coastal redwood forest to plant grapes on the ridgetops - and call that "preservation." Preservation" Ranch radio interview
A radio interview with Chris Poehlmann & Peter Baye, broadcast on Fred Adlers' "Coastal Interviews," The Tide, KTDE 100.5 FM, Gualala.
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Hotspring 44:
Maybe this instance if one is to insist on only the specifics’ of the title of this thread but otherwise, I think that’s just not so.
"Vineyard development is a real threat" to recovery of Gualala steelhead, according to Craig Bell, and is "the last thing I'd want in my watershed." He argued that vineyard threats are cumulative impacts, not due to single vineyards in isolation, but the aggregate effect of many of them in the same watershed. "Worse than a Clearcut" The Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club produced a short video to educate the public and decision-makers about the proposed Preservation Ranch vineyard development project. Mega-vineyard begins quest for permits "Preservation Ranch" is the largest conversion of coastal forestland to vineyards ever proposed in California. If approved, it would transform the rugged and remote landscape of northwestern Sonoma County. "Preservation" Ranch The so-called "Preservation" Ranch is a 19,300 acre development in the heart of the Gualala River watershed. Premier Pacific Vineyards plans to destroy and fragment coastal redwood forest to plant grapes on the ridgetops - and call that "preservation." Preservation" Ranch radio interview
A radio interview with Chris Poehlmann & Peter Baye, broadcast on Fred Adlers' "Coastal Interviews," The Tide, KTDE 100.5 FM, Gualala.
Thank you Hotspring, for illustrating the reality of the destruction that the wine industry is causing. Hobbs is not alone in this greedy mindset of making a profit by any means necessary. It's the "American way." Good that there is dialog about vineyards replacing forests and food crops.
Califoon writes: "It is a brilliant and inventive use of sunlight to create capital" Sunlight = capital? Yes, of course, everything is to be commodified. But no matter how "just right" cabernet, pinot and chardonnay are, they don't provide nourishment that healthy farms growing real food do. Grapes are a cash crop and the cash from the expensive pretentious "estate" wines is not trickling down to save schools from closing and teachers being laid off.
05-24-2011, 06:33 AM
Califoon
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
While I appreciate the sierra club movie provided here I think it uses a pretty broad brush. All farms and farmers are not created equal. Check out Lou Preston's or Paul Dolan's fully integrated bio-dynamic vineyards. Joel Salatin raises beef without the horrible stench and bio-chaos that Harris Ranch seems to think is just fine. It's not enough to be reactionary, you've got to look closer at the methods used and deal with shades of gray. Not everyone starts out with Roundup and chainsaws. -Cal
05-24-2011, 08:09 AM
Loel
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Califoon, guys like Lou Preston are a rare exception to the general careless selfishness that has gone into vineyard plantings in Northern California. Not worth mentioning because it's not what's being discussed here! What's being discussed here is blatant LAND RAPE that continues to happen daily. Thank you Zenekar for showing the truth about the Preservation Ranch Mega Land-Kill-Rape. What Paul Hobbs has done is Nothing in comparison to what's about to happen to the Gualala Rivershed. It may be a great rationale to say how lovely our pinots and chardonnays are, however there is NO rationale that justifies the wanton destruction of fragile ecosystems, their ancient trees, and all manner of flora and fauna, for "creating capital with sunlight", and keeping us dependent on foreign oil for bringing in our food. That concept is old, tired, and worn out. So, please take a more modern, clear look at this picture. There are many types of food crops and medicinal herbs that can be grown here, but it will take courageous farmers who are willing to buck the trend that the rich winos have created.
And I use the term 'rich wino' thoughtfully, having worked in a tasting room for many years and witnessing many rich polo-shirted people obviously addicted to alcohol, preferring to discuss 'flavor nuances' and remain oblivious to the harm that wine farming creates.
So, stand up, fellow earth-lovers! Go to those county board meetings! Create petitions for our supervisors!
SHOUT TO SAVE OUR EARTH!!
05-24-2011, 10:49 AM
Peace Voyager
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Hey folks,
I so appreciate you keeping this thread and these issues going.
I was the only speaker at the Board of Supervisors last week; I cannot go today unless I find some money for gas; is there anyone here who would like to assist with that?
As always, I have a lot to contribute to support ways to end the injustice, and as usual, I end up pouring my resources into the issues of others, and not my own; so I am behind on saving myself and moving my plan of action into motion.
Still, the Supervisors need to hear my comments, on what this list has been addressing, and how the new headlines in today's paper of the County's budget cuts could be changed if they stepped up with appropriate actions.
The rape of Jenkel's land began before this 3 arce parcel was cleared; I begged many environmental groups to step in years ago; no one would stand up then. Jenkel would turn me away because I would use my public comment for other issues regarding protection of natural resources. I would not "Lobby" for him as he dictated, because he would not follow the rules for Lobbyist and get us registered; so my precious right of free speech during public comment is free, and my own, as it has been for many years.
Still, I embraced the core issues I agreed with from Jenkel, and made them my own. I ran for US Senate on these issues, with no support from Jenkel, and almost zero support from the local social and environmental folks. At my own expense, I have spent thousands of hours and dollars speaking at many many public meetings, from watershed protection groups, to City, County, and State elected officials and agencies, to ensure we have a balanced plan for water and land use; and we end the appropriations for war without a Constitutional consent for one. All the domestic problems we have are but symptoms of this. Please see my post on The "Defense Authorization" bill now before Congress.
As a result of this 8 years of working for solutions, speaking truth to power; I was raped and could not get law enforcement, or the courts to do what they could to restore justice. I was assaulted a second time by this rapist; and again, the Santa Rosa Police and family law court enabled the rapist to escape justice.
You would think Jenkel would care, but he thinks the rape of his land is more important than the life of a child taken from her mother and given full custody to a drug, child porn, and prostitution addicted rapist. You'd think law enforcement would appreciate the 8 years I have stood up to protect them from the constant budget cuts which reduce their staff, due to funding unconstitutional wars of choice instead.
BTW I called to have a meeting with the County Sheriff Steve Freitas the morning of the most recent auction of Jenkel's property; they would not even call back. I have made progress on getting someone from Sheriff Deputies Union to get a meeting with he, Freitas and I on solving the budget problem and other issues; but again I am out of money to even get there.
A good friend paid a lawyer a lot of money to help me bring the evidence in my case before the judge in a family law trial; I was denied the trial and coerced into something else which was doomed to fail and did. The lawyer was a friend of the judge and did not like that I wanted this judge removed from the bench. The judge knew I was working to do that, but would not recuse himself and made a ruling I cannot overturn without at least $3000. So my child did not get to be with me for Mother's day, and I did not get to even speak with, or see her for her 15th birthday. The rapist threatened to have me arrested just for attending her school play, because he would not be willing to keep away from me during even one of the performances. That play, at Sonoma Academy, as did the previous one, had sexually explicit material in it I did not find suitable for children. This one included the rape of a child as part of the content; there was no moral lesson to be found to counter it either.
The attorney, Jenkel and the rapist know I have had a diagnosis of cancer since 2003, and no health insurance at all since then. They know the stress of the assaults, the stress of my child being in the hands of the assaulter all reverse the progress I have made in keeping the cancer from advancing.
I look everyday, but there aren't jobs out there with enough pay and benefits for someone like me, if I'm wrong please let me know. Working for social and environmental issues, is the only meaningful thing I can do with the time that's left; these critical issues are time sensitive and cannot wait for me to take care of myself first. So I keep trying; even when I'm broke, and even after all the verbal abuse by Jenkel, I keep working to enroll others to stand up for his justice, for our country's.
It's fine if you all want to keep posting things on Facebook, etc. about Hobbs to get the truth out about their practices; but I am compelled to work on the core problems. One of which is how they got the permits in the first place. Barry, your thanks to Efren for his post was uninformed. As I said before, just because they got a permit, does not mean it was legal. Also, I arranged for a meeting with Efren and Jenkel about 2 years ago; Efren assisted Hobbs with this land grab because they helped him win his seat. It's crocodile tears coming from his aide Susan, and phony concern from him. He has heard from Jenkel, and everyone speaking on Jenkel's behalf for years about Hobbs and the court's and Sherrif's abuse of him and his land; but Efren will only work for those who fund his campaign, not the rest of us, or our scenic corridor; unless we show up as a large unified group and begin a recall effort.
The legal eagles in the watershed community could have stopped the land grab, but they turned away, and have turned against me. They could still do more than snap pictures and post comments online. For one, they could review the "studies" Hobbs claims to have done with regard to endangered species on the property - just look how long the developments on the Laguna vista property has been stalled.
As I was waiting for help at the Supervisors office recently; I overheard a call about the over 1 year backlog of reviews for property changes due to staff cuts. The fact that the permit for Hobbs clear cut happened so fast is a very red flag.
I will again be hosting the lawyer from Southern CA I got to sit down with Jenkel a few weeks ago, and see how we can move forward. She is the one who wrote the piece Dead Women Walking posted here last month.
I have 2 more plans for action I want to share with you soon; but Tuesdays have become a holy mission for me to continue to work as a citizen lobbyist for "We the People", working 3 minutes at a time, providing public comment based on the most important content at hand.
I encourage all of you to do the same, as often as possible. I have only seen a reversal of the unjust plans from the powers that be happen only when there is a large number of vocal opponents.
If anyone can help me with gas, I'm happy to plan a carpool.
In peace,
Colleen Fernald
05-24-2011, 11:15 AM
Peace Voyager
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by kit-kit:
i agree whole heartedly with your comments with one exception. I don't think the vines need water when they are dormant, i.e. after harvest, and until spring, no?
They use water for frost protection; the County and growers have failed in providing a plan for mitigating the impacts of this for the fish and well owner which the State finds acceptable. Instead of working for a "watershed" approach for all stakeholders; the stakeholders continue to fight each other; which is why I continue to try to revive the Russian RIver Watershed Council.
There is a group doing certification for "Fish Friendly Farming"; though some have concerns about how well it's done.
When I purchase wine, I ask for those brands which are organic or sustainably grown. I encourage a labeling system or list to help us identify which brands are defenders of the environment and which aren't.
The other problem here is, how much corporate welfare and variety of benefits the County of Sonoma and others are giving the wine grape industry, and how much everything else gets shortchanged, or harmed as a result.
The projections for growth that the Water Agency and City's want in the Urban Water Management Plan being reviewed by the Board of Supervisors today, can only happen if Jesus does come back and is able to turn all that wine back into water. Right now, ask them how much of your municipal water supply, and the rural resident's groundwater is being exported, one wine bottle at a time out of the groundwater recharge here.
Is there enough wine sales and tourism dollar to justify that? How will the tourist feel about our County roads going unpaved because the Supervisors will not speak up against our tax dollars (now trillion dollar debt) bombing the hell out of ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY THEY WANT FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT WITHOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION OF WAR FOR IT!
05-24-2011, 11:23 AM
Barry
Re: Some Pictures of Hobbs's Takeover of the Jenkel Property
The particularly egregious aspects of this Paul Hobbs/Jenkel travesty, as I understand it, is that Paul Hobbs had the gall to sue his neighbor for water (?!) damage to his trees and then got an outrageous judgement against Jenkel who did not choose to have professional representation. He then forced Jenkel to sell his property and he bought it for pennies on the dollar, and then ripped out all the trees
The environmental and esthetic destruction adds insult to injury to his ill gotten gains. This is blatant case of placing greed above justice and respect for his neighbor, community and environment.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Efren Carrillo:
...Scenic Corridor restrictions would not apply in this case because agricultural use is exempt. OSRC-3c specifically exempts “New barns and similar agricultural support structures added to existing farm complexes on parcels in the Diverse Agriculture zoning district” from setback requirements. However, because Hwy 116 is a designated State Scenic Highway, building plans would be subject to Administrative Design Review....
I can't say I support the exception above. It should only apply in this case if Paul Hobbs puts up a "barn or similar support structure" where the trees were. We should keep an eye out for that.
Farmers removing a few non-heritage trees from land (that they acquired with integrity) that is not adjacent to a scenic corridor doesn't seem like that big of a deal. However the conversion of natural land to new agricultural uses, such as "preservation ranch", whether it be for grapes or any other crops, should be strictly controlled. That would be worthy of a new ordinance if there isn't one already. And if the Supes don't have the courage to stand up to the landed gentry to put such controls in place, then I think it would be a good use of public ballot proposition.
I don't think grapes are any better or worse than any other crop, whether they are considered a "cash crop", "food crop" or not. It's a question of responsible eco-sensitive agriculture or not.
