Homeowners sue county

By Colin Rigley

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Posted: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 2:55 PM CDT

Residents of the Gold Strike Heights subdivision in San Andreas say Community Development Director Stephanie Moreno should be fired, that the county counsel is incompetent and that the Board of Supervisors has betrayed them. Alleging that Moreno and other county staff members are in cahoots with the subdivision’s developer, Westwind Development, the homeowners association is now suing the county for $272,065.

The homeowners association filed a lawsuit May 2. It alleges that the county returned a surety bond to Westwind Development through Financial Pacific Insurance, despite the fact that the Westwind has not turned over control of the roads to the association or built a clubhouse that was required when the first development phase was approved.

The homeowners association was involved in litigation with Financial Pacific to have the road and clubhouse bonds released to the association, which totaled $591,222. But the county turned over the $272,065 bond for the roads to the developer April 1 through a board-adopted resolution. Gold Strike residents have now shifted their focus to the county.

Don Lee of Village Concepts Inc., which now owns 31 Gold Strike Heights lots from the first development phase, spoke on behalf of the residents during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Lee said Moreno had “betrayed the public trust” by taking the side of the developer and should be fired. He also called County Counsel Jim Jones either “incompetent” or “complicit in this betrayal.” He repeated numerous times that the residents had been “betrayed” and the county had “failed” to exercise proper oversight of the developer.

“We will hold you accountable for what you have done to us,” Lee told county supervisors as several Gold Strike residents in the room silently watched.

Neither Moreno nor District 1 Supervisor Bill Claudino-whose district includes Gold Strike Heights-were at Tuesday’s meeting. Moreno and Claudino also did not return previous calls for comment.

For the complete story, see Friday’s print edition of the Calaveras Enterprise or our e-Edition.

Comment (9 comment(s))

Karen wrote on May 7, 2008 12:30 AM:

" If you think this is bad....see what the county has allowed at Calypso Bay in Copperopolis. It is a travesty to think that taxpayers are waiting up to one year for a simple set back variance but developers can sell homes that don't even have finals on them and the quality of construction is a serious issue. "

T. Edward Langan wrote on May 7, 2008 10:43 AM:

" Well, looks like the county has itself in another pickle !!! I think we need to review the workings of our county government -- its broken and just not functioning very well for the people. The elitist few from the county has created most the problems we are facing today and the lack of vision from these individuals is extraordinary. They are ruining the quality of life in Calaveras and although they do live here, there decision making process seems to be coming from another place and for reasons that are unclear to most residents. This is a wonderful county, lets grow but keep it rural -- but first lets look at fixing our government and making it work again. "

DJ wrote on May 7, 2008 1:35 PM:

" It's about time someone started doing something about the incompetence in Calaveras County. People keep electing the incumbents and this is what they get! "

Dee wrote on May 7, 2008 6:36 PM:

" I am so frustrated at the one sidedness of the Calaveras Enterprise. They tout Wilensky as a good supervisor and most of us know different. John Morse is being left out unless it is a negative article. I read the letter written by "James" but what made it in the paper? Sneads letter was negative and negative only. This is not right. Give the candidates a fair shake and let the people choose. You talk about being livid!!! "

Jd wrote on May 7, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Well The question I have is who is sleeping with who now ??? Same old stuff just rejected people from an other counties making decisions . when are the people of this county going to wake up and stop voting in the same old die hard useless people Into Office. The supervisors and staff must be using the ccwd a play book. "

sharon wrote on May 8, 2008 12:24 AM:

" It is about time the people in this county starts taking a look at the incompetence of all the superviors and people working in the county offices. Not one person there does their job, or for that fact know how to do their job. There is so much corruption in this county that all of as citzens should be ashamed to say we live in Calaveras Co. Look at our county roads. And then look at what they want for permits. What a joke.They really need a psychiatrist.I think we as the ones that pay for it should all make an appointment. All the money that goes to the County and nothing to show.Lets stop complaining and start doing something to make a change. Don't vote to put them back in office, write someone in or vote for someone new that has nothing to gain. Make all public officials accountable again to us. "

FRANK wrote on May 8, 2008 12:34 AM:

" This county is a BIG JOKE, the superviors are the biggest clowns in the county. No money, but they sure have their raises on time. But can't fix a road so you can drive on it.They stop any progress for the local people, but let others get off scott free.Permits are for who they think should have them, and all else that goes along with it. They think that they have the power to control what goes on. Give people a hard time and cost them money to delay progress. Superviors in each district only do what benifits them or their families. We as the public need to stand up at stop what is happening. Make them accountable for every move they make. Stop putting them in office. Take back control, we forget that WE as tax payers are the ones that should be telling them what to do, and mean it. If we ran our household like they run the County, they would need more than a new jail. They would need an OLD FASHION POOR HOUSE, because that is where we all would be. TAKE BACK CONTROL. STOP PUTTING THEM IN OFFICE. "

jake wallace wrote on May 8, 2008 2:44 PM:

" This homeowner's lawsuit is yet another example of the county's deliberate decision to allow the building/planning department to continue to run amok. How many other lawsuits have been filed and how long and at what total cost will the tax-paying public subsidize the county's illegal behavior? Interesting how the county never had the money to maintain the county general plan, but always has enough to settle these lawsuits. When will we run out of the county Superior Court Judge John Martin and District Attorney Jeff Tuttle; the architects and puppeteers of a corrupted grand jury and judicial system. Why vote for Judge Douglas McWhinney who conspired to operate a court that serves the needs of a few. The board should first fire County Council, Jim Jones, for gross negligence and then Tryon and Calloway should leave office for gross incompetence. "

Nancy wrote on May 13, 2008 11:14 AM:

" This County with its little heirarchy needs a thorough housecleaning. I just pray that the voters will wake up and remove these special interest, long term incumbants and make way for some new, fresh blood - God knows we need a good transfusion. It is despicable to know how our hard-earned taxes are being spent and it is time for a 'revival' of us 'commoners' to put the fear of God and taxpayers in our local government and county EMPLOYEES, who at this point don't see themselves as our EMPLOYEES!! The only way this can be done (legally) is by VOTING! "

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