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Impact Fee Refund Update |
The week of December
8th, 2008 saw a victory for the many residents and developers that had paid the
illegal $1,000 SCSD Fire Department/Street Lighting Developer Impact Fee as
their applications for refunds were once again being accepted by the District. (more)
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TAX EVADERS:
Butler, Neal, Palmer
Directors Vote to Deprive State of Sales Tax Payments
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On November 18th,
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.
(more) |
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SCSD to Capture ill-Gotten Gains
But There’s Still Time to Get Your $1,000
Refund |
The
SCSD will start taking legal possession of almost $258,000 in unclaimed
Developer Fee Refunds covering fees that we’re paid between July 1st,
2005 and January 1st, 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.
(more) |
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TAX EVASION:
Board of Directors
Stoop to a New Low
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For
years and years the SCSD has been providing Fax/Photocopy services to the Public
for a fee. Brought to light recently...is the fact that these fees are subject
to California State Sales Tax laws...the District was not paying the sales
tax...This is in direct conflict with the email from the BOE
(more)
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You’re on Your Own:
Fire/Rescue Services are Non-existent in This Area
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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! (more)
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Directors Palmer, Medders, Butler Illegally Obtain Channel Maintenance Funds
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At the July 15th, 2008 SCSD
Board of Directors meeting, Directors Palmer, Medders and Butler voted to
illegally assess tracts 679 and 576-A $20 and $30 respectively for Channel
Maintenance for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. (more) |
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SCSD Director Rouhe Resigns |
On May 18th, 2008 Director
Stanley Rouhe resigned as a Director on the SCSD Board of Directors, a position
he had held since being elected in November of 2005. The resignation became
effective immediately upon the submission of a hand written letter faxed to the
district office
(more)
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SCSD
Named as Defendant in Two Lawsuits |
After months and
months of work trying to get the other Directors of the Salton Community
Services District to comply with State Statutes, Director James G. Barrett
has been forced to take things into his own hands. As a Citizen, Director
Barrett decided to petition the government for a redress of grievances in
the form of two civil lawsuits (more) |
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Two SCSD
Lawsuits Loom |
Acting as a
taxpaying citizen Director James G. Barrett of the Salton Community Services
District has filed 2
“Claims for Damages” against the SCSD
that Director Barrett has assured Salton Sea West he has every intention on
pursuing in court after the District denies his claims.
(more)
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Salton City Building Moratorium Lifted |
The Salton City
Building moratorium that was put in place in April of 2007 has been lifted.
Developers can once again obtain construction permits from the County of
Imperial for projects within Salton City.
(more)
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The
Crime of the Censury
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Once again the Leaders of the
District have squandered away the people’s monies on pie in the sky schemes
and redundancy and just plain not giving a damn, daring anyone to call them
on it. And when someone does, they are labeled a trouble maker.
(more) |
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FHASecure to Help Homeowners Refinance Defaulted ARM Mortgages |
FHASecure is a refinancing
option that gives credit-worthy homeowners, who were making timely mortgage
payments before their loans reset but are now in default, a second chance
with a FHA insured loan product.
(more) |
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Every
Drop Counts Protest Held |
January 1st,
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. (more) |
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General Manager Violates
Public Contract Code |
It has come to light at a recent
SCSD Board Meeting that SCSD General Manager Thomas Cannell has been issuing
construction contracts that exceed $25,000 without putting them out to bid,
as required by law.
(more)
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Directors Delegate Dirty Work
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On September 18th,
2007 Directors Rouhe, Palmer, and Butler exposed the yellow streak down
their backbones as they voted to give the General Manager complete and
unconditional control over firing district personnel which had for years
been the responsibility of the Board of Directors.
(more) |
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Possible Cancer Cluster Found in Salton City |
It is with much
sadness that Salton Sea West brings you the news of the death of one of
the most beloved neighbors of the Community. After a yearlong battle with a
rare form of cancer, the voice of this maverick citizen has seemingly been
silenced forever. (more) |
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Can You
Not Hear Nero
Playing
the Fiddle as Rome Burns?
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In scenes reminiscent of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, lifeless bodies lie
strewn across the ground as the stench of burnt lumber and flesh permeate
the air. With the death toll now up to 7, including two brave volunteer
firefighters, the community searches for some solace and perhaps an answer.
(more) |
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Director Rouhe Violates Government Code 1090
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On July 30th, 2007 a special called meeting of the Board of
Directors was called to discuss the sub-lease transfer of Johnson’s Landing
to West Shores Marina & RV Park, LLC. At issue was whether Director Rouhe
violated Government Code 1090
(more) |
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SCSD Given Channel
Maintenance "Blank Check" |
Director Barrett of the Salton
Community Services District (SCSD) has informed Salton Sea West that...
Channel Maintenance Fees... can be used at-will by the SCSD without
obtaining any consent from the property owners who have paid close to
$400,000 of those fees.
(more) |
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Imperial County Fire
Mitigation Fee Debacle |
After numerous attempts as a
Director of the Salton Community Services District Board of Directors to get
the other Directors on board in asking the County of Imperial to turn over
what rightfully belongs to the SCSD Fire Department I have found that
Directors Palmer, Rouhe, and Butler simply don't give a damn about the fire
department.
(more) |
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Desert Shores Pool
Never to Open!
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Salton Sea West would like to thank SCSD Directors
Butler, Palmer, and Rouhe for depriving Desert Shores of a Swimming Pool
that the District had the funds to build.
(more)
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SCSD Faces $5,000/Day Fines
for Violating State Water Quality
Control Board Orders
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...the California Regional Water
Quality Control Board finalized it's cease and desist order against the
Salton Community Services Districts Salton City Sewage System...The board found that the SCSD
has repeatedly violated past board orders resulting in violations such as
seepage into the Arroyo Salado Wash.
(more) |
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Director, GM Using District Lawyers for Personal Use
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SCSD Director Bob
Butler and General Manager Thomas Cannell have been utilizing the District’s
Lawyers to go on a personal witch hunt. It would be one thing if it
was their own money, but to use the peoples money is illegal.
(more)
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SCSD Cancels 4th of July
Fireworks
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On June 19th,
2007 during her Fire Department report to the SCSD Board of Directors, Board
Secretary Rosa Reagles announced that the SCSD Fire Department would not be
putting on a 4th of July fireworks display due to the fact that the County of
Imperial has recently enacted a ban on fireworks. (more) |
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General
Manager, Manager, President, Violate Board
Resolution
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On June 14th,
2007 SCSD General Manager Thomas Cannell, Assistant Manager Rosa Reagles, and
Board President Robert Butler appear to have committed misdemeanors when they
approved an architectural application for a new mobile home in Desert Shores. (more) |
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SSDD Another Illegally
Enacted Fee |
Just when you thought it was safe to go
back in the water more reports of JAWS has surfaced.... Once again the SCSD has set sail on a
journey on their flagship USSDD. However unlike the movie, these seafarers have
not set course to harpoon a Great White but instead they wish to capture it so
that they can guide it to you to devour your wallet .(more)
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Salton City
Sewer Ponds
Pollute Arroyo
Salada Wash
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Well it's finally a dung deal. The critically over capacity Salton City
Sewer Ponds have finally polluted Arroyo Salada Wash, just as predicted in a
Salton Sea West article entitled "It Only Takes a
Spillage".
(more)
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Sewer User Fee to Double |
On April 17th, 2007 the
SCSD Board of Directors, by a 3-1 vote (with Director Barrett voting no)
approved Resolution 2007-4-1 which will raise the Sewer User Fee that is
charged to all developed properties within Desert Shores and Salton
City...This is well over double of what is currently being charged.
(more) |
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Challenge to a Duel
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So where is our illustrious leader
President Butler right now? You can bet he’s yucking it up with his drinking
buddies at the VFW not giving a care in the world with his “put it on the
back burner” or “It’s not as bad as they’re making it sound” approach to the
sewer system and all the other district problems that have come to light
lately.
(more) |
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Salton City Sewage
“The Makings of a Meltdown”
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Now that the Imperial County Planning
Development Services Department (ICPDS) has stopped issuing building permits for
the Salton City area of the Salton Community Services District (SCSD) many
questions are being asked about what were the circumstances that led up to
the meltdown of the sewage treatment system and what can be done now to
resolve the problem.
(more) |
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Salton City Building
Moratorium Imposed |
Under the authority
of health and safety laws and because the SCSD does not currently have adequate
capacity to provide sewer service to the current residents of Salton City, the
County will no longer issue anymore building permits for Salton City until such
time that the County has sufficient assurances from the SCSD and the Regional
Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) that the SCSD has added the required
capacity.
(more) |
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It Only Takes a Spillage
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With all the new residents that
have come to our fair city, we are now over the capacity of these aged
drying ponds and have had to build an emergency overflow pond, but what will
happen when the houses that are empty now start to fill with families who
will be using their washers, dishwashers, showers and flushing their
toilets?
(more) |
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Bob Butler and the
Highjacking of Democracy
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Well for the past couple of years
this groundskeeper has discovered a new threat to our democratic garden here
within the fence line of the Salton Community Services District. This
invasion species is called totalitarianism and it is from the genus
dictatorship but is commonly known as the Bob Butler
(more) |
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Open Access to
Government?
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Why is it that there
are two people that have the run of the District Offices almost on a daily
basis? Why are the Manager and Assistant Manager giving these two same
people free reign in and out of their private offices, where confidential paper
work could be lying about for them to read?
(more)
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$1,000
Refund Forms Finished |
After more than 4 months of
pressure from this website and Director Barrett, the Salton Community
Services District has finally authorized the refund of over $480,000 in
improperly collected Developer Impact Fees (DIF's).
(more)
Click here for Official Refund Form. |
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Developer Impact Fee Refund Due |
On June 21st, 2005 the previous
Board of Directors of the Salton Community Services District, via motion,
imposed a $1,000 Development Impact Fee (DIF) on all new construction
projects within the district boundaries. $500 was for the Fire Department
and $500 was for Street Lighting.
(more) |
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1st
Amendment Rights
and Website Hijacking |
Anyone who has read our little
web-based newspaper knows we are trying to... blow the whistle on all
illegal activities at the district. But lately we have had to fight on
another front...why is the District’s website still blank?..., because they
are trying to extort our copyrighted materials out of us
(more) |
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So, You Want to Be a
Director?
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This article is intended to be a
guide into the process of becoming a Director on the Salton Community
Services District Board of Directors...First things first, let’s get down to
understanding the qualifications for running for office...Under the
Elections Code residence actually means “domiciled”...(more) |
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Bird Watch / Nature Trail
Receives Funding from SCSD
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... the Directors unanimously approved over $3,000
worth of funding for repairing and upgrading the Salton City Nature Trail &
Bird Watch...The Nature Trail & Bird Watch is maintained strictly by
dedicated volunteers...Thanks go out to Joe & Rachel, and Dean & Carlene
(hope we got the names right)...(more)
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Butler
Palmer Rouhe
Refuse
to Act
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...Butler, Rouhe, and Palmer voted
no on a resolution that would have formally asked the County Board of
Supervisors to hand over approximately $350,000 worth of Developer Impact
Fees (DIF’s) that the county charged every new development in the district
for fire protection over the last 10+ years. (more) |
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SCSD to Refund Improper Impact Fees |
It was four months in the making but it’s finally a
done deal. The Salton Community Services District will be paying back over
$480,000.00 worth of improperly collected impact fees. Good job “John Q.
Public”, chalk one up for the little guy. (more) |
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Board to Vote on
Becoming A City |
At the
December 19th Board of Directors Meeting of the Salton Community Services
District, the Board of Directors will be voting on Becoming s City.
Come to the
meeting at 7pm Tuesday December 19, 2006 and let your opinions be heard on
this very important matter.
(more)
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Community
Recreation
(CORE)
CORE DISBANDED!
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On November 21st,
2006, ... Directors
Butler, Palmer, and Rouhe voted CORE out of existence...CORE's hard work was used to get the
Districts Service Area Plan (SAP) approved by LAFCO...Maybe now...the
Board of Directors can complete the Parks repair list...which Directors
Palmer and Butler already had 3 years to complete...
(more)
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Request
Your $1,000 Refund
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In early September of 2006 Director James G.
Barrett...noticed that something just didn't seem right about the legality
of the $1,000 DIF that the district was charging...BB&K stated that a
Community Services District is not allowed to collect DIF's...As such the
district immediately stopped collecting the fees.
(more) |
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November 21st, 2006
Board of Director Statements
on Developer Impact Fee
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"....we want the community to understand that we are
very anxious to make everything right, and we’re going to do that, and we
just, it’s just a, a matter of how we do it so that it is exactly right."
(more) |
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Developer Impact Fee
Refund Due
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In early September of 2006
Director James G. Barrett was doing some research into the feasibility of a
DIF for Parks and Recreation. While doing the research Director
Barrett noticed that something just didn't seem right about the legality of
the $1,000 DIF that the district was charging.
(more) |
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Christmas
in October
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On Friday October 6, 2006...employees of the district
received a total of over $22,500 in back overtime wages.
(more)
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Architectural Committee
Remodeled
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At the August 15th, 2006 District Board Meeting,
the Architectural Committee and the architectural approval process underwent
a major renovation.
(more)
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CORE
Commission Formed |
At the March 21st, 2006
District Board Meeting, Resolution 2005-12-2 (Barrett)
was unanimously passed by the Board of Directors. This created the
Community Recreational Complex Commission (CORE)
(more)
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Architectural Review
Review |
The new Architectural Committee is not even 3 months old
and already they have over stepped their bounds, by denying a builder their
approval on his site plan. I know you are asking why is this a problem? Well,
he was denied because of Title 9 signage non-compliance!
(more) |
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