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TAX EVADERS:

Butler, Neal, Palmer

 Directors Vote to Deprive State

  of Required Sales Tax Payments

by J. F. McGuire

On November 18^th, 2008, despite an email from the State Board of Equalization declaring that they were required to do so,  SCSD Directors Palmer, Butler, and Neal voted to deprive the State of Sales Tax Revenue that the State is legally entitled to.

During the debate of a Resolution drafted by Director James G. Barrett to make the required payments, District legal counsel Robert Patterson of Best, Best, and Krieger would not give any legal opinion on the letter from the BOE.  As a matter of fact, and even though the counselors presence at the Board Meeting was costing the District almost $600,  neither Directors Palmer, Butler, or Neal wanted to hear his legal take on the matter. 

The BOE email declares that the SCSD is not exempt from paying State Sales Tax on Photocopy/Incoming Fax Services provided by the District to the Public.  The back owed taxes for the past three years appears to amount to no more than a total of around $300.

At hearing that such a small amount of back taxes was owed, Rosa Davis, a new resident and first time meeting attendee grilled Director Barrett about why it was so important to argue so much about so little owed.  Obviously there were Citizens in the audience that thought it was completely ok to evade taxes.  Even long time Resident and business owner David Erskine said that the SCSD Management shouldn’t have to waste their time collecting the duly owed sales tax.

 You can read more and see all the pertinent documents about the Districts tax evasion here.

SCSD to Capture ill-Gotten Gains

But There’s Still Time to

Get Your $1,000 Refund!

by J. F. McGuire

The SCSD will start taking legal possession of almost $258,000 in unclaimed Developer Fee Refunds covering fees that we’re paid between July 1^st, 2005 and January 1^st, 2007.  These fees ($1,000) we’re charged, without any legal authority to do so, to new home developers to mitigate the impact on the Fire Department and Street Lighting.

On January 15th, 2007, after determining that they had no legal right to charge the fees in the first place, the SCSD Board of Directors released the official refund form to be used in requesting the return on these unauthorized fees.  

Despite the refund forms “must submit by date” of December 31^st, 2007, the SCSD Board of Directors, at the October 21^st, 2008 monthly Board Meeting determined that the original payers of these fees had 3 years from the date they paid the fee to request a refund. 

See Resolution 2008-10-2. 

Per Government Code Section 50500, after the three years passes and a newspaper ad is placed then the SCSD has the right to capture these monies and spend the proceeds as they wish.  At the October 2008 meeting the Board voted to place the necessary ads to start the process of taking possession of the unclaimed refunds.  As of that meeting there was $258,000 of unclaimed funds. 

The first $64,000 that is set to be captured by the SCSD was paid between July 1^st, 2005 and October 1^st, 2005.  If you paid these fees between these dates you must submit a Refund Request Form to the SCSD before December 8th, 2008 or the funds will become the property of the SCSD. 

Salton Sea West, with the help of Director James G. Barrett has obtained official SCSD Documents showing who has yet to claim their refunds.

Click here for a complete list of the names and addresses of persons/companies entitled to the refunds as well as the approximate date when the SCSD will permanently capture the funds.  

Click here to print out an

Official SCSD Refund Form.

NOTE: The December 31^st, 2007 deadline on the refund form does not apply.  This fact was acknowledged by the SCSD Board of Directors on October 2008, via Resolution 2008-10-2.  The original payers of these fees have 3 years from the date they paid the fee to request a refund.

Editor’s Note:

As well as being the driving force in exposing these illegal fees and successfully lobbying for their return, Salton Sea West, is the ONLY local news media outlet to notify the public about these refunds.

To this date the SCSD has made no attempts to contact the overcharged persons. No letters, no phone calls, no posted notices or lists.

Salton Sea West challenges the Salton Seafarer and the West Shores News to do the write thing and help spread the word about these refunds.   There are no doubt families out there that could really use their refunds, especially this time of year.

Salton Sea West hereby gives permission for anyone to reproduce this article.  Thanks!

You’re on Your Own:

Fire/Rescue Services are

Non-existent in This Area

It is said that 2 more Firefighters have quit this week because of poor management. Now that leaves only a handful of Volunteer “Firefighters” to cover all of the District plus the surrounding areas that the District is under contract with the County to service. That’s over 80 square miles! 

Of the remaining Firefighters only 2 have three or more years of actual Firefighting experience, 3 have less than two years as SCSD Volunteer Firefighters and the other 4 have less than 6 months under their belt.  Of these, 3 of them have never even been to a real fire, while 2 don't even live in the Community, they live between 35 -60 miles away. 

Only one Firefighter has the know how or the license to legally drive the fire trucks.

Most of these Firefighters have no more working knowledge then you or I would get by taking Red Cross First Aid/CPR classes.  Management doesn’t even seem to be concerned enough to provide hepatitis vaccinations to the Firefighters.

So please what ever you do, heed this warning: don't get sick, have a heart attack, get lost in the desert, have a car accident, have a house fire, or hurt yourself in anyway that would require 911 services.

Because You’re Going to Die if You Do!

This announcement in no way is meant to besmirch any of the Volunteers of the SCSD Fire Department; we thank you all for your dedicated service.  It is the Management, as well as the Board of Directors that have hung you out to dry.  Their incompetence in making the best out of the manpower they have is so apparent.

Citizens, Guests, and Passerby’s

… You’ve Been Warned!

TAX EVASION:

Board of Directors

Stoop to a New Low

By J.F. McGuire

For years and years the SCSD has been providing Fax/Photocopy services to the Public for a fee.

Brought to light recently by Director James G. Barrett is the fact that these fees are subject to California State Sales Tax laws.

This is attested to in an email from the State Board of Equalization (BOE) which is responsible for collecting State Sales Tax. 

On June 13th, 2008 Director Barrett, during budget talks, mentioned that the tax code required the district to collect and pay sales tax on Fax/Photocopy services. 

Then on July 12^th, 2008 he notified the SCSD Board of Directors of the tax requirements in an email dated July 12, 2008. 

Once again Director Barrett brought up the issue on October 21^st, 2008 when the SCSD Board was setting the annual rates for the Golf Park, Pool, and Fax/Photocopy services.  Director Barrett made a motion to include the sales tax on Fax/Photocopy services as required by law.  At this motion the other Directors sat quietly as though nothing important was being mentioned.  The motion died for the lack of a second. 

On October 31^st the District sent a letter to Mr. Barrett in response to a Records Request that he had submitted on October 27^th, 2008.

The request was for any documents that showed that the District was paying State Sales Tax for the Fax/Photocopy services that they were providing to the public. The reply stated that the District was not paying the sales tax because they were not required to.   

This is in direct conflict with the email from the BOE that declared that “Photocopies and incoming faxes are taxable since a tangible personal property is provided.  You are correct that local governments are not exempt from taxes...only the federal government is. Sales tax should be collected and remitted to the Board (BOE)”.

State Sales Tax Evasion is described by the BOE as Fraud and can be prosecuted as a felony.  

Anyone can report sales tax evasion to the BOE at: http://www.boe.ca.gov/invest/salestax.htm

SECTIONS

The Next SCSD Board Meeting is:

November 18th, 2008

@7:00 PM

NOTICE

The SCSD budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 has an operating deficit of over $250,000.00 for its' Sewer Maintenance Department.  This shortfall will more than likely have to be made up for by increasing your sewer rates in July of 2009 by as much as 50%. 

The years and years of  skimming one-third of the interest off of the Sewer Maintenance Fund by the Board of Directors to subsidize the General Fund has finally come to a climax.  Open wide! It's time to swallow the bitter pill that our elected officials have prescribed. 

EVENTS

Golf, Golf, Golf

This 9 Hole Pitch and Put Golf Course is operated by the West Shores Golf Club. It is located in Salton City at the corner of Atlantic and Pacific Aves.

Saturday Scrambles:

Registration Starts: 8 am

Tee Off Time: 8:30 am (more recreation)

Fire Department Buys Brush Truck

On September 4th, 2007    the SCSD Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of a Brand New "Brush Truck" that will be utilized to fight fires in off-road areas that are inaccessible by normal Fire Engines.

The cost of this truck was approximately  $53,000. The  United States Department of Agriculture donated $30,000 to the cause and $20,000 was utilized from the 2007/08 Fire Department Budget that was previously allocated for vehicle acquisition The other $3,000 came from a capital reserve account that was established a few years back from the sale of Borrego Springs Bank stock.  There is currently around $55,000 left of the General Funds' portion of  that stock sale.

Thanks again to all the Volunteer Firefighters for your time and devotion to a truly noble cause! (more)

More to Follow!

Every Drop Counts

Protest Held

by Torri Barrett

January 1^st, 2008 was the first day of many more to come for the Every Drop Counts Protest founded by Mr. Rick Davis of Salton City.  Mr. Davis wants to let Sacramento know that the people of Southern California don’t approve of the State’s plan to dry up almost 60% of the Salton Sea. 

The State’s “preferred plan” is to make a small saline lake at the north end of the current sea and a salt marsh at the south end, drying up everything in the middle. This would leave the residents of all of the communities surrounding the Sea victims to what ever has been dumped into the Sea over the last 100 years as the winds would kick up the dry lake bottom thus polluting the air with all manners of substances including selenium a highly toxic substance.

At 11am sharp over 100 concerned residents poured 100 gallons of clean water into the dying sea to protest the States inaction and empty promises.  Petition gatherers also passed out petitions demanding that the Lawmakers restore the Sea ASAP. 

Mr. Davis a long time resident of the area started the idea that Every Drop Counts when it became obvious to him and many others that the politicians in the rest of the State don’t care about this dying ecosystem that is so vital to so many species of migrating birds as well as its’ human inhabitants.  

Every Sunday Mr. Davis will be pouring 7 gallons of fresh water into the sea.

Click to see photos 

NEW WEBSITE FEATURES!

(4) Grand Jury Complaints Filed -

Click for details

Did You Know? -  

Short, Sweet and to the Point Blurbs about District Shenanigans Click to View

Quotes of Note- They said what?!

Read and HEAR for yourself the latest quotes from around the district

Click here for  the latest sound bites

Director Agenda Packets-

Have you ever wondered what backup information is used by Directors when they  vote on an agenda item?  Well wonder no more!  As a courtesy to the public, Salton Sea West will be posting EVERYTHING that  Directors see in their Agenda Packets online, FREE!

Click here to see all of the November 18th's info

"Statement of Economic Interests"

Directors Form 700- 

Click here

Approved Budget for 2008-2009

Click here

2006-2007 SCSD Audit 

Click here

Gardening Tips For November -

by Torri Barrett

      7 tips to make gardening stress free

While gardening is one of America's favorite leisure activities, many people may not recognize the great mental and physical health benefits that go along with it. Gardening is an excellent way to relieve mental stress and is good exercise at the same time. Here are 7 tips to make your gardening stress free.

1. Remember gardening is not a race to see whose garden is biggest or the best. It is for the enjoyment of growing something where there was nothing.

2. Gardeners typically become very absorbed in their work, so let your worries and cares flow from you.

3. To prune all day will give any gardener blisters. Take your time, enjoy yourself, smell the roses and flowers you are pruning.

4. Try decorating a mailbox that can serve as a container to hold small hand tools in the garden. Mounted on a pole or on your fence, it will add charm to the garden.

5. Use a plastic garbage can with wheels to carry long handled tools. The wheels are on the back so the can stays in one place when you park it and your tools don’t fall over in the garden.

6. Place a stool, garden chair or a bench at strategic places in the garden so that you have many opportunities to rest as you garden.

7. After you have finished for the day sit back and enjoy your handy work, for there is always tomorrow.

Spot Light of the Month:

When choosing the different types of carrot seeds to plant you must remember that the longer the carrot the deeper you will need to till the soil. Carrots also grow best on the top of tall rows, less digging during harvest for you too. You must make sure all rocks are removed from the planting area and that the sand to compost ratio are about the same. Carrots like loose sandy soil, if the soil compact around them you will have very small thin carrots.  

My Carrot favorites:

·         Danvers 126 – These are best if you have a heavier ratio of clay to your soil. They are very sweet, short, and broad. Great for blanching and freezing.

·         Burpee’s Orange Rocket – 8” long, very broad, sweet and bright orange. Great in soups and salads.

·         Purple Haze – 10” - 12” novelty purple carrot has smooth surface, bright orange centre and very sweet flavor. Cooking dissolves the purple color.

Planting

You still have time to order your seeds but act fast while the supplies last. 

To order a Stokes Seed Catalog: website www.stokeseeds.com or call (800)263-7233.

For more hints and tips pick up a copy of Lush & Efficient Gardening in the Coachella Valley at the CVWD office 85-995 Avenue 52 in Coachella, last time I checked it cost around $20.

Best basic soil amendment is:

2 parts garden soil, 1 part manure, 1 part Peat moss by the shovel full, mix well. Blend this mixture with the soil from your garden area (make sure to remove any rocks). Your soil will become light and fluffy and ready for planting. 

If your garden area soil is mostly clay add 1 part sand to the basic soil amendments for better drainage.  You may even want to remove some of the clay soil from the area. Use a 1 to 1 ratio old soil to amended soil.

If you have any questions/comments about carrots or gardening please feel free to e-mail me at gardening@saltonseawest.com or visit the gardening web pages at www.saltonseawest.com

Vegetables:

     Seeds

Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Collard Greens, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leaf Lettuce, Mustard, Onions (Bulb & Green), Peas, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips     

Plant Transplants

Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Lettuce

Roses:

·         Apply the finial fertilization of the year, then water deeply.

·         Plant container roses.

·         Mini Roses are best known for their prolific blooming so plant some for that splash of color all over your garden. Deadhead Mini Roses just like their bigger cousins.

.

Trees:

·        For Deciduous trees water once every two week because our winter rains are very unpredictable

Fruit:

·         Do not fertilize this month

·         Do not prune this month

·         Deeply water Citrus trees once a month during the coldest parts of winter.

·         Tangelos, Navel Oranges, and Mandarins began to ripening by the end of this month.

Landscape Plants:

·         Cut off spent blooms to stimulate re-bloom

·         Cut back watering frequencies for cooler days, too much water can cause root and stem rot.

·         Plant winter hardy trees, shrubs and vines.

Annuals - Transplants to plant this time of year:

·         Cockscomb, Iceland Poppy, Laskspur, Lobelia, Pansy, Petunia, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Alyssum, Statice, and Strawflower

Annuals - Seeds to plant this time of year:

·         Plant these seeds any time this month: Nasturtium, Geranium, Mexican Primrose, and Four o’clocks

·         Late blooming wildflower like Clarkia, Calliopsis and Coneflower should be planted now for a longer blooming season.

Don’t forget the native plants in and around your yard; with no measurable rain in the last 2 years they will be thirsty as well.

 Happy Planting!

Old Peg Leg

A plaque is dedicated to Thomas L. Smith, better known as Peg Leg Smith, 1801-1866, he was a mountain man, prospector, and spinner of tall tales. Legends regarding his lost gold mine have grown through the years...(more)

Sun Catchers

An artist can use anything as a medium, and I do mean anything.  From painting fine art on beans seeds to assembling junk into great towering sculptures. (more)

Red Sky at Night

Is the old adage

“Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning” true, or is it just an old wives’ tale? (more)

Bird Watch / Nature Trail

Receives Funding from SCSD

by James G. Barrett

At the December 19th, 2006 Board meeting the Directors unanimously approved over $3,000 worth of funding for repairing and upgrading the Salton City Nature Trail & Bird Watch, which is located between the West Shores Golf Park and the Salton City Dry Camp.

The Nature Trail & Bird Watch is maintained strictly by dedicated volunteers, usually with donated cash and materials.  This month however the Board stepped up to the plate and took a swing at helping the volunteers' efforts with some much needed funding.

We here at Salton Sea West applaud all the volunteers that have struggled to maintain this sometime Board ignored part of the Districts Park and Recreation System.

Thanks go out to Joe & Rachel, and Dean & Carlene (hope we got the names right) and everyone else that has donated their time and resources over the past years.  Thanks!