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HOT NEWS - Uncensored!
“Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson
Civil Service Commission Report for 2008 Falls Short of Regulation 130 Powers
February 2, 2009 - The Board of Supervisors again falls short in their duties by approving such narrow parameters for the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Regulation 130 is broad, so as to enforce State laws requiring that the Personnel Dept. and Union guarantee tax payers that County staff are legitimately trained and certified in their positions. This report confirms that no such service is being provided by this irresponsible CSC board. Read the narrow report.
Laurie Hill and Mike McDougall misled the CSC at the January 15, 2009, meeting with falsified documents listing nameless staff attempting to create the illusion of some certifications. Only one certification exists at the respected International Code Council in Sacramento. A second staffer just passed their exam. Tom Burns remains uncertified, plan examiners remain uncertified and code compliance remains uncertified.
Laurie Hill also made an erroneous statement to the CSC that the other recognized certification entity, the CACEO, for code enforcement personnel is "defunct". They are not defunct and their records show no county employee with certification. The entire Planning Department can be outsourced for half the cost and be run by licensed contractors and lawyers! Why is the County charging property owners $145 per hour for untrained and unlicensed personnel wreaking havoc on them with their extortionary premeditated actions? A new lawsuit claiming the County Supervisors and Planning Dept. commits RICO violations and County Counsel lies will be filed by the end of the month.
Ellen Pirie, Supervisor, Demoted from Chair Supervisor and Knocked Off Other Boards.
January 28, 2009 - Property owners have been protesting for most of 2007 and 2008 to remove Ellen Pirie from her position based on documented serious breaches of her oath of office, violations of Constitutional law and State and Federal laws. (See editorial below and read Court Cases). When citizens try to meet with her she avoids them, does not respond to correspondence or assumes the politically wrong position of an Agenda 21 devotee. Historical and present nepotism with husband, Terry Hancock, remain as well. Pirie has repeatedly appointed Hancock to the Planning Commission directly below the Supervisors. Both Pirie and Hancock attend the Transportation Commission meetings and recently Pirie appointed herself to that Commission.
Read today's news story by Kurtis Alexander, Reporter for the Sentinel, for some "karmic" balance beginning to take place. Citizens are tired of corrupt politicians and say this is long overdue and Ellen Pirie and Terry Hancock should resign from all positions. Read more.
Santa Cruz County "Bait and Switches" Soquel Fire Victims
December 30, 2008 - Kevin Fitzpatrick, uncertified Code Compliance Investigator, met with fire victims Fox and Frank Sloane after a ten year battle to get their State approved pre-fab home, foundation and electricity permits. Fitzpatrick tricked the Sloane's into believing he was going to resolve the County unlawful issues against them and guided them to NOT attend their court hearing this morning. In turn, Tamyra Rice, County Counsel, showed up in Judge Burdick's courtroom using their lack of attendance as a "default" and proceeded against the Sloane's.
California Codes of Civil Procedure 656 et seq allows for a new trial. The Sloane's have been living without electricity for approximately ten years and have been harassed with false violations continuously from the Planning Dept. uncertified Director, Tom Burns, and uncertified Code Compliance Planner Manager, Ken Hart. Burns is now being referred to by property owners as "Burning Mad" and Hart is being referred to as "Hartless".
Federal Prosecutor to Investigate County of Santa Cruz with State and Federal Entities
December 5, 2008 - Due to the massive corruption ring running Santa Cruz County a thorough investigation is being planned and charges could be filed against the Board of Supervisors individually, County Counsel, the CAO - Susan Mauriello, Tom Burns, Planning Director, Assistant Directors and Ken Hart, Code Enforcement.
Tom Burns' Planning Department Protest Hearings Called Unlawful by Judge Burdick
November 18, 2008 - Paul Carrick, Santa Cruz County property owner, under tremendous pressure, has pursued his constitutional right to a court trial and to invalidate false violations filed against him. Carrick prevailed today with Judge Burdick stating that Tom Burns' Planning Dept. and Code Compliance internal protest hearings are unlawful. County Counsel, Tamyra Rice, finally admitted to Judge Burdick that the protest hearings are not due process by responding with, "I understand". Glenda Hill who has been in charge of these illegal hearings is also not a licensed attorney, which the Protest Hearing position requires, per County ordinance 1.20.070. Her position is now questionable to survive.
This is a major win for citizens and their property rights which have been obstructed and violated without access to an independent board, committee or commission to resolve Planning Dept. wrong doings and misinterpretations of codes and laws. Since 1976 the public has been obstructed from access to and without relief from appeals boards or due process.
Judge Burdick also stated that County Ordinance 1.05.050, time limitation of 90 days for legal action is unlawful and is being used to entrap innocent property owners. They proceed to entrap by withholding their letter of determination for 90 days to convict and intimidate the uninformed public.
It has been discovered that most County personnel in the Planning Dept. and Code Compliance are uncertified and their deputizing process is criminal, making them "impersonators of civil servants". As impersonators they therefore have not taken oaths for their office, as they are not official. Impersonating a civil servant carries a penalty of one year in prison. Tom Burns is an uncertified, impersonating Building Official, uncertified Ken Hart, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Jacob Rodriguez, Kathleen Salazar, Aaron Landry and Laura Madrigal are impersonating code compliance personnel, and staff planners are impersonating plan examiners. These uncertified and untrained personnel have unleashed thousands of intimidations, threats and false Notices of Violation on the public (approved by Tom Burns) that should now automatically be expunged. Shouldn't these imposters running such a crime ring be in prison? The Board of Supervisors led by Ellen Pirie operate as a crime syndicate, in our well studied opinion.
ELLEN PIRIE AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ALONG WITH TOM BURNS, CONTINUE TO DENY ACCESS TO APPEALS BOARDS
November 18, 2008 - Today was another day of incompetent governance. Since 1976 the citizens of Santa Cruz County have not had access to independent due process with Housing, Building and Local appeals boards. Even though a smidgen of advertising for board appointees will be made after six months of protest requests from property rights groups and the professional community, Ordinance 12.10 and 12.12 still remain unlawfully worded in defiance of State California Building Code 108.8.3 mandated by higher government. The CBC states one can appeal for any decision, order or determination. This will in the end cost the County hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to pay for damages from the coming lawsuits from wronged parties. What a way to waste our collected tax dollars. Those subjected to the Notice of Violation process and/or the wrongful assignment designation of most permits as discretionary, which are legally ministerial in nature, continue to be denied access to any appeals board to resolve wrongful determinations by Tom Burns, Director of the Planning Dept., who himself is an uncertified and untrained building official. This is the uneducated and blind leading the blind.
On another subject from the County Treasurer, Keeley actually believes and stated that Freddie and Fannie are safe investments. Read our Financial Freedom tab to be in the know.
Board of Supervisors and County Counsel Ignore State Statutes. Supervisors violate Oaths of office in discharging duties and non-allegiance to U.S. and State Constitutions.
COUNTY IGNORES OWN ORDINANCES 2.38.210 and 2.38.270
October 20, 2008 - Discovery of expired Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals appointees (since 2002) and non-existent Housing Board of Appeals would have been easy for the Board of Supervisors to discern from this important List per Ordinance 2.38.210. Also, any unethical nepotism would have shown up more easily or the holding of more than one commission or committee seat which is not allowed. Look at the 2003 report listing showing vacancies on the BFCBA. The 2002, 2204 -2008 reports do not mention the completely vacant board at all. Wouldn't you think at least one of the Supervisors, perhaps the Chair Supervisor, Ellen Pirie in charge of these matters, notice the BFCBA not functioning? Read Ordinance 2.38.210
In addition, Ordinance 2.38.270 section C 1 b. states Building Appeals Boards have authority.
"C. For the purposes of this section, the following boards, commissions and committees shall be deemed to possess decision-making authority:
1. Boards:
b. Building appeals board;"
Appeal Boards by State Statute can rectify the wrongs of the County Planning Dept, Code Compliance, Board of Supervisors, and County Administrator, if they were allowed to exist all this time. Instead our civil rights have been violated in AppealGate. You may qualify to join in group lawsuits, financed by a generous out of area individual, to recoup wrongful taking of your money/fees/liens and property loss. Contact Editor.
ARE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ SUPERVISORS, AND PLANNING DEPT. GUILTY OF GOVERNMENT CODE 1027 FOR RED TAG "SNITCH SYSTEM"? October 10, 2008 - "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." - Sir Walter Scott
Are the documented County acts violating our liberty, freedom, and constitutional rights, acts of Communism or just deception and lawlessness? Government Codes 1027.5 and 1028 protect citizens constitutional and property rights from communism through March 23, 2008. The County's collective actions taken against thousands of property owners are developing into a portrayal of activities described in this code that was law until March 24, 2008 (repealed 1027.5 and the word communism from 1028 on March 24, 2008 in SB1322). If you have experienced Marxism, Leninism or Stalinism from this County prior to March 24, 2008, please contact editor. Read codes 1027.5 and 1028.
SUPERVISORS TRY TO DEFY ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE October 8, 2008 - At the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting more manipulation was experienced. The Board split the public comment period to 2:40PM after only allowing 30 minutes at 9AM, the usual time. This out of sequence time split forced citizens to wait five hours to speak. In addition, Chair Ellen Pirie, Coonerty, Beautz and Stone remained deliberately indifferent to protests that the Board was not meeting requirements of "independent citizens" to be selected to the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals. The appeal boards have collectively been oppressed by the Board of Supervisors along with the Planning Dept., Code Compliance, County Counsel and Administrator for almost seven years. This extreme official oppression has denied tens of thousands their civil right to due process. Continued protests for Tom Burns and Ellen Pirie to resign were made. The Board has also not advertised widely for appointees as promised at the September 9, 2008, meeting.
A very serious discovery that the Planning Dept. and Code Compliance do not have any certified building inspection/official on staff, as mandated by law, was publicly disclosed by Claire Machado, Land Consultant and Director of Alliance for Change. A confirmation was made by on-leave, Code Compliance Investigator, Vince Lo Franco.
Also, Dana McRae, County Counsel, stated, "There are no appeals at this time." This is another false statement made by her. There have been appeals made since 2002 that remain unheard and appeals filed as recently as October 3, 2008. The County continues to try to minimize what they have pulled off - the biggest scandal in Santa Cruz's history. This scandal is being exposed day by day in many ways, so their days are numbered and recourse is available for two years to citizens. The Alliance for Change has noticed the largest daily newspapers absent of informing the public about what has and is truly happening to property owners in this County. To rectify this, documentaries, mailings and YouTube videos are being produced. The national documentary covering this County's corruption, ethics disregard and condoned nepotism titled, Living The American Nightmare, finished filming at the Sam Farr town meeting that was held tonight in Watsonville.
CODE COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT BY BURNS AND HART DEFIANT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 17995, LIMITING VIOLATIONS TO MAX $1,000. RED TAGS ILLEGAL TO USE. October 2, 2008 - Witnesses are seeing that property owners are continuing to be intimidated by Jacob Rodriquez and Kevin Fitzpatrick on team visits with Ken Hart, Manager of Code Compliance. With the blessing of Tom Burns, Director, they are ignoring preemptive State Uniform Housing Codes, California Building Codes, and Health & Saftey Codes, let alone the numerous precedent new laws set by court rulings. They flash and impose Notices of Violations and record them on properties if one does not agree with them. The County is notorious for violating the higher statutes, so courageous citizens have banned together to protect their own through the Alliance for Change. Please read the Health & Safety Code 17995 to see the limit placed on the Planning Dept. and Code Compliance. This overrides the County's local ordinances that disobey the higher laws and are not being updated. The County cannot impose penalties and fines and red tags as their history shows they have done. The Alliance for Change is now making the entire Notice of Violation list, from 1978 to date, available to out of county attorneys to discover and correlate evidence for multiple large lawsuits to reform the county and compensate harmed property owners and fire victims.
SUPERVISORS AND PLANNING COMMISSION NOT SEPARATE. PIRIE 2001 LETTER APPOINTING SPOUSE FOUND ALTERED ON SUPERVISORS AGENDA WEBSITE PAGE TODAY.
September 25, 2008 - Further to the findings of nepotism at the top in our government in the Metro Page 13 political editorial advertisement, two Planning Commissioners are direct assistants to Supervisor Coonerty and Supervisor Campos! Rachel Dann works for Neal Coonerty and Gustavo Gonzales, Chair Commissioner, works for Campos. (See Clerk's email at end of next paragraph listing who is who.) Combine this with the information below and what have the citizens of Santa Cruz County ended up with . . . . . .? Time for change.
Terry Hancock, a local lawyer, is an alternate to the Planning Commission and also known as "Mr. Pirie". Terry Hancock was appointed directly by his wife, Ellen Pirie, Chair Supervisor, on January 23, 2001, on the record as Consent Agenda Item 34. Here is the original letter intact that connected the two with the same home address. Thanks to G. Richard Arnold for detecting this. Here is the tampered letter discovered today that was switched by someone on the Board of Supervisors Official Agenda webpage - has Ellen Pirie's signature on it in a different place than the original and the (B) left for the phone number, too. There is no disclosure of their relationship. "Mr. Pirie" Hancock is still an alternate for the Planning Commission - recently confirmed by a revealing email from the County Clerk. See this email.
Would most people think this unethical and in conflict? Who may have been affected by this? Has anyone heard of Supervisors recusing themselves in Planning Commission matters that come before them? Are citizens' appeal rights effected here? The Supervisors are by law required to hear appeals from citizens dissatisfied with the Planning Commission and the Planning Dept. when no appeal board exists . . . none have legally existed or functioned to date. See documents signed by Ellen Pirie showing County awareness but deliberate indifference to notify citizens (appointment letter and annual report). What are the results of these relationships? Is any of this questionable or illegal? Why is the Planning Commission webpage devoid of who they are? Why doesn't anyone know where their office is located?
Just to be safe and preserve potential evidence, here is the family photo on Pirie's supervisor personal information webpage not disclosing even Terry's last name. Also, we have preserved the Santa Cruz County Bar webpage showing "Mr. Pirie" - Terry Hancock as President-elect. Notice Christine McGuire, who is under Hancock here, works at the DA's office. When will the DA begin an investigation into this County? Haven't other government officials in California been forced to resign this year due to nepotism and other charges? Wait, there's more if one pays close attention. The County Counsel has Tamyra Rice under Hancock at the Santa Cruz County Bar as well. So, if this has been put together right, the Supervisors and the Planning Commission and the Santa Cruz County Bar and the DA's office are all interconnected with these close relationships? With Susan Mauriello's signature on most documents, where does Susan Mauriello, County Administrator, fit in? What about Dana McRae, County Counsel, and other Counsel? Are they the go betweens for the Supervisors and the Planning Dept. Director Tom Burns? Is this proper separation of power? Why hasn't at least the the Civil Service Commission or the head of county personnel cleaned this up?
(October 7, 2008 - received the original file stamped letter of Ellen Pirie appointing husband, Terry Hancock to the Planning Commission. Nepotism is not allowed by the Civil Service Commission nor his sitting on multiple commissions, which Hancock is doing.)
PIRIE, MAURIELLO, BURNS, LEE, McRAE - ACCOMPLICES IN BIGGEST COUNTY SCANDAL IN HISTORY?
September 24, 2008 - A revealing report was supplied by a citizen attending the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday. Strong demands were made that these county employees resign. Allegations were repeated that they have lost the publics confidence and misrepresent the law resulting in harming and defrauding the public of as much as a half-billion dollars. Insiders begin to speak out. Read why.
ELLEN PIRIE LEADS SUPERVISORS DOWN SLIPPERY SLOPE WITH APPEALS BOARD NOMINEES.
September 23, 2008 - The biggest scandal in Santa Cruz County history is unfolding before our very eyes. Chair Supervisor Ellen Pirie has surrounded herself with a web of people willing to disadvantage citizens at almost any cost, even puppetizing the long hidden Building Appeals Board with her repeat choices. Unworthy and undeserving, they were nominated today by Pirie and the board, disregarding strong public outcry not to. Good qualified candidates were not interviewed and were even blacklisted. The Supervisors failed to keep their word to broadly advertise for applicants. Ellen Pirie reiterated when asked that the nominations period is closed. The public is astonished since no broad advertisements were printed or aired. Was this to make it easy to limit for Pirie and Beautz to only select their own repeat choices?
No word yet of the nonexistent Housing Appeals Board also required by the State. Stay tuned.
Tampering at many levels in the Planning Dept. and Code Compliance was confirmed by two ex-personnel, Claire Machado and Vince Lo Franco. They invalidated Susan Mauriello's response to the latest Grand Jury report. The report contains few justified findings or truth and citizens objected to the Boards blind acceptance. A common occurrence unfortunately for all citizens. There are more insiders turning over by the month, which is very helpful to the suffering citizens. Delusional minds always make mistakes and have weak spots; the unraveling of the web of deception is very apparent for all to see. There is plenty to go around to serve up the last chapter of this story and it is being told to the media, courts and Federal agencies.
DANA McRAE, TOM BURNS, DAVID LEE, KEN HART AND ALL SUPERVISORS IGNORE GOVERNOR'S ORDER TO HELP FIRE BURN VICTIMS.
September 23, 2008 - Fire burnt property owners were not notified of the emergency declaration S-08-08 by the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, that they are exempt from fees and regulations due to their hardship. A special exemption for Santa Cruz County is included inside the document. Why then is the Planning Dept. charging fees, delaying permits and posting Notices of Violations on their properties with the blessing of Pirie, Burns, McRae and Hart? This county continues to delude itself that they have powers outside of superior higher laws by the State and Federal governments. Burn victims please make contact for a joint lawsuit. Editor.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES CAN BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR DAMAGES
September 21, 2008 - The name of the law is the Civil Rights Act. It is a Federal law found in 42 USCA 1983 or 42 USCA 1985. It allows for a lawsuit against local government officials or employees who deny civil rights to citizens.
Conspiracy to violate the civil rights of citizens is 42 USC section 1985(3). Santa Cruz County has thousands of citizens that qualify for restitution and recourse. When one finds that their civil rights have been violated, a new two year time allowance begins for legal action. Many qualify from the county nondisclosure of and non functioning Building or Housing Appeal Boards, the outdated or erroneous ordinance wording and restrictions, and narrowing of higher statutes counties are to follow to the T and ignored precedent court cases or lost cases by the county - that have not been incorporated into their operations. Read the law.
COUNTY VIOLATES CONSTITUTIONAL FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF CITIZENS WHEN NEGOTIATING WITH ELLEN PIRIE, TOM BURNS . . .
September 15, 2008 - It has been known the Supervisors, including Chair Supervisor Ellen Pirie, and the Planning Dept. director, Tom Burns and others, communicate directly, not at public venues - even though the law requires separation. Ellen Pirie, Tom Burns and Ken Hart offer trades to property owners consisting of violating the citizens First Amendment rights to freedom of speech to the media. The same has happened to county staff being told to not speak to the press or your job is on the line . . . A current trade is going on to not record a bogus notice of violation red tag with the property owner's agent being told to cease from going to the media. Why are bogus red tag notices used to intimidate in the first place? The larger media needs to know and the County is supposed to be transparent and not breach Federal freedom of speech about them.
Many think Santa Cruz is overdue for a complete audit of all County departments and the nepotism web of deception, woven by Ellen Pirie, Terry Hancock, Susan Mauriello, and Tom Burns. Further complaints need to be made to the Federal Justice Department, FBI, Grand Jury, Attorney General and the California State Bar. The County employees from the top down holding attorney licenses should be reviewed for possible debarment as a result of a long alleged history of malpractice and enforcement of illegal ordinances not compliant with State and Federal laws. The citizens of Santa Cruz County have suffered enough unfairly. This is our opinion . . . what is yours? Don't be afraid. Be very afraid.
REPORT VIOLATION OF STATE LAW and REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION
September 12, 2008 - A complaint to the Santa Cruz City Attorney, John G. Barisone and Chief of Police, Howard Skerry, was made today regarding Brown Act violations.
"The people listed below met illegally ...violating the Brown act. There were more than a dozen witnesses. They viewed the repeated attempts by citizens to stop the illegal meeting. There was no posting of the meeting. They repeatedly insisted that the meeting was posted when it was not. The violators proceeded to act as a body and voted for officers, etc." - G. Richard Arnold, Association of Real Estate Advisors
Read more.
COUNTY FINANCIAL RECORDS TO BE AUDITED
September 12, 2008 - Alliance for Change and local critics have aligned with a forensic accountant team to begin auditing Santa Cruz County financial records. ALL records will be requested through the Sunshine Act and other laws. Susan Mauriello, County Administrator, has her signature on everything and brings concern about rubber stamping funds for Agenda 21 purposes. Almost weekly, "unanticipated revenue" is being redirected into the general fund and other places, rather than to refunds, road repairs, increasing paralegal staffing for better court representation for citizens and reducing code compliance personnel.
Citizens do not have to give their name or reason for requested documents. People are entitled to view and copy any documents or other records containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local government agency. The records are open during normal business hours. ALL records, known and unknown, are being requested.
BURNS' THEORY EVADES STATE LAWS. SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COUNSEL AND PLANNING DEPT. ADMIT DO NOT KNOW LAWS.
September 10, 2008 - A falsified 37 page theory submitted by Tom Burns, Director of the Planning Dept., Dana McRae, County Counsel, and Susan Mauriello, County Administrator evades preemptive state laws and misleads even the Sentinel into thinking due process avenues for citizens exist. Read more.
COUNTY DIRECTOR TOM BURNS CONTINUES WEB OF DECEPTION REGARDING APPEALS BOARDS
September 6, 2008 - Sentinel staff writer Kurtis Alexander reported today that, " . . the Planning Dept. acknowledges it could do more to provide homeowners and builders a way to appeal its decisions." Tom Burns, Director, continues to deceive citizens in his stating, "This board is not about the broad issues of zoning and red tags that some have suggested it should be," He also misleads the public that there are "appropriate avenues . . going through a planner, . .Supervisors or another department." As we have been reporting, the County is inexperienced with the law and standards required by the State for appeal boards to be independent of the government and all its staff and departments. The State does not allow the county government to "censor" appeal hearing requests that can be made for "any reason." In addition, the legally required boards have never officially met with legal standing; they have only been concealed from property owners so there would be no applications for appeal. Could another department Burns is referring to be Superior Court for relief? Read Sentinel report.
COUNTY SUED TO REFUND TAXES PAID
September 4, 2008 -Today, Harold Griffith, taxpayer advocate, filed a complaint in Superior Court against Santa Cruz County for a refund of taxes paid on his property tax bill listed as other charges for County Service Areas. Mr. Griffith alleges that the flat-rate fees or charges cannot be assessments under Proposition 218 which requires assessments to be proportional the property served. A recent case in the California Supreme Court published on July 14, 2008, that concerned the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, stated that the $20 flat-rate levy is an nvalid assessment because it fails to satisfy several provisions of Article XIII D, section 4 and that the levy is in essence a "special tax".
Mr. Griffith is using that Open Space Authority case as support for his
allegations against the Santa Cruz County Service Areas which also levy
flat-rate levies for many, many "other charges" listed on the property
tax bills as CSA. Read Complaint.
EVIDENCE GROWS THAT ELLEN PIRIE, SUPERVISOR, WAS AWARE OF THE HIDDEN APPEALS BOARD LONG AGO
September 3, 2008 - See Ellen Pirie letter appointing Glenn Strong to the Building Board of Appeals in August 2001. Appealgate continues to this day. All appeals are currently being denied by the County as they have been through the years. Please contact Publisher if you have requested an appeal hearing and been denied. (1998 County documents have been found showing awareness earlier.)
GRANDFATHERED STATUS PROTECTS PROPERTY OWNERS
September 2, 2008 - Even though the County of Santa Cruz defaulted June 1999, into adopting the Uniform Building and Housing Codes and have not acknowledged such, they have adopted effective January 1, 2008, the alternative California Building Standards Code, that most counties chose not to adopt. As of January 1, 2008, Santa Cruz County properties are "grandfathered in". This means the County cannot impose restrictions and intimidate and abuse property owners with conditions that existed prior to January 1, 2008. Ellen "Pirate Pirie", Stone, Coonerty, Campos and Beautz cannot continue to apply their own demands conflicting with State preemptive statutes. The same goes for Tom "Gestapo" Burns and Dana "Minnie Mouse" McRae, County Counsel. September 27, 2007, the Board of Supervisors adopted Agenda Item #27, a September 10, 2007, directive letter from Burns and Susan Mauriello, County Administrator. Harold Griffith, Paralegal and defender of property rights for decades, defines in this special document protections for the people. The California Building Standards Code adoption staff report with many unallowed amendments was reviewed November 6, 2007, as Agenda Item #64, adopted November 20, 2007, as Agenda Item #54, effective January 1, 2008. See Harold Griffith opposition letter commencing on page 195.
PROPERTY RIGHTS CITIZENS ASK ELLEN PIRIE TO RESIGN. TOM BURNS SEEN AS AGENDA 21 ENFORCER. APPEALGATE DISCOVERY - THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE MUST GO.
August 26, 2008 - Again, Association for Real Estate Advisers Founder, G. Richard Arnold asked Chair Supervisor, Ellen Pirie, to resign due to deliberate hiding of the independent appeals boards from the public for many years, refusing to freeze and protect government records and documents and spouse nepotism. Severe illegal violations of civil rights for approximately 10,000 property owners are alleged along with partner in these alleged crimes, county Director, Tom Burns. County staff are dissatisfied, fees are beyond State reasonable rates and continued negligence and breaches of State Law show extreme belligerence toward property owners and homeowners who they are supposed to protect and support. Pirie and Burns turned out to be a bad combination for this county and must go. They refuse to understand true overriding laws they must obey. Read more.
MICHAEL CLAY CONFRONTATIONAL WITH ACTIVISTS
August 26, 2008 - Three Santa Cruz citizen activists were confronted in the planning dept. 4th floor stairwell landing by an unknown male, just after speaking for property rights at the Board of Supervisors meeting on the 5th floor. He said, "I want to look at your faces." "Because if you come in here again, I want to know who you are." The citizens asked who he was and he said, "My name is Michael". "I work in this building". When asked for his last name and job title he would not reply. The activists discovered his identity as Michael Clay, Snr. Building Permit Technician of the North County permit center in Felton. The reputable citizens wonder when Clay and the planning staff, including Tom Burns, will be attending a customer service training seminar soon.
DISCOVERY OF HIDDEN ORDINANCES NOT LISTED ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY CODE SINCE APPEALGATE WAS EXPOSED
August 25, 2008 - Besides the County Code being removed from online access (some county staff believe could have occurred from a direct delink order placed from upper management), we have discovered the County has "hidden Ordinances" by excluding them from the County Code ordinance pages open to the public. Missing Ordinance #4682 EXEMPTS PERMITS for a multitude of purposes. Please read our new tab entitled "Hidden Ordinances".
COUNTY CODES and SUPERVISOR PUBLIC MEETING AUDIO ARE REMOVED FROM COUNTY WEBSITE SINCE PROTESTORS REVEALED "APPEALGATE".
August 21, 2008 - As you have by now noticed, the County ordinances and the Board of Supervisors Agenda radio recordings of recent meetings are missing from the websites standard location since activists joined together to form strength to fight wrongdoings of this local government. Delinking is easy, avoiding fines and imprisonment if criminal conspiracy is proven against county employees, will not be easy to avoid. The delinking acts are just added to the already long list of publicly recorded, saved evidence and confidential evidence being gathered. The Flow Charts being prepared will depict a strong story for the courts to interpret. We have located a website for those of you who would like to access online the County Code - note that Title 12 Chapter 12.12 "Appeal Procedures" conflict and do not reflect the State Statute requirements and are legally required to do so. Chapter 12.12 is therefore unreliable and has been "altered".
Please send in evidence you may have (identity protected upon request) to help prove alleged crimes such as: criminal conspiracy, negligence, fraud, unreasonable fees, violation of citizens Constitutional rights, breaches of Federal and State preemptive laws, extortion, malice, false red tagging, arbitrary and capricious treatment, and other unlawful practices. Too much has gone on for too long and the public is standing up and demanding change. If you have filed a lawsuit, please send in your complaint and court outcome documents that are public information to: publisher.
STRAIGHT TALK NEWS "APPEALGATE" REPORTING IS ACCURATE.
August 22, 2008 - After being accused of inaccurate reporting, we reviewed the DVD of the Board of Supervisors August 19, 2008, meeting. Turns out our reporting was spot on. To read the full transcript of Vince LoFranco's protest speech stating that Burns should be removed along with his management team and that documents are being destroyed - read more. In addition, Dana McRae, County Counsel (State Bar #142331) attending the meeting, in our opinion, again has misdirected the Supervisors and Planning Directors with her Appealgate statement, " . . and then there is due process in the code compliance arena". Read more.
SUPERVISOR PIRIE AND DIRECTOR BURNS SHAMED FOR WRONG DOINGS. PIRIE RECALL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED.
August 21, 2008 – At the August 19th Board of Supervisors public meeting, a new activist stood up to reveal hidden practices of the planning department against citizens. Vince Lo Franco, who we thought he had introduced himself as an on-leave County employee, former code compliance officer and 20 year contractor, made statements supporting Constitutional rights of the public being respected. He is aware of methods of poor governance by this Planning Dept. and Board of Supervisors. As soon as we can, we will review the Community TV record of his speech and gladly report if we have made any errors in our previous reporting. We are aware of County employees being threatened, verbally and in writing, about their County employment if they speak up. This type of treatment violates First Amendment Rights of the U.S. Constitution. We invite County employees to call our news hot line and to email documents to alert the public which has a right to know (documents are public property.) They can also file complaints with the labor board of their First Amendment Rights being breached by superiors.
G. Richard Arnold, Founder of the Association of Real Estate Advisers, again stood up exposing Supervisor and Planning Dept. violations of property rights, constitutional rights and due process for The Board of Supervisors have overlooked and not provided an interim independent process to relieve property owners and provide due process until the two legally State required appeals boards become established for the first time since 1956. Here is an urgent appeal request to handle a permit caught up in this limbo. Re: Permit Application 08-0086 APN 043-105-12 Location:
Owner: SDS Hayward Limited Partnership represented by Cove Britton, Architect
Attention: Board of Supervisors
As agents of the owner I hereby appeal county planning staff determination (see enclosed copy of Mr. Hanna letter of August 1, 2008 and other related documentation ) in regards to the requirement for Geology and Geotechnical Reports to be provided for this project. This appeal is made under California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.6.Read more.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT OBSTRUCT RELIEF AND DUE PROCESS SINCE 1956
August 12, 2008 - In 1956 the County of Santa Cruz adopted the Uniform Building Code for the first time. In that book, the Uniform Building Code, is a section that requires a Building Appeals Board. See current State Code 108.8 that must be abided by and cannot be reduced by local ordinance restrictions by the County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors or Planning Department. In 1970 the
The Alliance for Change and Straight Talk News noted staff writer, Kurtis Alexander, finally representing some fair and balanced news for local property owners. This will help in notifying the public of their rights to an independent appeals board(s) when confronted with conflicts and high fees from the County Planning Department and Supervisors overly restrictive ordinances that disrespect overriding State and Federal laws. One correction: There has yet to be held a legal appeal board meeting in Santa Cruz County. Read more.
PROTEST UNCOVERS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT WITHHOLDING OF RELIEF AND DUE PROCESS
August 5, 2008 - Due to continued activist protest for recognition of property rights and Constitutional rights, the Board of Supervisors today were held responsible for nondisclosure to the public of the Building Board of Appeals Commission (BBAC). Hiding this required, citizen composed, independent appeals board has violated property owners right for due process and relief.
Alliance for Change activist, Johnnie Polisso, was able to get the Ellen Pirie's Item #30, "sweep it under the rug" letter pulled from the consent agenda and included in the regular discussion agenda. (This letter is now suddenly not available to open up online but we made a copy). This was a very important move so that the BBAC could be separated for discussion. After all, it has been hidden all these years from the public, and was about to be, once again. Read more.
Outraged Citizens Demand Grand Jury Investigation
of Ghost Committee
by Gary Arnold
July 29, 2008, Santa Cruz - Has there been an on going "Conspiracy" to deny the civil and property rights of the people of the county of Santa Cruz California by it's Planning Department?
Has the
July 25, 2008: Hot News
A 2007-2008 Grand Jury Report Exposed
"the 2002 board policy specifying that structures built pre-1980 without permit will not be subject to enforcement." There was a moratorium place that many are unaware of today. Read report page 3. The report diagram on page 2 omits the Building Board of Appeals Commission, Housing Board of Appeals Commission and Health & Safety Board of Appeals Commission that are legally required for separation of power to protect citizens! This means property owners' civil rights have been violated and you have two years for legal recourse. Read our Agenda Alerts.
COUNTY BREACHES BROWN ACT AND ATTEMPTS TO HOLD UNOFFICIAL APPEALS BOARD FIRST MEETING
July 23, 2008 - At 4:30PM the Board of Supervisors, due to public discovery and outcry, allowed the holding of the FIRST Building Board of Appeals Commission meeting but failed. The BBAC has not been legally disclosed to property owners for approximately 6.5 years and now under pressure . . . .
County Illegally Charges Assessments on Property Tax Statements
Demand your full refund for another illegal tax by
As a result of the
The
Better living through illegal assessments.
County Illegally Ignores
If you have been restricted or red tagged, inform yourself with the true State Building and Housing Codes that are the legal codes. The County is operating independently of the correct State Codes, therefore acting without legal authority. A complete explanation has been provided. The Health and Safety Code is the state law that requires the adoption of the UNIFORM CODES that local jurisdictions adopt.
Design Brochure Approved Illegally!
Cove Britton won a court order blocking the Supervisors from approving more illegal restrictions (in an unnecessary Design Brochure), against architects, builders and property owners. Supervisors continue to breach State Housing and Building Codes that supersede their ignorant ideas. The Supervisors had decided to move against the court ruling and print the Design Brochure anyway. Read more.
