A time for 'cautious relief'

Editor:

During the past year as the bright glimmers of sun and moon once again brightened this lovely Sierra valley, residents attracted by its promises of outdoor beauty, recreation, and quiet rural living are cautiously relieved that the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollerville no longer rides rampant through this pristine Shangri-la.

That ghoulish spectre for most of a decade spread shivers of unrestrained avarice and greed, pitting those who valued the peaceful quietude of rural living against industrious factories. Of small neighborly shops against box stores. Of villas small and large surrounded by open spaces against "the best and highest use of land," a crass euphemism for walled-in patio homes and apartment blocks served by narrow streets. Of starry multitudes in dark skies seemingly within reach, against suburban streetlights shutting out starlight. Of small-government-of-the-people against professional bureaucracies ruling the common folk. Of extensive community volunteerism vs. hired professionals.

That Headless Horseman's still-present ghost's last holler was the now infamous giveaway in North County, under an amateurishly written contract pledging installment payments totaling $24.7 million from county redevelopment gains. To earn that posh amount Riverwood Redevelopment, LLC, contracted to build and lease one 30,000 square foot commercial building on a 4.67 acre "site" situated in a 600 acre potential development, whether it ever produces sales tax revenue or not. In a burst of magnificent timing the commissioners did that just as the housing bubble was puncturing, hoping it would become a "magnet" to attract retail to the 600 acre site.

The public could be forgiven for feeling hornswoggled when county management then negotiated a development agreement with a separate company, Riverwood Partners, LLC, to develop the 600 acres subject to the usual numerous conditions involving roads, grading, traffic, parking, utilities, etc., none of which seems to be a requirement for paying out the $24.7 million.

At their recent meeting, county commissioners asked the District Attorney's office, which inexplicably blessed the somewhat contrary provisions of both agreements which relate but seem not to be interdependent, to determine how the county can demand reports of progress on earning the $24.7 million. My friend and doubter of North County benefits Bo the Builder would be most pleased.

See, as I've said before, the county commission meetings are great entertainment and opportunity for the public to holler (graciously) when they've been stuck.